A masterpiece coupling track. Recommended popular songs.

A HAPPY NEW YEARMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – A HAPPY NEW YEAR (from “Japanese Love and Yuming.”)

It was released in 1981 as the B-side to Yumi Matsutoya’s 18th single, “Yūyami o Hitori.” The song was featured in the film Take Me Out to the Snowland and has been covered by many artists.

Overflowing with happiness, it wishes for a new year spent with a loved one and for the couple’s future to continue forever.

A person who loves springGLAY

A person who loves spring

GLAY is a four-piece rock band that enjoyed explosive popularity during the visual kei boom of the 1990s and continues to lead the J-pop scene today.

“Haruw o Aisuru Hito” (A Person Who Loves Spring), included on their 11th single “Kuchibiru” and their major third album “BELOVED,” is known among fans as a highly popular track despite not being a title song.

The lyrics, written by TAKURO, were inspired by his admiration for the way Icelandic people live, and they evoke the beauty and universality of the changing seasons.

Paired with a catchy melody, the song conjures vivid imagery—truly a classic among B-sides.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Sunset, starry sky, and mePorno Graffitti

Pornograffitti - Sunset, Starry Sky, and Me (with lyrics)

Since their debut, the two-piece rock band Porno Graffitti has captivated fans with songs that highlight their inventive melodic sensibilities and beats.

“Yuuhi to Hoshizora to Boku,” included on their 13th single “Ai ga Yobu Hou e,” is a B-side without any tie-in, yet it’s a fan favorite that has taken first place multiple times in fan club polls.

Its tight ensemble and laid-back shuffle beat are irresistibly pleasant, drawing in listeners even beyond the fan base.

This emotional B-side reveals a new facet of Porno Graffitti—known for their strong Latin-influenced sound.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Another SaturdayHamada Shogo

Another Saturday (We are still on the road.)

When you think of Shogo Hamada, songs with a strong rock flavor probably come to mind first, but this work is one you really sit back and savor.

Along with the A-side single “LONELY—Ai to Iu Yakusokugoto,” it was included on the 1986 album J.BOY.

Among Hamada’s ballads, this is likely the best-known.

The single was released in 1985.

Love is overŌyō Fifi

JUJU “Love Is Over” Music Video (Short Ver.)

This song was originally the B-side of the single “Uwasa no Disco Queen,” released in 1979.

Even after the A-side’s Chinese-language version ended up being a hit only in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Feifei kept performing “Love Is Over.” As a result, its popularity steadily grew, leading to a re-release as a single in 1980, and in 1983 it became a huge hit, reaching No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

romantic feelingsB’z

Koigokoro / B'z

Since their debut, B’z—the singular rock unit that has set countless milestones in the J-pop scene and continues to push the envelope at the forefront to this day—has remained in a class of their own.

“Koi-Gokoro (KOI-GOKORO),” included on their 11th single “ZERO,” has enjoyed popularity far beyond what you’d expect from a B-side, even taking the top spot on the fan-voted best album “B’z The Best ‘Treasure.’” In sharp contrast to the cool rock sound of “ZERO,” its playful lyrics and pop-leaning arrangement make it easy to see why it captures fans’ hearts.

Even now, it’s one of B’z’s signature songs and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at their live shows.

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Hoshino Takashi

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contrailArai Yumi

Contrail (Vapour Trail) – Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya)

Yumi Matsutoya’s classic song, adopted as the theme for Studio Ghibli’s 2013 film The Wind Rises.

It was originally the B-side to her 1978 single “Kitto Ieru.” Hikoukigumo was a piece Yuming originally wrote for the legendary singer Izumi Yukimura.

The A-side, “Kitto Ieru,” is a song with rapid, repeated key changes that showcases Yuming’s genius.