A revival hit driven by social media! Heisei-era masterpieces that are resonating with Gen Z today

Tonight is Boogie BackOzawa Kenji feat. Suchadarapaa

Kenji Ozawa featuring Scha Dara Parr – Tonight is Boogie Back (nice vocal)

This work is known as a groundbreaking track that fuses hip-hop and J-pop.

It’s a classic born from the collaboration between Kenji Ozawa and Scha Dara Parr.

Released in March 1994 by Toshiba EMI, it was featured as the campaign CM song for Ikebukuro’s P’PARCO and used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Tamori no Super Vocabulary Heaven.” It’s a perfect pick when you want to light up the dance floor or have fun at a party with friends.

Immerse yourself in its funky, energetic world wrapped in dazzling lights and harmonies.

I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa

Aoyama Thelma feat. SoulJa / I'm by Your Side

A song by Thelma Aoyama and SoulJa themed around a long-distance relationship.

Released on January 23, 2008, it was Thelma Aoyama’s second single.

It was also used as NTT DoCoMo’s spring 2008 campaign song and became a major hit.

With moving lyrics and a beautiful melody, it portrays the bittersweet feelings of two people who continue to think of each other despite the distance.

It’s a crowd-pleaser at karaoke and can be enjoyed as a memorable song with a partner or friends.

It’s especially recommended for those living apart from someone important.

Naughty SunORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE – Naughty Sun (Reiwa ver. Music Video)

Here’s a signature summer tune from ORANGE RANGE that evokes the blazing summer sun.

Its driving beats and catchy call-and-response overlap to create an irresistible mix that freely crosses between rock and pop.

Released as a single in July 2007, it was chosen as the opening theme for the smash-hit drama “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise ~,” generating buzz and reaching No.

3 on the weekly Oricon chart.

It was later included on the classic album “PANICFANCY,” and has remained widely loved even in the Reiwa era as a revival hit.

It’s a high-energy anthem perfect for moments when everyone wants to go all out and get hyped—like cheering on school clubs or singing at karaoke.

Roco LotionORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE 'Locolotion' MV

This track is known as a refreshing dance tune that perfectly fits the summer sun and sea.

It was used as the CM song for Otsuka Beverage’s “MATCH” and is ORANGE RANGE’s sixth single.

Its sexy yet comical lyrics heighten the sense of freedom on a tropical beach and the anticipation of new encounters.

The irresistibly catchy melody that makes you want to hum along also lifts your spirits, making it a beloved staple of summer songs.

Released in June 2004, the track is included on the albums “musiQ” and “ALL the SINGLES.” It’s a recommended pick when you want to amp up summer events like beachside BBQs or fireworks festivals.

First LoveUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – First Love

It’s a classic that blends the sweet tang of first love with the bittersweet aftertaste of a love that has ended.

Written and composed by Hikaru Utada, the song vividly captures the melancholy of the moment of parting.

You can feel the wish that, even if one day you fall in love again, your former lover will remain someone special in your heart.

Released as a single in April 1999, it was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Majo no Joken” and became a massive hit.

In 2022, an original drama inspired by the song was released worldwide, bringing it back into the spotlight across generations.

It’s a love song recommended for those who, while holding on to unforgettable memories, want to take a new step forward—because the protagonist’s struggle to recover from heartbreak and face ahead is so deeply relatable.

Heisei Girl feat. KENTY-GROSSMINMI

Heisei no Otome

It’s a song that comically portrays the everyday life of women in the Heisei era, featuring an up-tempo rhythm with elements of reggae and dancehall.

MINMI’s bright, energetic vocals blend with KENTY GROSS’s rap to positively express modern women’s strength and independence.

It was included on the album “Mother,” released in July 2010.

It’s a perfect track for anyone who values being themselves or wants a boost of energy, don’t you think?

MiracleGReeeeN

GReeeeN – Kiseki

It became a massive hit as the theme song for the youth drama ROOKIES, which follows a high school baseball team’s struggles.

This song is a straightforward love ballad that calls the encounter with an irreplaceable person a “miracle” and celebrates the journey you’ve walked together as a “trail of memories.” Its unadorned words convey a love so deep that mere expressions of gratitude can’t capture it, resonating with listeners’ hearts.

Released by GReeeeN in May 2008, the song—boosted by the drama’s popularity—became one of the year’s defining tracks.

In 2017, the film Kiseki: Sobito of That Day, which portrays the song’s origin story, was released, and it has since become a coming-of-age anthem beloved across generations.

It’s a timeless classic that feels like a song cheering on life—one you’ll want to listen to when you want to reaffirm your feelings for someone important.