RAG MusicHit Song
Lovely hit song

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_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastThe End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANTplay_arrow
The time in the late ’90s, known as the CD bubble...
2eastROSIERLUNA SEA
ROSIERLUNA SEAplay_arrow
Shaping the visual kei scene since the 1990s…
3eastfrecklesJUDY AND MARY
frecklesJUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
All four of them have distinctive personalities and talents...
4eastRobinsonsupittsu
Robinsonsupittsuplay_arrow
...the qualities possessed by Masamune Kusano, who is in charge of writing and composing the songs...
5eastFlowers of EvilBUCK-TICK
Flowers of EvilBUCK-TICKplay_arrow
Formed as BUCK-TICK in 1985...
6eastForever LoveX JAPAN
Forever LoveX JAPANplay_arrow
The category that is so-called visual-kei…
7eastWHO’LL BE THE NEXTHi-STANDARD
WHO'LL BE THE NEXTHi-STANDARDplay_arrow
90s Japanese punk and melodic core...
8eastRed tambourineBLANKEY JET CITY
Red tambourineBLANKEY JET CITYplay_arrow
1990s love songs by BLANKEY JET CITY
9eastGLORIAZIGGY
GLORIAZIGGYplay_arrow
I listened to their songs in 90s variety shows and commercials…
10eastNameless PoemMr.Children
Nameless PoemMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr. Children, also known by the nickname “Misuchiru,”…
11eastRose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS
Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTSplay_arrow
Even after the 2020s have passed, upon hearing that name...
12eastcream sodaSUPERCAR
cream sodaSUPERCARplay_arrow
Emotions wavering between the transience of youth and the reality before me…
13eastThe wind is dancing outside the window.SUPER BUTTER DOG
The wind is dancing outside the window.SUPER BUTTER DOGplay_arrow
Pause a little from the busyness of everyday life and your…
14eastPrimalorijinarurabu
Primalorijinarurabuplay_arrow
Before dawn on a winter morning, in the silence of falling snow, my beloved…
15eastNagisasupittsu
Nagisasupittsuplay_arrow
A poignant classic that colors the end of summer
16eastCrazy Babyfisshumanzu
Crazy Babyfisshumanzuplay_arrow
A gentle, dreamlike melody and a wistful singing voice touch the heart...
17eastStay GoldHi-STANDARD
Stay GoldHi-STANDARDplay_arrow
Despite being an indie band at the time, it was unusual...
18eastwishB’z
wishB'zplay_arrow
B’z’s overwhelming musicality and powerful message
19eastWonderful DaysUNICORN
Wonderful DaysUNICORNplay_arrow
Riding on a melody that gently embraces farewells and change…
20eastYoung PeopleSanīdēi Sābisu
Young PeopleSanīdēi Sābisuplay_arrow
A singing voice that seeps into the heart like gentle sunlight, and…
21eastSingin’ in the Rainthe pillows
Singin' in the Rainthe pillowsplay_arrow
In May 1991, the pillows...
22eastLOVE PHANTOMB’z
LOVE PHANTOMB'zplay_arrow
B’z’s intense rock tune shakes the soul.
23eastTransparent GirlNUMBER GIRL
Transparent GirlNUMBER GIRLplay_arrow
Number Girl, formed in Fukuoka in 1995…
24eastJAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY
JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEYplay_arrow
Since their 2016 reunion, they have continued to work energetically…
25eastexcuseSha ran Q
excuseSha ran Qplay_arrow
A quintessential 90s breakup rock ballad
26eastPassionSIAM SHADE
PassionSIAM SHADEplay_arrow
Speaking of SIAM SHADE, “1/3 no Jun…”
27eastRALLYCymbals
RALLYCymbalsplay_arrow
A deft melody and a refreshing take on the push-and-pull of romance...
28eastTurn your feet toward the dance hall on 3104th Street.BLANKEY JET CITY
Turn your feet toward the dance hall on 3104th Street.BLANKEY JET CITYplay_arrow
It was a song included on the third album...
29eastBoogieTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
BoogieTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANTplay_arrow
The album "Chicken Zombie" ranked 10th on the Oricon charts…
30eastYou are not aloneDEEN
You are not aloneDEENplay_arrow
When talking about the J-POP scene of the 1990s…
31eastTouch and changesupittsu
Touch and changesupittsuplay_arrow
After the breakthrough of songs like “Nagisa” and “Scarlet”…
32eastHOWEVERGLAY
HOWEVERGLAYplay_arrow
By now, GLAY being a visual-kei ba…
33north_eastORIONRAZZ MA TAZZ
ORIONRAZZ MA TAZZplay_arrow
Formed in 1994 and, regrettably, in 1999…
34south_eastLet yourself go,Let myself goDragon Ash
Let yourself go,Let myself goDragon Ashplay_arrow
Dragon Ash’s groundbreaking turning-point single
35eastOver the rainbowMOON CHILD
Over the rainbowMOON CHILDplay_arrow
Formed in 1995, and by 1996 they had gone major…
36eastSilent JealousyX(X JAPAN)
Silent JealousyX(X JAPAN)play_arrow
A masterpiece by X JAPAN that shifts from silence to a gallop
37eastFreeze My LoveGLAY
Freeze My LoveGLAYplay_arrow
A single released in 1995. Still before they broke through...
38north_eastBURNTHE YELLOW MONKEY
BURNTHE YELLOW MONKEYplay_arrow
THE YELLOW MONKEY's 13…
39south_eastsupercarCASCADE
supercarCASCADEplay_arrow
The programmed beats and fast-paced guitars blend to...
40eastOrange-colored moonMarukoshiasu Banpu
Orange-colored moonMarukoshiasu Banpuplay_arrow
Marcosias Bump was a Japanese gra... in the 1990s.
41eastAs I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z
As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B'zplay_arrow
Released as B’z’s 12th single…
42eastLike tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi
Like tonight's moonElefanto Kashimashiplay_arrow
Elephant Kashimashi’s 15th single and…
43eastUntil the World Ends…WANDS
Until the World Ends…WANDSplay_arrow
A rock band active since 1991, …
44eastWinter,againGLAY
Winter,againGLAYplay_arrow
This is GLAY’s 16th single. Intro…
45eastCome see me, I NEED YOU!GO-BANG’S
Come see me, I NEED YOU!GO-BANG'Splay_arrow
As GO-BANG’S’ 5th single…
46eastYouth Frenzysanīdī sābisu
Youth Frenzysanīdī sābisuplay_arrow
Sunny Day Service is Soga on vocal and guitar…
47eastLove Is the Last Fairy Talesukanchi
Love Is the Last Fairy Talesukanchiplay_arrow
A band from Osaka led by ROLLY, Sukan…
48eastKafu TsumuGUNIW TOOLS
Kafu TsumuGUNIW TOOLSplay_arrow
Something like rock, something like industrial, bi...
49eastinnocent worldMr.Children
innocent worldMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr.Children’s 5th single and…
50eastKujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY
Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
Bouncing powerfully, like an energetic game of soccer...
51eastHoneyL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
HoneyL'Arc〜en〜Cielplay_arrow
In 2020, a concert was scheduled for the first time in about eight years...
52eastKiss me right nowLINDBERG
Kiss me right nowLINDBERGplay_arrow
Released as LINDBERG’s 2nd single, it…
53eastRusty NailX JAPAN
Rusty NailX JAPANplay_arrow
The enchanting fusion of synth and rock
54eastNoisy NeighborSPARKS GO GO
Noisy NeighborSPARKS GO GOplay_arrow
SPARKS GO, who debuted in 1990 …
55eastCRASHPENICILLIN
CRASHPENICILLINplay_arrow
Speaking of PENICILLIN, the anime “Sugo…”
56eastSeesaw Game: A Song of Brave LoveMr.Children
Seesaw Game: A Song of Brave LoveMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Their ninth single, released in August 1995, Mi…
57eastA third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE
A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADEplay_arrow
Released as SIAM SHADE’s 6th single…
58eastI want to shout that I love you.BAAD
I want to shout that I love you.BAADplay_arrow
A rock vibe packed with the meaning of the ultimate “bad.”
