Top Female Singer-Songwriters and Popular Songs of the 2000s [2026]

Midnight is purityShiina Ringo85rank/position

Ringo Sheena – Purity at Midnight

This song caused a big stir as Ringo Sheena’s final single before her hiatus.

The big band–style sound created in collaboration with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra radiated a glamour and sultriness that set it apart from her earlier, more rock-oriented work.

Although it was released in March 2001, it remained absent from her original studio albums for many years, and only finally appeared on the 2019 best-of collection Newton no Ringo: Hajimete no Best-ban—a well-known bit of history.

Try listening to it while soaking in the quiet of the night, imagining the push and pull of an adult romance.

Stem ~Daimyo Play Arc~Shiina Ringo86rank/position

Ringo Sheena – Stem (Daimyo Asobi Edition)

This song by Ringo Sheena, which reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly chart and ranked 45th for the year, features an orchestral arrangement that marks the eighth rearrangement of the same piece.

It was released as the lead single for her third album, Kalk Samen Kuri no Hana, which would come out about a month later.

To create a track order that reflects the album’s symmetrical concept, the title track is placed as the second song.

DearestHamasaki Ayumi87rank/position

Ayumi Hamasaki / Dearest

A ballad whose moving lyrics portray a deep love that wishes for the other person’s happiness even after losing something precious.

Released in September 2001, it’s one of Ayumi Hamasaki’s signature songs, and many may remember it as the ending theme of the anime Inuyasha.

It also won the 43rd Japan Record Award, so its recognition is outstanding.

Despite its grand sound, the melody line is surprisingly simple and stays within a comfortable vocal range.

With a relaxed tempo, it’s easy to sing calmly without being caught off guard by sudden pitch changes.

Highly recognizable and easy to sing, it’s a safe pick for karaoke with coworkers or friends.

HEAVENHamasaki Ayumi88rank/position

Ayumi Hamasaki / HEAVEN (Short Ver.)

It’s a gently sung ballad.

It’s a song suited for people who are good at singing.

Rather than being a karaoke crowd-pleaser, it’s the kind of song you’d sing to your boyfriend when you go with your partner.

Among Ayumi Hamasaki’s ballads, it’s a difficult one.

The music video is monochrome and looks cool.

VoyageHamasaki Ayumi89rank/position

Ayumi Hamasaki / Voyage (Short Ver.)

This is the 28th single and the theme song for the TBS drama “My Little Chef,” released about two months after the previous work, “H.” The promotional video is a digest of the short film “The Setting Moon,” which inspired it, and features actor Yusuke Iseya.

Who…Hamasaki Ayumi90rank/position

Ayumi Hamasaki / Who… [Live Lyric Video] [from “A BEST -15th Anniversary Edition-”]

The bittersweet lyrics make me realize once again that there’s so much we can learn from loving someone and being in a relationship.

Ayumi Hamasaki’s uniquely delicate and masterful singing is a must-hear.

A grand ballad by the diva of the Heisei era.

She is undoubtedly an artist who will go down in history.

evolutionHamasaki Ayumi91rank/position

Ayumi Hamasaki / evolution (Short Ver.)

When it comes to Japanese divas, for our generation it has to be Ayumi Hamasaki, right? One of her 2001 hit songs is “evolution,” memorable for its rock-style drum intro.

I bet many of you have heard the chorus.

Let’s all sing together: “whoa—yeah— whoa whoa whoa—yeah yeah yeah♪”