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.
Romantic, in a flirty/excited moodFujimoto Miki
This is the third single that can be considered Mikitty—Miki Fujimoto’s signature song under her solo name.
Her brilliant career includes failing the Morning Musume audition, succeeding as a solo artist, and then officially joining Morning Musume, truly making her dreams come true.
It’s a love song that resonates with a powerful singing voice.
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.