59north_eastsummer festivalJITTERIN’JINN
summer festivalJITTERIN'JINNplay_arrow
A song released in August 1990 (Heisei 2)…
60south_eastRapturous BluePoketto Bisuketsu
Rapturous BluePoketto Bisuketsuplay_arrow
I can’t believe this came from a TV show concept...
61eastLOVE FLIESL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
LOVE FLIESL'Arc〜en〜Cielplay_arrow
Released in October 1999, the drama “Aoi …”
62eastDon’t avert your eyes.DEEN
Don't avert your eyes.DEENplay_arrow
The fifth release by DEEN, which achieved million-seller status...
63eastTruthFANATIC◇CRISIS
TruthFANATIC◇CRISISplay_arrow
He was one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the next-generation visual kei. So...
64eastcherrysupittsu
cherrysupittsuplay_arrow
The charm of iconic songs that color Spitz's youth
65eastJust by you being herekome kome CLUB
Just by you being herekome kome CLUBplay_arrow
13th single. Released in May 1992...
66eastALONED-SHADE
ALONED-SHADEplay_arrow
D-SHADE, who debuted in the late ’90s…
67eastberangkatTHE BOOM
berangkatTHE BOOMplay_arrow
With the massive hit of “Shima Uta,” their name recognition also rose, and…
68eastGoodbye, Humanitytama
Goodbye, Humanitytamaplay_arrow
It was released as Tama’s debut single…
69eastDon’t give upZARD
Don't give upZARDplay_arrow
Beie..., which enjoyed explosive popularity in the 1990s,
70eastRomantic Flightkome kome CLUB
Romantic Flightkome kome CLUBplay_arrow
Kome Kome CLU, which has released numerous famous songs into the world...
71eastDAYDREAMJUDY AND MARY
DAYDREAMJUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
An early JUDY AND MARY song. Oricon No. 58…
72eastTrustOBLIVION DUST
TrustOBLIVION DUSTplay_arrow
OBLIVION DUST has a grunge vibe...
73eastJealousyJUSTY NASTY
JealousyJUSTY NASTY
J… formed in 1987 by Kenichi Fujisaki
74eastTime goes byEvery Little Thing
Time goes byEvery Little Thingplay_arrow
Eighth single. One of ELT’s representative songs...
75eastShangri-LaDenki Gurūvu
Shangri-LaDenki Gurūvuplay_arrow
Released as Denki Groove’s 8th single, “Lily”…
76eastSorrow hurts.T-BOLAN
Sorrow hurts.T-BOLANplay_arrow
Boasting CD sales totaling 17 million copies...
77eastSHADELUNA SEA
SHADELUNA SEAplay_arrow
Originally, it was LUNA SEA’s indie…
78eastboykuroyume
boykuroyumeplay_arrow
Started activities in 1991 and in 1999…
79eastYAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA
YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKAplay_arrow
This is the 31st single. It’s their first-ever double A-side s…
80eastMelty LoveSHAZNA
Melty LoveSHAZNAplay_arrow
It was released as SHAZNA’s debut single…
81eastSad Asian BoyTHE YELLOW MONKEY
Sad Asian BoyTHE YELLOW MONKEYplay_arrow
This song, released as the third single, ...
82eastKOME KOME WARkome kome CLUB
KOME KOME WARkome kome CLUBplay_arrow
A funk number packed with the charms of Kome Kome Club...
83eastloadTHE toraburyū
loadTHE toraburyūplay_arrow
Released as a single by THE Toraryu...
84eastRanchu (a breed of goldfish)tama
Ranchu (a breed of goldfish)tamaplay_arrow
Tama is so strongly associated with “Sayonara Jinrui”...
85eastBanzai ~I’m glad I love you~Urufuruzu
Banzai ~I'm glad I love you~Urufuruzuplay_arrow
Ulfuls 10, released in February 1996…
86eastlipsGLAY
lipsGLAYplay_arrow
A classic song that sensually portrays a heartrending romance, brimming with passion…
87eastSoulmatesupittsu
Soulmatesupittsuplay_arrow
I find the meaning of life in the small moments of everyday life...
