[1995 Hit Songs] Masterpieces of Japanese music that colored the Heisei 7 (1995) music scene
When you think of hit songs from 1995, what tracks come to mind? It was a landmark year when the release of Windows 95 had all of Japan buzzing, and the music scene saw a wave of great songs across diverse genres.
In this article, we’ll introduce the hit songs of 1995—nostalgic for those who spent their youth in that era, and fresh-sounding for those born after.
Even if you didn’t hear them in real time, there are plenty you’ve probably encountered somewhere! Enjoy to the very end.
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[1995 Hit Songs] Masterpieces of Japanese music that colored the Heisei 7 (1995) music scene (41–50)
La La LaDaikoku Maki
The super famous song “La La La” by Maki Ohguro, which everyone knows.
I’m sure everyone has heard the phrase “la-la, la-la-la.” Although the melody is upbeat, the lyrics have a slightly bittersweet feel, and that contrast is really nice.
[1995 Hit Songs] Japanese classics that colored the music scene of Heisei 7 (51–60)
sonOkuda Tamio
This song is the third single since Tamio Okuda—active as the vocalist and guitarist of Unicorn—started his solo career.
Its lyrics, brimming with kindness and love, are striking and truly captivating.
Combined with a slightly wistful accompaniment, it comes together as a wonderful piece of music.
TRY ME ~Believe in Me~Amuro Namie/SUPER MONKEY’S
Namie Amuro’s 5th single.
Back then, she was still Namie Amuro with SUPER MONKEY’S.
This was the first Namie-chan song I ever listened to.
It has a strong Eurobeat vibe that really reflects the era.
I never imagined that SUPER MONKEY’S would later debut as MAX and become famous, so I was really surprised at the time.
Riding in a Corolla IIOzawa Kenji
A song created as the commercial jingle for the Toyota Corolla II.
Ozawa Kenji, who sings it, was not involved in either the lyrics or the composition, and to this day it hasn’t been included on any albums.
In fact, it was quite rare at the time for a song that wasn’t a tie-in commercial track to sell this well.
PoisonHotei Tomoyasu
Tomoyasu Hotei’s 9th single.
While his songs have always had distinctive qualities, wasn’t it around this track that the current style really began to show? An energetic backing sound paired with Hotei’s sharp, edgy guitar riffs.
The lyrics, rhythm, and melody stick in your head—personally, it’s one of my favorites.
thrillHotei Tomoyasu
Rather than being known as a Tomoyasu Hotei track, it might now be more famous as the song that plays when Egashira 2:50 makes his entrance.
The lyrics have quite a few edgy expressions, and listeners at the time must have felt a little thrill.
The PVs often feature beautiful foreign women, which tends to draw your attention.
But any guitarist will understand—Hotei’s songs are insanely difficult.
What’s amazing is how the production makes it feel effortless.
That’s what struck me, looking back from 2016.
Miracle EarthKuwata Keisuke & Mr.Children
A charity single by Keisuke Kuwata and Mr.
Children.
The song was released as part of the Act Against AIDS (AAA) fundraising campaign to support patients.
Listeners at the time were probably quite surprised by the unexpected collaboration between Southern All Stars’ Kuwata and Mr.
Children’s Sakurai.
It’s truly wonderful when music can help people in need like this, isn’t it?