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】
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new Bearista collection…with beary cute details
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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