Hit Japanese songs that represent 1997. Recommended masterpieces.
Masayoshi Yamazaki, GLAY, Mr.
Children, THE YELLOW MONKEY, L’Arc-en-Ciel, Namie Amuro, SPEED…
From the many classic songs that lit up the J-POP charts in 1997, we’ve selected hit tracks recommended by our studio staff.
It’s a nostalgic J-POP playlist that still shines vividly today.
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Hit Japanese songs representing 1997. Recommended classics (51–60)
CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie
A song by Namie Amuro that ranked No.
1 for the month of March 1997, No.
1 for the year, and went on to sell over 500,000 copies the following year as well.
It remains very popular today and is frequently used at weddings.
The video features a newly recorded vocal for her 5th best album, “Ballada,” and a collaboration with Taro Hakase, well known from the TV program “Jounetsu Tairiku.”
5 seconds before I fall seriously in loveHirosue Ryōko
Released in April 1997.
It’s a light, upbeat song that sings of a maiden’s heart in love to match the spring season.
At the time, it was used in a pager commercial, which really reflects the era.
Incidentally, the song’s title is said to be a play on a popular youth slang term back then, “MK5” (short for “Maji de kireru 5-byou mae,” meaning “about five seconds before I seriously lose it”).
Is spring here yet?Hamada Masatoshi
It’s a single released in 1997 by Downtown’s Masatoshi Hamada, who has surprisingly kept up his music activities for quite a long time, little by little.
The track was produced by Tamio Okuda and was also used in JR East’s “JR Ski Ski” commercial.
It’s a song that gives off a laid-back, easygoing vibe.
LOVE LOVE SHOWTHE YELLOW MONKEY
This is a hit song by The Yellow Monkey, who made headlines in 2016 by announcing their reunion and their first nationwide tour in 16 years.
The phrase that plays on “LOVE LOVE SHOW” and “rabu rabu shiyō” (let’s be lovey-dovey) is quintessential Yoshii, and the straightforward message of love is striking.
It seems they had karaoke in mind, making it a fun number to sing.
Hate tell a lieKahara Tomomi
Tomomi Kahala’s 6th single, which ranked No.
1 weekly, No.
1 for May, and No.
14 for the year.
It was used as the TV commercial song for Kanebo Cosmetics’ REVUE brand “Bronzelove.” The title means “I don’t like telling lies,” but it is grammatically incorrect in English.