Hit J-pop songs of 2005. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
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From the many iconic and popular songs that colored the J-POP charts of 2005 (Heisei 17), our studio staff has selected recommended hits.
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Japanese hit songs of 2005 (21–30)
planetariumOtsuka Ai
This is a song that was used in a hugely popular drama.
It’s a ballad sung with a gentle, heartfelt touch.
Summer songs usually feel lively, but this one evokes the end of summer.
It mentions fireworks, but rather than bright and cheerful, it’s a bittersweet track.
POPSTARHirai Ken
For Ken Hirai, this is a rare dance number.
It was also used as a TV drama theme song.
It’s a bright, upbeat track.
It’s especially effective when a man with unrequited love sings it to the woman he likes.
It’s extra charming—and a big plus—when a mature man sings it.
First Love TrainHikawa Kiyoshi
It’s a song that really embodies classic enka.
Enka might feel unrelated to younger people, but just the fact that Kiyoshi Hikawa sings it makes it feel more approachable.
Enka can be difficult, but since it’s close to kayōkyoku (Japanese pop ballads), it’s an easy song to listen to.
I love you, Osaka.Kanjani∞
It’s a very rare song where an idol sings in Kansai dialect.
However, when Kanjani performs it, the sense of incongruity disappears.
It really fires up the crowd when performed in Osaka.
It’s an idol song, but it’s not very idol-like.
It gets even more exciting when sung with choreography.
CherishNEWS
It’s a song and lyrics that feel like the classic idol style—an uplifting anthem.
It works great when sung to someone, and it’s also recommended as a cheer-up song for yourself.
The lyrics are themed around first love.
They’re delicate, but filled with the feeling of cherishing someone.
OCEANB’z
It’s the theme song of a hugely popular drama.
The show was about a man battling the vast ocean, so that image is very strong.
It’s a ballad, and the melody that seems to express a man’s strength is really cool.
It sounds especially cool when a man sings it with a gentle, soulful touch.
ENDLESSSTORYREIRA starring YUNA ITO
This song was also used in a hugely popular drama about men fighting at sea.
It’s a soothing, healing-type song, perfect for listening to when you’re tired.
There’s an English version as well.
It’s a very popular song often used at weddings.
It’s more of a song to listen to than to sing.