Interest Stacks

Foreign Music in Anime (Part 1)

Anime
byYa_B0i
Oct 14 2024, 2:15 AM | Updated Dec 14, 5:09 PM
PART 2: https://xss.now.cc/stacks/67929

A (hopefully) comprehensive list of all foreign songs used in anime.

Just to clarify: for a song to be included on this stack, it has to be sung in a language other than Japanese and written/composed by non-Japanese people, though I will count in Japanese covers of foreign songs. Also, all listed songs must be featured in the anime's *original* release, so, for example, Sydney Forest's songs used in the US Disney version of Kiki's Delivery Service will NOT be counted in.

TO SEE MY NOTES CONTAINING SONG NAMES, PLEASE SET THIS STACK TO LIST VIEW MODE

If you know of an anime that should've been included here, please let me know and I will add it!

Sorted by release date, ascending.
Maison Ikkoku
TV, 1986, 96 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan

Ending song: "Get Down" by Gilbert O'Sullivan
Cipher
OVA, 1989, 1 ep Me:- Author:4
Opening/Ending song: "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" by Phil Collins

Insert songs: "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams, "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins, "Kamikaze" by Thompson Twins

(While the version of "Kamikaze" used in the anime is confirmed to be the original performed by Thompson Twins, the other three songs are a little harder to discern. Several sources online claim that the renditions of "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and "Footloose" heard in Cipher are covers performed by a vocalist using the alias Wag's, however they are not mentioned anywhere in the anime's end credits. The case of the OVA's opening/ending theme is even more ambiguous. While MyAnimeList lists the original version performed by Phil Collins to be the one used in Cipher, the aforementioned online sources claim it is another cover by Wag's. Additionally, there is a possibility that it is an entirely different cover performed by Dale & Julie Ember with The Flames. This is supported by the fact that said version sounds nearly identical to the one heard in Cipher, however I wasn't able to find a confirmation on this in the anime's end credits nor in any reliable online sources.)
Kurenai no Buta
Movie, 1992, 1 ep Me:- Author:9
Insert song: "Le Temps des cerises" by Tokiko Kato (a cover of a French song written by Jean-Baptiste Clément and composed by Antoine Renard)
Mimi wo Sumaseba
Movie, 1995, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by Olivia Newton-John (a cover of a country song originally performed by John Denver)
Shinseiki Evangelion
TV, 1995, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Fly Me to the Moon" by various artists (the ending of each episode features a cover of a jazz song written by Bart Howard and first performed by Kaye Ballard; its most well-known rendition to date is by Frank Sinatra, although that particular version wasn't used in the anime)
Sanctuary
OVA, 1996, 1 ep Me:- Author:5
Ending song: "A Baby's Born" by Chris Conner (a cover of a song written by Thom Bell & Linda Creed and first performed by Johnny Mathis)

Insert songs: "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" by Helen Merrill (a cover of a jazz song written by Bubber Miley and composed by Duke Ellington), "She's a Reptile" by Mike Clark Group, "Love From the Sun" by Dee Dee Bridgewater

