Lovely Christmas

[90s Christmas Songs] Nostalgic and Beloved Christmas Classics

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

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.

[90s Christmas Songs] Nostalgic and Beloved Christmas Classics (41–50)

White Silent NightSHAZNA

SHAZNA – White Silent Night PV

White Silent NightSHAZNA

A SHAZNA number released in 1997, featuring a melody that captures the sparkling, festive feel of Christmas.

There were versions that came with a Christmas card or a special holiday-themed jacket, so not only the song but its presentation was steeped in Christmas colors.

The same goes for the music video, with the members performing in front of a Christmas tree and IZAM singing from inside a gift box.

Perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in Christmas not just through sound, but visually as well!

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The Night We Go to Meet SantaTanimura Yumi

The night we go to meet Santa [ Yumi Tanimura ]

The Night We Go to Meet SantaTanimura Yumi

Yumi Taniguchi, with her high-pitched voice, sweet singing, and cute looks.

This is a poignant Christmas ballad that makes the most of her vocals.

A stripped-down performance with her crystal-clear voice and piano.

Yumi gently speaks to a girl’s heart, an entertainer who delighted audiences with piano accompaniment and musical-style choreography.

A wonderful Christmas ballad in which the bittersweet feeling of waiting for Santa Claus melts together with her signature high notes.

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Let’s meet up like back then.Takahashi Yoko

Let's meet up like back then / Yoko Takahashi

Let's meet up like back then.Takahashi Yoko

It’s a dreamy Christmas song that seeps slowly into the depths of your heart like a whispering voice.

Sung by Yoko Takahashi, the singer also known for the anime classic A Cruel Angel’s Thesis, it was released in 1994 as her ninth single and used as an insert song for the drama O-To-Na ni Shite.

The lyrics are heartbreakingly poignant, longing to return to those happy days—remembering Christmas Eve spent with a former lover.

It’s perfect for savoring slowly on your own.

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I WishL’Arc〜en〜Ciel

L’Arc~en~Ciel – I Wish

I WishL'Arc〜en〜Ciel

L’Arc-en-Ciel is a quintessential Japanese rock band that breezed through the music scenes of the ’90s, ’00s, and ’10s, and still enjoys tremendous popularity in the ’20s.

Among the songs they’ve released, the most classic and straightforward Christmas track is “Hurry Xmas,” unveiled in 2007.

However, among devoted fans, there’s another song recognized as a Christmas tune: “I Wish.” I especially recommend it to those who aren’t familiar with L’Arc’s ’90s era.

Eschewing strict guitar-rock conventions, its sparkling arrangement—featuring a bouncy rhythm, organ, horn sections, and a children’s chorus—creates a pop song brimming with that unmistakably Christmassy atmosphere.

In fact, the song doesn’t explicitly sing about Christmas, but its original working title was “Christmas,” and if you read the lyrics, you’ll spot words that evoke the season.

Why not try playing this track as background music at a Christmas party for L’Arc fans?

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Christmas Christmasyamadakatsutenai Wink

Christmas Christmas

Christmas Christmasyamadakatsutenai Wink

It is included on the album “Yamada Katsu Tenai CD,” released in March 1991.

The unit is a parody of Wink, formed by Kuniko Yamada and Chie Yokoyama as a duo that originated from a segment on the Fuji TV variety show “Hō-chan no Yamada Katsu Tenai TV.” This is a cover song included on their first album.

The album was basically composed of classic Christmas songs and popular hits.

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