I'm really stuck between "Dirty Desire", "On and On" and "Taking My Money Back". They all have their pros and cons. Rhythmically and musically, "Dirty Desire" is just perfect for the American market. Lyrically, it's not like it would be astonishing to anyone, but I just don't know if I want Hikki to get her name in America from THAT song. I know she says the lyrics are humorous, but it's hard to tell with the way the music industry is run now. Too many people will take her seriously, and while that might boost her popularity, I don't know if I can stand having Britney Spears fans and Utada Hikaru fans lumped into the same category. Meanwhile, "On and On" is extremely danceable and probably the most risk-free choice for a single, but it just doesn't seem like a summer song to me somehow. TMMB, on the other hand, isn't really danceable, but it is an easy-going song with a lazy feel to it that would work perfectly in the summer time. It just screams "Put Me On The Radio and Relax!" to me. The lyrics are a bit sloppy in places, but it would probably do fine.

Thing is, in order for Hikki to make an impression, unfortunately she has to do more than just "do fine". She has to really get peoples' attention. So, I've said it before and I'll say it again, the next single is really just going to be a choice of how IDJ wants to manage and promote Hikki. They'll either go with "Dirty Desire" because they know it will get people listening and sacrifice Utada's more "artistic" image or they'll go the safe route with something like "On and On" or "Taking My Money Back", both of which could do well but might not be entirely suited to bring Utada the kind of attention she needs. It's also possible they might release "Apple & Cinnamon" to cater to her fans, but that would be the worst possible choice they could make right now in terms of getting Utada noticed.

Honestly, though, whatever the next single is, I just hope it has a new freaking album cover. xD

Shuri/Eli