Medley of Nostalgic Japanese Pop Hits from the 1990s
We’ve put together a wide-ranging collection of iconic hits from the 1990s!
I’m sure these songs—many you once had on heavy rotation—will bring back memories.
Music has a way of conjuring up scenes from the time you first heard it.
Take a moment to look back on those memories.
And if you were born in the 1990s, why not try finding the hits from your birth year?
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- Nostalgic Yet Everlasting: Classic Hits by 1990s Idol Singers
1990s Nostalgic J-Pop Hit Medley (31–40)
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi
A signature song by Hiromi Go that portrays a heartrending love so moving you might find yourself tearing up.
Released in May 1994, it became a hot topic as the theme song for the TBS drama “The Master of Matchmaking.” The protagonist’s struggle—unable to honestly express their feelings to the one they love—is conveyed through a clear, transparent vocal performance.
For anyone troubled by that “more than friends, not quite lovers” relationship, this track gives voice to the unspoken emotions in your heart.
It became a long-selling hit with over 350,000 copies sold, staying on the Oricon charts for 39 weeks—a new personal best for Hiromi Go.
A gem of a ballad that will surely resonate with you.
TimingBlack Biscuits
This is a signature song by Black Biscuits, a music unit born from a late-1990s variety show.
The track sings about everyday misunderstandings and the challenges of communication.
Centered on the theme of “timing,” it highlights the importance of perfect timing in life.
Released in April 1998, it reached No.
2 on the Oricon chart and became a million-selling hit with around two million copies shipped.
It is also included on the album LIFE.
Listening to it after a breakup or when you’re struggling with relationships might lighten your heart a little.
With its pop sound and slightly unusual member lineup, it’s a tune you’ll find yourself humming along to.
I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
This is DEEN’s debut single, released in 1993, which was used as the theme song for NTT DoCoMo’s pager commercial.
With lyrics that sing of a bittersweet love and a melody that resonates deeply, it struck a chord with many listeners and became a million-selling hit.
The desire to make a loved one one’s own and the determination of two people trying to make their dreams come true leave a strong impression.
DEEN’s expressively rich vocals further enhance the emotional nuance of the lyrics.
It’s a recommended song for healing the pain of heartbreak or reaffirming your feelings for someone special.
Even today, it remains an unwaveringly popular song cherished by many fans.
Glass BoyKinKi Kids
Koichi Domoto, a member of the idol duo KinKi Kids, is from Ashiya City in Hyogo Prefecture.
Their debut single, Glass no Shonen (Glass Boy), was selected as the entrance march for the 70th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.
It ranked second on Oricon’s 1997 annual chart.
Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS
Released in 1990.
It’s one of The Blue Hearts’ signature songs from the early ’90s, at a time when they were already well established.
The catchy, straightforward lyrics characteristic of Hiroto Kōmoto are as appealing as ever.
In particular, the phrase repeated many times—“way deep inside the heart”—is especially memorable, don’t you think?
Nostalgic 1990s Japanese Pop Hits Medley (41–50)
Goodbye, Humanitytama
This song was released in May 1990.
It was the major-label debut of Tama, who became the 14th “Ika-ten King” on the TBS music program Heisei Meibutsu TV: Yuji Miyake’s Ikasu Band Tengoku, a gateway to success for young bands.
It debuted at number one on the Oricon singles chart.
Like a white cloudsaruganseki
This is the debut single by Saruganseki, released in 1996.
With lyrics by Fumiya Fujii and music by Naoyuki Fujii, the song didn’t initially post notable sales, but its popularity gradually spread and it eventually became a million-selling hit.
It’s a refreshing track that evokes the feeling of being on a journey.
The lyrics, which liken clouds drifting on the wind to the singers’ own lives, express both anticipation and anxiety about an unseen future.
In 2023, Hiroiki Ariyoshi performed it for the first time on television together with Fumiya Fujii and Naoyuki Fujii, and was reportedly moved to tears.
Why not give it a listen and revisit some nostalgic memories?