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

Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

You know how musicians sometimes perform covers of other musicians’ songs, right?

Sometimes there’s a single cover track at the end of an album, sometimes it’s performed on a TV show, or it’s part of a tribute album…

Cover songs are fun to listen to because they convey respect for the original artist while showcasing each musician’s own arrangement.

It’s amazing how much the same song can change depending on who’s singing it!

This article will introduce lots of such cover songs.

We’ve got everything from faithful renditions of the originals to arrangements that really highlight the covering musician’s individuality, so take your time and enjoy.

[Japanese Pop Cover Songs] A Selection of Beloved Classics Popular in Both Their Original and Arranged Versions (101–110)

Rock ‘n’ Roll WidowShishido Kafuka

KAVKA SHISHIDO / Rock 'n' Roll Widow / Cover

Rock 'n' Roll WidowShishido Kafuka

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.

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I look up as I walkSenju Riko

I look up as I walk

I look up as I walkSenju Riko

A classic song that represents Japan has been revived in a new form by a young artist.

“Walk forward so your tears don’t fall…”—these words hold the courage to face any hardship.

Riko Senju’s gentle, warm voice resonates as if embracing the listener’s heart.

Released in February 2024, this track blends nostalgia with freshness.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear especially when you’re feeling down or low on energy.

It’s also great for karaoke—sing it together, and you’re sure to feel uplifted.

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BibleOikawa Mitsuhiro

Mitsuhiro Oikawa — The Bible

BibleOikawa Mitsuhiro

This is Yasuyuki Okamura’s “Bible” sung by Micchi.

It’s a perfect song choice for Micchi’s character, but, if anything, it still falls short of the original Okamura’s clingy, sultry vibe.

Compared to the original, the quirks feel more toned down, and it leaves me a little unsatisfied…

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BoyhoodImawano Kiyoshirō

Boyhood / Kiyoshiro Imawano

BoyhoodImawano Kiyoshirō

The original song is by Yosui Inoue.

Kiyoshiro Imawano, with a completely different character from Inoue’s distinctive vocals, delivers it in a light and poppy reggae-style arrangement.

Yet it also brings on that indescribable end-of-summer melancholy—a track with a uniquely captivating charm.

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Cotton HandkerchiefHashimoto Ai

Ai Hashimoto – Cotton Handkerchief / THE FIRST TAKE

Cotton HandkerchiefHashimoto Ai

Released in 1975, this masterpiece by Hiromi Ohta is still sung and cherished by many artists today.

Actress Ai Hashimoto covers it on the popular one-take YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.

Composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi with lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, the golden duo’s worldview is the very pinnacle of depth.

Hashimoto’s careful, deliberate, almost conversational delivery of each word is wonderful and reminds you anew of the power of song.

The moments when she seems overwhelmed and on the verge of tears are truly moving.

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[Japanese pop covers] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (111–120)

milk teaHata Motohiro

Milk Tea - Motohiro Hata

milk teaHata Motohiro

Motohiro Hata is covering UA’s song “Milk Tea.” Among UA’s tracks, it already has a mellow tone, and even her characteristically idiosyncratic singing feels a bit gentler in this one.

Hata’s version, however, arranges it to be even more subdued, tender, and sweet.

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tear-coloredNoriko Sakai

Color of Tears

tear-colored Noriko Sakai

It was released in 1997 as Noriko Sakai’s 30th single.

It was used as the ending theme for NTV’s NNN Kyo no Dekigoto, with lyrics and composition by Ryuichi Kawamura, who also produced the track.

Kawamura later self-covered the song on his 1997 solo album Love.

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