Hit Japanese songs of 2004: recommended classics and popular tracks
Mr.
Children, Kishidan, Ken Hirai, Ayaka Hirahara, Hikaru Utada, Tokyo Jihen…
From the many classic and popular songs that colored the J-POP hit charts of 2004 (Heisei 16), our studio staff has selected recommended hits.
A playlist that still doesn’t fade with time—one that represents the Heisei era.
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Male artists (1–10)
SignMr.Children
As the theme song for the TBS drama “Orange Days,” this piece was written after reading the script, so its content is closely tied to the drama.
Nevertheless, it remains a quintessential Mr.
Children work reminiscent of their earlier album “Shifuku no Oto.” With this song, the band won the Japan Record Award for the second time, their first since “innocent world.”
Messenger from Sunday↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓
In terms of name recognition, this could be considered The High-Lows’ signature song.
Originally, it was a track on their first album in 1995 and the B-side of their third single, but it was rearranged and released as their 22nd single after being chosen as the theme song for the film Zebraman.
It’s a simple, lively, and very refreshing tune.
Stargazersupittsu
This is Spitz’s 28th single, released about a year and five months after their previous one.
The song was also used as the theme for Fuji TV’s “Ainori,” and there’s an anecdote that vocalist Masamune Kusano wrote the lyrics after watching the show, so it can be considered a piece created for the program.
It’s a refreshing track that also carries a touch of melancholy.
SisterPorunogurafiti
This is Porno Graffitti’s first single after bassist Tama left, and their 15th single overall.
Despite having no tie-in, it reached No.
2 on the weekly chart and No.
34 on the year-end chart.
The song puts a strong emphasis on poignancy and, unusually, features no guitar solo.
The music video is said to have been shot at the same location as Music Hour, which has a completely opposite image.
READY STRADY GOL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
This is L’Arc-en-Ciel’s 22nd single, “READY STEADY GO.” This song, which was also used as the opening theme for the anime Fullmetal Alchemist, is popular across a wide range of age groups even among L’Arc-en-Ciel’s catalog.
The B-side of this single includes versions of the same track with each member’s part removed, which is said to carry a message fitting for their first single after resuming activities: that if any one part is missing, it no longer constitutes L’Arc’s sound.
ArueBUMP OF CHICKEN
This is BUMP OF CHICKEN’s seventh single, and its title was taken from Evangelion’s Rei Ayanami by using her initials, R.A.
The lyrics contain many words that likely refer to Rei Ayanami, such as a girl who looks good in a white blouse, bandages, and a blue skirt.
GO !!!FLOW
FLOW’s first anime tie-in song.
Chosen as the opening theme for the anime NARUTO, it became such a huge hit that it’s considered one of NARUTO’s signature tracks! It’s still sung at karaoke and is a song everyone can get hyped to together.