2012 Hit Song Rankings! A roundup of nostalgic classics all at once
In this article, we’ll be showcasing a roundup of Japanese hit songs from 2012 (Heisei 24)! How old were you back then? Maybe you were enjoying your student life, just starting out as a working adult and learning the ropes, or perhaps you got married and welcomed a child.
These are all songs that will likely bring back memories the moment you hear them, so please read through to the end! It’s also a playlist you can use as a reference when choosing songs for karaoke!
2012 Hit Song Rankings! A roundup of nostalgic classics (1–10)
GIVE ME FIVE !AKB48
Released in February 2012, this song is a landmark track in which AKB48 embarked on a new challenge: “idol × band.” While themed around graduation and setting off on a new journey, it delivers an upbeat message that after the tears, we should high-five with a smile.
It’s a fast-paced track that fuses band sounds with idol pop, making it a perfect karaoke choice to dedicate to friends as you part ways.
VirginityNMB48
Released in August 2012 as the artist’s fifth single, this is an emotionally rich love song.
It captures the moment of transition from girl to woman, expressing the protagonist’s feelings as she senses that even a single kiss can lead to the loss of something.
The track is also characterized by a melody reminiscent of 1980s Japanese pop and a lush arrangement featuring strings and keyboards.
Perfect for those who want to savor the bittersweetness of love or revisit their youthful days.
Even kisses are left-handedSKE48
SKE48’s 10th single captures the fluttering first love of a young girl.
Released in September 2012, it topped the Oricon charts and ranked 9th on the year-end list.
The protagonist’s delicate feelings—like getting butterflies over something as simple as someone twirling pasta with their left hand—are conveyed through bright guitar sounds and sparkling synthesizers.
It’s the perfect song to revisit that heart-pounding feeling of being in love.
To the Lightmiwa
Singer-songwriter miwa captivates many fans with her translucent vocals and down-to-earth lyrics.
Released in August 2012 as her ninth single, this song was selected as the theme for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
drama “Rich Man, Poor Woman.” Stepping beyond her previous guitar-and-vocal style, it drew attention for incorporating a four-on-the-floor electronic sound.
The lyrics, themed around the distance between people in the internet age, are notable for expressing feelings that seem within reach yet remain out of grasp, using light as a metaphor.
It became one of miwa’s signature songs, peaking at No.
4 on the Oricon weekly chart—her highest to that point—and later earning a million certification.
Apply false eyelasheskyarī pamyu pamyu
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s memorable first CD single.
Released in January 2012, it reached No.
3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
The lyrics charmingly liken the familiar item of false eyelashes to magic and a transformation belt, portraying the joy and confidence of changing yourself.
Its dazzling electropop sound and catchy phrases really stick in your head.
Perfect for when you want to reinvent yourself or simply enjoy getting stylish.
fireworksSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
A ballad that poignantly sings of summer’s bittersweetness.
It’s included on the seventh single “0 ~ZERO~,” released by Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE in August 2012.
The lyrics, written from a woman’s perspective, weave together the premonition of a breakup and feelings as fleeting as summer fireworks, tightening the chest with their poignancy.
It’s a song that will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced a sorrowful love, where feelings for the other person just never fade.
Come here, ShampooNogizaka 46
The title track of their second single, released in May 2012.
Its appeal lies in a breezy melody with a hint of French pop.
The hair swaying in slow motion the moment someone turns, and the scent of shampoo—these images vividly capture the sparkle of youth with a sense of clarity.
Combined with the bright, clear vocals, you’re left feeling refreshed by the end.
It’s the perfect song for when you want to relive the sweet-and-sour feelings of school days or get the energy up at karaoke.