Heisei-era masterpieces revisited through the hit songs of 2001
When you think of the music scene in 2001, what songs come to mind? It was a year that produced countless memorable tracks—from million-selling masterpieces to hidden gems that still linger in our hearts today.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of 2001 hits: nostalgic for those who listened in real time back then, and fresh for those who’ve only recently become curious.
Why not take this opportunity to immerse yourself once again in the world of Heisei-era hit songs?
Playlist
| Heisei-era masterpieces revisited through the hit songs of 2001 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | AdventurersDo As Infinity |  play_arrow | Facing forward, the courage to step into the unknown world |
| 2 | You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY |  play_arrow | A moving ballad of chemistry (CHEMISTRY) |
| 3 | deep forestDo As Infinity |  play_arrow | Do As Infinity’s classic song “Fukai Mori” |
| 4 | Paradoxw-inds. |  play_arrow | A signature youthful dance song by w-inds. |
| 5 | STARSNakajima Mika |  play_arrow | Mika Nakashima’s shocking debut single |
| 6 | DearestHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | The appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic song “Seasons” |
| 7 | astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN |  play_arrow | BUMP OF CHICKEN's masterpiece, lyrics that resonate with the heart |
| 8 | Point of No ReturnCHEMISTRY |  play_arrow | A striking debut after three months, a classic by CHEMISTRY |
| 9 | What I can do for youGACKT |  play_arrow | GACKT’s heartwarming classic ballad |
| 10 | youthful daysMr.Children |  play_arrow | The appeal and emotion of a masterpiece brimming with a sense of speed |
| 11 | Mini Moni. Janken Pyon!Minimoni. |  play_arrow | Mini Moni's debut single is a big hit. |
| 12 | FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Utada: a requiem prayer and a bittersweet longing |
| 13 | Papillon ~papillon~Shimatani Hitomi |  play_arrow | Hitomi Shimatani's hit single, Soar to the World |
| 14 | A Lonely ToothbrushSakuraba Yuuichirou |  play_arrow | Tomoya Nagase’s poignant heartbreak song: feelings imbued in a toothbrush |
| 15 | Midnight is purityShiina Ringo |  play_arrow | Ringo Sheena’s single, a classic song performed with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra |
| 16 | I’m here saying nothingYaita Hitomi |  play_arrow | Yaiko’s classic: a fusion of acoustic guitar and trad |
| 17 | White LoversKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | A song that remembers a winter romance and looks ahead |
| 18 | swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti |  play_arrow | A million-selling, exotic-style uptempo song |
| 19 | aloneGosuperāzu |  play_arrow | A classic by The Gospellers, with beautiful harmonies |
| 20 | come againm-flo |  play_arrow | m-flo “COME BACK”: Clear, transparent vocals and rap |
| 21 | Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | The theme song of Project X, a song that praises people |
| 22 | A piece of youKahara Tomomi |  play_arrow | A ballad that reflects Tomomi Kahara’s heartrending emotions |
| 23 | ultra soulB’z |  play_arrow | A nationwide upbeat tune: B’z’s massive hit song |
| 24 | Lucky PoolJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | JUDY AND MARY's final single |
| 25 | There’s always tomorrowUrufuruzu |  play_arrow | Ulfuls covers a song by Kyu Sakamoto |
| 26 | With all my might.Nepuchūn |  play_arrow | The famous song by the comedy trio Neptune |
| 27 | Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | A classic summer tune: Keisuke Kuwata’s refreshing pop song |
| 28 | Stairs of quiet daysDragon Ash |  play_arrow | The Stairway of Quiet Days by Dragon Ash |
| 29 | Purple The OrionDA PUMP |  play_arrow | A passionate song by a hip-hop dance unit |
| 30 | fragileEvery Little Thing |  play_arrow | A moving masterpiece that became a TV theme song |
| 31 | ANOTHER WORLDGACKT |  play_arrow | Signature songs by GACKT and songs that reflect the cinematic worldview |
