Hit J-Pop songs of 2008: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
Angela Aki, Arashi, Perfume, Shota Shimizu, Ikimono-gakari, GReeeeN…
From the many famous and popular songs that colored the J-POP hit charts of 2009 (Heisei 21), we’ve selected hit tracks recommended by our studio staff.
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Japanese hit songs of 2008 (11–20)
Make my dayAragaki Yui
This is a song by Yui Aragaki, whose voice is adorable.
The music video of her singing is really refreshing, since she usually works as an actress.
It has a pop sound, so I want to listen to it in the morning.
The chorus is very catchy, too.
It’s the kind of song I’d like to hum when something good happens.
dearestKOH+
This is a collaborative song by Masaharu Fukuyama and Kou Shibasaki, who co-starred in a popular drama.
Both are well-known as singers, and their collaboration further doubles their charm.
The lyrics are gentle, making it a song that really resonates with the heart.
With its calm tone, it’s something I want to listen to during a slow, relaxed time.
SUMMER TIMENEWS
It’s a refreshing summer song by NEWS.
Since the members of NEWS have relatively high voices, they make summer songs feel even more refreshing.
There are spots for call-and-response, so it’s a track everyone can get excited about together.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to at the start of summer.
We’ll always be together.Yamashita Tatsuro
The song is very gentle and easy to listen to.
Its style resonates with many people, not just the young.
It’s also a song often used at weddings.
Because it appeals to people of all ages, it often brings listeners to tears.
Tatsuro Yamashita’s voice is wonderful as well.
Genkai Boat SongHikawa Kiyoshi
Although Kiyoshi Hikawa usually offers a wider range of styles than typical J-pop, this song has a distinctly enka feel.
While he’s been popular even among generations that don’t normally listen to enka, this particular track has also become beloved by longtime enka listeners.
HOMEShimizu Shota
This is one of the signature songs by the talented and popular artist Shota Shimizu.
Many people have surely been soothed by his gentle singing voice.
He’s an exceptionally skilled vocalist, so singing this at karaoke can be quite a challenge—but if you can pull it off, it looks really cool.
Japanese hit songs of 2008 (21–30)
Nihon no Mikata – I Came from Nevada –Yajima Biyōshitsu
They’re an artist who came out of a hugely popular variety show.
You could say both the song and the lyrics are all about momentum, and that year it became a guaranteed crowd-pleaser if you could sing it.
A lot of people even performed it as an act, wearing dresses and dancing.