Dimond Japanese - Song Library

Here's a collection of songs we have learned in class going back several years. This will be updated as we study and find new songs. Make sure to read the tip at the bottom of the page!

Ulfuls' かわいい人

Official Video (sorry about the Confederate flag; I don't think they know much about American history)
The first song we ever studied, back in 2009, was Ulfuls' 明日があるさ (this version is a takeoff from a popular TV commercial, & the original version is by the famous Sakamoto Kyu. Incidentally, 明日があるさ has been a popular anthem since the 3.11 Disasters.)
Students also loved Ulful's Samurai Soul about the struggle of the modern samurai
Another super big Ulfuls hit: ガッツだぜ！！("It Take Guts")

My Boo by Shota Shimizu （翔太清水）

Official Video
Live Version (probably for a TV show)
Karaoke Version with Guiding Melody (this helps you carry the tune)
Karaoke Only
Very Professional Cover Version with a female vocalist
English Version--this is very cool. It's not an English translation, but he keeps a lot of the meaning and the rhyming scheme. Impressive musician too.
DAMAGE is another good, new song by Shota Shimizu

A Whole New World from Aladdin

Official version in Japanese
Video with lyrics written in Japanese
Regular English version...you know you love it!
Guy from Tohoshinki and BoA sing it!
Just a really cool version

Note: to find your other favorite Disney songs in Japanese, do a search for: "Japanese Disney +(name of the song)" , or: "Disney Japanese Subtitle +(Name of the Song)"

愛唄(Ai Uta) by GReeeeN

Here's the video... it doesn't seem to match the song, but just my opinion....
Whiteeeen is a girl group of 4 teens produced by GReeeeeN. Here's their version.
An English version-- what a beautiful voice!
Kiseki-- GReeeeN's biggest hit [I had trouble finding the PV, let me know if you find it]
Another great song: Hana Uta (this time their actors are high schoolers)
Here's info for the upcoming movie about GReeeeN, "Green Boys"

RPG by Sekai no Owari

Here's the video...it's funky & fun
Fun 外人 sings it-- he's found his niche singing Japanese covers in 日本語＆英語
Get your band director and get ready to march with the band!
Here's the dance...since when are 8 year olds such good dancers?
Doesn't this high school group makes you want to start getting ready for the Japanese Speech Contest?
Another great Sekai no Owari hit.... Starlight Parade

青いベンチ by SASUKE

The Official video-- can't you just feel the breeze up on that rooftop?
High schoolers & Middle schoolers sing it too!
Ready to belt it out w/ the lyrics version?

SUN by 星野源 (Hoshino Gen)

Here's the full video. Doesn't he have a fun, personal quality about him?
This guy, Matt Cab, did a cool English cover of Sun.
It's a karaoke society, right? Make sure you take this singing lesson for Sun before heading to the Karaoka box!
Here's the Karaoke version for Sun...singing isn't just for the shower anymore!!
Never can figure out why these are so popular in Japan, but here's the Music Box version.
This is your English tutorial version.

川の流れのように by Misora Hibari

Here's a video of Hibari Misora singing her famous song 川の流れのように
For a more modern-sounding version, take a listen to Tsubaki's R&B version of 川の流れのように; There's also a fellow 外人, Nelson Babin-Coy...wait for his English interpretation.
And, just to be silly, how about the version from opera's "Three Tenors" performed in Japan?
Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jose Carreras sing 川の流れのように. Diana Ross even performs with two of them at a later concert.
So, speaking of enka music, have you heard of Jero? Jero, short for "Jerome," is a 26-year old enka singer from Pittsburgh. He is American-born of African-American and Japanese descent. Check out his first single, 海雪（うみゆき). I think you'll be surprised!

新宝島 by サカナクション

Here's the Official Video...love the part with the pompoms during their oh so serious dance :)
The trailer for 「バクマン○」the movie that 新宝島 is the theme song from. (Sakanaction wrote all the movie's music, by the way.)
Music: another really good song; the 「きえた」part is my favorite.
Also, if you're interested in downloading 新宝島, it's available on the US version of iTunes.

Somebody to Love by 東方神起

Here's the Official Video
Acapella Version
Okay...don't really like this acapella LIVE version, but it convinces me they can really sing.
Live Version: They can DANCE & sing! In Japanese! Get out your glow stick.
version with lyrics...for Japanese TV show?
If you like Somebody To Love, you'll probably like Mirotic too. (We already know you like the どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう song.)

人にやさしく by ザ・ブルーハーツ

My favorite live Blue Hearts video version
Puffy has a version too. (The slower tempo is helpful!)
Other Blue Hearts hits: Train, Train; Linda, Linda

愛の印（あいのしるし）by PUFFY

The Puffy version? The Spitz version? Both great!

