Zou Musume: A Covert Operation - Mission 4: Singled Out

Friday, February 12, 2010

A Covert Operation - Mission 4: Singled Out

For five years Tsunku wrote nearly every single released by Hello! Project, but in late 2002 Goto Maki released the double A-side Sans Toi Ma Mie / Kimi to Itsumademo. "Sans Toi Ma Mie" was a cover of a Salvatore Adamo song that Tsunku had translated into Japanese. Two months later Morning Musume released a cover of "Hyokkori Hyoutanjima," the theme song of an old children's show of the same name. It was the first true Hello! Project cover single, and seven H!P acts have gone on to release cover singles as well.

Edit: A new discovery! Heike Michiyo's second single, "Sotsugyou ~TOP OF THE WORLD~" (卒業〜TOP OF THE WORLD〜), is a cover of The Carpenters' 1973 hit single "Top of the World." Former Sharam Q member Makoto wrote the Japanese lyrics for Michiyo's version.

Mission 4: Singled Out

1. Top of the World
Heike Michiyo
1998.02.15
Originally by The Carpenters

2. Sans Toi Ma Mie (サントワマミー)
Goto Maki
2002.12.18
Originally by Salvatore Adamo

3. Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutanjima (モーニング娘。のひょっこりひょうたん島)
Morning Musume
2003.02.19
Originally "Hyokkori Hyoutanjima" by Maekawa Yoko & Young Fresh

4. Rock n' Roll Kenchoushozaichi ~Oboechaina Series!~ (ロックンロール県庁所在地～おぼえちゃいなシリーズ～)
Minimoni
2003.04.09
Originally "Rock n' Roll Kenchoushozaichi" by Moritaka Chisato