[Hit Songs of 1999] A roundup of timeless tracks that dominated the charts!
1999 was a turning point that brought various changes to Japan’s music scene.
The achievements of female artists in particular were remarkable, and across a wide range of genres—from J-pop to rock to ballads—many classic songs were born.
The numerous hits from 1999, whose appeal remains undiminished even today, continue to have a major influence on contemporary artists.
In this article, we’ll introduce hit songs released in 1999.
Immerse yourself and enjoy the sound where nostalgia and freshness coexist!
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- Hit Japanese songs that represent 1997. Recommended masterpieces.
- Heisei-era masterpieces revisited through the hit songs of 2001
- [Hit Songs of 1996] Spotlight on the iconic tracks and popular tunes that colored the Heisei era!
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- 2003 J-Pop hit songs special: the golden age of music when diversity blossomed
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Cool songs of the Heisei era. Hit tracks that energized the times.
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- Nostalgic Yet Everlasting: Classic Hits by 1990s Idol Singers
- A coming-of-age song that was a hit in the ’90s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
[Hit Songs of 1999] A Showcase of the Classics That Dominated the Charts! (51–60)
fireworksaiko
It’s a truly heartrending ballad that likens the rhinoceros beetle—seen as strong among insects but, once its shell is stripped away, actually fragile and perhaps a lonely creature—to the singer herself, who puts on a brave front and falls in love to protect her own heart.
Because aiko composed the song under the mistaken belief that the rhinoceros beetle is a winter insect, it became a winter-themed song despite its title.
At that speedthe briliant green
A band formed by Shunsaku Okuda and Ryo Matsui, who were classmates at Kyoto Murasakino High School.
They invited vocalist Tomoko Kawase, who graduated from Meitoku High School, at a live house and made their major debut.
People younger than me might recognize her better by the name Tommy february6, right? This is the band from when Tommy february6 made her major debut.
It has a slightly downer vibe, but the melodies and lyrics go down easy, and I highly recommend them.
rainbowkururi
According to guitarist and vocalist Shigeru Kishida, this is “a song that symbolizes Quruli,” and one that most strongly captures their essence.
It was used as the theme song for TVK’s “Mutoma JAPAN” and as the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s “JAPAN COUNTDOWN.” It’s a track that makes the flow of time feel slower—one you can listen to calmly and from the heart.
Eat bread and honey.Kuramubon
This is Clammbon’s second single and their signature song, which marked their first appearance on the Oricon charts.
With a comfortable mid-tempo groove that you can feel throughout your body, the sound blends seamlessly with keyboardist-vocalist Ikuko Harada’s gentle voice, resulting in a soothing mid-tempo track.
[Hit Songs of 1999] A Roundup of Chart-Topping Classics! (61–70)
hometownMōningu Musume.
It’s a mellow song by Morning Musume, who were at the peak of their popularity at the time.
The girls—so pure and sweet, like they’d just come from their hometowns—sing gently, and it’s the kind of track that might make you melt.
I bet it made everyone’s hearts skip a beat back then.
Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo
This is a heartrending love song in which Ringo Sheena sings, over a carefully crafted sound, about her strong, straightforward feelings for a man she dated while living in Fukuoka.
It was also selected as the ending theme for Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV’s ‘Downtown DX,’ and it became a major hit, leading to her first appearance on TV Asahi’s ‘Music Station.’ The song continued to have a significant impact on the music scene, with artists such as Tsuyoshi Domoto covering it.
Hungry SpiderMakihara Noriyuki
Noriyuki Makihara’s 22nd single was also used as the theme song for the drama “Labyrinth.” Because the drama dealt with very heavy subject matter and the production requested a song that matched that atmosphere, this track ended up with a somewhat mysterious, dark vibe as well.