福笑い by 高橋優

Official Video
LyricsTraining for Fukuwarai
Fukuwarai: unplugged with lyrics
Fukuwarai: Live with students from a Fukushima high school
Fukuwarai: Live to Fukushima (3.11 Disaster Zone)
外人 covering with Japanese & English versions
A current hit of Takahashi Yuu's from popular drama "銀のスプーン(Silver Spoon)"

真夏の果実 by Southern All Stars

Nagawasi Masumi's version, with lyrics subtitled
Exile's version (live)
A cool, mellow ukulele version by Kohala
Do you know Shanti? Here's her English version
Your turn! Here's the カラオケ (Karaoke) Version:
Original soundtrack video from movie...the film looks pretty bad, actually

DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?

Here's a perfect short version of just the singing, vocal only
This version has great subtitles, no video
This girl is dressed up a little freakily, but great lip-synching
The perfect karaoke version
If I ever have you work on a parody for this song, "Do You Want To Be My Boyfriend" might provide some inspiration

Frozen's ありのまま (Let It Go)

Here's the video: Furigana, Romaji, & English included
Disney is quite amazing. Here's Let It Go in these 25 languages, yet it sounds like it could all be sung by the same singer
To learn more about the job of finding all those singers in all those languages, listen to this NPR story
Wanna nerd out on the English version?

Craving More Disney? Here's the Japanese for Aladdin's' A Whole New World

Note: to find your other favorite Disney songs in Japanese, do a search for: "Japanese Disney +(name of the song)" , or: "Disney Japanese Subtitle +(Name of the Song)"

linda linda by the blue hearts

Here's the official "Linda Linda" original release video. It feels a little restrained, but definitely passion-filled. Don't let Komotoさん's eyes freak you out, though. "Linda Linda" original video

And, for a live version, here's "Linda Linda" live compilation. A whole lot of head-bobbing going on. There's several more live versions on youtube, so find your favorite.

And, here's the version of the high school girls band of "Linda Linda" from the movie, "Linda Linda." They pretty much rock, too...especially for having to perform in their school uniforms.

"Train Train" is the other big hit from The Blue Hearts. Here's The Blue Hearts famous single "Train Train."

And, just to prove it IS a small world, here's an American punk group called MxPx with their version of "Linda Linda." Very cool that they kept the original lyrics from the beginning. (This version is MxPx live in Japan.)

tegami by angela aki

Here's the official video for "Tegami" with Japanese and Romaji subtitles
Angela self-covers the choir version of "Tegami," which was written by request of NHK (Japan's public TV station). It was the compulsory song in the 75th NHK National School Music Contest in 2008 for Junior High School (students aged 12–15 years old). This video shows the emotional finale for the music contest
Here is Angela recording with a choir group
I thought this was cool. This video shows a student conducting as her ENTIRE graduating class sings along. Man, Japan is a country of singers! It's hard to imagine seeing something like this at our graduation in the Sullivan Arena!
Karaoke version

CHE.R.RY by YUI

Monkey Majik's Sunshine

There doesn't seem to be an official music video so here's an mp3 version
Live version of another good Monkey Majik song: 魔法の言葉（magic words)
Get to Monkey Majik's official website

どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう by東方神起

Official Video
Live version from way back in 2009 when the band was still together (who knows what that tattoo means?)
This is the acapella version (that means no backup music) and you get the idea why 東方神起 is the most photographed celebrity in the world, according to the Guinness World Records.
Live version with lyrics
Someone else’s karaoke version

だんご三兄弟（The Three Dango Brothers)

Here's the video
check out Youtube for the karaoke version & the various "new" versions of the original

Atarimae Taisou (Obvious Exercises)

Just plain silly!
Here's the more famous ラジオ体操 or "radio exercises," which are calisthenics often done at school or at a company. Get movin'!

東方神起 SURVIVOR

THE video
Wanna sing it with the カラオケ？
Sweaty Live Version
Version with the crazy mega-fan's comments
YouTube Channel with other faves like: Mirotic, Somebody to Love, Doshite Kimi O Suki Ni Natte Shimattan Darou?

Dream Come True's Love Love Love

Here's the official video
Variations on Love Love Love: Live version & English Version (sung by one of the singers of Morning Musume)
Other great ドリカム songs: 何度でも and さあ鐘を鳴らせ
English songs: Chance are you've already heard Dream Come True in English. If you know the video game Sonic the Hedgehog, the movie Sleepless in Seattle, or the animated film The Swan Princess, then you've already heard DCT!

Finger 5's 学園天国

Long live the Seventies!!! Here's the original radness
Get up & grooove! (Come on! You can't not do this for the Japanese Speech Contest, right?)
(9 year olds w/ moves )

Kenichi Ebina on America's Got Talent:

Okay, it's not a song, but I needed a venue for showing you Kenichi Ebina, the America's Got Talent dance contestant. Here's his semi-finals performance. Personally, I thought his Matrix performance was even better.

ずっと好きだった by 斉藤和義

Original Version with lyrics

Here's the original 15-sec Shiseido commercial. Does "In & On" mean drink it IN, put it ON? Kinda weird for a make-up company.

