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!
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 90s. Classic and popular tracks in Japanese music.
- 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
Romance Songs That Hit in the ’90s (21–30)
Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You Were Mine~Koyanagi Yuki
Artist Yuki Koyanagi captivates audiences with her overwhelming vocal prowess.
This song, released as her debut single in September 1999, became a long-running hit.
Many of you may have heard it, as it was featured in a commercial for kissmark, an apparel brand from the Alpen Group.
Although it’s a breakup song, it conveys strength and coolness rather than just sadness.
I was amazed by the powerful vocals coming from her petite frame, and it remains a timeless ballad even today.
Be sure to give it a listen at least once!
can’t stop fallin’ in loveglobe
Because every song Tetsuya Komuro released became a hit, the term “Komuro-kei” (Komuro style) was coined.
The group globe, which Komuro formed with KEIKO and Marc Panther, was also hugely popular in its era.
The lyrics portray the heart of a woman who’s discovering love for the first time—there’s a sense of mature romance.
With KEIKO’s high-tone vocals and Marc’s breezy rap, it’s a massive hit that still sounds fresh today.
Winter, againGLAY
A timeless masterpiece whose heart-piercing melody resonates in the snowy season.
It beautifully fuses the cold northern landscapes with warm feelings for a loved one.
Written by TAKURO with the wish to show his beloved Hokkaido’s snowy scenery to someone dear, the lyrics move countless hearts.
Since its 1999 release, it has been cherished as the theme song for JR East’s “JR SKI SKI” campaign and continues to be loved as a song that heralds the arrival of winter.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to on a winter night when you’re thinking of someone you miss, watching the snow quietly pile up.
This work gently embraces the nostalgia everyone carries and the feelings for someone far away.
Just by you being herekome kome CLUB
The moment you hear that famously iconic opening line, indescribable emotions come flooding into your chest.
It’s a masterpiece by Kome Kome Club—Japan’s proudly unconventional entertainment group—released in 1992, which became a historic hit with total sales of about 2.895 million copies.
Many people will remember it as the theme song for the drama “Sugao no Mama de,” which aired the same year and earned high ratings.
As the lyrics say, having someone important to you yet finding it hard to express your true feelings is something everyone can relate to.
Why not listen to this song and take that courageous first step?
You’re the Only…Ono Masatoshi
This is the third single by singer-songwriter Masatoshi Ono, known for his crystal-clear high-tone voice and currently active as the vocalist of the metal band GALNERYUS.
The song was used as the theme for the TV drama “Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto” (What I Can Do for You) and became a million-selling, smash-hit single.
Its straightforward message, carried by a voice that soars endlessly, resonates with the atmosphere of the drama, which has elements of a love fantasy.
It is Ono’s biggest hit, further drawing attention in 2010 when GALNERYUS released “You’re the Only… 2010.”