Instrumentals: "Streets of New York" by Fred Wesley Group, "The Bottom Line" by Pee Wee Ellis Group
Initial D First Stage
TV, 1998, 26 eps Me:- Author:8
Insert songs: "Space Boy" by Dave Rodgers, "No One Sleep in Tokyo" by Edo Boys, "Be My Babe" by Jilly, "Remember Me" by Leslie Parrish, "Spark In The Dark" by Man Power, "Don't Stop The Music" by Lou Grant, "Dance Around The World" by Delta Queens, "Get Me Power" by Mega NRG Man, "Running In The 90s" by Max Coveri, "Heartbeat" by Nathalie, "Break The Night" by Tommy K, "Back On The Rocks" by Mega NRG Man, "Save Me" by Leslie Parrish, "My Only Star" by Susan Bell, "Burning Up For You" by Sara, "Lonely Love" by Sophie, "Night Fever" by Dave Rodgers & Mega NRG Man, "Dancing" by Vicky Vale, "Love & Money" by Za-Za, "Don't Stand So Close" by Dr. Love, "Dancing Queen (S.K. Factory Remix)" by King & Queen, "I Need Your Love" by Dave Simon, "Maybe Tonite" by Norma Sheffield, "Love Is In Danger" by Priscilla, "Lost Into The Night" by Elisa, "Stay" by Victoria, "Everybody's Warming" by Tension, "Saturday Night Fever" by Dave Rodgers, "One Night In Arabia (B4 Za Beat Remix)" by Go Go Girls, "Night Of Fire" by Niko, "Boom Boom Japan" by Dave Rodgers, "Black Out" by Overload, "Night & Day" by Mr Groove, "Beat Of The Rising Sun" by Dave Rodgers
Serial Experiments Lain
TV, 1998, 13 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Duvet" by Bôa
Kachou Ouji
TV, 1999, 13 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Cautionary Warning" by John Sykes
Initial D Second Stage
TV, 1999, 13 eps Me:- Author:7
Insert songs: "Burning Desire" by Mega NRG Man, "100" by Dave Rodgers, "Mikado" by Dave McLoud, "I Love You Like Are" by Valentina, "Make My Day" by Derreck Simons, "Take My Soul" by Mickey B, "Ever And Ever" by Queen of Times, "Speedy Speed Boy" by Marko Polo, "Don't You (Forget About My Love)" by Sophie, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Wain L, "Station To Station" by Derreck Simons, "Big In Japan" by Robert Patton, "Gimme The Night" by Dave McLoud, "Make Up Your Mind" by Wain L, "Grand Prix" by Mega NRG Man, "Déjà Vu" by Dave Rodgers
Initial D Third Stage
Movie, 2001, 1 ep Me:- Author:6
Ending song:"The Race Is Over" by Dave Rodgers

Insert songs: "Fly To Me To The Moon & Back" by The Spiders From Mars, "Speed Lover" by Speedman, "Kiss Me Goodbye" by Michael Beat, "Crazy For Love" by Dusty, "If You Wanna Stay" by Norma Sheffield, "Max Power" by Dr. Love ft. D-Essex, "Streets Of Fire" by Dave McLoud
Hellsing
TV, 2001, 13 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Shine" by Mr. Big
Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex
TV, 2002, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Inner Universe" by Origa

Ending song: "Lithium Flower" by Scott Matthew

(both songs were composed by Yoko Kanno but written and performed by foreigners)
Hanada Shounen-shi
TV, 2002, 25 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "The One" by Backstreet Boys

Ending song: "Drowning" by Backstreet Boys
L/R: Licensed by Royal
TV, 2003, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Go Where No Ones Gone Before" by Billy Preston
Dear Boys
TV, 2003, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
Insert songs: "Sex On Fire" by De La Vega, "Hard Beat" by Buddy Bo, "The Fire And The Rain" by Dusty, "Dancing In The Starlight" by Dave Rodgers, "Fly To Me Baby" by Powerful T, "Don't Stop Me" by Matt Land, "Great Balls Of Fire" by Powerful T, "Pamela" by Matt Land, "Fall In The Web Of Desire" by Powerful T, "Baby Be Happy Because I Love You" by Madison, "Babyface" by Pamsy, "To Be Or Notta Be" by The Spiders From Mars, "Fight For Love Tonight" by Ace Warrior, "Pretty Little Girl" by Kevin Johnson
Texhnolyze
TV, 2003, 22 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Guardian Angel (Xavier's Edit)" by Juno Reactor

Insert song: "Spleen" by Francesco Sansalone, "When Reason Fails" by Keishi Urata & Tim Jensen (written by American lyricist Tim Jensen), "Walking Through The Empty Age" by Hajime Mizoguchi (written by British lyricist Chris Mosdell)

