Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
We’ve put together a collection of love songs that were hits in the 2000s.
When you think of hit songs from the 2000s, what tracks come to mind?
For those who spent their youth in that era, you might recall so many classics that it’s hard to choose just one.
This isn’t a list of every song that charted between 2000 and 2009, but we’re highlighting beloved love songs that almost everyone has heard at least once—timeless favorites that are still cherished as staples of romance today.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for those days, be sure to give them a listen!
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Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular J-Pop songs (71–80)
Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta
A love song whose male-female duet, woven with sweet, bittersweet vocals, resonates deeply.
The tender concern for one another and the love that lingers even after a breakup overlap with the warmth of their voices, stirring profound emotion.
Featured on the album “Ring,” this track was released in May 2009 and became a major hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon daily chart.
Set to a smooth, R&B-tinged melody line, the romance portrayed from both a man’s and a woman’s perspective will comfort those who’ve experienced heartbreak or cherish memories with someone special, gently reminding them of a delicate first love.
I wonderDa-iCE
There’s a drama that features a fantastic theme song, right? Da-iCE’s track was actually written specifically as the theme for the TBS Tuesday drama “Kururi: Who Did I Fall in Love With?” It’s a moving song themed around love and self-discovery, depicting a protagonist who has lost their memory searching for their true self.
Da-iCE’s sharp dance moves and powerful vocals are captivating, and as you listen, you get drawn deeply into the world of the drama.
Released in April 2024, this song is recommended for anyone trying to reclaim their true self through love.
I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa
I feel like she put into words and sang about a girl’s deep expression of love well before Kana Nishino.
The way she says she won’t go anywhere and will always stay by his side feels maternal, and the song comes together as a love song from a woman’s perspective that warmly and gently envelops a man.
I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma
This song gently embraces the emotions of a long-distance relationship, carrying a bittersweet yet forward-looking sentiment.
Even when lovers are physically apart, their hearts remain close—an emotion expressed with exquisite balance through Thelma Aoyama’s soft vocals and SoulJa’s rap.
Though busyness can make the emotional distance feel wider, the unwavering resolve to care for each other resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in January 2008, the song topped the Oricon Weekly Chart and won the JASRAC Gold Award, becoming a massive hit recognized by Guinness World Records.
In 2022, a new collaborative track with SoulJa also came to fruition.
It’s a heartwarming message song that will resonate with those living apart from their partners or anyone grappling with the bonds they share with someone important.
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
This is a song that expresses love and bonds in a simple and sincere way.
Included on the 2001 album MESSAGE, it sold over 2.8 million copies—an exceptional achievement for an independent release in Japan.
Created by MONGOL800, the piece gently sings about the presence of someone dear who’s right by your side and the warmth felt in everyday life.
Depicting a universal form of love that goes beyond romance, the song was used as the ending theme for the anime Teasing Master Takagi-san and The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, and it was even adapted into a film in 2019.
It’s recommended for those who want to share precious moments with a loved one or create lasting memories at life’s milestone occasions.
SAKURA DropsUtada Hikaru
The 11th single by Hikaru Utada, which drew attention as the theme song for the TV drama “First Love.” Released in May 2002, this track paints a poignant yet beautiful story by overlaying the end of a romance with the image of falling cherry blossoms.
It is a gem of a ballad that expresses the pain of heartbreak and the mysterious repetition of love through delicate vocals and an R&B-infused melody.
A song that seeps into the heart, it continues to soothe many listeners, especially in the season when the arrival of spring can be felt.
If I Fall in LoveKurisutaru Kei
A popular song by Crystal Kay that wraps a sweet, bittersweet first-love feeling in a sparkling sound.
With her clear, transparent vocals, it gently depicts that fleeting encounter when the world begins to change and the pure desire to cherish everything about the other person.
Released in May 2005, the song was used as the main theme for a Fuji TV drama and reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
It also earned a Million certification for ringtone downloads, garnering wide support across generations.
It’s a recommended track for when you want to relive the flutter of a first crush or remember the feelings you have for someone special.