[J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.

In this article, we’ll be showcasing a wealth of classic tracks from the Japanese rock scene of the ’90s!

The ’90s were also the peak era for CD sales.

From massively mainstream bands with pop elements, to the visual kei movement that carried over from the ’80s, to high-energy guitar rock and youth punk that went on to influence artists in the 2000s—the ’90s rock scene was truly electric.

It’s also great to see that many artists from that era are still active on the front lines today.

Enjoy these ’90s rock hits—timeless masterpieces that haven’t faded a bit!

Playlist

[J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT		Rock by THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
2	HONEYL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L'Arc~en~Ciel's signature song 'HONEY'
3	JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY		The rock band’s classic song “JAM” resonates with the heart.
4	TemptationGLAY		In 1999, they were going to hold a concert for 200,000 people, but...
5	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		The Eelekashi classic “Like Tonight’s Moon”
6	Silent JealousyX JAPAN		X JAPAN's groundbreaking masterpiece
7	Red tambourineBLANKEY JET CITY		The Appeal of BLANKEY JET CITY
8	ROSIERLUNA SEA		LUNA SEA’s classic song “ROSIER”
9	Nameless PoemMr.Children		The Appeal of Mr.Children's 'Nameless Poem'
10	Transparent GirlNUMBER GIRL		NUMBER GIRL’s classic song “Toumei Shoujo” (Transparent Girl)
11	Over DriveJUDY AND MARY		A famous song by JUDY AND MARY, a popular band from the 1990s
12	Stay GoldHi-STANDARD		Introduction to Iconic Songs That Discuss Hi-STANDARD’s Influence and Musicality
13	boykuroyume		Kiyoharu’s rock spirit sings the passion of youth.
14	KissORIGINAL LOVE		Original Love’s classic song, the theme song of Kiss
15	Strange Chameleonthe pillows		A classic song by the pillows that portrays loneliness and freedom
16	Tokyokururi		An early signature song by the Kyoto band Quruli
17	SEE OFFBRAHMAN		A moving song that portrays the search for humanity and the power of belief
18	luminescent bodyyurayura teikoku		Yura Yura Teikoku’s classic song “Luminescent Body”
19	Kiss me right nowLINDBERG		LINDBERG's youthful hit songs, timeless masterpieces that resonate with the heart
20	I can’t stay a daydreaming girlAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s classic, depicting the feelings of a strong woman
21	The sun is burning.THE YELLOW MONKEY		THE YELLOW MONKEY's breakout song
22	wishB’z		B’z’s overwhelming musicality and powerful message
23	Winter, againGLAY		A classic hit by GLAY, a leading J-POP band from Hokkaido
24	ESCAPEMOON CHILD		MOON CHILD’s drama theme song, a nostalgic classic
25	As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z		A classic hit by B’z, an emotion-filled love song
26	ALONEB’z		B’z’s classic ballad single “Dakara Part 1”
27	Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS		A classic by THE BLUE HEARTS that colors youth
28	flowerL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L’Arc～en～Ciel’s classic song “Hana” (Flower)
29	town/citySOPHIA		SOPHIA’s smash hit song, the game commercial song
30	YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA		A high-energy, high-intensity hit song
31	Rusty NailX JAPAN		X JAPAN's classic masterpiece: a rock sound that resonates around the world
32	P.S. I LOVE YOUPINK SAPPHIRE		Iconic 90s girls’ rock song
33	DESIRELUNA SEA		A representative of the ’90s who sang passionately about love…
34	BelieveSOPHIA		Mitsuhiro Matsuoka’s SOPHIA masterpiece that sings of pure love
35	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		A signature song by Spitz, a refreshing masterpiece.
36	DRIVE TO BLUEL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		Dash freely into the blue world!
37	single bedSha ran Q		Sharan Q, anime theme song, representative 1990s J-pop songs
38	LOVE PHANTOMB’z		B’z “LOVE PHANTOM” is a moving masterpiece.
39	I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN		Representative ballad songs of T-BOLAN
40	A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE		The famous theme song from the anime Rurouni Kenshin
41	TearsX JAPAN		A moving X JAPAN song filled with feelings for my father
42	KISS MEHimuro Kyosuke		A famous hit song by Kyosuke Himuro, influenced by BOØWY
43	Seesaw Game ~A Brave Love Song~Mr.Children		A cheer song that likens the push-and-pull of love to a seesaw
44	If only I had held you tighterWANDS		WANDS 'If Only I Had Held You Tighter' – a classic
45	RomancePENICILLIN		The appeal of the visual kei band PENICILLIN
