[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 representing the 1990s. Recommended J‑POP masterpieces (171–180)
YELLOW YELLOW HAPPYPocket Biscuits
Formed on the variety show Ucchan Nanchan no Urinari!, the group drew attention not only for Chiaki’s talent but also for its strong overall vocals.
The composer was Pappara Kawai, who was hugely popular at the time.
It was an exceptional hit for an act originating from a variety show.
Pure AsiaPUFFY
Their debut single, which was tied in with the commercial for “Tennen Sodachi.” The lyrics and music were written by the renowned Yosui Inoue, and it’s also known that he and Tamio Okuda did a self-cover.
The lyrics, crafted with an emphasis on rhythm and rhyme, have a pleasing sound and became a hit with children as well.
my graduationSPEED
SPEED is a full-fledged vocal and dance performance group.
These underage girls delivered vocals beyond what adults could imagine, and they can be said to have sparked the later proliferation of girl groups.
With over 1.4 million copies sold, they ranked third on the 1998 singles chart.
The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
This is THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT’s major-label debut song and a classic that was also performed as the final number at their last live show.
When they debuted, their sound had a British vibe, and rock fans were blown away by the presence of a cutting-style guitarist whose playing felt unlike that of a typical Japanese musician.
Until the world endsWANDS
This song portrays bittersweet romantic feelings, with a protagonist who feels lonely in the big city singing about reaffirming the bond with their beloved.
You can feel the longing to believe in a single unchanging love in a constantly changing world.
As one of WANDS’s signature songs, it was released in 1992 and used as an ending theme for the anime SLAM DUNK.
The group’s fifth iteration with new members began in 2019, and a new version was released in August 2022.
Its strong message—like lamenting lost time—is a key point that resonates with many people.
Singing it at karaoke while reminiscing about your youth can be profoundly moving.
[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs representing the ’90s: Recommended J-Pop classics (181–190)
The rattlesnake is comingTonneruzu
When it comes to signature songs by the comedy duo Tunnels, this is the one! Released in January 1992, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million shipments in just five days.
The lyrics, brimming with Yasushi Akimoto’s playful spirit, come with a fun anecdote: Tsugutoshi Goto is said to have composed the music on the spot.
Centered on a “rattlesnake” as the protagonist, the lyrics portray love and heartbreak—comical yet surprisingly profound.
It was also used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Tunnels no Minasan no Okage Desu,” making it beloved across generations.
It’s the perfect track for livening up a karaoke session or savoring that nostalgic ’90s vibe.
Pathetic.Tonneruzu
This is the song announced in March 1999 that marked Tunnels’ first appearance on the Kōhaku music program.
Written by Yasushi Akimoto and composed by Tsugutoshi Gotō, the track stands apart from their previous “goof-off songs,” highlighting a distinctly masculine edge.
The lyrics, infused with social critique and a spirit of defiance, incisively capture the tenor of the times.
Many likely resonated with the way it voices frustration toward “people who sell their souls for small happiness” and “bystanders in life.” This work is highly regarded among music fans as a song that showcases a new frontier for Tunnels beyond the realm of comedy.