Iconic and popular songs sung by female artists: great cover versions
What songs come to mind when you hear the word “cover”? That famous hit.
A classic that’s often sung.
A standout track by an artist known for cover performances, and so on—so many great songs have been passed down through the ages as times change.
This time, we’ve carefully selected cover songs sung by women that really hit you in the heart.
You might even discover something new in your favorite tracks you always listen to.
Every one of these covers is wonderful, so please give them a listen.
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- Thrilling to Cool Showa-Era Tunes! Classic Songs from Female Singers and Artists of the Showa Period
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- A classic Showa-era kayōkyoku song sung by a female vocalist. A nostalgic tune passed down through the years.
- Masterpieces that sing about women. Recommended popular songs.
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- Packed with masterpieces! Karaoke songs recommended for women of the Yutori generation
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- [Women Artists Only] Tear-Jerking Masterpieces Recommended for Gen Z
- If you’re unsure what to pick, you should definitely sing these! Recommended songs by female artists for karaoke
Great cover versions of classic and popular songs sung by female artists (11–20)
Cheer up!Shimatani Hitomi
A classic from the Showa era: the original was sung by Hiroko Yakushimaru, and a year later Mariya Takeuchi, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, released her own self-cover.
Comparing the original released in the Showa era with this version released in the Heisei era, it feels poppier; even Tatsuro Yamashita reportedly described it as brighter when introducing it on the radio.
Hitomi Shimatani’s bright, clear voice makes this a song that lifts your spirits.
GibbsMs. OOJA
A song in which Ms.OOJA covers a smash hit by singer-songwriter Ringo Sheena, who is also active as the vocalist of Tokyo Jihen.
Unlike the original’s arrangement featuring a hysterical vocal in the chorus and noisy guitars, this version draws out new charms of the song with a subdued, tender vocal and an R&B-inflected rhythm.
First loveHoshimura Mai
Mai Hoshimura, a singer-songwriter, has covered Kozo Murashita’s long-beloved hit “Hatsukoi,” originally released in 1983.
Murashita, who passed away at the young age of 46, left behind many classics, and this song—often sung at karaoke—is one of his most famous.
Hoshimura delivers a superb performance, and hearing this masterpiece sung by a woman gives it a fresh, new feel.
A Little Love SongAragaki Yui
This punkish song, released by MONGOL800 in 2001 and a hit, has a version by Yui Aragaki with a slower tempo than the original, emphasizing a calm and gentle vibe.
Aragaki’s version was also used in a 2009 Sony Walkman commercial.
The Reason We Set Out on a JourneyAndō Yūko
In 1994, Kenji Ozawa released “The Reason We Go on a Journey,” and singer-songwriter Yuko Ando has covered it.
The performance is a lavish cover by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.
The back-and-forth with Skapara’s Kin-ichi Motegi is exquisite, making it an incredibly compelling listen.
It’s a highly recommended cover song you’ll want to play again and again.
A Member of the Fire BrigadeKōda Kumi
This is Kumi Koda’s 2010 cover of a Rats & Star song that was originally released and became a hit in 1983.
Because many TikTok posts imitated the choreography Koda performs while singing this song, it experienced a revival hit many years after the cover was released.
Great cover versions of classic and popular songs sung by female artists (21–30)
Garden feat. DJ KAORI, Diggy-MO’, Clench & BlistahMay J.
May J., a singer known for numerous hit covers.
This track is a number that reconstructs a classic 1990s R&B song into a dazzling party tune under the production of DJ KAORI.
While retaining the slightly bittersweet worldview of the original, it features star-studded guest appearances from artists like Diggy-MO’ and CLENCH & BLISTA, expressing the exhilaration of time spent with friends.
May J.’s soaring vocals and the cool back-and-forth with the rappers are must-hear, guaranteed to lift your spirits just by listening.
The album containing this song, “FAMILY,” was released in May 2009 and reached No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
Its sophisticated sound will surely capture your heart, perfect for livening up a drive with friends or a glamorous party scene.