[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.
- Great covers of classic and popular songs sung by male artists
- “Romantic Flight” - Popular Cover Song
- Farewell Message: Popular Cover Songs
- “All About Youth” Popular Cover Song
- Acoustic versions of popular songs: a roundup of arrangements and cover tracks
- A collection of cool songs that sound great when sung by women, originally male songs
- [2026] Crowd-Pleasing Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s: A Collection of Nostalgic Classics
- That popular voice actor is doing that song!? A roundup of cover songs by voice actors
- Nagori-yuki: Popular Cover Song
- A classic song covered by major artists: cover versions of Spitz’s “Kaede.”
- [2026 Edition] Songs Loved by People in Their 60s: Classic Hits from Their Youth
- Iconic and popular songs sung by female artists: great cover versions
- [2026 Edition] Youth Anthems for Your 40s! A Roundup of Popular Heart-Pounding × Heartwarming Songs
[Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of classic hits popular in both their original and arranged versions (21–30)
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.”
AutomaticOkamura Yasuyuki
Yasuyuki Okamura covers a song that portrays the automatic reactions of romantic feelings, delivering it with his uniquely distinctive vocal style.
While preserving the charm of the original, it feels completely reborn as an Okamura track.
The original was released in December 1998 as Hikaru Utada’s debut single and garnered major attention.
Through Okamura’s idiosyncratic interpretation, a new emotional depth is added that resonates powerfully with listeners.
Blending R&B and pop sensibilities, it captures the intuitive motions of a heart in love, making it a perfect recommendation for moments when you want to savor comfortable, intimate time with someone special.
[Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of famous tracks where both the originals and the arranged versions are popular (31–40)
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 can’t put it into wordsEXILE ATSUSHI
It was released in 1982 as Off Course’s 23rd single.
In 2012, ATSUSHI covered it on Solo / EXILE ATSUSHI, which is included in EXILE’s ninth and EXILE ATSUSHI’s first original album, EXILE JAPAN/Solo.
ATSUSHI’s gentle vocals match the song perfectly.
LOVE LOVE SHOWOkuda Tamio
The original song is by THE YELLOW MONKEY.
Tamio Okuda has covered many songs, and he always makes them his own—his signature style bursts through every time, which is nothing short of impressive.
Kazuya Yoshii, the vocalist, and Tamio Okuda are fellow musicians and seem to hang out privately as well, doing things like fishing together.
LA LA LA Love Songayaka
The original song is by Toshinobu Kubota.
It’s a super famous track that sold over a million copies in the ’90s.
Although Ayaka is strongly associated with ballads, she delivers a perfectly funky cover that preserves the vibe of the original while keeping her own individuality, making for a very refreshing listen.
flying getGILLE
The original song is by AKB48.
It features a bold arrangement that sounds so different it could be an entirely separate track.
It’s danceable, and the lyrics translated into English add even more dynamism.
It gained attention when the cover was uploaded to a video-sharing site by the artist themself.