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.
Playlist
| Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT | play_arrow | The time in the late ’90s, known as the CD bubble... |
| 2east | ROSIERLUNA SEA | play_arrow | Shaping the visual kei scene since the 1990s… |
| 3east | frecklesJUDY AND MARY | play_arrow | All four of them have distinctive personalities and talents... |
| 4east | Robinsonsupittsu | play_arrow | ...the qualities possessed by Masamune Kusano, who is in charge of writing and composing the songs... |
| 5east | Forever LoveX JAPAN | play_arrow | The category that is so-called visual-kei… |
| 6east | Flowers of EvilBUCK-TICK | play_arrow | Formed as BUCK-TICK in 1985... |
| 7east | Red tambourineBLANKEY JET CITY | play_arrow | 1990s love songs by BLANKEY JET CITY |
| 8east | WHO’LL BE THE NEXTHi-STANDARD | play_arrow | 90s Japanese punk and melodic core... |
| 9east | GLORIAZIGGY | play_arrow | I listened to their songs in 90s variety shows and commercials… |
| 10east | Nameless PoemMr.Children | play_arrow | Mr. Children, also known by the nickname “Misuchiru,”… |
| 11east | Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS | play_arrow | Even after the 2020s have passed, upon hearing that name... |
| 12east | The wind is dancing outside the window.SUPER BUTTER DOG | play_arrow | A gemlike melody that cherishes time spent facing your heart |
| 13east | cream sodaSUPERCAR | play_arrow | Feelings wavering between youth and reality |
| 14east | Wonderful DaysUNICORN | play_arrow | UNICORN’s 1993 farewell ballad |
| 15east | Crazy Babyfisshumanzu | play_arrow | A love song thinking of my lover |
| 16east | Stay GoldHi-STANDARD | play_arrow | Despite being an indie band at the time, it was unusual... |
| 17east | Primalorijinarurabu | play_arrow | A love song that is one of ORIGINAL LOVE’s signature tracks |
| 18east | RALLYCymbals | play_arrow | Expressing romantic mind games through breezy pop |
| 19east | PassionSIAM SHADE | play_arrow | Speaking of SIAM SHADE, “1/3 no Jun…” |
| 20east | Transparent GirlNUMBER GIRL | play_arrow | Number Girl, formed in Fukuoka in 1995… |
| 21east | JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY | play_arrow | Since their 2016 reunion, they have continued to work energetically… |
| 22east | Singin’ in the Rainthe pillows | play_arrow | the pillows Youth Song Searching for Myself in the Rainy Town |
| 23east | Turn your feet toward the dance hall on 3104th Street.BLANKEY JET CITY | play_arrow | It was a song included on the third album... |
| 24east | Young PeopleSanīdēi Sābisu | play_arrow | A representative work that gently portrays the delicate emotions of youth |
| 25east | HOWEVERGLAY | play_arrow | By now, GLAY being a visual-kei ba… |
| 26east | Winter,againGLAY | play_arrow | This is GLAY’s 16th single. Intro… |
| 27east | BoogieTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT | play_arrow | The album "Chicken Zombie" ranked 10th on the Oricon charts… |
| 28east | Freeze My LoveGLAY | play_arrow | A single released in 1995. Still before they broke through... |
| 29east | ORIONRAZZ MA TAZZ | play_arrow | Formed in 1994 and, regrettably, in 1999… |
| 30east | Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi | play_arrow | Elephant Kashimashi’s 15th single and… |
| 31east | Touch and changesupittsu | play_arrow | After the breakthrough of songs like “Nagisa” and “Scarlet”… |
| 32east | wishB’z | play_arrow | B’z’s overwhelming musicality and powerful message |
| 33east | Nagisasupittsu | play_arrow | A poignant classic that colors the end of summer |
| 34east | Until the World Ends…WANDS | play_arrow | A rock band active since 1991, … |
| 35east | BURNTHE YELLOW MONKEY | play_arrow | THE YELLOW MONKEY's 13… |
| 36east | As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z | play_arrow | Released as B’z’s 12th single… |
| 37east | Kafu TsumuGUNIW TOOLS | play_arrow | Something like rock, something like industrial, bi... |
| 38east | Youth Frenzysanīdī sābisu | play_arrow | Sunny Day Service is Soga on vocal and guitar… |
| 39east | innocent worldMr.Children | play_arrow | Mr.Children’s 5th single and… |
