Japanese hit songs from 1990. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
B.B.
Queens, Kome Kome Club, LINDBERG, THE BLUE HEARTS, Hideaki Tokunaga, JUN SKY WALKER(S)…
From among the many classic and popular songs that colored the J-POP hit charts of 1990 (Heisei 2), we’ve selected hit tracks recommended by our studio staff.
It’s a nostalgic playlist that represents the golden age of J-POP.
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- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Showa-era classic songs that brightened the 1990s
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1990 J-Pop hit songs. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (11–20)
ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN
This song is still famous today, so personally I feel like it sold even more.
That said, it was still a big enough hit, selling over 300,000 copies for a visual-kei hard rock band.
It’s also known as a popular ballad, so I hope people who aren’t fans will give it a listen too.
NO TITLISTMiyazawa Rie
It’s surprising to me that Rie Miyazawa, who is now a top actress, once released a song like this.
I was even more surprised to learn that it sold 250,000 copies and ranked among the hit singles of the 1990s.
The song is a classic idol tune, and while her vocal ability is unfortunately lacking, she probably became popular because of her looks and face.
Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro
Every year during the Christmas season, this song naturally gains popularity for this artist.
It starts playing frequently around town, and before you know it, that famous commercial is on the air.
The song sold around 450,000 copies, making it a more than substantial hit.
Believe in your dreamsTokunaga Hideaki
This person’s high-pitched voice hasn’t changed from the past to the present.
They have a unique presence, and their clear, transparent voice is still often imitated at karaoke.
Being able to hit those notes at karaoke was seen as proof you were good—and it even made you popular with women.
Summertime BluesWatanabe Misato
Misato Watanabe was the leading female artist of that era.
She paved the way for today’s successful female artists, so I think people beyond her fanbase should show her more respect.
This song is a timeless classic, so if you don’t know it, please give it a listen.
Salty crescent-moon nightNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
The singer-songwriter Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi has had his share of problems and incidents, but I think he’s been successful in every era after all.
Fans are probably drawn to his good songs and his manly, gutsy persona.
The fact that he used to be slimmer also leaves a good impression.
To the City of RainbowsTakano Hiroshi
This singer-songwriter created captivating songs that still hold up today.
In this performance video from a TV appearance, they confidently present their music.
You can really feel their love for music, so I can recommend it even to those who aren’t already fans.