2000s Japanese Hits | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! Exquisite Masterpieces
What kind of music were you listening to back then? The 2000s can be called a turning point for J-POP.
Theme songs from TV shows and dramas, the background music of school life, the songs we sang at karaoke—many people only need to hear them and a page of youth, etched together with the music, comes vividly back.
In this article, we present hit songs that defined the 2000s.
Shall we look back once more at the music of that special era, where nostalgia and novelty intertwined?
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- Hit J-Pop songs of 2008: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
- Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
2000s Japanese Hit Songs | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! A Collection of Gem-like Masterpieces (71–80)
A Little LovePucchimoni
Released in November 1999, Pucchimoni’s debut single is characterized by its lively ska beat and bright, catchy melody.
The lyrics depict the bittersweetness of love and the sparkle of youth, expressing delicate emotions like small changes and the courage to convey one’s feelings.
The song debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon charts and became a major hit, staying on the charts for 21 weeks.
As a track by a unit derived from Morning Musume, it drew significant attention and has remained a popular staple at Hello! Project concerts.
It’s a recommended song for young people struggling with love and for those who feel nostalgic for their youth.
Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken
When people first saw the shogun from “Abarenbo Shogun” dancing, many were probably shocked by how flashy and comical it was.
The song was born in 1994 and initially performed at dinner shows, but it became widely known after its major release on July 7, 2004.
With Shigeki Majima’s distinctive choreography and Ken Matsudaira’s dynamic performance—singing and dancing in period-drama makeup and costume—it drew attention and became a hit.
Ken Matsudaira is also very popular among older audiences.
Even generations who don’t usually listen to pop music are sure to get pumped up with this track.
Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki
A song by Miyuki Nakajima noted for its powerful yet transparent vocals.
Released in July 2000, it was created as the theme song for NHK’s “Project X: Challengers.” Deeply tied to the show’s production background, it was initially intended only for inclusion on an album, but was later released as a single due to viewer demand.
The lyrics offer profound insight into the value and talents of “ordinary” people who often go unnoticed.
In 2002, it drew attention when it was performed live via satellite from the frigid underground tunnel of the Kurobe River No.
4 Power Station during the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
A tribute to challengers everywhere, this song is highly recommended when you want to reassess your own worth.
A proofACIDMAN
A pioneering post-rock act emblematic of the 2000s.
They quickly rose to popularity with emotionally charged arrangements and literary lyrics.
The world their songs create resonates differently with each listener, and no matter your age, revisiting them evokes a fresh sense of wonder.
PerunaAkeboshi
He is a male singer-songwriter from Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
While centered on J-pop, his music is compelling for its diverse facets that blend elements of folk music and contemporary electronica.
He has also launched a private label.
Listen to my heartBoA
Released in 2002, this song is BoA’s fourth single in Japan.
It was used in a commercial for au mobile phones, and it significantly boosted BoA’s recognition in Japan.
On the Oricon charts, it ranked 69th in the year-end sales ranking for that year.
It also won the Gold Award at the Japan Record Awards that year.
plastic girlCAPSULE
Yasutaka Nakata is a renowned producer known for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Perfume, and he handles everything from DJing to songwriting, composing, arranging, and producing.
He and vocalist Toshiko Koshijima formed a music unit characterized by electro-pop music brimming with techno vibes.