Instrumentals: "Underground Conversion To Z" by Adriano Martino, "Underground Conversation: Radio Wave" by Adriano Martino, "Underground Conversation: Rebirth" by Adriano Martino
Gunslinger Girl
TV, 2003, 13 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "The Light Before We Land" by The Delgados
Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
Movie, 2003, 1 ep Me:- Author:8
Opening song: "One More Time" by Daft Punk

Ending song: "Aerodynamic (Daft Punk Remix)" by Daft Punk

Insert songs (all by Daft Punk): "Digital Love", "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger", "Crescendolls", "Superheroes", "High Life", "Face to Face", "Too Long"

Instrumentals (all by Daft Punk): "Aerodynamic", "Nightvision", "Voyager", "Veridis Quo", "Short Circuit"
Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
TV, 2004, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Rise" by Origa

Ending song: "Living Inside the Shell" by Steve Conte

(same reason for addition as the first season)
Appleseed (Movie)
Movie, 2004, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Good Luck" by Basement Jaxx
Initial D Fourth Stage
TV, 2004, 24 eps Me:- Author:7
Insert songs: "Let's Go, Come On" by Manuel, "Go Beat Crazy" by Fastway, "We'll See Heaven" by Digital Planet, "The Fire's On Me" by Spock, "Speed Car" by D-Team, "Revolution" by Fastway, "Forever Young" by Symbol, "Supertonic Lady" by Mega NRG Man, "Midnight Lover" by Dusty, "Fly Away" by Digital Planet, "Right Now" by Dark Angels, "Power Of Sound" by Ace, "Tokyo Lights" by Ace, "Drivin' Crazy" by Ace, "Raising Hell" by Fastway, "On My Wings" by Manuel, "I Believe In Lovin' You" by Brian Ice, "What You Need" by Manuel, "Wild Reputation 2005" by Dave Rodgers, "No Control" by Manuel, "Blood And Fire" by Powerful T, "Kingo King'O Beat" by Fastway, "I Just Wanna Call You Now" by Norma Sheffield, "Mission Impossible" by Nick Mansell, "Fly In The Sky" by Karen, "City Lover City Rider" by Matt Land, "Go Go Money (Friday Night Ver.)" by Neo, "Back On The Rocks" by Mega NRG Man, "So Fragile" by Pamsy, "Looka Bomba" by Go 2, "Rider Of The Sky" by Ace, "Stop To Give Up" by Eurofunk, "Eldorado" by Dave Rodgers, "Chemical Love" by Kevin & Cherry, "All That I Want" by Mr. M, "Lucky Man" by Dave Rodgers, "Takumi" by Neo
Speed Grapher
TV, 2005, 24 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Girls on Film" by Duran Duran
Paradise Kiss
TV, 2005, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Do You Want To" by Franz Ferdinand
Mushishi
TV, 2005, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "The Sore Feet Song" by Ally Kerr
Ergo Proxy
TV, 2006, 23 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead
Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society
TV Special, 2006, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Player" by Origa with Heartsdales

Ending song: "Date of rebirth" by Origa

(same reason for addition as previous seasons)
Deltora Quest
TV, 2007, 65 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "In This Life~Tabidachi no made 3 Step" by Delta Goodrem
Highlander: The Search for Vengeance
Movie, 2008, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Sacrament" by HIM

Insert song: "Please Don't Go" by Jussi Tegelman & Galen Walker ft. Billy Valentine

Instrumentals: "Highlander Theme" by Nathan Wang, "Highlander 3M20" by Nathan Wang, "Highlander 4M29" by Nathan Wang, "Highlander 4M32" by Nathan Wang, "Highlander 6M45" by Nathan Wang, "Highlander 6M47" by Nathan Wang
Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino
TV, 2008, 13 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Scarborough Fair" by Tada Aoi (a cover of an English folk song)
Ultraviolet: Code 044
TV, 2008, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Guilty Pleasure" by BECCA

