[2000–2009] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas!
In the 2000s, many TV dramas achieved exceptionally high ratings, with several surpassing 30%.
Many of these shows are still cherished as masterpieces, and for many people they remain vividly memorable even today.
Back then, it was common for theme songs from blockbuster dramas to appear on the music charts and become hits in their own right.
In this article, we’ve gathered theme songs from dramas that aired between 2000 and 2009—popular tracks still used in various settings today, along with a host of nostalgic hit songs.
Be sure to listen and relive those times.
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[2000–2009] A Roundup of Theme Songs from Popular Dramas! (21–30)
dreamTHE BLUE HEARTS
The drama Be Nice to People, which became popular with Shingo Katori in the lead and Mitsuru Matsuoka of SOPHIA and Koji Kato of Gokuraku Tombo in supporting roles, tells the story of single men struggling with childcare as they take in and raise a boy who comes to live with their trio.
The boy was played by Kenta Suga, then a child actor.
The drama’s title is also the name of a song by The Blue Hearts, but the main theme was Yume (Dream).
Insert songs included The Blue Hearts tracks Be Nice to People and An Endless Song, among others.
It was irresistible for fans of The Blue Hearts and helped introduce the band to people who weren’t of that generation.
Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana
The single “Sayonara Daisuki na Hito” was released in 2000 by Hana*Hana, a female duo consisting of Izumi Kojima and Makiko Ono.
It reached No.
6 on the Oricon Singles Chart, giving them back-to-back Top 10 hits following their previous single “Aa Yokatta.” The drama Oyaji, which used this song as its theme, starred Masakazu Tamura as a stubborn father.
It was a major hit, with ratings exceeding 20% for every episode and peaking at 28% for the finale.
rainbowFukuyama Masaharu
The drama WATER BOYS, broadcast as a sequel to the 2001 film Waterboys, starred Takayuki Yamada and depicted the struggles of the junior members of the boys’ synchronized swimming team following the events of the movie.
Like the film, the drama was a big hit.
Members who had appeared in the movie also showed up, making the connections between the two enjoyable for fans.
The theme song for the drama was Masaharu Fukuyama’s “Niji,” released in 2003.
Its lyrics—perfect for boys chasing their dreams in synchronized swimming—and its refreshing vibe that evokes summer and blue skies made it an ideal fit for the show.
It’s also one of Fukuyama’s signature songs.
Only HumanK
The hit drama “1 Litre of Tears,” adapted in 2005 from a nonfiction book chronicling the life of a woman suffering from an incurable, unknown disease, became a major success.
It also marked a breakout role for Erika Sawajiri, who starred in it.
The theme song chosen was “Only Human,” sung by Korean artist K, which ranked 10th on the Oricon singles chart and remained on the charts for seven weeks, achieving long-term sales.
K’s vocals and the piano’s timbre create a heartrending ballad, and the lyrics—linked to the drama’s story—make it a masterpiece that’s impossible to listen to without tears.
All or NothingB’z
Buzzer Beat: Gakeppuchi no Hero, starring Tomohisa Yamashita (aka YamaP), is a popular basketball drama that aired in 2009 in Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
slot.
Set around a professional basketball team, it offers a story that blends friendship and romance in the classic “Getsuku” style.
B’z’s 46th single, Ichibu to Zenbu, was used as the theme song.
It’s a pleasant, mid-tempo number built on their signature rock sound.
It’s a staple at their live shows and sounds like a sure crowd-pleaser at karaoke, too!
SHAMROCKUVERworld
UVERworld’s “SHAMROCK” stands out with its driving rock sound.
Released as a single in 2006, it reached No.
6 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The title is said to be a word that means the leaf of a clover in Ireland.
The drama that used “SHAMROCK” as its theme song, Dandori ~Dance☆Drill~, was Nana Eikura’s first starring role and is based on the dance drill team of Kanagawa Prefectural Atsugi High School, which won the overall championship at the U.S.
national dance competition.
Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru
Many of you may have been reminded by this work that words of gratitude, more than words of farewell, can actually deepen the ache.
This is a song by Hikaru Utada, written as an insert track for the drama Hana Yori Dango 2 (Returns) starring Mao Inoue.
It resonates in the chest with a tender warmth tinged with helplessness—the feeling of cherishing not only the sweetness of a relationship, but also the unripe, fruit-like frustration and faint bitterness.
Released in February 2007, the song topped the Oricon charts for three consecutive weeks.
When you can’t quite escape the magical world called love, this is a track that gently validates that complicated state of mind and stays by your side.
It’s a song that surely anyone can relate to and easily make their own.