What is Choo Choo TRAIN and who originally performed it?

Choo Choo TRAIN is a J-pop/dance song originally released in 1991 by the Japanese dance group ZOO. It became a major hit in the early 90s before being covered by EXILE in 2003.

Who sings the version of Choo Choo TRAIN used in maimai?

The maimai version features EXILE members TAKAHIRO and ATSUSHI on lead vocals. It is the short PV cut from EXILE's 2008 compilation album CATCHY BEST.

When was Choo Choo TRAIN removed from maimai?

Choo Choo TRAIN was removed from all maimai arcade cabinets on March 19, 2015, after being available since the maimai GreeN launch on July 11, 2013.

What is the connection between EXILE and ZOO regarding Choo Choo TRAIN?

EXILE's leader HIRO was formerly a member of ZOO before founding EXILE. This gives EXILE's cover of ZOO's 1991 hit a personal through-line linking both groups.

Who composed the music for Choo Choo TRAIN?

The music was composed by Keizo Nakanishi, with lyrics written by Arisu Sato and arrangement by Takashi Iwato.

What other rhythm games feature Choo Choo TRAIN?

Beyond maimai, Choo Choo TRAIN has appeared in Taiko no Tatsujin and Dance Dance Revolution (the newer generation releases).

Choo Choo TRAIN, EXILE Cover in maimai GreeN

All songs

Overview

Choo Choo TRAIN is a cover song performed by EXILE that appears in maimai GreeN as a launch title. The track is EXILE's rendition of ZOO's 1991 J-pop/dance hit of the same name, a connection made especially meaningful by the fact that EXILE's leader HIRO was once a member of ZOO before forming the massively popular vocal-dance group. The version used in maimai is the re-recorded short PV cut from EXILE's 2008 compilation album CATCHY BEST, featuring TAKAHIRO and ATSUSHI on lead vocals. Originally released as EXILE's tenth single in 2003, the song served as the ending theme for the TV Asahi variety program Uchimura Produce from October to December of that year. In maimai, Choo Choo TRAIN was classified under POPS&ANIME (initially simply POPS until the ORANGE PLUS update) and was present from the GreeN launch on July 11, 2013 until its removal from all arcade cabinets on March 19, 2015. The song's audio and jacket data had actually been discovered in early maimai data files prior to GreeN's release, suggesting it was planned for inclusion from the beginning. Outside of maimai, Choo Choo TRAIN has also appeared in other rhythm game series including Taiko no Tatsujin and Dance Dance Revolution, cementing its status as a cross-generational J-pop staple.

Videos

Official PV

Open

Master chart

Open

Charts

STD

BASIC

4(4)

140 notesDesigner: -|Tap 107Hold 18Slide 12Break 3

YouTube

ADVANCED

5(5)

172 notesDesigner: -|Tap 145Hold 17Slide 6Break 4

YouTube

EXPERT

8(8)

358 notesDesigner: (無し)|Tap 277Hold 33Slide 38Break 10

YouTube

MASTER

10(10)

437 notesDesigner: (無し)|Tap 270Hold 57Slide 66Break 44

YouTube

Trivia

Choo Choo TRAIN was originally released by the Japanese dance group ZOO on November 1, 1991, and became a major hit in the early 90s J-pop scene.
EXILE's cover of Choo Choo TRAIN was their tenth single, released on October 22, 2003.
The maimai version uses the re-recorded short-form PV from EXILE's 2008 compilation album CATCHY BEST, which features TAKAHIRO and ATSUSHI on vocals, different vocals from EXILE's original 2003 single.
EXILE leader HIRO was a member of ZOO before founding EXILE, giving this cover an especially personal connection.
The song served as the ending theme for TV Asahi's Uchimura Produce (内村プロデュース) from October to December 2003.
Choo Choo TRAIN was added to maimai GreeN at the version's launch on July 11, 2013.
The song was removed from all maimai arcade cabinets on March 19, 2015, making it a removed/legacy track.
Audio and jacket data for Choo Choo TRAIN were found in early maimai software files predating GreeN, indicating the song was prepared for inclusion before the version officially launched.
The music was composed by Keizo Nakanishi, with lyrics by Arisu Sato and arrangement by Takashi Iwato.
Choo Choo TRAIN also appears in other rhythm game franchises including Taiko no Tatsujin and the new Dance Dance Revolution series.
Until the ORANGE PLUS update, the song's in-game genre was simply POPS before being folded into the broader POPS&ANIME category.

FAQ

What is Choo Choo TRAIN and who originally performed it?: Choo Choo TRAIN is a J-pop/dance song originally released in 1991 by the Japanese dance group ZOO. It became a major hit in the early 90s before being covered by EXILE in 2003.
Who sings the version of Choo Choo TRAIN used in maimai?: The maimai version features EXILE members TAKAHIRO and ATSUSHI on lead vocals. It is the short PV cut from EXILE's 2008 compilation album CATCHY BEST.
When was Choo Choo TRAIN removed from maimai?: Choo Choo TRAIN was removed from all maimai arcade cabinets on March 19, 2015, after being available since the maimai GreeN launch on July 11, 2013.
What is the connection between EXILE and ZOO regarding Choo Choo TRAIN?: EXILE's leader HIRO was formerly a member of ZOO before founding EXILE. This gives EXILE's cover of ZOO's 1991 hit a personal through-line linking both groups.
Who composed the music for Choo Choo TRAIN?: The music was composed by Keizo Nakanishi, with lyrics written by Arisu Sato and arrangement by Takashi Iwato.
What other rhythm games feature Choo Choo TRAIN?: Beyond maimai, Choo Choo TRAIN has appeared in Taiko no Tatsujin and Dance Dance Revolution (the newer generation releases).