88eastErotica SevenSazan Ōrusutāzu
Erotica SevenSazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
Southern All Stars' 32nd single and…
89eastThat’s important.Daiji MAN Burazāzu Bando
That's important.Daiji MAN Burazāzu Bandoplay_arrow
Daijiman Brothers Band’s 3rd sing…
90eastsuddenlyFIELD OF VIEW
suddenlyFIELD OF VIEWplay_arrow
The second shot of FIELD OF VIEW’s sing…
91eastevery little thing every precious thingLINDBERG
every little thing every precious thingLINDBERGplay_arrow
Centered around Maki Watase, a former idol vocalist…
92eastI should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsuplay_arrow
When talking about the J-POP scene of the 1990s…
93eastLet’s shoot through the present with a rusty machine gun.WANDS
Let's shoot through the present with a rusty machine gun.WANDSplay_arrow
With vocalist Sho Uesugi and guitarist Hiroshi Shibasaki leaving...
94eastLiar! Liar!B’z
Liar! Liar!B'zplay_arrow
An overwhelming guitar riff and a sound brimming with speed…
95eastFor the momentEvery Little Thing
For the momentEvery Little Thingplay_arrow
Elegant, translucent vocals and a sophisticated a…
96eastWALKHUSKING BEE
WALKHUSKING BEEplay_arrow
Powerful, catchy, nostalgic, and somehow…
97eastSwaying feelingsZARD
Swaying feelingsZARDplay_arrow
Vocalist Izumi Sakai has passed away suddenly...
98eastHAPPY BIRTHDAYLINDBERG
HAPPY BIRTHDAYLINDBERGplay_arrow
As LINDBERG’s biggest hit album…
99eastA happy yet embarrassed walk of shame in the morning.DREAMS COME TRUE
A happy yet embarrassed walk of shame in the morning.DREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
The third single, released in September 1989…
100eastI want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
I want to take only you away just like this.DEENplay_arrow
It begins with the feeling of quietly gazing at the cityscape, and then los...
101eastWhite ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)play_arrow
A love song about a Christmas breakup
102eastA town where it snowsUNICORN
A town where it snowsUNICORNplay_arrow
Capture the scene of a snow-covered town at year’s end with a warm gaze…
103eastTemptationGLAY
TemptationGLAYplay_arrow
In 1999, they were going to hold a concert for 200,000 people, but...
104eastDESIRELUNA SEA
DESIRELUNA SEAplay_arrow
A representative of the ’90s who sang passionately about love…
105eastEndless JourneyMr.Children
Endless JourneyMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Numerous million-sellers in both singles and albums…
106eastGive it some guts!!Urufuruzu
Give it some guts!!Urufuruzuplay_arrow
Released as Ulfuls' 9th single...
107east18 monthsSha ran Q
18 monthsSha ran Qplay_arrow
This is Sharam Q's debut song. Sharam Q and…
108eastSly womanSha ran Q
Sly womanSha ran Qplay_arrow
Released as Sharan Q’s 7th single…
109eastMy Eyes ~Oh, my eyes~DIE IN CRIES
My Eyes ~Oh, my eyes~DIE IN CRIESplay_arrow
…that HIDE, formerly of X JAPAN, belonged to…
110eastPoem of SunlightLe Couple
Poem of SunlightLe Coupleplay_arrow
The fifth single overall. Released in May 1997…
111eastLOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
18th single (double A-side single). 1…
112eastI want to become a rainbow.TUBE
I want to become a rainbow.TUBEplay_arrow
TU with an up-tempo song that has a strong summer vibe…
113eastOdoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu
Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzuplay_arrow
This is B.B. Queens' first single...
114eastThanks.DREAMS COME TRUE
Thanks.DREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
It was released in February 1995. Lyrics by Yoshi…
115eastThe decisive battle is on Friday.DREAMS COME TRUE
The decisive battle is on Friday.DREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
In September 1992, the 11th single (double…
116eastYELLOW YELLOW HAPPYPoketto Bisuketsu
YELLOW YELLOW HAPPYPoketto Bisuketsuplay_arrow
Nippon TV’s flagship variety show at the time,...
117eastRomancePENICILLIN
RomancePENICILLINplay_arrow
As PENICILLIN’s 6th single...