| 40east | HoneyL’Arc〜en〜Ciel | play_arrow | In 2020, a concert was scheduled for the first time in about eight years... |
| 41east | Kiss me right nowLINDBERG | play_arrow | Released as LINDBERG’s 2nd single, it… |
| 42east | Seesaw Game: A Song of Brave LoveMr.Children | play_arrow | Their ninth single, released in August 1995, Mi… |
| 43east | Orange-colored moonMarukoshiasu Banpu | play_arrow | Marcosias Bump was a Japanese gra... in the 1990s. |
| 44east | Noisy NeighborSPARKS GO GO | play_arrow | SPARKS GO, who debuted in 1990 … |
| 45east | You are not aloneDEEN | play_arrow | When talking about the J-POP scene of the 1990s… |
| 46east | Come see me, I NEED YOU!GO-BANG’S | play_arrow | As GO-BANG’S’ 5th single… |
| 47east | Over the rainbowMOON CHILD | play_arrow | Formed in 1995, and by 1996 they had gone major… |
| 48east | excuseSha ran Q | play_arrow | A quintessential 90s breakup rock ballad |
| 49east | A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE | play_arrow | Released as SIAM SHADE’s 6th single… |
| 50east | Shangri-LaDenki Gurūvu | play_arrow | Released as Denki Groove’s 8th single, “Lily”… |
| 51east | CRASHPENICILLIN | play_arrow | Speaking of PENICILLIN, the anime “Sugo…” |
| 52east | Love Is the Last Fairy Talesukanchi | play_arrow | A band from Osaka led by ROLLY, Sukan… |
| 53east | LOVE PHANTOMB’z | play_arrow | B’z’s intense rock tune shakes the soul. |
| 54east | summer festivalJITTERIN’JINN | play_arrow | A song released in August 1990 (Heisei 2)… |
| 55east | Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY | play_arrow | JUDY AND MARY's sports cheer song |
| 56east | Just by you being herekome kome CLUB | play_arrow | 13th single. Released in May 1992... |
| 57east | ALONED-SHADE | play_arrow | D-SHADE, who debuted in the late ’90s… |
| 58east | TruthFANATIC◇CRISIS | play_arrow | He was one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the next-generation visual kei. So... |
| 59east | Goodbye, Humanitytama | play_arrow | It was released as Tama’s debut single… |
| 60east | I want to shout that I love you.BAAD | play_arrow | BAAD's SLAM DUNK theme song |
| 61east | Time goes byEvery Little Thing | play_arrow | Eighth single. One of ELT’s representative songs... |
| 62east | supercarCASCADE | play_arrow | The programmed beats and fast-paced guitars blend to... |
| 63east | Silent JealousyX(X JAPAN) | play_arrow | A masterpiece by X JAPAN that shifts from silence to a gallop |
| 64east | boykuroyume | play_arrow | Started activities in 1991 and in 1999… |
| 65east | Sad Asian BoyTHE YELLOW MONKEY | play_arrow | This song, released as the third single, ... |
| 66east | cherrysupittsu | play_arrow | The charm of iconic songs that color Spitz's youth |
| 67east | Let yourself go,Let myself goDragon Ash | play_arrow | Dragon Ash’s groundbreaking turning-point single |
| 68east | Don’t give upZARD | play_arrow | The Appeal and Influence of ZARD’s Signature Song “Makenaide” |
| 69east | Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB | play_arrow | Kome Kome Club’s “Roman Hikō” is trending |
| 70east | DAYDREAMJUDY AND MARY | play_arrow | An early JUDY AND MARY song. Oricon No. 58… |
| 71east | TrustOBLIVION DUST | play_arrow | OBLIVION DUST has a grunge vibe... |
| 72east | berangkatTHE BOOM | play_arrow | With the massive hit of “Shima Uta,” their name recognition also rose, and… |
| 73east | JealousyJUSTY NASTY | ![]() | J… formed in 1987 by Kenichi Fujisaki |
| 74east | KOME KOME WARkome kome CLUB | play_arrow | A funk number packed with the charms of Kome Kome Club... |
| 75east | SHADELUNA SEA | play_arrow | Originally, it was LUNA SEA’s indie… |
| 76east | loadTHE toraburyū | play_arrow | Released as a single by THE Toraryu... |
| 77east | Ranchu (a breed of goldfish)tama | play_arrow | Tama is so strongly associated with “Sayonara Jinrui”... |
| 78east | Banzai ~I’m glad I love you~Urufuruzu | play_arrow | Ulfuls 10, released in February 1996… |
| 79east | Don’t avert your eyes.DEEN | play_arrow | DEEN’s refreshing summer song |
| 80east | Rusty NailX JAPAN | play_arrow | The enchanting fusion of synth and rock |
