Parody song medley. Classic Japanese hits and recommended popular songs.
I gathered and reviewed the original songs that are often used for parody lyrics in TV commercials and comedy routines.
Besides their popularity, there are clear reasons they get chosen—catchy rhythms and tempos, phrase structures that make it easy to insert alternate lyrics, and more.
Parody Song Medley: Classic J-Pop Masterpieces and Recommended Popular Tracks (1–10)
YosakuSaburō Kitajima
One of the signature songs by Saburo Kitajima, a leading figure in the enka world.
With distinctive lyrics like “Hey hey ho” and “Ton ton ton,” an easy-to-remember melody, and striking sounds from instruments such as the shakuhachi and the quijada, it became a huge hit at the time, with everyone from children to adults singing and imitating it.
presentJITTERIN’JINN
A band that enjoyed a cult following in the 1980s.
They got their start on Ikasu Band Heaven (nicknamed “Ikaten”), a show hosted by Yuji Miyake.
Although their sound is uniquely pop, the lyrics of Present are deeply heartrending.
Their hit Natsu Matsuri was later covered by Whiteberry and became a hit again.
Christmas EveTatsuro Yamashita
It’s now such a classic winter song that there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know it.
When the single was first released, its highest position was only No.
44 on the Oricon chart, but after it was used in a JR Tokai commercial, its popularity surged.
Tatsuro Yamashita himself has reportedly commented, “This song will become my signature piece.”
A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanShirou Aoi & Mika Hino
A duet song that was popular in the Showa era.
It’s also a karaoke classic, sung by many people.
It was originally composed for a commercial for a gastrointestinal medicine, but due to an overwhelming number of inquiries, a full-length version was made.
There’s a sequel titled “Man and Woman Bar-Hopping.”
The High-Class Mermaid of the ShoreKyoko Koizumi
The song with which Kyoko Koizumi topped the Oricon chart for the first time.
She made her debut appearance at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The lyrics were by Yasuharu Kan, and the composition/arrangement by Koji Makaino—a powerhouse hit-making duo of the time.
Kyon Kyon, an eternal idol.
It's nothing good.Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi
The theme song of the drama Oyako Zigzag, in which Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi himself starred.
The lyrics plaintively sing about the pains and setbacks of one’s teenage years.
Its distinctive line “pii pii pii” was parodied by Tatsuwo Kamon in a spoof song as “It’s not a pager.”
TRAIN TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS
A band that led the band boom of the 1980s.
Songs like “Linda Linda” and “Kiss Shite Hoshii” are extremely famous.
“TRAIN-TRAIN” became a hit as the theme song for the drama High School Graffiti.
Hiroto Kōmoto’s distinctive singing and style inspired many young people to form bands and cover their songs.