Hikaru Utada drops surprise re-recording of KINGDOM HEARTS theme 'Simple and Clean' – listen

Hikaru Utada has a surprise for their fans across the globe.

On 22 May (Wednesday), the Japanese singer released a re-recorded version of their hit 'Simple and Clean', the English version of their single 'Hikari'. It is also known as the theme song for SQUARE ENIX/Disney's action-role-playing game KINGDOM HEARTS.

宇多田ヒカル
Simple And Clean (Re-Recording)
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The surprise drop of the track's re-recording comes alongside the reveal that KINGDOM HEARTS will be hitting Steam for the first time this June.

“For the daunting challenge of re-recording one of my most loved songs I enlisted the help of my friend and collaborator A. G. Cook,” says Hikaru Utada. “The new versions of “Simple and Clean”/“Hikari” are still the songs I wrote twenty-two years ago, but they come from a different place, a different viewpoint. They’re reflective, wiser, and kinder. There are no such thing as wins or losses in life, just what we take away from our experiences. I’m in awe of all the lives that KINGDOM HEARTS has touched and enriched, and looking forward to more to come.”

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There are also special campaigns to celebrate the release of 'Simple And Clean (Re-Recording)' open to fans globally on music platforms and social media with an exclusive shirt is up for grabs. The campaigns close on 20 June 2024 at 11:59p.m., Japan Time (10:59 p.m. SGT/PHT).

Additionally, special campaigns for fans all over the world celebrating the release of “Simple And Clean (Re-Recording)” have started. From today, fans can participate in two campaigns via music platforms and social media to win an exclusive “Simple And Clean (Re-Recording)” T-shirt. The campaigns run until 20 June 2024, 11:59 pm Japan Time. To see the details of the campaigns, please visit the following websites.

Stream the re-recording of 'Simple and Clean' below.