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 (31–40)
ILE AIYE ~Let’s dance with WA~AGHARTA

Originally, it was a song broadcast on NHK’s TV program “Minna no Uta,” but it was later adopted as the official theme song of the Nagano Olympics.
With lyrics befitting the Olympics and a pleasant, catchy melody, it likely moved people all around the world.
It was also later covered by V6, which helped the song become even more widely loved.
As if it were a dreamDEEN

This is a song that was used as the theme for the game Tales of Destiny.
There’s even an anecdote that it was composed after reading the script of the work, so it seems likely the piece was created with the story in mind.
It’s a very warm and grand song.
STOP THE TIMEHi-STANDARD

A track included on the third album released by Hi-STANDARD, the charismatic force of Japan’s punk scene.
True to Hi-Standard’s style, it’s an upbeat, hype-inducing song that puts their simple yet aggressive sound front and center.
Poem of SunlightLe Couple

Le Couple’s 5th single, which ranked 2nd weekly, 1st for July, 5th for August, and 3rd for the year.
It was an insert song for the Fuji TV drama “Under One Roof 2,” and since the single’s tracks were cut from the drama’s soundtrack, it also includes songs by artists other than Le Couple.
Red AngelPocket Biscuits

The third single by Pocket Biscuits, which reached No.
2 on the weekly chart and No.
12 on the yearly chart.
It’s the only song by the band without chorus vocals from Udo and Teru.
As with their other tracks, it features frequent key changes that make generous use of substitute chords, and the song’s development still has striking moments even today.


