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

beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko8rank/position

aiko - 'Kabutomushi' music video

This renowned song, which portrays the joy and poignancy of love through the changing seasons, was released as a single by aiko in November 1999.

In this work, each season symbolizes a different stage of romance, and from the distinctive perspective of a beetle, it delicately conveys the protagonist’s emotions.

Chosen as a program tie-in, it served as the ending theme for TBS’s “CDTV” in December 1999 and for Fuji TV’s “Jobireba!?” and has since been covered by various artists, including Keisuke Kuwata.

Embracing those moments when the beauty and fragility of love are most keenly felt, this piece was likely a youth anthem for many who came of age in the ’90s.

First LoveUtada Hikaru9rank/position

Hikaru Utada – First Love

Known as an iconic song of the Heisei era, this track was released in April 1999 and became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

Written and composed by Hikaru Utada at the age of 16, it vividly portrays the pain of heartbreak and the unforgettable memories of a first love, resonating deeply with many listeners.

Included on the album “First Love,” the song is widely celebrated for showcasing Utada’s delicate expressiveness.

It’s also popular on Instagram Reels, and I’d be delighted if you enjoy it with a sense of nostalgia.

It’s a song that comforts those who have experienced heartbreak or hold dear feelings for someone special.

Be sure to try using it as background music for your Instagram Reels!

things that have formShibasaki Kou10rank/position

Ko Shibasaki – Something That Has Form

This is the theme song of the TBS drama “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” which became a social phenomenon.

Kou Shibasaki’s “Katachi Aru Mono,” for which she wrote the lyrics herself, is a masterpiece that sings of parting from someone dear and the enduring depth of love that never fades.

Though tangible things eventually disappear, the feelings in our hearts live on forever—its message overlaps with the bittersweet emotions felt for friends or lovers who will go their separate ways at graduation.

Even if physical distance grows, we want to believe in the invisible bonds.

This work gently stays by the side of everyone taking a new step forward.

sparklingaiko11rank/position

aiko - 'Kira Kira' music video

Singer-songwriter aiko, who scored numerous summer hits in the ’90s such as “Hanabi” and “Kabutomushi,” released “Kira Kira” in 2005—a refreshing pop tune crafted with summer in mind as the theme song for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama “Ganbatte Ikimasshoi.” Its intro features a memorable piano phrase that makes you feel like something good is about to happen; the sound alone conjures up a vision of a clear, translucent summer sky.

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Yuuki

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AitaiKato Miria12rank/position

Miliyah Kato - “Aitai”

It’s a heartrending love song about longing for someone who’s looking at somebody else.

Included on the acclaimed 2009 album “Ring,” this fan favorite became a hit with over 700,000 downloads despite not being released as a single.

It also adds deep resonance to the film “Villain” as an in-film track.

Even if I’m not your number one, even if I know I’ll get hurt, it has to be you… That desperate cry from the heart tightens the listener’s chest.

When you fall for someone, reason can’t do a thing about it.

If you’re suffering from an unrequited love, this is a song that will surely stay close to your heart.

Marigoldaimyon13rank/position

Aimyon – Marigold [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A song that depicts summer scenery and a bittersweet love has captured the hearts of many as one of Aimyon’s signature works.

Interweaving delicate emotional expression with vivid imagery, its lyrics evoke deep empathy in listeners.

Released in August 2018, the track ranked 12th on the Oricon Digital Singles Chart and climbed to 3rd in January the following year.

The music video surpassed 100 million views in July 2019, demonstrating its enduring popularity.

It’s a perfect recommendation for those who’ve experienced heartbreak or who look back fondly on past love.

Enjoy the warm tones of the acoustic guitar along with a voice that resonates deep in the heart.

nape (of the neck)aiko14rank/position

aiko - “Eriashi” music video

This is the 14th major-label single by singer-songwriter aiko, beloved by a wide range of listeners for its bluesy chord progression that creates a distinctive melody and for its heartrending lyrics that many women are sure to relate to.

The catchy phrases and lyrics that delicately depict inner feelings evoke a vivid sense of reality, as if the scenes unfold before your eyes.

The sentimental melody and arrangement add an even more nostalgic touch to the melancholic atmosphere of autumn.

It’s a number that perfectly matches the image of fall—especially one women will want to sink into alongside their own memories.

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Hoshino Takashi

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