A roundup of female singers who create wonderful cover songs
Among the singers active in the J-pop scene, some perform their own original songs, while others take on a wide range of cover songs.
There are also singers who usually focus on original music but include a cover as a bonus track or occasionally release an entire cover album.
In this article, we’ll spotlight female singers who create wonderful cover songs.
The main appeal of cover songs is that they let you experience a different flavor from the original.
Covers can also serve as a chance to learn about a singer’s background or discover new songs.
Be sure to listen to plenty of the cover tracks by the singers introduced below.
A roundup of female singers who do wonderful cover songs (1–10)
Song of SpringFujihara Sakura
Sakura Fujiwara, whose father is the bassist Koji Fujiwara, first got into music when she received a classical guitar from her father at the age of ten.
She’s a huge fan of The Beatles and even learned guitar through their songs.
Now, in addition to guitar, she’s a versatile artist who also plays ukulele and keyboard.
Her smoky singing voice brings a sense of comfort to listeners.
She’s well known for songs like “Sukiyo Sukiyo Sukiyo” and “Soup.”
It’s the cutest ever!Koresawa
Koresawa is an artist who resonates with listeners through lyrics that capture everyday moments.
Her charm lies in an accessible sound that blends pop and folk, and she made her major debut in 2017 with the album “Korekara.” Songs that portray raw emotions, such as “Tabako” and “Koibito Shikkaku,” have earned her wide popularity.
In 2021, “Ai o Kite” was broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta.
She also performs under the character “Reko-chan,” and in 2024 she won the Lyricist Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Her music, which gently accompanies the ache of love and the tenderness of daily life, may offer a comforting sense of relief to those who listen.
dogwood (flowering dogwood)May J.
May J., who became famous for her cover of “Let It Go,” actually has an Iranian mother and is herself half Iranian.
She has a multinational background, and her features are very beautiful.
She studied ballet and piano from the age of three and began vocal training at eight.
Her high register is stunning, and her clear, transparent voice is captivating.
She also writes and composes songs, making her a highly versatile artist.
She is known for representative tracks such as “Be mine 〜Kimi ga Suki da yo〜” and “Chikai no Kiss.”
Cotton HandkerchiefKamishiraishi Mone
Mone Kamishiraishi, who is active as an actress in TV dramas, films, and commercials, has also been energetically pursuing her career as a singer in recent years.
Her gentle aura and soft vocals continue to captivate us.
Her 2020 releases, Ano Uta -1- and Ano Uta -2-, feature many nostalgic classics from the 1970s to the 1990s.
The song selection is spot on, including tracks like “Toshishita no Otokonoko,” “Momen no Handkerchief,” and “Katte ni Shiyagare.” She shows a variety of expressions throughout, so be sure to give them a listen!
All of the YouthLefty Hand Cream
Lefty Hand Cream is a female singer who has been active mainly on YouTube since 2014.
She has posted numerous cover videos and has also released albums compiling those covers.
The songs she performs span various genders and genres.
Her clear, translucent voice impressively brings out different charms in the originals.
No matter how intense the rock number, in her hands it instantly becomes a soothing melody or a pop, cute tune! In 2020, she made her major-label debut with the album “1LDK,” which includes both cover songs and original tracks.
KanadeJUJU
Known for countless signature songs like “Mata Ashita…” and “Yasashisa de Afureru You ni,” JUJU is a true embodiment of initiative—she set her sights on becoming a jazz singer at age 12 and moved to the United States alone at 18.
Originally a smoker, she quit for the sake of her music and trained rigorously, expanding her vocal range by two octaves—proof of her dedication.
She made her major debut in 2004 with the single “Hikari no Naka e.” Beyond J-POP, she is an accomplished singer with a wide musical palette that spans jazz, hip-hop, and R&B.
Between the Sky and Youayaka
Ayaka has a voice that speaks directly to your emotions.
Songs like “Mikazuki” and “Minna Sora no Shita” are famous tracks that everyone knows.
With her overwhelming vocal ability, she stunned us from the moment she debuted.
Although she had been suffering from Graves’ disease since the year after her 2006 debut, she paused her activities in 2009 to focus on treatment when she married Hiro Mizushima.
However, in 2011 she established an independent label and returned to us!