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Lovely commercial jingle

A must-see for people in their 30s and 40s! A roundup of nostalgic 1990s commercial jingles

When you hear “commercials from the ’90s,” which ones come to mind?

For those in their 30s and up in particular, many of the commercials that aired in the ’90s probably feel nostalgic.

In this article, we’ll introduce, all at once, the songs that played in those nostalgic ’90s commercials!

We’ve picked not only the classic hits unique to the ’90s—J-pop’s golden era—but also catchy, original CM tracks that really capture the feel of commercials from that time.

These are all songs that will bring those memories rushing back the moment you hear them, so please enjoy listening.

A Must-See for People in Their 30s and 40s! A Collection of Nostalgic 1990s Commercial Jingles (71–80)

TemptationGLAY

“Temptation” is GLAY’s 13th single, released in April 1998.

Chosen as the theme song for TDK’s MiniDisc commercials, and coinciding with the band’s peak popularity, it became a huge hit, ranking as the best-selling single of 1998.

At the time, many young people listened to music on MDs, so it was a song frequently heard in commercials.

IT’S ONLY LOVEFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama / It’s Only Love [PV]
IT'S ONLY LOVEFukuyama Masaharu

“IT’S ONLY LOVE” is Masaharu Fukuyama’s ninth single, released in March 1994.

It was used in a Daido “Blend Coffee” commercial and became a major hit at the time.

For Fukuyama, it was his first million-selling single.

He also appeared in the commercial himself, which drew additional attention.

SUBARU Stella R2

Sand of the SkirtUA

UA – Sand in the Skirt (Official Video)
Sand of the SkirtUA

This commercial featuring UA is for the R2, a kei car.

It shows UA buying a picture book at a bookstore and then reading it with a child by the riverside.

It highlights that the car is perfect for everyday use like shopping, as well as for short outings.

The BGM in this commercial is “Suna on the Skirt,” sung by UA.

With its steelpan sound and tropical vibe, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to sway along.

A Must-See for Your 30s and 40s! A Compilation of Nostalgic 1990s Commercial Jingles (81–90)

Coca-Cola Aquarius 1996

Rescue completeTōkyō Banana Bōizu & Hashi Yukio

This commercial depicts the Aquarius Rescue Team rushing to people suffering from the heat and saving them with hydration.

The Rescue Team is especially striking—their unique outfits and movements, and the fact that no words are spoken until the end, create a mysterious worldview.

The music that further accentuates this distinctive atmosphere is “Rescue Complete” by Tokyo Banana Boys & Yukio Hashi.

Set to a gentle rhythm reminiscent of enka and kayōkyoku, the song sings about rescue, adding a unique vibe on the musical side as well.

Coca-Cola Aquarius 1991

Galaxy GirlKadamatsu Toshiki

Galaxy Girl – Toshiki Kadomatsu (1991)
Galaxy GirlKadamatsu Toshiki

This commercial depicts Yuki Minagawa training for track and field in a near-futuristic world, while showcasing Aquarius alongside her to highlight its compatibility with sports.

It also introduces Aquarius as the official sports drink of the World Athletics Championships, and the unique worldview gives a sense that it’s a drink from the future.

The song used to emphasize the floating sensation created by this distinctive world is Toshiki Kadomatsu’s “Galaxy Girl.” Its gentle, soothing sound leaves an impression, and the electronic tones that chime in like accents create a mysterious atmosphere.

Takefuji

Synchronized LoveJoe Rinoie

This is a song by singer-songwriter Joe Rinoie, created as a commercial jingle for Takefuji.

The commercial, featuring women dancing to the track in a distinctive atmosphere, became a huge hit and inspired various parodies, including sketches on variety shows.

Originally, only the chorus phrase used in the commercial existed, but due to the ad’s success and requests for a full version, the rest of the song was later composed.

Since the chorus lyrics are in English, some people might associate it with Western music, but an interesting point is that the song was actually written by a Japanese singer-songwriter and, aside from the chorus, features Japanese lyrics.

Camera no Kitamura

Yankee Doodle

[Outdated] Camera no Kitamura Commercial Compilation (1982–1993) ver. 3
Yankee Doodle

Set to the melody of the American folk song “Yankee Doodle,” which is also familiar in Japan under the title “Alps Ichiman-jaku,” this piece sings about Camera no Kitamura.

The fast tempo is a major point, emphasizing the excitement of preserving memories with a camera.

Through the performers’ smiles and layered vocals, it also seems to express how having a camera makes life more enjoyable.

The content conveys that Camera no Kitamura walks alongside and supports the life one leads with a camera.