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 (41–50)
Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY
A pop-rock tune with a powerful, bouncing bassline and guitar riffs, reminiscent of high-energy soccer.
JUDY AND MARY crafted this as a cheer song for Japan, filled with their passion for sports.
YUKI’s clear, crystalline vocals and TAKUYA’s memorable ending leave a lasting impression.
Released in February 1997 as the lead single from the album THE POWER SOURCE, the track was also featured in a commercial for Honda’s Live Dio scooter and reached No.
5 on the Oricon chart.
Its refreshing melody and exhilarating drive make it the perfect song when you’re taking a new step forward or want to cheer someone on.
Nostalgic 1990s Japanese Bands: Classic and Hit Songs (51–60)
HoneyL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
In 2020, L’Arc, aka L’Arc-en-Ciel, delighted fans by launching their first concert tour in about eight years, ARENA TOUR MMXX—a recent memory for many.
Since their major debut in 1994, they’ve carved out a unique place with an unparalleled sense of style and musicality, maintaining their status as a nationally beloved band that continues to churn out massive hits.
Here, we introduce HONEY, one of the three singles they simultaneously released in 1998 that drew widespread attention.
It became the band’s first million-selling record and remains one of their most widely known signature songs.
Although the arrangement is unusually simple for a L’Arc single, it still unmistakably embodies their sound—proof of their finesse.
Many listeners no doubt found themselves captivated by the music video, where hyde launches into the song, strumming his guitar with raw intensity.
Kiss me right nowLINDBERG
Released as LINDBERG’s second single, it was chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Sekai de Ichiban Kimi ga Suki!” It reached number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and ranked third on the 1990 year-end singles chart.
Rusty NailX JAPAN
The arrangement, where a dreamy synthesizer phrase rings out from the intro and layers with a fast-paced rock sound, really amps up the excitement, doesn’t it? The one-of-a-kind fusion of intense metal and beautiful melody showcases YOSHIKI’s brilliant compositional sensibility.
This work vividly evokes the image of a protagonist who, while bearing unhealed wounds and loneliness that pierce deep into the heart, continues to struggle desperately.
The song was released in July 1994 as the band’s 10th single and was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Kimi ga Mienai.” Despite unfavorable conditions for its first-week tally, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart and was later included on the acclaimed album “DAHLIA.” It’s a classical yet beautiful rock number you’ll want to listen to when you want to lift your spirits.
Noisy NeighborSPARKS GO GO
Debuting in 1990, SPARKS GO GO was popular as one of the central bands of beat rock.
They continue to perform today without any member changes.
Their strength is their upbeat groove, and in this song, the lively back-and-forth in the chorus has an addictive tempo.
CRASHPENICILLIN
When you think of PENICILLIN, you probably picture the iconic song “Romance,” which left an incredibly strong impression as the opening theme of the anime Hareluya II Bøy (Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoiyo! Masaru-san).
But they also create cool, classic-style tracks like this one.
It’s a positive song with a strong message.
Seesaw Game: A Song of Brave LoveMr.Children
It’s Mr.
Children’s 9th single, a hit song released in August 1995.
Sakurai apparently said the reason he used a picture of a monkey on the jacket was, “The film (‘[es] Mr.Children in FILM’) has wrapped up, and we’re restarting with a fresh mindset—restarting with the spirit of a monkey.”