[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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- A catchy tune that sounds familiar
[2000–2009] A Roundup of Popular Drama Theme Songs! (31–40)
Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE
Seicho Matsumoto’s full-length mystery novel “Suna no Utsuwa” (The Castle of Sand) is a classic that has been adapted for film and television many times.
In the 2004 TV drama version, Masahiro Nakai starred, and Yasuko Matsuyuki appeared as an original heroine character not found in the novel.
The theme song at that time was DREAMS COME TRUE’s “Yasashii Kiss o Shite” (“Give Me a Gentle Kiss”).
Crafted as a poignant adult ballad, it reached No.
2 on the Oricon singles chart.
It’s a famous song that has been covered by many artists, including Hideaki Tokunaga and Mika Nakashima.
The Sun and the Desert RoseTOKIO
A rock number packed with TOKIO’s fiery spirit, which was also chosen as the theme song for the drama “The Magnificent Spy” starring Tomoya Nagase.
The song sings about the importance of staying true to your convictions no matter the adversity, like a flower blooming in the desert.
Its surging passion comes through directly via the powerful band sound and moving vocals.
Released in August 2009 as their 40th single, it was also performed at NHK’s Red and White Year-End Song Festival that same year.
When you’re facing a challenge and feel close to breaking, listening to this track will surely give you a push forward.
sign; mark; symbol; omenMr.Children
Starring actress Mirai Shida, 14-year-old Mother is a shocking work that portrays underage pregnancy and childbirth.
It also became a hot topic for winning the Galaxy Award, given to outstanding programs that contribute to broadcasting culture, as well as the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association’s Grand Prize.
Not only Shida’s performance in the challenging role of a 14-year-old who becomes pregnant, but also Haruma Miura’s acting as the boyfriend who gets her pregnant drew attention.
The theme song, Mr.
Children’s Shirushi, debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon charts and became a massive hit.
Its distinctive chorus lyrics convey the joy and bittersweetness of loving one another, making it a classic that resonated deeply with many people!
Around The WorldMONKEY MAJIK
The Fuji TV Monday 9 p.m.
drama starring Shingo Katori that aired in 2006, with every episode topping a 20% viewership rating, is “Journey to the West.” It’s a popular series that was also adapted for TV with Masakazu Sakai in 1978 and Toshiaki Karasawa in 1994.
Eri Fukatsu played the monk Xuanzang (Tripitaka), drawing attention for her costume and beauty, which closely resembled the late Masako Natsume, the original Xuanzang.
The theme song is “Around The World,” the second single by the four-piece rock band MONKEY MAJIK.
With this track, they reached No.
4 on the Oricon singles chart for three consecutive weeks, marking their first entry into the Top 10.
Incorporating an oriental sound, it’s a pleasant number that perfectly matches the drama’s atmosphere.
Riding on the back of a silver dragonNakajima Miyuki
Dr.
Coto’s Clinic is a 2003 drama adaptation of Takatoshi Yamada’s manga about a doctor striving at a clinic on a remote island.
The lead role was played by Hidetaka Yoshioka, and it became his signature work following From the North Country.
The theme song was Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ride on the Back of the Silver Dragon,” which reached No.
4 on the Oricon singles chart.
According to Nakajima, the “silver dragon” refers to a surgical scalpel.
It’s a standout song with lyrics carrying the message “Rouse your spirit and take flight,” which really hits home.
[2000–2009] A roundup of popular drama theme songs! (41–50)
FaithItō Yuna
The detective drama in which Ryoko Shinohara played Natsumi Yukihira, a top-ranked female detective in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for arrest rates, is Unfair.
The series began airing in 2006, and even after it ended, it remained popular with special TV episodes and film adaptations.
The show’s theme song, Faith, was sung by Yuna Ito.
With programmed beats and electric piano, it’s a cool R&B-style ballad.
It reached No.
6 on the Oricon singles chart and was also used as the theme song for the special episodes.
Can You Keep A Secret？Utada Hikaru
Should I just keep hiding my feelings of “I like you”…? Hikaru Utada’s “Can You Keep A Secret?”, which captures the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love, was released in 2001 and was also used as the theme song for the smash-hit drama “HERO” starring Takuya Kimura.
You love them so much that you want to become their type, but it’s not that simple.
Even as you go back and forth, your mind stays constantly filled with that person—that’s what being in love is like, isn’t it?
