[Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular

Morning will come againLittle Glee Monster

[Little Glee Monster] DREAMS COME TRUE / Morning Comes Again (cover)

A single by Dreams Come True released in 1999.

It’s a timeless classic you still often hear on the radio.

In 2015, Little Glee Monster—whose outstanding vocal and expressive abilities have been winning them more fans each year—covered it on the tribute album “Watashi to DREAMS COME TRUE 2 – DCT WONDERLAND 2015 Memorial BEST COVERS -” and in their live shows.

While preserving the original’s bright, uplifting worldview, they infused it with Little Glee Monster’s own fresh harmonies, giving it a disco-like yet slightly mellow vibe.

And of course, it’s fun to hear the interplay among the members’ distinct voices, each with its own unique feel!

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The Future Projection IItsuruno takeshi

DREAMS COME TRUE – Future Prediction Map II ~VERSION '07~ (from Live from DWL 2015 Live Ver.)

This is a song included on DREAMS COME TRUE’s fifth single, “Egao no Yukue,” released in 1990, and it continues to be covered by many artists today.

The rendition of this song performed by Takeshi Tsuruno on the TV special “Owarai Geinin Uta ga Umai Ouza Ketteisen Special” drew significant attention, leading him to cover and include it on his second cover album, “Tsurunoto.”

Rock ‘n’ Roll WidowShishido Kafuka

KAVKA SHISHIDO / Rock 'n' Roll Widow / Cover

Kafka Shishido has covered Momoe Yamaguchi’s “Rock’n Roll Widow.” It was a digital-only release.

She’s a drummer who isn’t part of a band, and her unique style is to sing while playing the drums.

She’s a cool woman, and that image fits this song perfectly—it’s awesome.

Sign of Lovesupittsu

Spitz / Sign of Love

Spitz covered PUFFY’s “Ai no Shirushi.” Since the song was written by Spitz’s Masamune Kusano, you could call it a self-cover.

That said, it felt fresh because it’s a cute type of song that you don’t usually find among Spitz’s tracks.

SpicaShiina Ringo

Ringo Sheena (椎名林檎, Shiina Ringo) – “Spica” (スピカ, Supika)

The original song is by Spitz.

Female artists with distinctive personalities cover Spitz’s tracks, known for their clear, translucent vocals.

With a whimsical, fairytale-like arrangement that preserves a sweet-and-sour mood, Shiina Ringo’s vocals shine—usually delicate yet occasionally cutting.

Look up at the stars in the nightKahara Tomomi

Tomomi Kahala – Look Up at the Stars in the Night

It is Kyu Sakamoto’s 1963 hit song.

The original is the theme song from a musical of the same name that premiered in 1960, and it is one of Sakamoto’s signature songs, for which he won the Japan Record Award for Composition.

The song has been covered by many artists, and Tomomi Kahara included her cover of it on her 2014 cover album “MEMORIES 2 -Kahara All Time Covers-.”

A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyTanimura Shinji

A Good Day to Set Out on a Journey Shinji Tanimura

Released in 1978 as Momoe Yamaguchi’s 24th single.

The song became a major hit as the catchphrase for a travel-promotion campaign by the Japanese National Railways.

Written and composed by Shinji Tanimura, it later led to Tanimura covering the song himself, and his cover was used as the theme song for the film “Yaeko no Humming.”