Simple and Clean

"Simple and Clean" and its Japanese counterpart "Hikari" (光) are a pair of songs written and sung by. They are main themes of the.

A pair of remixes titled "Simple and Clean -PLANITb Remix-" and "Hikari -PLANITb Remix-" debuted alongside the original song in . A new pair of remixes by PUNPEE titled "Simple and Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-" and "Hikari -Ray of Hope MIX-" were composed for Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-.

An instrumental arrangement of the piece titled "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" was introduced in Kingdom Hearts, arranged by Kaoru Wada and performed by the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. A shorter instrumental arrangement by Yoko Shimomura appears in Kingdom Hearts as well, titled "HIKARI -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-". A new instrumental arrangment by Kaoru Wada appears in Kingdom Hearts III, titled "Hikari -KINGDOM Tres Orchestra Instrumental Version-".

Kingdom Hearts

 * Main menu cinematic
 * Opening cinematic
 * Ending credits


 * Cutscenes
 * Hollow Bastion: "Sora's Sacrifice"

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories

 * Opening cinematic
 * Ending credits

Kingdom Hearts II

 * Ending cinematic

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

 * Opening cinematic
 * Ending credits
 * Ending credits (Final Episode)

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

 * Opening cinematic
 * Ending credits

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

 * Opening cinematic

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX

 * Ending credits

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth By Sleep -A fragmentary passage-

 * Opening cinematic
 * Ending credits

Kingdom Hearts III

 * Ending cinematic

Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind

 * Ending cinematic

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory

 * Opening cinematic

"Simple and Clean"
"Hikari" first released on Utada's ' album, while "Simple and Clean" first released on the ' single. The name Hikari (光) means "Light" in Japanese, a universal force in the Kingdom Hearts universe.

"Simple And Clean -PLANITb Remix-"
"Simple And Clean -PLANITb Remix-" and "Hikari -PLANITb Remix-" are versions of "Simple and Clean" and "Hikari" remixed by Russell McNamara at PLANITb Studios London, England. The PLANITb Remix is faster, longer, and has more of a dance mix feel to it than Utada's original song. A shortened version of the remix is used in the Kingdom Hearts series.

"Simple And Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-"
"Simple And Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-" and "Hikari -Ray Of Hope MIX-" are versions of "Simple and Clean" and "Hikari" remixed by PUNPEE. This version is shorter in length in comparison to the original and the PLANITb Remix. The arrangement has a similar dance mix feel to the PLANITb Remix, although a few clicks slower.

"Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-"
"Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" is approximately three minutes and forty-two seconds long in Kingdom Hearts and the HD remake of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix. The piece has a time signature of 4/4. The opening theme has a tempo of 70 beats per minute, then slightly increases to 80 beats per minute, briefly speeds up with the low brass melody to a tempo of 154 beats per minute, temporarily slows down to 74 beats per minute, and concludes with a tempo around 72 beats per minute before the final rallentando and ritardando.

For instrumentation, "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestral Instrumental Version-" consists of a full orchestra. This would include: a complete strings section- violin, viola, cello, and stringed bass, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, snare drum, bass drum, orchestral bells, chimes, wind chimes, suspended cymbal, crash cymbal, timpani, piano, and harp.

"Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" has a very grand and adventurous feel to it; befitting for an opening or ending cutscene. Several different themes are introduced, which can be broken down into five sections: the opening theme/introduction, the second theme, the third theme, the fourth theme, and the finale. Each section represents either a verse or chorus from "Hikari." Throughout the piece are many instrument-specific and unique techniques, such as: trombone glissandos, the various strings extended techniques- vibrato, and the like.

The opening theme lasts for the first fifty seconds on the piece, and, as the opening statement of the composition, lays the foundation for the following themes. The opening theme's magical mood transitions to the second theme's faster, but equally as mystical tone. The third theme momentarily shifts dynamic and features the percussion and brass sections, before returning the melody back to the strings. Resuming control, the strings lead the ensemble into the fourth theme- a slightly livelier and more percussive variation of the first theme. The last theme is the finale, which changes tempo greatly towards the end through the use of rallentando and ritardando. These tempo reductions, along with the brass fanfares and percussive crashes help imply the ending of a grand adventure.

"HIKARI -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-"
"HIKARI -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-" is approximately one minute and nine seconds long in both versions of Kingdom Hearts. The piece has a time signature of 4/4 and a tempo of 74 beats per minute.

This instrumental arrangement is slightly different compared to the orchestral version, instead preferring a smaller instrumentation of: a complete strings section, flute, choir-ahhs, piano, organ, and a synthesizer that is using a music box MIDI sound effect.

Playing only once, "Hikari -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-" serves a distinct purpose: it represents sacrifice Sora makes in order to save Kairi. As such, this version references parts of previous tracks in order to connect the music to this specific scene. The use of a music box sound effect is homage to Kairi's theme, while the actual melody draws heavily from the chorus section of "Hikari." It can also be interpreted that this rendition is a "watered down" version of the full orchestral arrangement.