46	Until the world endsWANDS		A classic hit by WANDS, a representative band of the J-POP golden era
47	I want to shout that I love you.BAAD		Theme song of 'SLAM DUNK,' a cry from the soul of youth
48	Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club’s JAL campaign song, a classic anthem of youth
49	The strength to keep livingGLAY		An inspiring anthem delivering hope, bringing strength to disaster-stricken areas
50	Endless JourneyMr.Children		An iconic J-pop rock band song that conveys courage and hope
51	KISSPRINCESS PRINCESS		Iconic songs by PRINCESS PRINCESS from the ’90s
52	Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY		Songs inspired by soccer jersey numbers
53	STARTJUN SKY WALKER(S)		The classic hit by the popular rock band JSW from the pedestrian paradise
54	A town where it snowsUNICORN		A year-end classic that goes beyond Christmas
55	Soulmatesupittsu		A gem of a song by Spitz that questions love and life
56	Go for it!!Urufuruzu		Representative songs of Ulfuls, captivating singing voice
57	Summer Colorsyuzu		A moving summer youth anthem about racing down hills on a bicycle
58	cherrysupittsu		The charm of iconic songs that color Spitz's youth
59	GLORIAZIGGY		I listened to their songs in 90s variety shows and commercials…
60	Singin’ in the Rainthe pillows		the pillows Youth Song Searching for Myself in the Rainy Town
61	HELLO, IT’S MEL⇔R		A movie theme song with refreshing, soothing music
62	Absolutely no oneZYYG		Introduction to the ZYYG song, the theme song of SLAM DUNK
63	an overly blue skyeastern youth		Emotional rock band eastern youth masterpiece
64	Hello! Orange SunshineJUDY AND MARY		A refreshing, picnic-spirited song with lyrics by YUKI
65	Consultation Heaven↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓		A commercial jingle by THE HIGH-LOWS, in the style of “Hanai-chomonme” (a traditional children’s game song)
66	SHINELUNA SEA		LUNA SEA's exhilarating music lifts the spirit.
67	Gotta GAMBA, right?LINDBERG		A 1994 hit song by LINDBERG that supports dreams
68	Crazy BabyFISHMANS		Fishmans' genreless music and comfortable songs
69	A, I, E, T, O, HSUPER JUNKY MONKEY		The innovative music of SUPER JUNKY MONKEY
70	SurrenderHotei Tomoyasu		Tomoyasu Hotei’s hit song, popular as a commercial jingle
71	POSTMANYoshikawa Koji		Kōji Kikkawa’s passionate rock number that kindles hope
72	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		Timeless anthems that color our youth, music that resonates with the heart
73	cream sodaSUPERCAR		Feelings wavering between youth and reality
74	LOVER SOULJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY’s famous songs and captivating music
75	MariaT-BOLAN		T-BOLAN's classic at the end of summer
76	Traveler ~ The Longest Journeybakufū suranpu		Eurasia, the fight song by Bakufu Slump
77	WALKHUSKING BEE		Powerful, catchy, nostalgic, and somehow…
78	BRIDGE ~When We Cross That Bridge~HOUND DOG		HOUND DOG's signature song, featured in a commercial jingle
79	WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Start a Movement~H Jungle with T		A timeless anthem of support, a will for change
80	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		A journey to protect love: the struggles and hopes of life
81	every little thing every precious thingLINDBERG		LINDBERG, hit songs from the 1990s
82	Tokyo StorySha ran Q		Sharan Q’s hit song goes nationwide
83	Love and a Machine Gun ~Young, Alive, in Love~Flipper’s Guitar		A leading figure of Shibuya-kei music, leaving a significant influence.
84	RALLYCymbals		Expressing romantic mind games through breezy pop
85	The wind is dancing outside the window.SUPER BUTTER DOG		A gemlike melody that cherishes time spent facing your heart
86	Liar! Liar!B’z		B’z’s guitar rock brimming with a sense of speed
87	lipsGLAY		A poignant love song by GLAY from 1997
88	Happy endingOhtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki’s first love song in 12 years. A major hit with 970,000 copies sold.
89	LuckySUPERCAR		Leading Japanese shoegaze rock
90	space-time manipulationWRENCH		WRENCH's otherworldly sound experience
91	ENDLESS SUMMER NUDEMagokoro Burazāzu		Magokoro Brothers’ summer love song from 1997
92	White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)		A love song about a Christmas breakup
93	Wonderful DaysUNICORN		UNICORN’s 1993 farewell ballad
94	Primalorijinarurabu		A love song that is one of ORIGINAL LOVE’s signature tracks
95	I want you so badlyZYYG		ZYYG, hit song “Dynamic” commercial
96	suddenlyFIELD OF VIEW		The second shot of FIELD OF VIEW’s sing…
97	Island SongTHE BOOM		A smash hit that spread Okinawan music nationwide