Time Will Tell (Hikaru Utada song)

"Time Will Tell"
The promotional CD cover
Single by Hikaru Utada
from the album First Love
A-side	"Automatic"
Released	December 9, 1998
Recorded	August 1998
Studio	Studio Z'd, Wonder Station Yoyogi Studio, Studio Terra, Tokyo, Japan
Genre	R&B
Length	5:30
Label	Toshiba EMI Eastworld
Songwriter(s)	Utada
Producer(s)	Utada Akira Miyake Teruzane Utada
Hikaru Utada singles chronology
"Time Will Tell" / "Automatic" (1998) "Movin' On Without You" (1999)
Alternative cover
Commercial CD featuring "Automatic" and "Time Will Tell"

"Time Will Tell" (stylized as "Time will tell") is a song recorded by Japanese–American singer Hikaru Utada, taken as the lead single from her debut album First Love (1999). It was released on December 9, 1998, through Toshiba-EMI in three physical formats: mini CD single, standard CD single and 12" vinyl. Additionally, the single was originally served as a B-side to "Automatic", but was changed into an A-side. The song was written and co-produced by Utada herself, while Akira Miyake and the singer's father Teruzane Utada served as producers. Despite working recording in English under the name Cubic U, "Time Will Tell" is Utada's first Japanese recording, and was released after she enrolled into high school in Japan.

Musically, "Time Will Tell" is a dance tune that incorporates elements of pop, jazz and funk music. Lyrically, it delves into themes of love, and focuses on moving on from a relationship. Although an English version was recorded, it was placed as a B-side recording on the re-released CD single. Upon its release, "Time Will Tell" received positive reviews from music critics, who commended Utada's vocal abilities and production style. It was nominated for numerous accolades in Japan, and has subsequently been listed as one of her best releases. Commercially, the 8 cm CD single edition of "Automatic" and "Time Will Tell" experienced success in Japan, reaching number four on the Oricon Singles Chart and selling over 772,000 units there.

Meanwhile, the 12 cm CD single edition peaked at number two and sold 1.291 million units, tallying over two million copies in Japan; it was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for physical shipments. Since its release, Oricon has ranked it amongst many best-selling singles in the country, and has earned other distinctions for its commercial success. In order to promote the single, Utada had included it on all her concert tours, such as her Bohemian Summer 2000, Budokan 2004 concert shows, Utada United, In the Flesh and her most recent Wild Life tour. Additionally, the recording appeared on compilation albums conducted by the artist, and has made appearances on various commercials in Japan.