I'm sure half the town's heard of the ballad version of Final Distance. But not this version. It's termed 'New Distance" changing it's ballad style into a pop dance remix, giving a breathe of fresh air.
"Distance" originally appeared in the Distance album, and was planned to be released as a single.
However, Utada heard of a school stabbing rampage in which schoolgirl Rena Yamashita had died. Rena had previously won an essay competition; writing about how she wanted to become a singer just like Utada.
Utada decided to change the song entirely, creating the song "Final Distance". The Japanese Ministry of Education decided to incorporate Hikaru Utada's ballad "Final Distance" in the high school music textbook starting spring semester 2001, which was announced on 8th of April.
In order to pass the proposal, they needed 313 points. The proposal was passed with 319 points. They will be targeting high school students in their second year to test the new curriculum. According to the publisher of arts in education, the song was chosen because it is closely familiar with high school students.
Chorus of the Lyrics sings like this.
Jap Romanji English translation
I wanna be with you now I wanna be with you now
Futari de distance chijimete Let's shorten the distance with the two of us
Ima nara maniau kara We can still make it on time
We can start over We can start over
Hitotsu ni wa narenai We can't be as one
I wanna be with you now I wanna be with you now
Itsu no hi ka distance mo Someday even this distance
Dakishimerareru you ni nareru yo We'll be able to embrace
We can start sooner We can start sooner
Yappari I wanna be with you After all I wanna be with you
