It was a moving rendition of Kenshi Yonezu’s “Lemon”.
There are some weird instruments out there, like the otamatone, a funny instrument that looks like a singing musical note cartoon when it’s being played, or, on the opposite spectrum, the waterphone, which is what we have to thank for all of the creepy noises and music in horror films. Some musicians even make music out of unexpected objects, like open tape reels. But would you have ever thought that a plain old, basic desk calculator would ever be able to play a tune?
Apparently they can play a whole song, as demonstrated by Twitter user Atarime (@atarime_400), who played a minute-and-a-half cut of Kenshi Yonezu’s hit song “Lemon” on not one, not two, but three calculators, as easily as if they were playing on a piano.
電卓3台で米津玄師のLemonを弾いてみた pic.twitter.com/h1OdEB7DPS
— あたりめ (@atarimae_400) October 8, 2018
The calculators look like ordinary, single-function calculators, and given that the most noise that many desk calculators make is the click-clacking of their keys, it’s a bit surprising to hear them make such melodic tunes. The notes are, amazingly, spot on! Here’s a video of the original song for reference:
It’s no surprise that Atarime was able to play the music so flawlessly, even on calculators; the netizen is also a pianist, and often posts videos of their renditions of popular J-pop, anime, and video game music, like this Ghibli medley:
https://twitter.com/atarime_400/status/1045993467099308034There’s no doubt that this netizen is a talented musician, although it’s perhaps thanks to the above calculator rendition of “Lemon” that they were able to gather their 134,000 followers. They’ve got one or two other videos of calculator music, but none so often retweeted as “Lemon”, so perhaps they’ll be releasing more in the future!
We think they should do a collaborations with some of the other calculator players in the Japanese netsphere. It would be awesome to see (and hear) a calculator orchestra!
Source: Twitter/@atarime_400 via Hamster Sokuhou
Featured Image: Twitter/@atarime_400

Japanese kids’ show mascot busts out a juicy piano pop tune inside a subway station
Musical calculators! Japanese Twitter user recreates songs beautifully by crunching numbers【Vids】
Japanese hit song “Paprika” goes global with English version by new singers and dancers
New Ghibli anime’s theme song gets music video shot on island that inspired Princess Mononoke【Vid】
Japanese YouTuber covers the Super Mario Bros. theme… on four calculators【Video】
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
What makes this new Japanese convenience store chain better than 7-Eleven?
Japan’s elementary school backpacks grow up with new high-class randoseru for adults
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Six of our favorite songs performed on traditional Japanese instruments to get you to the weekend
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru previews new song, hikes Japanese Alps in beautiful videos【Video】
Asian Juicy: New burgers from McDonald’s Japan pay tribute to a ’90s J-pop music video by Puffy
Tokyo Bon Japanglish song is a crazy way to learn Japanese 【Video】
Japanese female rock band Scandal earns a Guinness World Record for staying together for 17 years
New “Love Dance” takes Japan by storm, thanks to a Japanese drama and a handsome J-Pop star