[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 famous tracks where both the originals and the arranged versions are popular (31–40)
My First KissHi-STANDARD
The original song is Hajimete no Chuu, the theme song of the anime Kiteretsu Daihyakka.
It beautifully transforms the cute original into a gutsy punk sound.
Thanks to its very easy-to-listen arrangement, it seems to be commonly used as background music at weddings and similar events.
Love Story Comes SuddenlyChris Hart
The original song is by Kazumasa Oda.
It’s sung in remarkably clear Japanese that you wouldn’t expect from a non-native speaker.
Even among Japanese artists, few can sing in a way that lets you catch the lyrics this clearly.
He also handles the high notes—which are considered difficult for male singers—effortlessly, delivering a perfectly executed and very pleasant performance.
Galaxy Express 999EXILE feat. VERBAL（m-flo）
It was a single released by Godiego in 1979 and was used as the theme song for the film version of Galaxy Express 999 (The Galaxy Express 999).
EXILE covered it on their 2008 best-of album EXILE CATCHY BEST.
This cover also features VERBAL (m-flo), and it’s a song that really energizes live performances.
Easy★RiderGOING UNDER GROUND
GOING UNDER GROUND covers Tamio Okuda’s “Easy Rider.” Although it’s a track included on Okuda’s cover album, it suits GOING UNDER GROUND so well that you could almost call it their song.
I LOVE…Crystal Kay
Singer Crystal Kay, known for her signature hit “Koi ni Ochitara,” has released the first cover album of her career, which includes a rendition of Official HIGE DANDism’s “I LOVE…”.
The original is notable for its band sound—a light, groovy mid-tempo track characteristic of Hige Dandism—but this cover reimagines it as a slow-tempo ballad.
You can really feel Crystal Kay’s exceptional vocal ability and her power to convey the song’s world.
The chorus, where her clear, unadorned high notes soar straight and true, is a must-listen!
[Cover Songs of Japanese Music] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (41–50)
crimsonSHOW-YA
The original song is by X JAPAN.
As pioneers among female hard rock bands, they truly stood out—and I doubt there’s any other female vocalist who can deliver this song with such power.
It’s a faithful cover of the original, but since the entire band is female, you can feel a refined, high-level musicianship shining through the heaviness.
Island SongNatsukawa Rimi
The original song is by THE BOOM.
A female singer from Okinawa covers this song, which depicts Okinawa.
It stays faithful to the original and feels like a traditional Okinawan folk song.
It’s a good example showing that, rather than adding clumsy arrangements, it’s better to cover a song by truly understanding its appeal.