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 (31–40)
summer festivalJITTERIN’JINN
Summer festivals are filled with faint hopes and an indescribably wistful nostalgia, aren’t they? The older we get, the stronger that latter feeling seems to become.
JITTERIN’ JINN’s 1990 release Natsu Matsuri distills those memories of distant summer days into a truly brilliant classic.
Its poignant melody and lyrics rich with skillful imagery never lose their luster.
The unique two-beat rhythm also gives it a distinctive character that’s quintessentially JITTERIN’ JINN.
A decade after its release, Whiteberry covered the song and achieved an even bigger hit, so depending on your generation, the cover version might be the one that first comes to mind.
Yes, SummerdaysGLAY
GLAY is a four-piece band that dominated the J-POP scene in the 1990s with a musical concept that was neither pop nor rock.
Their sixth single, “Yes, Summerdays,” used in a Camelia Diamond commercial, opens with a lyrical guitar riff that really sticks in your ears.
The melody, tinged with a certain wistfulness, seems to evoke the sentimental atmosphere of summer—something more than just heat.
With an acoustic guitar solo and a strings interlude, the dramatic arrangement makes it an emotional number.
Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō
This is a song known for its use in a Pocari Sweat commercial.
Tetsurō Oda released it in March 1992 as his 12th single.
It sings of unwavering love for someone special, while evoking the image of a radiant smile shining in the summer sun.
The refreshing sound and heartfelt lyrics—hallmarks of Tetsurō Oda—are truly captivating.
Listening to it will likely bring back nostalgic memories and a sense of connection with your partner.
It’s the perfect track to start a summer morning with a fresh, uplifting mood.
I can’t wait for summerTUBE
When asked to name the quintessential summer artist, many people first picture the four-piece rock band TUBE.
Their 16th single, “Natsu wo Machikirenakute” (“Can’t Wait for Summer”), used as the ending theme for TBS’s weekday variety block ‘Move,’ is memorable for its dramatic ensemble and bittersweet melody.
The lyrics, depicting a sentimental romance, resonate with the uniquely wistful atmosphere of summer and are bound to stir the heart.
With passionate vocals that color the season, it’s a classic summer anthem in J-pop.
ForeverSorimachi Takashi with Ricchī Sanbora
This song is striking for its somewhat nostalgic tone.
Co-written by Takashi Sorimachi and guitarist Richie Sambora, it was released in July 1997 as Sorimachi’s debut single.
Used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Beach Boys,” it proved popular, peaking at No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
It’s also included on the album “Message.” The lyrics, themed around love and eternity, depict past joys and anxieties about the future, conveying a sense of wistfulness about the passage of time.
It’s perfect to listen to at the end of summer.
1990s J-pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs (41–50)
Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY
Puffy is a female duo born in the ’90s whose unpretentious, natural vibe and laid-back atmosphere make them uniquely distinctive.
Top-tier creators have written and produced songs for them, resulting in a string of major hits, and in 2004 they even achieved the remarkable feat of inspiring the animated series Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, which became a smash hit across the U.S.
Speaking of their quintessential summer track, it has to be Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Et Cetera.
Released in 1997, it topped the Oricon chart and went on to sell 1.1 million copies.
The lyrics, penned by Yosui Inoue, are strikingly memorable—just hearing the chorus, which somehow makes you crave crab, is enough to put you in a summer mood anytime!
Sun’s Komachi AngelB’z
A hit released in 1990 that kicked off B’z’s streak of consecutive No.
1 singles on the Oricon charts, with a rhythm infused with Latin elements that evokes a passionate summer! There’s also the well-known anecdote that guitarist Takahiro Matsumoto was surprised by the distinctive song title born from vocalist Koshi Inaba’s unique feel for language.
Indeed, not only does the title make little sense, but even Inaba himself apparently isn’t quite sure why it ended up being called that.
Whatever the truth, the impactfully bold title hitting right in the chorus, the synth line that traces the chorus melody, and Matsumoto’s guitar—effortlessly commanding both lead and rhythm—all add up to a sound that could only be B’z, guaranteed to ignite any summer in any era!