Lyrics

 * When you walk away
 * You don't hear me say please
 * Oh baby, don't go
 * Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
 * It's hard to let it go


 * You're giving me too many things
 * Lately you're all I need
 * You smiled at me and said,


 * Don't get me wrong I love you
 * But does that mean I have to meet your father?
 * When we are older you'll understand
 * What I meant when I said "No,
 * I don't think life is quite that simple"


 * When you walk away
 * You don't hear me say please
 * Oh baby, don't go
 * Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
 * It's hard to let it go


 * The daily things that keep us all busy
 * Are confusing me
 * That's when you came to me and said,


 * Wish I could prove I love you
 * But does that mean I have to walk on water?
 * When we are older you'll understand
 * It's enough when I say so
 * And maybe some things are that simple


 * When you walk away
 * You don't hear me say please
 * Oh baby, don't go
 * Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
 * It's hard to let it go


 * Hold me
 * Whatever lies beyond this morning
 * Is a little later on
 * Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
 * Nothing's like before


 * When you walk away
 * You don't hear me say please
 * Oh baby, don't go
 * Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
 * It's hard to let it go


 * Hold me
 * Whatever lies beyond this morning
 * Is a little later on
 * Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
 * Nothing's like before


 * Hold me
 * Whatever lies beyond this morning
 * Is a little later on
 * Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
 * Nothing's like before


 * どんな時だって
 * ただ一人で
 * 運命忘れて
 * 生きてきたのに
 * 突然の光の中、目が覚める
 * 真夜中に


 * 静かに出口に立って
 * 暗闇に光を撃て


 * 今時約束なんて不安にさせるだけかな
 * 願いを口にしたいだけさ
 * 家族にも紹介するよ
 * きっとうまくいくよ


 * どんな時だって
 * ずっと二人で
 * どんな時だって
 * 側にいるから
 * 君という光が私を見つける
 * 真夜中に


 * うるさい通りに入って
 * 運命の仮面をとれ


 * 先読みのし過ぎなんて意味の無いことは止めて
 * 今日はおいしい物を食べようよ
 * 未来はずっと先だよ
 * 僕にも分からない


 * 完成させないで
 * もっと良くして
 * ワンシーンずつ撮って
 * いけばいいから
 * 君という光が私のシナリオ
 * 映し出す


 * もっと話そうよ
 * 目前の明日の事も
 * テレビ消して
 * 私の事だけを見ていてよ


 * どんなに良くったって
 * 信じきれないね
 * そんな時だって
 * 側にいるから
 * 君という光が私を見つける
 * 真夜中に


 * もっと話そうよ
 * 目前の明日の事も
 * テレビ消して
 * 私の事だけを見ていてよ


 * Don'na toki datte
 * Tadahitori de
 * Unmei wasurete
 * Ikite kitanoni
 * Totsuzen no hikari no naka, megasameru
 * Mayonaka ni


 * Shizuka ni deguchi ni tatte
 * Kurayami ni hikari o ute


 * Imadoki yakusoku nante fuan ni sa seru dake ka na
 * Negai o kuchi ni shitai dake sa
 * Kazoku ni mo shōkai suru yo
 * Kitto umaku iku yo


 * Don'na toki datte
 * Zuttofutaride
 * Don'na toki datte
 * Soba ni irukara
 * Kimitoiuhikari ga watashi o mitsukeru
 * Mayonaka ni


 * Urusai tōri ni haitte
 * Unmei no kamen o tore


 * Sakiyomi no shi sugi nante imi no nai koto wa yamete
 * Kyō wa oishī mono o tabeyou yo
 * Mirai wa zutto sakida yo
 * Boku ni mo wakaranai


 * Kansei sa senaide
 * Motto yoku shite
 * Wanshīn zutsu totte
 * Ikeba īkara
 * Kimitoiuhikari ga watashi no shinario
 * Utsushidasu


 * Motto hanasou yo
 * Mokuzen no ashita no koto mo
 * Terebi keshite
 * Watashi no koto dake o mite ite yo


 * Don'nani yokuttatte
 * Shinji kirenai ne
 * Son'na toki datte
 * Soba ni irukara
 * Kimitoiuhikari ga watashi o mitsukeru
 * Mayonaka ni


 * Motto hanasou yo
 * Mokuzen no ashita no koto mo
 * Terebi keshite
 * Watashi no koto dake o mite ite yo


 * No matter what the time
 * I'm just alone
 * Destiny forgotten,
 * Even though I kept going.
 * Inside of the sudden light I awaken
 * In the middle of the night


 * Quietly, stand in the exit way
 * In the pitch-black, take the light


 * And about the recent promises, is it just that I'm so anxious?
 * A wish that's wanting to be said, but shall be repressed
 * I'll introduce my family
 * You'll surely get along well


 * No matter what the time
 * We'll always be together
 * No matter what the time
 * Because you're by my side
 * The light known as "you" finds me
 * In the middle of the night


 * Enter a noisy street
 * Put on the mask of destiny.


 * I'll stop doing things that have no meaning, like thinking about the future.
 * Today I'll eat delicious things.
 * The future is always before us
 * Even I don't know it.


 * It's not necessary to go right to the end,
 * Just keep going.
 * It's okay if the scenes
 * Go on one by one.
 * The light known as "you"
 * Reflects my scenario


 * Let's talk more,
 * And about the tomorrow that's before your very eyes.
 * Turn off the television
 * Look only at me.


 * No matter how well we're doing,
 * I don't believe in us completely.
 * But at those sort of times,
 * Because you're by my side,
 * The light known as "you" finds me
 * In the middle of the night.


 * Let's talk more,
 * And about the tomorrow that's before your very eyes.
 * Turn off the television
 * Look only at me.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In , "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" plays in the background of the beginning and ending of Sora's reveal trailer, although it does not appear in the game itself.

Notes and references
Hikari