Hit J-Pop songs from 2002. Recommended classics and popular tracks.
Dragon Ash, Chitose Hajime, Ketsumeishi, Hikaru Utada, Porno Graffitti, MISIA, Kishidan…
From among the many classic songs that lit up the J-POP charts in 2002, our studio staff have selected their recommended hits.
It’s a moving playlist that still hasn’t lost its luster.
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Female artist (21–30)
SAKURA DropsUtada Hikaru
Hikaru Utada’s 11th single, which topped the weekly and monthly charts and ranked 6th for the year.
It was also used as the theme song for the TBS drama “First Love.” The catchy clarity of the chorus and the main theme in the interlude makes it stick in your ears, while the A and B sections, which drastically change the mood, defy expectations and add depth to the song.
The title plays on “drop” meaning cherry blossoms falling and on Sakuma Drops candy, cleverly twisting a familiar word into a great title.
VoyageHamasaki Ayumi
This is the 28th single and the theme song for the TBS drama “My Little Chef,” released about two months after the previous work, “H.” The promotional video is a digest of the short film “The Setting Moon,” which inspired it, and features actor Yusuke Iseya.
Moonlightkuzu
This is the debut single of Kuzu, a unit born from a sketch on the then-popular variety show “Warai no Tane R&R” (One-Night R&R).
The group’s name and the jacket, which looks like a yuzu missing a segment, are clearly an homage to the duo Yuzu.
It’s a refreshing track that showcases the vocals of the two performers, who were often talked about as comedians with great singing voices.
sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo
This is the debut single that made singer Yo Hitoto’s name widely known.
It’s a very quiet, wistful ballad that feels as if she’s desperately searching for her place.
The distinctive feature seems to be the “eei aa” phrase, which isn’t specifically explained.
Fish HeavenShibaya Hiromi
It’s the familiar Fish Song with the catchy “sakana sakana sakana~” refrain.
It carries an educational message that eating fish makes you smarter thanks to the effects of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
It’s a classic tune that fits perfectly with the lifestyles of Japanese people, who eat fish frequently.
Male artists (1–10)
Life goes onDragon Ash
This is a signature song by the crossover band Dragon Ash, which sold 800,000 copies.
It actually has an original source: it’s a remake of a track called “I Wanna Be With U” by the group FUN FACTORY.
If you’re curious, why not listen to both and compare?
Angel’s taleHyde
The second single released under L’Arc~en~Ciel vocalist HYDE’s solo name.
It’s characterized by a sweet-voiced ballad, and the theme seems to be a quietly moving Christmas song.
The first press limited edition came in a coffin-shaped special case, and I remember having trouble figuring out where to store it at the time.