Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
The 1990s were an era when countless bands across a variety of genres were thriving.
Starting with the Being-kei bands, many visual-kei bands also emerged, and it was around the mid-90s that the melodic hardcore scene really took off in Japan.
Among them, quite a few bands are still active on the front lines today.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic songs by 90s bands that anyone who lived through that era will likely find “so nostalgic!!”
Of course, there are plenty of songs that feel nostalgic, but many of them are still beloved as timeless staples even now.
Please enjoy these tracks packed with the unique charm of that era.
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Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s (101–110)
Sly womanSha ran Q
Released as Sharan Q’s seventh single, it was used as the ending theme for the Fuji TV program “Imada Koji no Shibuya-kei Uraringo.” In this song, Hatake plays the clarinet.
It became Sharan Q’s biggest hit.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYLINDBERG
HAPPY BIRTHDAY is a track included on LINDBERG IV, the band’s fourth album and their biggest hit, which sold over a million copies.
The intro features a catchy bassline, and the light, shuffling rhythm gives it a poppy feel that brightens up any birthday celebration.
The melody doesn’t move up and down much and the vocal range isn’t wide, so it’s easy to sing, but watch out for a few high notes that appear in the chorus.
There’s also a part in the chorus where the vocals alternate, making it a pop tune that really gets the crowd going when you sing it with friends.
My Eyes ~Oh, my eyes~DIE IN CRIES
This is the band formed by KYO, who was the frontman of Yokosuka Saber Tiger—also known for having former X JAPAN member HIDE—after the breakup of D’ERLANGER.
The lineup also includes Fuka Murohime, formerly of The Mad Capsule Markets, and Yukihiro, now of L’Arc-en-Ciel.
It’s a calm track where KYO’s distinctive voice meshes well with the airy, floating sound.
A happy yet embarrassed walk of shame in the morning.DREAMS COME TRUE
The third single, released in September 1989.
Lyrics and music by Miwa Yoshida, arrangement by Masato Nakamura.
It’s a very cute song and one I’ve always loved.
Back then, it was also a song that girls often sang at karaoke.
The single includes “Ureshii! Tanoshii! Daisuki!”
Poem of SunlightLe Couple
Their fifth single in total.
It was released in May 1997.
Used as an insert song for the Fuji TV drama “Under One Roof 2,” all three tracks were single cuts from the drama’s soundtrack, which had been released two weeks earlier.
It became one of Le Couple’s signature songs.
Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s (111–120)
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE
18th single (double A-side).
It was released in July 1995.
The song has a relaxed tempo.
It served as the theme song for the TBS drama “Aishiteiru to Itte Kure” (Say You Love Me).
The English version was used as the commercial song for Honda’s low-roof minivan, the Odyssey, and is included on the best-of album “LOVE OVERFLOWS -ASIAN EDITION-.”
I want to become a rainbow.TUBE
While TUBE is known for their up-tempo songs with a strong summer vibe, this track is a ballad that sings of the sadness of a breakup at summer’s end.
It begins with an acoustic section and gradually builds toward the latter half, making it a highly lyrical masterpiece.