[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 Cover Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (91–100)

threadHirahara Ayaka

Thread Ayaka Hirahara

threadHirahara Ayaka

Miyuki Nakajima’s 35th double A-side single, “Inochi no Betsumei / Ito,” was released in 1998.

Both songs were used as theme songs for the TBS drama series “Seija no Koushin.” Initially, the already-released “Ito” was used, and from episode 5 onward—coinciding with the single’s release—it was replaced with the new song “Inochi no Betsumei.” Ayaka Hirahara covered the songs in 2016 during “Utaenishi – Miyuki Nakajima RESPECT LIVE 2015.”

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Snow BlossomTokunaga Hideaki

Hideaki Tokunaga - Snow Flowers

Snow BlossomTokunaga Hideaki

It was released in 2003 as Mika Nakashima’s 10th single.

The song was used in Meiji Seika’s “boda” and “galbo” commercials, in which Nakashima herself appeared, and it became a winter standard hit.

Hideaki Tokunaga covered it on his second cover album, “VOCALIST 2,” released in 2006, and it was issued as an advance single.

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single bedEuphoria

Single Bed Eu-Phoria (Tomo-zo of Gacharic Spin)

single bedEuphoria

It was released in 1994 as Sharam Q’s sixth single.

Although it peaked at No.

9 on the Oricon chart, it continued as a long-running hit and became Sharam Q’s first million-seller.

In 2007, the rock band Euphoria covered the song.

This cover was used as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama series Tadano Hitoshi, the Special Mission Section Chief (Season 3).

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Roppongi HeartbreakJUJU

Roppongi Heartbreak / JUJU

Roppongi HeartbreakJUJU

Originally released in 1984 as Ann Lewis’s 25th single, the song was covered by JUJU in 2016 and included on her album “Snack JUJU: Night Request.” It enjoyed steady support on cable radio and in karaoke at the time, becoming a long-running hit, and it’s still a popular choice in snack bars and karaoke today.

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Mermaid of ReminiscenceMUCC

MUCC – Reminiscence Mermaid (Tsuioku no Mermaid) THE YELLOW MONKEY TRIBUTE

Mermaid of ReminiscenceMUCC

MUCC covered THE YELLOW MONKEY’s “Tsuioku no Mermaid.” Before THE YELLOW MONKEY reunited, a tribute album was released, and MUCC covered this song on it.

It seems they basically chose the songs they wanted to perform from the band’s catalog.

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