A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
The 1990s were a decade that produced countless million-selling hits.
TV dramas were also hugely successful, and it wasn’t uncommon for theme songs to sell big alongside the shows themselves.
In this article, we’re shining a spotlight on love songs from that era.
We’ve gathered a variety of romantic tunes: theme songs from blockbuster romance dramas, wedding classics, and timeless love songs cherished across generations.
It’s a lineup that longtime fans who experienced the era firsthand will enjoy—as well as younger listeners who didn’t live through it.
Be sure to check it out!
A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s (1–10)
HOWEVERGLAY
This song, HOWEVER, became GLAY’s first million-selling smash hit.
Released in 1997, it was the band’s 12th single.
It was later included on the best-of album REVIEW -BEST OF GLAY-, which was also a huge success.
Many people at the time were listening to that album, and you probably remember everyone around you playing it too.
As a gentle love ballad, it’s still frequently sung at karaoke by people of that generation.
It’s a highly recognizable track that even those who aren’t GLAY fans will know.
kissORIGINAL LOVE
Many younger people may have discovered it through Mika Nakashima’s cover, right? It’s a hugely popular song that’s been covered by numerous artists, including Akina Nakamori and Yoshihiro Kai.
The memories of the NTV drama “Otona no Kiss” come flooding back with this song as well.
Did you watch it? The back-and-forth between Kyohei Shibata and Jun Fubuki was just wonderful.
The lyrics portray a mature world where you savor kisses with the one you love endlessly—and yet the word “kiss” never actually appears… amazing!
God of RomanceHirose Kōmi
A signature hit by Kohmi Hirose, known as the “Queen of Winter,” this song remains a winter staple even after 2020 has passed.
Released in 1993, it vividly expresses a woman’s honest longing for her ideal partner through playful lyrics and melody, and Hirose’s distinctive high-tone vocals make it a powerful classic.
Chosen as the theme song for the ski equipment store Alpen’s commercials, it’s a track that has secured its place in J-pop history as a quintessential winter song.
Yet, as you’ll notice if you read the lyrics carefully, it’s actually not themed around winter at all—that’s part of what makes it interesting.
Even so, when this song starts playing, it feels like winter has arrived, which might just be one of music’s mysterious charms.
White LoveSPEED
SPEED’s biggest hit, released in 1997.
With total sales of two million copies, its scale of success is almost unimaginable today.
The lyrics about two people’s miraculous encounter being eternal struck deeply in the hearts of teens at the time.
It’s a popular song that has been covered by various artists, including JUJU and BABYMETAL.
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE
Starring Etsushi Toyokawa and Takako Tokiwa, the 1995 drama “Say You Love Me” earned high acclaim.
Its theme song, “LOVE LOVE LOVE” by DREAMS COME TRUE (DCT), achieved an astonishing 2,489,000 copies sold in total.
A masterful ballad woven from a restrained ensemble and Miwa Yoshida’s vocals, it’s no exaggeration to call it a national love song.
Precisely because both the title and lyrics are almost disarmingly simple, the importance of love comes through.
Incidentally, the moving chorus at the end of the track is known for always turning into a sing-along with the audience at DCT concerts.
PRIDEImai Miki
This is one of Miki Imai’s most iconic songs, composed by Tomoyasu Hotei, who later also became her partner in private life, and it was a major hit.
It’s said that she always performs it at her concerts, partly because it’s one of her personal favorites.
Ever since its 1996 release, the lyrics—centered on the idea that loving someone precious is my pride—garnered overwhelming support, especially among office workers, and it was a karaoke staple.
There’s no need to belabor the refined, understated arrangement, Imai’s crystal-clear vocals, or the beautiful melody, but I can’t help feeling that Hotei’s lyrics stand out as truly exceptional.
If you’ve never heard this song, I recommend reading the lyrics as you listen and immersing yourself in its world.
First LoveUtada Hikaru
This song was included on Hikaru Utada’s debut album First Love, released in 1999, and was later issued as a single.
The world was blown away by her vocal ability and expressive power at just 15 years old, and it became a social phenomenon.
The track was used widely as a tie-in—serving as a TV drama theme, a high school baseball entrance march, and a commercial song—so you heard it everywhere.
It’s a mature, heartrending love ballad that remains highly popular across all age groups.