[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.
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[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A Roundup of Timeless Classics Still Remembered Today (31–40)
promenadeJUDY AND MARY
The 14th single by JUDY AND MARY, which reached No.
3 on the weekly chart and No.
50 on the yearly chart.
Composed by JUDY AND MARY’s drummer, Kota Igarashi, it served as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “News no Onna” (The News Woman).
With its crisp rhythm section and soaring vocals, this track is truly perfect for a stroll.
Winter fallL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
1998 was a year in which L’Arc-en-Ciel produced so many million-selling hits that it could be called their peak, and this song was no exception—following “HONEY,” it became the second best-selling track of the year.
The composition is by ken, who boasts the most songwriting credits in L’Arc-en-Ciel, and it features a characteristically beautiful melody.
Hold me tight!Mōningu Musume.
Morning Musume’s third single.
The quality of this song can only be described as quintessential Tsunku.
By their third release, the members of Morning Musume look incredibly cool and polished.
Morning Musume’s songs are very diverse, and you can feel the ingenuity that keeps them from ever getting boring.
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.
There will be love there -A Place with Love-the brilliant green
The Brilliant Green’s third single.
It became a hot topic as the theme song for the TBS drama “Love Again,” and with this release the group earned their first No.
1 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
Although it’s a mellow track, the guitar melody is incredibly cool and electrifying.