[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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[Cover Songs of Japanese Music] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (41–50)
powder snowBENI
The original song is by Remioromen.
Because the Japanese lyrics have been turned into English and it’s sung by a woman, it gives an impression with a completely different vibe from the original.
The fact that a song by a Japanese male rock band can be transformed to such an unimaginable degree—doesn’t that capture the essence of a cover?
[J-Pop Cover Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (51–60)
Other people’s relationshipsHitoto Yo
Yo Hitoto has covered Katsuko Kanai’s “Tanin no Kankei.” The choreography from Kanai’s version is incorporated as-is.
It’s also included on Hitoto’s cover album, but the arrangement differs from the single version.
Cheer up!Shimatani Hitomi
This song was written and composed by Mariya Takeuchi, and the original version was included on Hiroko Yakushimaru’s first album “Kokonshū,” released in 1984.
In 2003, it was released as Hitomi Shimatani’s 11th single.
Shimatani’s style of giving classic hits a pop arrangement was put to good use, resulting in a colorful rendition, and with this song she made her second appearance at the 2003 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
flying getGILLE
The original song is by AKB48.
It features a bold arrangement that sounds so different from the original it could be an entirely new song.
It’s highly danceable, and the lyrics translated into English add even more dynamism.
It gained attention when the cover was uploaded by the artist to a video-sharing site.
suddenlyZARD
Released in 1995 as FIELD OF VIEW’s second single.
Among FIELD OF VIEW’s songs, it became their biggest hit, selling over a million copies.
Because Izumi Sakai wrote the lyrics, she later self-covered it on ZARD’s album “TODAY IS ANOTHER DAY.”
Between the Sky and YouMakihara Noriyuki
Noriyuki Makihara has covered Miyuki Nakajima’s “Between the Sky and You.” It was included on Makihara’s cover album released in 1998, and was later also featured on a Miyuki Nakajima tribute album.
The Future Projection IIAcid Black Cherry
Acid Black Cherry covers Dreams Come True’s “Mirai Yosouzu II.” In the music video for this song, members of Acid Black Cherry appear in cosplay at key moments.
It doesn’t fit the MV’s storyline, which makes it amusing.