Spring songs that were hits in the 90s. Classic and popular tracks from Japanese music.
There are lots of songs about the seasons, but there are especially many that sing about spring.
Of course there are songs about cherry blossoms, a symbol of spring, and there are also many that reflect on the warm, comfortable season itself.
Spring is also a time when many people experience farewells and new encounters, and it marks the start of new chapters in life, so there are plenty of graduation and encouragement songs as well.
In this article, we’ll focus on songs with themes associated with spring that were hits in the 1990s.
It’s a collection packed with nostalgic spring tunes, and among them are timeless classics that people still hear often today.
Let’s listen together!
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Spring songs that were hits in the ’90s. Classic and popular J-Pop tracks (21–30)
Come, spring.Matsutoya Yumi
A ballad that has long been cherished as a classic befitting graduation and season-of-departure moments.
Sung by Yumi Matsutoya, this song stirs the heart the instant the piano introduction begins to flow.
Its beautiful Japanese lyrics, imbued with a sense of “wa” (Japanese harmony), vividly capture the earnest longing for spring.
Released as a single in October 1994, it became widely known as the theme song for the NHK morning drama of the same name.
It was included on the subsequent album THE DANCING SUN and even appeared on the following year’s year-end charts, cementing its status as a cross-generational standard.
Interweaving the sorrow of parting with hope for the future, it’s perfect for occasions when you want to reminisce—like karaoke at a reunion after a long time apart.
Embrace the seasonsOfuji Fumi
“Embrace the Seasons,” sung by singer-songwriter Fumi Oto, is accompanied only by a simple piano, letting you fully savor her beautiful vocals.
As you listen, it’s the kind of soothing song that melts away your tension.
In fact, this was her debut single, released in 1998.
Her fresh, pure sensibility comes through completely in her voice, and you can’t help but feel warm inside.
At the same time, her soft, wistful singing can almost bring you to tears.
If I could become a birdAikawa Nanase
Speaking of Nanase Aikawa, her hard rock numbers like “Yume Miru Shoujo ja Irarenai” and “Sweet Emotion” are famous, right? At the same time, she has plenty of great ballads as well.
Among them, “Tori ni Naretara” is a hidden gem included as the B-side to the hit single “Trouble Maker.” The lyrics are sprinkled with words that evoke an April sky, and together with a melody that recalls traditional Japanese music, it becomes a profoundly flavorful number!
I MISS YOULINDBERG
LINDBERG is a rock band famous for songs like “Kiss Me Now” and “BELIEVE IN LOVE.” Their track “I MISS YOU,” released in 1991, has a buoyant rhythm that feels delightful.
The lyrics, set at the end of spring break, evoke a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of school life.
If you take a walk outside while listening to this song, you might find yourself skipping before you know it.
Plus, vocalist Maki Watase’s piercing high notes are seriously addictive!
my graduationSPEED
“my graduation” is a song released in 1998 as the sixth single by SPEED, a female vocal group that was hugely successful in the 1990s.
It topped the Oricon chart for three consecutive weeks and sold a total of 1.75 million copies.
It became a staple encore number at concerts, with fans customarily singing along to the chorus.
Centered on the theme of lovers parting ways at graduation, it’s a heartrending classic that captured SPEED’s authentic teenage voices at the time.
Spring MorningPUFFY
Spring Morning conjures up a scene where sunlight pours through the window and lifts your spirits.
This track appears on PUFFY’s second album, JET CD, released in 1998.
Interestingly, the lyrics and composition were done by Kaori Kishitani, the vocalist of the five-member girls’ band Princess Princess! With its piano accompaniment that calls to mind the band’s classic M, the song takes on an even more airy, floating feel when sung by PUFFY’s duo.
Tokyo StorySha ran Q
When it comes to moving to Tokyo, isn’t spring the season for a fresh start? “Jō-Kyō Monogatari” is the fourth single by Sharam Q, the rock band led by Tsunku♂, and it became a hit after being used as a tie-in song for the TV Tokyo variety show Asakusabashi Young Yōhinten.
It was a make-or-break track released on the brink, with their contract on the line if it didn’t sell.
Their next release, “Single Bed,” became a massive hit, propelling Sharam Q’s name into explosive popularity and earning them a growing fanbase.