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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2000s Japanese Music Hits | Unforgettable After Just One Listen! A Collection of Exquisite Masterpieces (21–30)
HEAVENFukuyama Masaharu
This passionate rock number, which Fukuyama Masaharu crafted as the theme song for the drama “OUT: Wives’ Crimes,” matched the show perfectly and became a major hit.
Released as a single in November 1999, it sold over 800,000 copies in total.
The song’s theme is a perilous yet sweet relationship bound by an irresistible gravity.
Many listeners were likely both thrilled and captivated by the thrilling progression, where Fukuyama’s sultry vocals intertwine with emotionally stirring guitar sounds.
Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE
A refreshing track that evokes the summer sun! Just listening to it puts you in a bright mood—this is one of ORANGE RANGE’s signature songs.
Released in 2003, it captivates listeners with a rhythm that fuses rap and rock, and a unique melody woven by the three MCs.
It sold over 200,000 copies and gained even more popularity in 2004 when it was used as an insert song in the drama “Orange Days.” Loved as a karaoke staple, this tune is a summer anthem you’ll find yourself humming along to.
Wait & See ~Risk~Utada Hikaru
A signature song by Hikaru Utada that became a million-seller and won Song of the Year at the 2000 Gold Disc Awards.
Released in April 2000, the track features a driving yet understated sound that fully showcases her vocal quality, with her powerful voice taking center stage.
The music video—where she rides a futuristic machine through the streets of Shibuya—is also a highlight.
Love Revolution 21Mōningu Musume.
Released in December 2000, this song generated major buzz as an anthem heralding the dawn of the 21st century.
Its exhilarating melody—woven from disco sounds and a danceable beat—is paired with striking lyrics that boldly proclaim a love revolution.
The center performances by Natsumi Abe and Maki Goto are also highlights.
Many people have probably tried imitating the dance during the instrumental break, haven’t they?
NOT FOUNDMr.Children
Released in August 2000, this song was used as the theme for the drama “Bus Stop.” It’s a fan favorite, and there’s even an anecdote that vocalist Sakurai himself said at the time of its release, “I’ve kept going in order to make this song.” Astonishingly, there’s also a story that the chord progression was decided by lottery and the tempo by darts! A masterpiece that was destined to be.
If I sing to the sky175R
For 175R, the band that made its name known nationwide from Fukuoka, this second major single—selected as a J-PHONE commercial song—was a pivotal track that put them on the map.
Released in April 2003, it debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Chart, following in the footsteps of its predecessor.
It ranked 18th on the year-end chart and became a major hit, selling around 350,000 copies.
The lyrics, written for friends back home, likely call to mind those universal moments of parting and setting off on a new journey.
From start to finish, the driving band sound and SHOGO’s raw, straightforward vocals embody the energy of youth, making it a quintessential example of early-2000s youth punk.
It’s a timeless anthem that cheers on everyone running toward their dreams.
It Takes TwoCHEMISTRY
The title track from the single “It Takes Two / SOLID DREAM / MOVE ON,” released in November 2002.
A mid-tempo number that blends R&B and pop in their signature style, its appeal lies in the unique twin-vocal call-and-response and rich harmonies.
As the title suggests, the lyrics carry the message that “only the two of us can achieve this,” embodying the very essence of CHEMISTRY as a duo.
The song was used as the theme for the drama “Double Score” and reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
In 2008, it was re-recorded with a more lyrical arrangement after being selected by fan vote, cementing its status as a long-loved track.
A quintessential early CHEMISTRY song that lets you fully savor the musical chemistry between Dochin and Kawabata.