| 81east | YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA | play_arrow | This is the 31st single. It’s their first-ever double A-side s… |
| 82east | Melty LoveSHAZNA | play_arrow | It was released as SHAZNA’s debut single… |
| 83east | Erotica SevenSazan Ōrusutāzu | play_arrow | Southern All Stars' 32nd single and… |
| 84east | Sorrow hurts.T-BOLAN | play_arrow | Boasting CD sales totaling 17 million copies... |
| 85east | That’s important.Daiji MAN Burazāzu Bando | play_arrow | Daijiman Brothers Band’s 3rd sing… |
| 86east | Rapturous BluePoketto Bisuketsu | play_arrow | Pocket Biscuits' debut song was a big hit |
| 87east | LOVE FLIESL’Arc〜en〜Ciel | play_arrow | A grunge number used as a TV drama theme song |
| 88east | WALKHUSKING BEE | play_arrow | Powerful, catchy, nostalgic, and somehow… |
| 89east | Swaying feelingsZARD | play_arrow | Vocalist Izumi Sakai has passed away suddenly... |
| 90east | HAPPY BIRTHDAYLINDBERG | play_arrow | Vocal performance commentary on LINDBERG’s “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” |
| 91east | suddenlyFIELD OF VIEW | play_arrow | The second shot of FIELD OF VIEW’s sing… |
| 92east | Liar! Liar!B’z | play_arrow | B’z’s guitar rock brimming with a sense of speed |
| 93east | For the momentEvery Little Thing | play_arrow | Every Little Thing's signature ballad |
| 94east | lipsGLAY | play_arrow | A poignant love song by GLAY from 1997 |
| 95east | TemptationGLAY | play_arrow | In 1999, they were going to hold a concert for 200,000 people, but... |
| 96east | every little thing every precious thingLINDBERG | play_arrow | Centered around Maki Watase, a former idol vocalist… |
| 97east | DESIRELUNA SEA | play_arrow | A representative of the ’90s who sang passionately about love… |
| 98east | Endless JourneyMr.Children | play_arrow | Numerous million-sellers in both singles and albums… |
| 99east | I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu | play_arrow | When talking about the J-POP scene of the 1990s… |
| 100east | Soulmatesupittsu | play_arrow | A gem of a song by Spitz that questions love and life |
| 101east | I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN | play_arrow | DEEN’s debut song, singing about the heartache of a broken romance |
| 102east | White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S) | play_arrow | A love song about a Christmas breakup |
| 103east | A town where it snowsUNICORN | play_arrow | A classic song that warmly portrays a year-end snowy landscape |
| 104east | Give it some guts!!Urufuruzu | play_arrow | Released as Ulfuls' 9th single... |
| 105east | 18 monthsSha ran Q | play_arrow | This is Sharam Q's debut song. Sharam Q and… |
| 106east | Sly womanSha ran Q | play_arrow | Released as Sharan Q’s 7th single… |
| 107east | My Eyes ~Oh, my eyes~DIE IN CRIES | play_arrow | …that HIDE, formerly of X JAPAN, belonged to… |
| 108east | A happy yet embarrassed walk of shame in the morning.DREAMS COME TRUE | play_arrow | The third single, released in September 1989… |
| 109east | Poem of SunlightLe Couple | play_arrow | The fifth single overall. Released in May 1997… |
| 110east | Let’s shoot through the present with a rusty machine gun.WANDS | play_arrow | With vocalist Sho Uesugi and guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki leaving... |
| 111east | LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE | play_arrow | 18th single (double A-side single). 1… |
| 112east | I want to become a rainbow.TUBE | play_arrow | TU with an up-tempo song that has a strong summer vibe… |
| 113east | Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu | play_arrow | This is B.B. Queens' first single... |
| 114east | Thanks.DREAMS COME TRUE | play_arrow | It was released in February 1995. Lyrics by Yoshi… |
| 115east | The decisive battle is on Friday.DREAMS COME TRUE | play_arrow | In September 1992, the 11th single (double… |
| 116east | YELLOW YELLOW HAPPYPoketto Bisuketsu | play_arrow | Nippon TV’s flagship variety show at the time,... |
| 117east | RomancePENICILLIN | play_arrow | As PENICILLIN’s 6th single... |


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