1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
The 1990s were a time when million-selling hit songs kept coming one after another, and music clearly served as a common topic across generations.
Naturally, there were plenty of summer-themed hits as well.
In this article, we’ve picked out 90s summer songs that have continued to be loved across eras—not only by those who listened to them in real time back then, but also to the extent that people of all ages have probably heard them at least once.
Younger music fans might even discover, “So this song was sung by this artist?” Be sure to check them out!
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1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: Classic and hit summer songs (71–80)
FlowerKinKi Kids
KinKi Kids is an idol duo whose members each have a strong individual presence, not only as a group but also in music, on stage, and in TV dramas.
Their 7th single, “Flower,” which was chosen as the campaign song for ANA’s ’99 Paradise Okinawa, became a massive hit, marking their fourth million-selling release.
Its positive message and upbeat, off-beat rhythm with a hint of reggae bring a refreshing breeze to the heat of summer.
With fresh, lingering vocals, it’s a pop tune that makes you want to sway along.
Let’s dance in a circle (Wasshoi)V6
Formed as image characters for the Volleyball World Cup and known for their dynamic live acrobatics, V6 is a six-member idol group.
Their 7th single, “WA ni Natte Odorou,” a cover of a song broadcast on NHK’s music program Minna no Uta, is also known as one of V6’s signature tracks.
Its catchy, poppy melody and ensemble are perfect for enhancing summertime fun with a crowd.
It’s a timeless number that everyone can sing together at karaoke and get hyped up to, loved across generations.
The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children
Mr.Children is a four-piece rock band whose name everyone in the J-pop scene knows, having earned numerous million-selling singles and albums.
Their debut single, “Kimi ga Ita Natsu” (“The Summer You Were There”), was released as a single cut from their debut album, EVERYTHING.
The slide-guitar-driven sound, paired with its heartrending lyrics, evokes images of the summer seaside.
It’s a track that showcases the band’s exceptional sensibility—one you’ll want to listen to in the summertime.
Summer ResolutionŌe Senri
This song is packed with the heat of summer and the passion of youth.
Released in August 1994 as the 29th single, it was used on Fuji TV’s children’s program Ponkikkies.
Its light, catchy melody and relatable lyrics are part of its charm.
It captures the shortness of summer vacation and the many things you want to do within it, painting moments spent with someone special.
A perfect track for making summer memories.
Especially for those who were in elementary school at the time, it may evoke a deeply nostalgic, lingering feeling.
A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi
When it comes to Yuming’s summer songs brimming with passion and a bewitching vibe, it has to be Midsummer Night’s Dream! The moment you hear that striking intro phrase, it feels like an invitation straight into a “midsummer night.” Beyond the Latin-scented rhythms and lyrics packed with keywords that evoke a Caribbean summer, the sultry guitar by Shigeru Suzuki—renowned for his work with legendary bands like Happy End and Tin Pan Alley—is unbelievably cool.
At the same time, many people probably also recall Shiro Sano’s overwhelming, chilling performance in the unconventional 1993 drama Dare ni mo Ienai, which used this song as its theme.
Personally, the drama’s imagery looms large for me, so this track also carries a strong impression of a dangerous summer…
Summer Night TownMōningu Musume.
Formed by unsuccessful candidates from the audition project “Sharan Q Rock Vocalist Audition,” Morning Musume is an idol group that has continued to evolve while changing members.
Their second single, “Summer Night Town,” which became the first ASAYAN-born artist song to enter the Oricon Top 5, leaves a lasting impression with its wistful melody and ensemble.
The lyrics, portraying the complex emotions of being in love, are likely to resonate with many listeners.
It’s a lyrical pop tune perfect for those hot summer nights.
survival dAnce 〜no no cry more〜TRF
The 1990s J-POP scene and Tetsuya Komuro’s music are virtually synonymous, aren’t they? TRF was the spark that set off Komuro’s phenomenal run in the ’90s, during which he launched many iconic groups and artists.
In the early days they went by the lowercase name trf, right? “survival dAnce ~no no cry more~,” released in 1994 and a million seller, was one of their massive hits from the trf era.
With a melody line and keyboard phrases that instantly mark it as a Komuro composition, and a rhythm that makes you want to get up and dance just by listening, it’s the perfect track for a hot summer day.
I bet plenty of people use it to practice dance, or listen to it as a companion for their workouts.