| 32 | evergreenHyde |  play_arrow | A quiet song filled with emotion: the allure of HYDE |
| 33 | Best FriendKiroro |  play_arrow | A bittersweet song for a friend, a timeless piece that resonates with the heart |
| 34 | I miss you ~Across Time~MISIA＋DCT |  play_arrow | A love song collaboration between MISIA and DCT |
| 35 | Sayonara ColorSUPER BUTTER DOG |  play_arrow | A quiet yet powerful ballad of farewell and hope |
| 36 | Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterSteady&Co. |  play_arrow | A pleasant track by four skateboarding-style rappers |
| 37 | Your innocencehiro |  play_arrow | hiro's 4th single, a TV drama theme song |
| 38 | YATTA!happatai |  play_arrow | A song from a comedy show became a big hit and turned into an anthem of hope. |
| 39 | Ruts -Wadachi-Kobukuro |  play_arrow | A song of courage that charges ahead on an untracked path |
| 40 | The☆Pea—ce!Mōningu Musume. |  play_arrow | Morning Musume’s momentum continues with their 12th single |
| 41 | ONErippu suraimu |  play_arrow | The warm tone and lyrics of RIP SLYME |
| 42 | Stand UpKuraki Mai |  play_arrow | Detective Conan’s theme song, Mai Kuraki’s “Stand Up” |
| 43 | Fool of LoveGoto Maki |  play_arrow | Maki Goto’s debut song at age 15 is making headlines |
| 44 | Always With MeKimura Yumi |  play_arrow | The moving main theme song of the Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away |
| 45 | LOVE Tear-ColoredMatsuura Aya |  play_arrow | Aya Matsuura’s signature song, known as a breakup song |
| 46 | Look Back AgainYaita Hitomi |  play_arrow | Hitomi Yaida with her captivating singing voice: a song from the year she graduated from university. |
| 47 | Fish Fight!yazaru |  play_arrow | A fish song by Tunnels’ Yaen that won’t lose to a carp |
| 48 | dizzinessOnitsuka Chihiro |  play_arrow | Chihiro Onitsuka’s emotional, profound songs |
| 49 | NEVER EVERHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays humanity’s quest for eternal truth. |
| 50 | PIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRY |  play_arrow | CHEMISTRY’s debut single entered the charts at No. 2 |
| 51 | I have wings on my backKinKi Kids |  play_arrow | Kinki Kids’ famous refreshing classic song |
| 52 | A gentle songMr.Children |  play_arrow | Melt the sediment in the heart with a gentle song. |
| 53 | ZERO LANDMINEN.M.L |  play_arrow | A music project aiming to eradicate landmines |
| 54 | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE |  play_arrow | A song that sings of the sorrow of parting and the hope of reunion |
| 55 | First loveaiko |  play_arrow | aiko's first love: strong feelings and cuteness |
| 56 | Yell ~Cheer~Kobukuro |  play_arrow | Kobukuro's hit song, a cheer song |
| 57 | Song of LoveSutoroberī Furawā |  play_arrow | The Pikmin theme song: the transience and resilience of life |
| 58 | far; distantsupittsu |  play_arrow | Spitz’s classic song “Haruka,” with its gentle vocals, is captivating. |
| 59 | Lifetime RespectMiki Dōsan |  play_arrow | Japan’s first reggae song to reach No. 1 on the Oricon chart |
| 60 | Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Hikaru Utada “First Love” smash hit song |
| 61 | KISS OF LIFEHirai Ken |  play_arrow | Ken Hirai's 2001 drama theme song |
| 62 | Overflowing… BE IN LOVEGoto Maki |  play_arrow | Maki Goto’s irresistibly cute and sultry second single |
| 63 | Hanjirō of the Hakone Eight RiHikawa Kiyoshi |  play_arrow | Hikawa Kiyoshi’s debut song that sings of his feelings for his hometown. |
| 64 | evolutionHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | The appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s hit song “evolution” |
| 65 | Gang★Fukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Addiction-themed track with a sensual atmosphere |
| 66 | Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana |  play_arrow | Hanahana’s moving farewell classic: feelings for grandpa |
| 67 | I WILL GET THEREJ-Friends |  play_arrow | Kansai-based Johnny’s unit supporting the Great Hanshin Earthquake relief |
| 68 | Love Revolution 21Mōningu Musume. |  play_arrow | Divinely catchy music and virtuoso technique |