[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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[J-Pop Cover Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (51–60)
Miracle EarthKobukuro
Released in 1995 as a charity single by Keisuke Kuwata & Mr.Children.
The song was issued as part of the Act Against AIDS (AAA) fundraising efforts to support patients and achieved double million sales.
It was covered on Kobukuro’s first cover album, ALL COVERS BEST, released in 2010.
The perfectly synchronized harmonies are quintessential Kobukuro.
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.
SenbonzakuraAbe Mao
When you hear “Senbonzakura,” you think of the Vocaloid track originally written and composed by Kurousa-P.
It was also covered by Wagakki Band, which helped the song gain popularity among listeners who don’t usually listen to Vocaloid.
In both the original and the Wagakki Band cover, the sound work pushes a distinctly ‘wa-rock’ (Japanese rock) vibe to the forefront, but in Mao Abe’s cover, the stronger, her-signature rock flavor in the production really stands out.
Her powerful vocals also suit the song’s atmosphere perfectly!
Charles (Prod. by Tatsuya Kitani)Ado
Released in April 2025, this track is a cover of Balloon’s Vocaloid song “Charles.” It’s included on the album “Fall Apart.” The memorable, beautiful melody line pairs perfectly with an emotional rock sound, showcasing the talents of Tatsuya Kitani and Ado.
While preserving the original’s sense of poignancy and melancholy, this version is reborn through a unique interpretation.
It’s a song I highly recommend to anyone searching for music that resonates with the heart.
[Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular (61–70)
Beard and BoobsTRICERATOPS
TRICERATOPS is covering UNICORN’s “Hige to Boin.” An album with the same title, “Hige to Boin,” has also been released.
Albums usually include singles, but in this case there were no singles; it was a collection of newly written tracks.
FriendsDēmon Kakka
Demon Kogure has covered REBECCA’s “Friends.” Since Demon can hit high notes, he’s released an album covering songs originally sung by female vocalists.
This track has a slightly metal twist as well, which felt fresh.
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.