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[90s Christmas Songs] Nostalgic and Beloved Christmas Classics
The 1990s were the golden era of J-pop, when CDs sold more than ever and million-selling hits kept coming one after another.
There were countless songs everyone could talk about, and as you walked through the city, hit after hit played everywhere—that’s what those times were like.
Naturally, many staple J-pop Christmas songs you can’t skip during the winter season were released in that era.
In this article, we’re highlighting timeless Christmas classics born in the ’90s, offering a lineup anyone can enjoy, regardless of generation!
Many of these masterpieces have been covered by later artists, so especially if you’re younger, you might discover that a song you know actually originated from a different band or artist.
[1990s Christmas Songs] Beloved and Nostalgic Christmas Classics (1–10)
Someday Merry ChristmasB’z
Released in 1992, this song was not only a massive Christmas hit representative of the ’90s, but it has continued to be loved and remains a beloved holiday staple even today.
Unusual for B’z, who are known for many high-energy tracks, it’s a slow-tempo ballad.
It portrays a bittersweet love story about someone who thought they could spend forever together, only for that wish not to come true.
The contrast between the depiction of Christmas during happier times and the scenes of spending Christmas alone heightens the sense of poignancy even more.
Burnin’ X’masT.M.Revolution
When you think of Christmas songs, you might picture a beautiful mid-tempo ballad with the sound of sleigh bells or chimes.
However, this track is a bit different from the typical Christmas song—it’s a rock piece infused with T.M.Revolution’s signature electro sound.
The lyrics depict a man and a woman alone together in a room, even though both already have partners, creating a mature, story-like atmosphere characteristic of his music.
It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a Christmas song with a unique twist!
By the time of the Christmas carolsInagaki Junichi
One of those songs that you can almost always hear on TV or around town when Christmas comes.
Junichi Inagaki’s “By the Time the Christmas Carols Play” is a smash hit released in 1992 and has even been covered by overseas artists.
It’s a slightly bittersweet song about a couple whose relationship isn’t going so well deciding to take some distance until around Christmas, to reset things to zero and rethink what they each want going forward.
Of course they’d like to spend a happy Christmas together, but when they consider each person’s happiness, that might not necessarily be the best choice…
The song portrays the hazy days as they wonder what outcome awaits them when Christmas arrives.
DEAR…againHirose Kōmi
Kohmi Hirose, known as the Queen of Winter, has released a variety of winter songs.
Among them, one of her most popular Christmas songs is “DEAR…again,” released in 1996.
This track was also used in a commercial for the sporting goods retailer Alpen and became a huge hit.
The lyrics portray someone in a long-distance relationship wishing to meet their partner at Christmas and hoping their love won’t falter despite the distance.
Unlike Hirose’s other upbeat winter tunes, this is a cute song that conveys a delicate, feminine atmosphere.
Tearful ChristmasMakihara Noriyuki
A city dyed in Christmas colors; while waiting at a stoplight, you spot an ex-lover getting along with someone else… This song paints that bittersweet scene.
It’s by singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara and was included on his third album, “Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono,” released in 1992.
A slow ballad that squeezes the heart, it leaves you overwhelmed as you listen.
Perfect for those lonely moments—just be warned, it might bring you to tears.
Cinderella ChristmasKinKi Kids
As you can tell from the title, this is a Christmas song inspired by the fairy tale Cinderella.
It’s a track by KinKi Kids, a popular idol duo from Johnny’s, released as a single in 1998.
Despite its upbeat rhythm, it has a somewhat dreamy dance vibe and feels very romantic.
The lyrics, from the perspective of a man seeing off his lover who has to go home, are sweet and bittersweet—sure to make your heart flutter.
It’s a song I especially recommend to women.
It might also be fun to sing at karaoke.
Peach X’masOkamura Yasuyuki
This is a song included on singer-songwriter Yasuyuki Okamura’s album “Kinjirareta Ikigai,” released in December 1995.
It was also released as a single in the same month.
There is a remix version by Takkyu Ishino as well.
The song took a very long time from composition to completion: it was largely shaped by around 1990, then matured for about five years before its release.
It was previewed on NHK’s music program “X’mas Special Pops & Rock 1990,” which aired at the end of 1990, and during his 1991 live tour, and it was already popular among fans at the time.
It was also his first maxi single.