[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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[Cover Songs of Japanese Music] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (41–50)
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.”
[J-Pop Cover Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (51–60)
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).
foreignerMiyamoto Hiroji
“Ihōjin” (Foreign Visitor), the signature song by Saki Kubota, was included on ROMANCE, the cover album released in 2020 by Hiroji Miyamoto, who is active as the lead vocalist of Elephant Kashimashi.
The original is notable for its oriental-sounding string phrases, but in this cover version those elements are toned down, and the arrangement emphasizes a straightforward rock-ballad feel.
Taking a different approach from the original, it becomes a track that distinctly reflects Miyamoto’s style.
Sign of Lovesupittsu
Spitz covered PUFFY’s “Ai no Shirushi.” Since the song was written by Spitz’s Masamune Kusano, you could call it a self-cover.
That said, it felt fresh because it’s a cute type of song that you don’t usually find among Spitz’s tracks.
SpicaShiina Ringo
The original song is by Spitz.
Female artists with distinctive personalities cover Spitz’s tracks, known for their clear, translucent vocals.
With a whimsical, fairytale-like arrangement that preserves a sweet-and-sour mood, Shiina Ringo’s vocals shine—usually delicate yet occasionally cutting.
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.
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?