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