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.
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A roundup of female singers who do wonderful cover songs (11–20)
May it be filled with kindnessFlower
Flower rose to popularity with performances that passionately sing of bittersweet love.
Debuting in 2011, they captivated many fans on the J-pop scene.
Their song Taiyō no Aitōka, produced as the ending theme for the anime Altair: A Record of Battles, earned them their first No.
1 on the Oricon chart.
Their 2016 best-of album, THIS IS Flower THIS IS BEST, also topped the rankings.
Their delicate, beautiful dance—perfectly synchronized with their emotionally rich vocals—undoubtedly enhances the world of each song.
They’re the perfect group for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a poignant story.
All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika
Among storytelling-driven music, the vocalist suis from the musical unit Yorushika is especially popular.
Since beginning activities in 2017, she has captivated many fans with her clear, translucent voice.
Yorushika has earned high acclaim, including winning the Japan Gold Disc Award, and suis is also active as a solo artist.
When she covered classic hits for a game promotion, her expressive power drew in a wide audience.
Music that lets you immerse yourself in a story through a beautiful singing voice can evoke a certain sense of wistfulness, don’t you think? Be sure to experience their one-of-a-kind world for yourself!
BoyhoodUtada Hikaru
The singer-songwriter who shook Japan’s music scene is Hikaru Utada.
While rooted in R&B, she captivates a wide audience with a unique style that transcends genres such as J-pop and electronica.
Her debut single “Automatic/time will tell,” released in 1998, became a smash hit in no time.
The following year’s masterpiece, “First Love,” holds the astonishing record of about 7.65 million copies sold in Japan.
Critically, her work is also highly acclaimed—for example, her album “Fantôme” won the “Best Album Award” at the Japan Record Awards.
If you’re seeking lyrics and melodies that resonate with the heart, why not give Hikaru Utada’s music a listen?
The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi
One artist who is well-known as a catalyst for the cover song boom is Hitomi Shimatani.
After debuting in 1999 as an enka singer, she shifted to pop.
Her 2002 cover of “Amairo no Kami no Otome” became a record-breaking hit, topping the Oricon karaoke chart for 18 consecutive weeks.
She also gained popularity with original songs like “Perseus,” and performed at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen for four consecutive years.
Her expressive range—spanning Latin and jazz—brings out new charm in the originals.
If you’d like to enjoy a different flavor than the original tracks, be sure to give her music a listen!
summer festivalWhiteberry
Whiteberry is a five-piece girls’ band from Hokkaido known for their powerful performances.
They debuted in 1999 with the single “YUKI,” which was also used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!” The song that catapulted them to fame was their August 2000 cover of a track by JITTERIN’JINN.
With this release, they performed at the 51st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and the song is still beloved as a summer classic today.
Many listeners may feel a sense of nostalgia in their down-to-earth music.
Be sure to check out their performance, which brings out the best of the original song!
The Last RainMs. OOJA
Ms.OOJA, known for hit songs like “Be…” and “Life,” actually studied dance before she started making music.
She spent ten years singing in Nagoya’s club scene and made her major debut in 2011 at the age of 29.
At the time of her debut, she was widely talked about as “the diva born from Nagoya’s reality.” Her stage name is said to be an anagram of her real name.
Standing 173 cm tall, she captivates with a resonant, expansive voice that’s both clear and strong.
Female singers who do wonderful cover songs (21–30)
instinctKato Miria
Singer-songwriter Miliyah Kato has journeyed through love and life’s turning points together with women of her generation who support her, through the medium of song.
She made her major debut in 2004 while still in high school with the single “Never let go / Yozora,” and at the time drew attention not only for her music but also for her fashion and visuals as a “charismatic high school girl.” Her appeal lies in her vocals, which deliver R&B tracks with passionate soulfulness and, at times, heartbreaking tenderness that moves listeners to tears.
In 2020, she released her first cover album, “COVERS -WOMAN & MAN-,” featuring 15 songs including Namie Amuro’s “Don’t wanna cry,” whom she admires, and Fujii Kaze’s “Yasashisa (Kindness).”
