[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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[Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of famous tracks where both the originals and the arranged versions are popular (31–40)
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.
MissingNakajima Mika
Mika Nakashima has covered Toshinobu Kubota’s “Missing.” The song was included on Kubota’s tribute album, and later it was also featured as the B-side to Nakashima’s single “Hi no Tori” (Firebird).
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!
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.
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.
[Cover Songs of Japanese Music] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (41–50)
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.
A Member of the Fire BrigadeKōda Kumi
After changing their name from Shibugakitai to Rats & Star, the song they released for the first time in 1983 was covered by Kumi Koda on her first cover album, “ETERNITY ~Love & Songs~,” released in 2010.
A music video was later produced and included on the limited first edition DVD of her 9th album, “Dejavu.”