A masterpiece of an answer song. A song that weaves feelings—a love song.
Answer songs are created as responses to original songs.
This is a unique genre that draws attention as “sequels to songs,” featuring many love songs and narrative-driven tracks that often center on differences in perspective between men and women.
In addition to music’s charm of allowing countless interpretations—one for every listener—one of the joys of answer songs is the new discoveries they offer: realizing, beyond what you felt from the original track, that there were such feelings and stories behind it!
We’ll introduce not only the classics but also relatively new tracks, carefully picked along the way.
You might just get hooked on the worldview that connects artists’ intentions!
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A masterpiece of answer songs. Songs that weave feelings—love songs (21–30)
O-KAYHirota Mieko
Mieko Hirota’s “O-KAY” was an answer song to “MICO,” sung by Southern All Stars’ Keisuke Kuwata, which overflowed with emotion.
When artists send songs to each other like that, it shows mutual respect—and it’s truly beautiful, isn’t it?
Even If We Can’t Meet feat. Kana NishinoWISE
The original song is Kana Nishino’s “Tookutemo feat.
WISE.” In that version, Kana Nishino takes the lead while WISE plays a supporting role, but in this rendition it’s the opposite.
WISE’s vocals are pushed to the forefront, giving it a completely different appeal from the original.
A classic answer song. Songs that weave feelings: love songs (31–40)
Lifetime Respect -Female Version-RSP
The original is both a cover and an answer song to Dozan Miki’s “Lifetime Respect.” Using the same melody, it expresses the feelings of the woman who was sung about with love in “Lifetime Respect.” Pay attention to the quotations of the original vocals and the contrast between the two sets of lyrics.
M ~Another Love Story~RSP
RSP, who sparked the answer song trend, released “M ~Another Love Story~” as an answer to Princess Princess’s “M.” It’s a love song that boldly samples the original track and breathes new charm into it.
NobodyAmuro Namie
“Nobody,” written as a sequel to “White Light.” Reading the lyrics, it seems that unfortunately they broke up with the partner they were so in love with.
It pains the heart to see them reminiscing about this time last year, but it’s a bittersweet song that shows those were good memories.
In loveHY
Even if you weren’t the one they chose, the fact that you loved doesn’t change… A bittersweet yet forward-looking sentiment runs through this touching HY ballad.
Written as the theme song for the film “366 Days,” released in January 2025, the track is positioned as an answer song to their 2008 classic “366 Days.” It beautifully portrays emotional growth—rising from the pain of heartbreak and embracing even that experience as a cherished memory—and is also included on the album “TIME.” Set across Okinawa and Tokyo, the film unfolds a pure love story spanning 20 years, and this song superbly captures its worldview.
For those who have reached the end of a romance, or who are about to take a new step forward, this is a song that will gently give you a push.
What are you to me, anyway!? Yokohama Harbor Yoko: Escape ArcMinato no Yōko o Mamoru Kai ichidō
The original song is Downtown Boogie-Woogie Band’s “Minato no Yoko, Yokohama, Yokosuka.” Prior to this, Economic Animals released an answer song titled “The Return of Minato no Yoko,” but “Tōbō-hen” (Fugitive Edition) was the first answer song to involve the original song’s lyricist and composer.
Following “Tōbō-hen,” the album “Minato no Yoko National Edition: Anta, Ano Ko no Nannin na no sa!?” was also released, which likewise included many variations.