Can't appreciate this version unless you're a Beattles fan...long live Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band!!

Great version with YUI. (If you don't already love YUI, check out YUI's "Che.r.ry")

Rightfully angry & powerful re-make by Saito KAzuyoshi, ずっとウソだった in response to the 3-11 Disasters

東方新期（とうほうしんき）SOMEBODY TO LOVE

Here's the official video
Acapella Version
Live Version: They can DANCE & sing! In Japanese! Get out your glowstick :)
Another fave from 東方新期: どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう(Why Did I Fall In Love With You?)

いい日旅立ちoriginally performed by 山口百恵

The original-- Recorded at Momoe's final concert (age 21) Momoe, you're great!
Here's a karaoke version-- Momoe singing; Japanese lyrices
Ready to ROCK OUT? Here's General Head Mountain's version
Don't believe that it's famous?! Listen to what you'd hear as the shinkansen takes off
The TABIDACHI in this song is actually a bride leaving for her new home...see pictures of a bride's traditional trek
Okay...last one. In case you didn't know, ネコカラis short for ネコカラオケ...you'll figure it out

ミュジック by サカナクション（Music by Sakanaction)

Music: It doesn't get any fresher then this-- 1/23/13 release date
If you like the electronic, catchy sounds in Sakanaction's Music, you just might also like:
- This one is ネイティブダンサー by Sakanaction, their earlier work, and many people say this is their best song.
- This one is ワールズエンド・スーパーノヴァ by くるり

もぐらの唄 by Express

Official Video: Full Version

高橋優 : 福笑い

Official Video
New York Street Performance Experience
Fukuwarai: Live to Fukushima (3.11 Disaster Zone)
Another top hit of Takahashi's

福原美穂 : Dream On Ft. Miura Daichi

Official Video: strangely it isn't on youtube, but several other of her hits are, such as: Get Up! Feat, with it's cool jazz club vibe; and Let It Out from the anime Munto

Also, check out this TV show clip showing Fukuhara's high school debut and her belting out "Ave Maria" and "Oh Happy Day" gospel style in an LA church

Scott Murphy's 楓（かえで）

Official Video
Here's the original Kaede by Spitz...for when you're in a more mellow mood
Other popular Scott Murphy/Allister covers: Donna Toki Mo, Cherry, Totoro & Utada Hikaru's First Love)

YUZU's 夏色

Official Video
And...here they are 14 years laters: Live Version...まだ楽しんでいる
NatsuIro video with lyrics
Another heartfelt tune from Yuzu 「地下街」(Thanks Ryo-sensei for the recommendation)

PUFFY これが私の生きる道

Official Video
They're fun. They're upbeat. This is Puffy's サーキットの娘

川の流れのように by Misora Hibari

Here's a video of Hibari Misora singing her famous song 川の流れのように
For a more modern-sounding version, take a listen to Tsubaki's R&B version of 川の流れのように
And, just to be silly, how about the version from opera's "Three Tenors" performed in Japan?
Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jose Carreras sing 川の流れのように
So, speaking of enka music, have you heard of Jero? Jero, short for "Jerome," is a 26-year old enka singer from Pittsburgh. He is American-born of African-American and Japanese descent. Check out his first single, 海雪（うみゆき). I think you'll be surprised!

真夏の果実 by Southern All Stars

Nagawasi Masumi's version, with lyrics subtitled
Exile's Live Version:
A cool, mellow ukulele version by Kohala
Do you know Shanti? Here's her English version
Your turn! Here's the カラオケ (Karaoke) Version:
Original soundtrack video from movie...the film looks pretty bad, actually

花唄 by GReeeeN

The video...with other performers, of course

Chocolate Disco by Perfume

Just in time for Valentine's Day...here's the official video. なぜか教室がダンスフロアに。。。 (singing...)

ARIGATO by Inoue Yousui & Tamio Okuda:

Here's the live version. It's always a crowd-pleaser when you can say: 「東京のみなさん、どうもありがとう！」
I don't know which is cuter; the young girl singing her heart out on this cover version, or her mini guitar

クローバー Clover by Tsuji Ayano

mp3 version, song is slightly different from our class version
Video of a live version, ukelele and...is that an electric cello, too?
Video with Japanese text (although singer is different)
Video with explanation regarding "Best Video" award, followed by the original video
Also, take a listen to つじあやの's most popular song: 風になる (Kaze Ni Naru)

今が大好き

Here's a link to the video:今が大好き by ユンナ
Also, here's a version with lyrics and English subtitles
And, there's also a live version that show's a little bit of her Japanese skills. Wow!
Okay...now I'm just having fun. Do you know that video game that's kinda like DDR, but you play taiko drums instead of dancing? Here's that version.

Hey! If you'd like to download any of these songs for practice or your own enjoyment, try accessing the Online Video Converter or this Youtube to Mp3 tool on your computer!

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