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!
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- Showa-era love songs: A roundup of timeless love songs cherished across generations
- [Heisei Love Songs] A carefully selected collection of gem-like love songs that continue to be cherished even in the Reiwa era!
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- Love songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- Recommended love songs for people in their 90s: A collection of classic Shōwa-era romance songs
- Songs to give to your lover or someone you like. Love songs devoted wholeheartedly to your boyfriend or girlfriend.
- Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
- Love Hit Song Collection for Gals [A Must-Listen for Heisei-Era Gals]
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- Winter songs in 90s J-pop: a roundup of popular winter tunes
- Heisei-era heartbreak songs: A roundup of classic tracks from the ’90s to the 2010s
A collection of hit love songs from the ’90s (71–80)
Red tambourineBLANKEY JET CITY
A quintessential 90s love song that symbolically captures pure feelings and passion for the one you love.
Released by BLANKEY JET CITY in January 1998, this track weaves a unique tapestry of metaphors to explore what love truly is.
The protagonist wishes to gift a shooting star to their beloved, and the way their heart quivers in everyday, ordinary moments is vividly portrayed, resonating with the bittersweetness of love that anyone can relate to.
Included on the album “Romeo no Shinzō” (Heart of Romeo) and used as the opening theme for TV Asahi’s “Sunday Jungle,” the song reached No.
11 on the Oricon Singles Chart for the week.
It’s a heartwarming piece with melodies and lyrics perfect for healing the wounds of heartbreak or reaffirming feelings for someone special.
IT’S ONLY LOVEFukuyama Masaharu
This is one of Masaharu Fukuyama’s signature songs, loved by people of all ages.
Released in 1994, this work, which depicts the end of a bittersweet romance on a grand scale, captured the hearts of many.
It was also used in commercials, and the fusion of Fukuyama’s distinctive expressiveness with a delicate melody leaves a deep impression on listeners.
His powerful vocals convey the pain of heartbreak directly, while the inventive arrangements throughout further enhance the song’s atmosphere.
It’s a must-listen for those sensing the end of a relationship or who have experienced parting from someone dear.
Feelings for youtsuji ayano
This is the title track of Ayano Tsuji’s major-label debut mini-album, known for its light ukulele tones and her charming, faintly nostalgic singing voice.
When this work was released in September 1999, she was still a university student.
Wanting to tell someone you care about them, yet not quite finding the right words—the sweet, bittersweet feelings are sung over a simple, unadorned melody.
The story that she chose the ukulele over the guitar because her hands are small hints at the roots of her musical style.
From this classic release, Feelings for You, came songs featured in a Morinaga Milk Industry commercial and as a TV drama ending theme.
This album gently accompanies the pure heart that thinks of someone dear.
It’s perfect for moments when you want to feel calm and at ease.
Compilation of hit love songs from the ’90s (81–90)
There will be love there -Ainō Aru Basho-the brilliant green
For people in their late 40s to 50s, it’s a song that makes you instantly go, “Ah, it’s BuriGuri!”—one of the signature tracks by the brilliant green, who churned out hit after hit in the ’90s.
Not only the song, but vocalist Tomoko Kawase’s hairstyle and fashion struck a deep chord with women of the time who were chasing a new era.
In today’s terms, it was “cutting-edge”! The brilliant green had consistently released songs with English lyrics, but since this track was chosen as a TV drama theme, they released it in Japanese for the first time.
Plenty of men were also captivated by her fairy-like voice, right?
Silent EveKarashima Midori
An essential song when talking about Midori Karashima, which became a massive hit as the theme song for the TBS drama “Christmas Eve” starring Atsuko Sendo and Eisaku Yoshida.
It’s a ballad from the heyday of trendy dramas, and at year-end and New Year karaoke parties, the women would compete to sing it.
The lyrics, written like a letter about a love wavering between friendship and romance, are striking—there may be no other song that so powerfully conveys the loneliness of spending Christmas alone.
Even the intro, which begins quietly with a piano solo, is heartbreakingly beautiful.
A defining ballad of the ’90s—if you haven’t heard it, you must!
STEADYSPEED
One of SPEED’s signature songs, it passionately sings of a sweet yet bittersweet love.
Released in May 1997, it became a hot topic as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Itazura na Kiss.” This work vividly depicts the heart of someone in love and resonates deeply with listeners.
The lyrics are filled with powerful feelings, longing, and the wish to make even a fleeting moment with a loved one last forever.
As SPEED’s first million-selling single, it won overwhelming support, especially among younger generations.
Even today, it remains beloved and is a karaoke standard.
It’s a recommended track for those newly in love or those holding dear feelings for someone special.
Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho
This work by Miho Nakayama and WANDS was a major hit, selling over one million copies in just 20 days after its release in October 1992.
It drew attention as the theme song for the drama “Someone Loves Her” and reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart.
The fusion of rock-tinged arrangement and gentle melody creates a beautifully balanced harmony.
When you want to reminisce about love or reflect on someone special, be sure to listen to this heartfelt, jewel-like ballad that will resonate with your heart.