[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics.
When you think of the Japanese music scene of the ’90s, what kind of sounds come to mind? It was an era when million-selling hits kept emerging and CD sales marked a golden age for the music industry.
Hit songs poured from TV and radio into the streets, and everyone was humming the same tunes.
From guitar rock to dance music, from the Shibuya-kei movement to the Being-kei style, a wide variety of genres coexisted, each shining with its own unique brilliance in the ’90s.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of hit songs that colored that rich musical scene.
For those who lived through the era, they’ll feel nostalgic; for first-time listeners, they’ll sound fresh.
Please take your time and enjoy.
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[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics (101–110)
Working manUNICORN
Born in the ’90s, this song poignantly captures the feelings of a man devoted to his work.
Even when he succeeds professionally, it vividly portrays the loneliness he carries in his private life.
Included on the 1989 album “Hattori,” it was also used as the opening theme for Fuji TV’s variety show “Yume de Aetara.” While the tune is poppy and catchy, it features a distinctive performance in which each part deviates from the chords.
It can be called a song that symbolizes the breadth of UNICORN’s musicality.
It’s a must-listen for those struggling to balance work and personal life, especially busy businesspeople.
Goodbye, Humanitytama
In the tumultuous 1990s single charts, where visuals were heavily emphasized, the band Tama suddenly appeared with a completely unpolished vibe.
Yet their unique look, sensibilities, and the distinctiveness of their songs propelled them to instant success, producing tracks that everyone remembers.
boykuroyume
Haven’t we all felt the urge to rebel against society’s stifling rules and a world full of pretense? In this song by Kuroyume, a driving rock number, a boy flips off that false paradise and believes in nothing but defiance.
Kiyoharu’s aggressive vocals lay bare the agony of struggling against the world’s absurdities with painful realism.
Released as a single in November 1997, it was featured in the Daihatsu “MOVE aerodown CUSTOM” commercial and reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
On the classic album CORKSCREW, it appears in an even more aggressive mix.
When you want to break through the status quo, this is a track that will surely push you forward.
Believe in your dreamsTokunaga Hideaki
A signature song by Hideaki Tokunaga that portrays someone moving forward despite carrying emotional scars.
The image of holding broken wings to the chest and running toward tomorrow leaves a powerful impression.
Released in January 1990 as the ending theme for the Fuji TV anime Dragon Quest, it reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
It has been included on various best-of albums and continues to be loved over the years.
Singing about the importance of believing in your dreams no matter what, this piece gently supports those trying to overcome setbacks and hardships.
Give it a listen when you need the courage to live true to yourself.
Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to as the cold season draws to a close.
It’s also popular as a beginner piano practice piece.
Despite its simplicity, the profound structure and melody evoke a distinctly Japanese atmosphere, making it one of those timeless masterpieces that linger in our hearts.
[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs representing the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics (111–120)
To the City of RainbowsTakano Hiroshi
A signature song by Hiroshi Takano, known for his refreshing vocals.
Released in February 1990 as his fourth single, it was created as the commercial song for MIZUNO’s ski wear “Kelvin Thermo.” It reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts and ranked 35th on the year-end chart.
With total sales of 277,000 copies, it can truly be called a defining hit of the 1990s.
The lyrics carry a message of hope and forward momentum, resonating with listeners and giving them courage.
This work reminds us of the importance of staying positive no matter the circumstances.
It’s a recommended track for when you’re feeling down or ready to take a new step forward.
Don’t avert your eyes.DEEN
This is DEEN’s fifth single, which became a million-seller and is widely known as a refreshing summer anthem thanks to its use in the “Pocari Sweat” commercial.
The lyrics by ZARD’s Izumi Sakai portray a straightforward plea—“Don’t avert your eyes”—from someone bewildered by a lover’s change.
Many listeners may feel their hearts tighten at that earnest emotion.
Shuichi Ikemori’s soaring vocals resonate over a sparkling melody that epitomizes the Being sound.
Interestingly, Ikemori himself felt a bit embarrassed by the freshness of the song at the time.
Perhaps that very purity is the charm that continues to shine even now.