Great covers of classic and popular songs sung by male artists
What songs come to mind when you hear the word “cover”? Popular hits, timeless classics that are often sung, standout tracks by artists who focus on covers… Through changing times, countless masterpieces have been passed down in song.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected profoundly moving cover songs performed by male artists.
You might discover something fresh even in your usual favorites.
Each one is a wonderful cover—be sure to give them a listen.
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Great cover versions of classic and popular songs sung by male artists (21–30)
to youHAN-KUN
This is a cover of MONGOL800’s classic song “Anata ni” by HUN-KUN, the vocalist of the Japanese reggae group Shonan no Kaze.
While the original is a classic by a melodic hardcore band, this version is arranged with a reggae ska rhythm, making the melody stand out even more than in the original.
The call-and-response interjections also do a fantastic job of lifting the vibe!
The Theory of Happinessrekishi
The original song is Sheena Ringo’s Koufukuron, with which she made her major debut in 1998.
With Rekishi’s world in full swing, the arrangement is so brilliant it almost makes you mistake it for his own song.
Even though the lyrics are the same as the original, it changes the shape of happiness that the listener imagines.
Great and popular cover songs sung by male artists (31–40)
Daydream BelieverTHE TIMERS
This is a song originally released by the Monkees in 1967, but among people who don’t know that era, some may think it’s a song by THE TIMERS led by Kiyoshiro Imawano.
Since it was used in many commercials, starting with 7-Eleven, it’s a song that tends to be remembered together with Kiyoshiro’s voice.
The one who rings that bell is you / Crazy Ken BandCRAZY KEN BAND
This song, whose powerful melody pierces the listener’s heart, is, as you know, a cover of a classic by Akiko Wada.
Many artists have covered this track, but most versions are by male performers, and this one, by Crazy Ken Band, is also a cool cover that’s wild and brimming with masculinity.
Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi
This song, which many may already recognize as Akikawa Masafumi’s, is actually a cover version.
Originally, Man Arai translated this poem—said to have originated in the United States—into Japanese, added lyrics, and recorded it.
That version drew attention and became a topic of conversation, which Akikawa then covered, leading to a major hit.
For the children yet to be bornSatō Chikuyoshi
Here’s a hidden gem by Off Course, released in 1980.
It was covered in 2002 by Chikuzen Sato (Satake), with a star-studded lineup: the spoken parts by Takako Matsu and harmonica by Toots Thielemans.
The result feels even more polished and impassioned than the original version.
Blue LightningSMAP
This is a 1996 single by SMAP.
As their first release after becoming a five-member group, the song was also used for a time as the theme for the variety show SMAP×SMAP.
Its up-tempo feel and slightly sensual lyrics helped ignite the popularity of Johnny’s idols, including the group themselves.
In conclusion
One of the charms of cover songs is that the singer adds their own unique expression, letting you feel a different kind of appeal from the original.
Even your favorite songs can feel fresh when you listen to the cover version, don’t you think? As long as there are great songs, great covers will keep being born.
Let’s look forward to the covers of upcoming hit songs that will be released to the world!