[Nostalgic Hits] Popular Japanese dance music songs that were hits in the 1990s
The 1990s saw music genres become even more fragmented than in the ’80s.
Singer-songwriters, rock bands, idols, R&B musicians—there are so many that you almost run out of fingers just listing the ones that come to mind.
Perhaps for that reason, it was around then that calling people active in the music scene “artists” really became standard.
Amid all that, as computers advanced, so-called programmed (electronic) sounds also grew steadily more prominent.
With that in mind, let’s listen to some slightly nostalgic Japanese dance music!
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[Nostalgic Oldies] Popular Japanese Dance Music Hits from the 1990s (31–40)
The rattlesnake is comingTonneruzu
Released in 1992 as Tunnels’ 18th single.
It was used as the opening theme for Fuji TV’s “Tunnels no Minasan no Okage desu,” became popular especially among elementary and junior high school students, and was rushed into a CD release.
It earned Tunnels their first No.
1 on the Oricon chart and became a million-seller.
It’s a fun song to sing and dance to.
Be cool !yazaru
Released in 1999 as Yaen’s fourth single.
It was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Tunnels no Minasan no Okage Deshita,” reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, and marked the group’s first appearance at the 50th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
The lyrics were written by Yasushi Akimoto, and as the title suggests, it’s a cool, stylish dance track.
Memories of Kujukuri BeachMi-Ke
Released in 1991 as Mi-Ke’s debut single.
The song partially features a parody of The Peanuts’ “Koi no Fuga” and won the Best New Artist Award in the Pops/Rock category at the 33rd Japan Record Awards.
The lyrics include many titles of Group Sounds songs, and its distinctive dance was also striking.
Fragments of SummerComing Century
Released in 1998 as Coming Century’s debut single.
It was the first single by Coming Century—comprised of Go Morita, Ken Miyake, and Junichi Okada—and was featured in a Calpis Water commercial.
A youthful dance track, it peaked at No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
GBITOWA TEI
Even listening to it now, I think it sounds remarkably forward-thinking.
It’s a track by sound producer TOWA TEI, who was active overseas in the early ’90s and in recent years has also worked on Japanese film music.
It was released as a single in 1997 and came out in the UK the following year.
As the song goes on, before you know it you’re completely immersed in its world—a so-called “numa-kyoku,” a song you sink deeper and deeper into.
It feels like you can glimpse the depth of dance music here.
By the way, Haruomi Hosono participates on chorus.
[Nostalgic Songs] Popular Japanese dance music hits from the 1990s (41–50)
Last Kisstanpopo
Released in 1998 as the first single by Tanpopo, the first sub-unit born from Morning Musume.
The song was used as the first cour ending theme for the TBS anime “Sorcerous Stabber Orphen.” Its melody, which conveys femininity, is particularly memorable.
It reached No.
2 on the Oricon singles chart.
The Moon and the SunTaiyou to Siscomoon
It was released in 1999 as Taiyo to Ciscomoon’s debut single.
The release came with the condition that the group would disband unless their debut song ranked 6th or higher on the Oricon chart; it ultimately reached 4th, allowing the group to continue.
The song was used in a DDI commercial, and the lyrics and music were written by Tsunku.