[Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular
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.
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- Iconic and popular songs sung by female artists: great cover versions
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[Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of classic hits popular in both their original and arranged versions (21–30)
frecklesDēmon Kakka
The original song is by JUDY AND MARY.
It’s been given a very hardcore arrangement by His Excellency Demon, whose personality seems completely opposite to the original.
The imbalance of delivering cute lyrics with a high-pitched voice feels fresh and captivating.
Even with the key lowered, the vocal ability to fully perform a song originally for a female vocalist is impressive.
Ballad of a SingerBank Band
Kazutoshi Sakurai of Bank Band covered a song that was originally released in 1997 as Kazuyoshi Saito’s 15th single.
It is included on Bank Band’s second album, Oishi Sōai 2, was performed at BGM Vol.
2 and ap bank fes ’07, and was also performed on the TV show Music Station.
All of the YouthBank Band
The original song is by Fujifabric.
Bank Band’s vocalist is Kazutoshi Sakurai from Mr.
Children, and the blend of his delicate voice with the fragile composition creates a refreshing and bright impression, while also evoking the loneliness of summer’s end.
I Love YouUtada Hikaru
The original song is by Yutaka Ozaki.
A leading songstress of Japan delivers a cover with overwhelming vocal power of a signature track by this legendary artist.
With a voice that blends strength and delicacy and bears true originality, she expresses the original song’s poignancy to the fullest extent.
TouchYunna
It was released in 1985 as Yoshimi Iwasaki’s 20th single.
It became a long-running hit as the first opening theme song for the anime Touch, which aired on the Fuji TV network, and it remains a staple cheer song in high school baseball.
Younha is active in both Japan and South Korea, and she released a cover single of the same song in 2005.
Her version has a more rock-oriented arrangement than the original.
RobinsonGosuperāzu
It was released in 1995 as Spitz’s 11th single.
The song has been featured on variety shows, TV dramas, and commercials, and became their biggest hit.
The Gospellers covered it on their 44th single, “Robinson/Taiyō no Gonin,” which was their first double A-side release.
It’s a track where you can feel the Gospellers’ new take on “Robinson.”
A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyOnitsuka Chihiro
The original song is by Momoe Yamaguchi.
The lyrics have been remade, but the overall feel stays very close to the original and gives a simple impression.
Chihiro Onitsuka is known for her strong individuality, yet her calm, measured delivery—grounded in a solid understanding of the lyrics’ meaning—conveys a sincere intent to weave the words with care.