[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
GLAY, T.M.Revolution, L’Arc~en~Ciel, MISIA, Morning Musume…
1998 was a year when a stream of timeless hits were born from artists who still enjoy enduring popularity today.
In this article, we introduce standout classics from the 1998 J-POP hit charts—songs that earned overwhelming support from listeners and fans, and continue to do so even now.
Enjoy this nostalgic playlist that still shines in vibrant color.
- [1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
- [Hit Songs of 1999] A roundup of timeless tracks that dominated the charts!
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- [Hit Songs of 1996] Spotlight on the iconic tracks and popular tunes that colored the Heisei era!
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- Hit J-Pop songs of 2008: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- Japanese Music of the 2000s: Revival Included! A J-POP Hit Song Special
- [Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics.
[1998 J-Pop Hit Songs] A Roundup of Classic Tracks That Still Resonate Today! (21–30)
Time goes byEvery Little Thing
This song, the origin of ELT’s ballads, is the only one of their singles to achieve million-seller status.
With its pleasing, beautiful melody line and numerous key changes, it moves me every time I listen.
It remains a timeless classic that’s still popular today.
Hold me all the wayKinKi Kids
This song was composed by Takuro Yoshida.
It was created as the theme song for the TV program “LOVE LOVE Aishiteru,” which was hosted by Takuro Yoshida and KinKi Kids, but it seems the program staff didn’t think highly of it at the time (according to Wikipedia).
It goes to show that a masterpiece doesn’t necessarily receive high praise from everyone right from the start.
[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A Roundup of Timeless Classics Still Remembered Today (31–40)
Future CourseLa’cryma Christi
LAREINE creates a unique world with high tones and tight performances, and this song in particular is characterized by a refreshing, soaring melody.
It’s quite difficult to sing, but if you can pull it off, I think you’d be very popular.
To the west, to the eastMr.Children
Here’s another song from Mr.
Children.
Speaking of Mr.
Children in 1998, “Owarinaki Tabi,” which was used as the theme song for the drama ‘Naguru Onna,’ is famous, but this song also reached 35th on the Oricon charts in 1998.
It might be a slightly lesser-known track, but it seems to still be featured in recent live performances.
RomancePENICILLIN
The unexpected tie-in of it being the opening theme for the anime ‘Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san’ was a hot topic at the time.
The music follows the classic visual kei style.
PENICILLIN is still active today, and each member continues to work energetically.
Sign of LovePUFFY
PUFFY’s sixth single, which reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
While most of PUFFY’s songs are composed and arranged by Tamio Okuda, this one is a rare contribution from Masamune Kusano of Spitz.
The intro with the drum toms makes you feel like something new is about to begin, and it’s exciting.
White LoveSPEED
Released in October 1997, it became an explosive hit through the winter and was used in Shiseido’s “Tissela Angel Drop” commercial, selling a total of 2 million copies—SPEED’s biggest hit.
The contrast of a group from Okinawa singing a winter song is striking.
Thanks to this single’s success, they also performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it the winter classic that propelled SPEED to rapid stardom!