Ending song: "Falling Down" by BECCA
Kuroshitsuji
TV, 2008, 24 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "I'm ALIVE!" by BECCA
Higashi no Eden
TV, 2009, 11 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "FALLING DOWN" by Oasis
Supernatural The Animation
OVA, 2011, 22 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Carry On Wayward Son" by Naoki Takao (a cover of a progressive rock song originally performed by Kansas)
Kamisama no Memochou
TV, 2011, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Colorado Bulldog" by Mr. Big
JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (TV)
TV, 2012, 26 eps Me:- Author:9
Ending song: "Roundabout" by YES
Girls & Panzer
TV, 2012, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Insert song: "Katyusha" by Hisako Kanemoto & Sumire Uesaka (a cover of a Russian Soviet-era military song written by Mikhail Isakovsky and composed by Matvey Blanter)
Initial D Fifth Stage
TV, 2012, 14 eps Me:- Author:8
Insert songs: "Gas Gas Gas" by Manuel, "Runaway" by Leo River, "I Can't Stop Lovin' You" by Dream Fighters, "Full Metal Cars" by Daniel, "When The Sun Goes Down" by Ken Blast, "Limousine" by Manuel, "Rockin' Hardcore" by Fastway, "Crazy On Emotion" by Ace, "Speedy Runner" by King & Queen, "I Won't Fall Apart" by Jager, "The Race Of The Night" by Dave Rodgers, "A Perfect Hero" by Chris Stanton, "On Your Wings" by Rich Hard, "Wait For You (Dancefloor Night Mix)" by Ace, "Rain" by Mistika, "Face The Race" by Powerful T, "The Top" by Ken Blast, "Wheelpower & Go!" by Dejo & Bon
One Piece Film: Z
Movie, 2012, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Ending songs: "How You Remind Me" by Avril Lavigne, "Bad Reputation" by Avril Lavigne (both songs are covers, the former being originally performed by Nickelback and the latter by Joan Jett)
Mushishi Zoku Shou
TV, 2014, 10 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Shiver" by Lucy Rose
JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders
TV, 2014, 24 eps Me:- Author:9
Ending song: "Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles
Initial D Final Stage
TV, 2014, 4 eps Me:- Author:-
Insert songs: "Dancing On The Street" by David Dima, "Magic Sunday" by Dave Rodgers ft. Futura, "The Jungle Is On Fire" by J-Stark, "1 Fire" by Dave Rodgers, "Crazy Little Love" by Nuage, "Wild Boy Bad Love" by Joe Banana, "Adrenaline" by Ace
Shingeki no Kyojin: Kuinaki Sentaku
OVA, 2014, 2 eps Me:- Author:10
Insert song: "So ist es Immer" by Hiroyuki Sawano (co-written and performed by British lyricist and vocalist Benjamin Anderson)
JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders - Egypt-hen
TV, 2015, 24 eps Me:- Author:8
Ending song: "Last Train Home" by Pat Metheny Group
JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 4: Diamond wa Kudakenai
TV, 2016, 39 eps Me:- Author:8
Ending song: "I WANT YOU" by Savage Garden
Koe no Katachi
Movie, 2016, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "My Generation" by The Who
Drifters
TV, 2016, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Gospel Of The Throttle 狂奔REMIX ver." by Minutes Til Midnight
Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2
TV, 2017, 12 eps Me:- Author:10
Insert song: "Barricades" by Hiroyuki Sawano (co-written by British lyricist Benjamin Anderson)
Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka? Isogashii desu ka? Sukutte Moratte Ii desu ka?
TV, 2017, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Opening song: "Scarborough Fair" by Tamaru Yamada (English folk song cover once again)
Hisone to Maso-tan
TV, 2018, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
Ending song: "Le temps de la rentrée" by various artists (the ending of each episode features a cover of a French pop song originally performed by France Gall)

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