![Love Hit Song Collection for Gals [A Must-Listen for Heisei-Era Gals]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CS90aE8_dUQ/sddefault.jpg)
The concept of “gyaru,” which emerged in the 1980s, has continued to develop as a part of Japanese street culture.
Gyaru culture has created a wide range of fashion styles in step with the times, and it has also sparked many trends beyond fashion.
In this article, we’ll introduce love songs that are popular among gyaru.
We’ve especially highlighted tracks from artists like Ayumi Hamasaki and Kumi Koda, who were hugely popular among gyaru in the 2000s to early 2010s.
Take this opportunity to give them another listen.
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Collection of Love Hit Songs Gals Listen To [A Must-Listen for Heisei Gals] (1–10)
I want to be your lover.Abe Mao
Just from the title, you can feel the burning passion—this is one of Mao Abe’s signature love songs.
Released as a single in August 2009, it’s said to be based on her real experiences from when she was in high school.
Wanting to know everything about the person you like, yet being afraid to ask because you don’t want them to dislike you—this song vividly portrays that frustrating, lovestruck tug-of-war.
Listen to it, and that heartbeat-skipping feeling of waiting for a text reply will come rushing back.
It’s a track that gives you a strong push when you need the courage to take a step forward.
MHamasaki Ayumi
Ayumi Hamasaki, a divine figure to the gals who survived the Heisei era.
Since her debut in 1998, she captured the hearts of junior high and high school girls, influencing fashion and the gal mindset.
Her 2000 release “M” was long thought to reference the initial of “Maria,” as sung in the chorus.
However, in the 2019 novel M: A Beloved Person, it was revealed that the “M” actually stood for the initial of her producer, which became a major topic of conversation.
Knowing this and revisiting the lyrics, you can truly feel the depth of the love expressed in the song.
ButterflyKōda Kumi
A dance number sung by Kumi Koda that expresses the strength and beauty of women.
Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis and soaring into the sky, the lyrics capture the joy of setting yourself free and living openly.
The sultry vocals and Latin-infused sound make you feel like you’ve become a confident, irresistible woman just by listening.
Released as a single in June 2005, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama Ai no Gekijo: “Cosme no Mahou 2.” It won the Japan Record Award the same year and became a classic that also contributed to the massive success of her best-of album BEST ~first things~.
spoiled childOtsuka Ai
A masterpiece that portrays the bittersweet heart of a girl who can’t be honest in front of the one she likes.
Released in March 2004 as Ai Otsuka’s third single, this song is also well known for its use in Sato Pharmaceutical’s “Stonarhini S” commercial.
The lyrics capture the feelings of a clumsy girl who puts on a brave face even though she really wants to be affectionate—resonating deeply with the gals who blazed through the Heisei era.
The gentle piano tones and Ai Otsuka’s emotional vocals vividly express the wavering feelings of love.
It’s perfect for when you want to confess your feelings to someone you adore, or when you want to show a touch of endearing charm at karaoke.
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
A signature youth-punk anthem by MONGOL800, a rock band from Okinawa.
Set to a simple band sound, its passionate lyrics—about the happiness of having someone special by your side and pledging unwavering love—hit straight to the heart.
The album MESSAGE, which includes this track and was released in September 2001, sold over 2.8 million copies.
Its popularity shows no signs of fading; in 2019, a film inspired by the song was also released.
It’s the perfect number for a rousing karaoke sing-along or for reaffirming your feelings for someone you love.
Give this Heisei-era love classic a listen.
I like you.Shimizu Shota
A cell phone suddenly rings on a sleepless night.
Starting from that everyday moment, this is an unrequited love song that makes your chest ache.
The protagonist is afraid to take a step forward for fear of breaking the relationship, yet can’t suppress the overflowing feelings.
Shota Shimizu’s sweet, heartrending vocals gently cradle a lovestruck heart.
Released as a single in December 2009, it’s also included on the album Journey.
At the time, it topped mobile distribution charts, capturing the hearts of many young listeners.
It’s a song to play when your feelings for someone are about to spill over, or when you need a little courage.
Baby, I love youTEE
A sweet and heartrending love song that expresses the feelings of a man in love, sung with a voice that blends kindness and a touch of bitterness.
The protagonist’s struggle to honestly convey his feelings to the one he loves is striking.
Released in October 2010, the song was featured as the ending theme for TBS’s music program “COUNT DOWN TV” and Yomiuri TV’s “Gachi Kame.” The music video, starring model Mikiko Yano, also drew attention, and the track became a major hit, reaching No.
2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on nights when your feelings for someone deepen or on special anniversaries with a loved one, and it continues to be cherished as a wedding standard.