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

We present a ranking-style list packed with popular tracks, drawing from hit songs and hidden gems by female singer-songwriters of the 2000s.

Many massively popular songs that still frequently appear on TV music programs are ranked as well.

Find your new favorite track!

Playlist

Top Female Singer-Songwriters and Popular Songs of the 2000s [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	CHE.R.RYYUI		Flip-phone love mail, pure feelings
2	SEASONSHamasaki Ayumi		A classic ballad that portrays the seasons of life
3	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s classic song stirs the soul.
4	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s winter classic “Yuki no Hana”
5	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Yo Hitoto’s “Hanamizuki,” a prayer song for peace and love
6	Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s classic song “First Love”
7	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		Graduation song: a moving song of gratitude and farewell
8	First LoveUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s heartbreak song vividly captures the melancholy of a breakup.
9	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		“Kabutomushi” is a masterpiece that portrays the four seasons of love.
10	things that have formShibasaki Kou		Ko Shibasaki’s “Katachi Aru Mono” sings of parting and eternal love.
11	sparklingaiko		Aiko’s classic that evokes the summer sky
12	AitaiKato Miria		Depicting the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love
13	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyon: a song about the bittersweet feelings of summer love
14	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima tops the chart 130 weeks later at the Kohaku
15	JupiterHirahara Ayaka		Ayaka Hirahara’s iconic song that gives courage and hope
16	Good-bye daysYUI		The poignant YUI classic from the film 'Song of the Sun'
17	nape (of the neck)aiko		Color your emotions with Aiko’s poignant autumn song
18	SUMMER SONGYUI		Summer youth, YUI’s classic song “CHE.R.RY”
19	sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo’s debut song, a masterpiece that portrays emotion
20	Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru		A masterpiece whose words of gratitude heighten the sense of poignancy
21	Best FriendNishino Kana		A heartwarming song about friendship and gratitude
22	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s translucent-feeling single
23	GibbsShiina Ringo		Shiina Ringo’s heartrending love song, a longing for eternity
24	boyfriendaiko		A summer classic! aiko’s love song, moving
25	STARSNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s shocking debut single
26	Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose		Chitose Hajime’s groundbreaking Amami folk debut song
27	Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta		A bittersweet love song by Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu
28	travelingUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s classic song “traveling” becomes a hit.
29	Teru’s SongTeshima Aoi		A heart-touching ballad from Studio Ghibli’s film “Tales from Earthsea”
30	MHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s winter classic “M”
31	User ManualNishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s theme song—a track inspired by an instruction manual.
32	I miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s popular signature song, with heartbreaking lyrics about a breakup
33	Hello, helloSuperfly		Gives you courage to start a conversation
34	Good-bye daysYUI for Amaoto Kaoru		Ephemeral farewells and the bittersweet feelings of youth
35	AutomaticUtada Hikaru		Utada’s famous song that depicts the feeling of love waiting by the phone
36	FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru		Utada: a requiem prayer and a bittersweet longing
37	lightUtada Hikaru		Utada’s masterpiece that portrays hope and light
38	Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako		Takako Matsu’s poignant spring song that captures the emotions of youth.
39	Crime and PunishmentShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena’s masterpiece: profound lyrics and emotional expression
40	A Long, Short FestivalShiina Ringo		A passionate dance tune for a summer night
41	BLUE BIRDHamasaki Ayumi		She has established an unshakable position as a diva representing the Heisei era…
42	No way to sayHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s 31st single
43	glitterHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s songs that are perfect for summer
44	dizzinessOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s soul-stirring masterpiece
45	Soul RevolutionSuperfly		Revolution of the Soul of the Soccer Theme Song
46	Goodbye to you…Tiara		Before their debut, they did chorus work and featured on other artists’ tracks…
47	KissHugaiko		Aiko’s classic song that depicts the unrequited love of youth
48	Mutual loveaiko		Aiko’s heart-touching song that depicts the feelings of love
49	You don’t listen to rock.aimyon		A youth song by Aimyon, 'Marigold'
50	Christmas on a starry nighttsuji ayano		Presenting a new musicality through a Christmas song
51	Song of Aifukui mai		Theme song of 'Koizora', award-winning, blockbuster hit
52	Iroha Japanese mapleHitoto Yo		Yo Hitoto’s classic song ‘Iroha Momiji’: the poignant scenery of autumn
53	Riding on the back of a silver dragonNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s famous song, the theme of courage and hope
54	orionNakajima Mika		A masterpiece whose poignant song by Mika Nakashima resonates with the heart
55	When cherry-blossom hues danceNakajima Mika		The bittersweetness of love as cherry blossoms dance and the changing of the seasons
56	Prisoner Of LoveUtada Hikaru		It’s the theme song of a popular drama. It’s about a person with gender identity disorder...
57	ButterflyKimura Kaera		A wedding song celebrating my best friend's marriage
58	HEAVENHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s difficult ballad songs
59	VoyageHamasaki Ayumi		It’s been about two months since the previous release, “H,” and now…
60	Who…Hamasaki Ayumi		Learning About Love from Lyrics and the Allure of Ayumi Hamasaki
61	evolutionHamasaki Ayumi		The appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s hit song “evolution”
62	BelieveTamaki Nami		Gundam SEED theme song, a cheer song of hope
63	RealizeTamaki Nami		Nami Tamaki’s song sings of hope for the future.
64	Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya		Christmas songs warmly portray the bonds of family.
65	GO FOR IT !!Nishino Kana		A popular song by Kana Nishino that portrays the feelings of unrequited love
66	INishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s debut song “I” feels amazing to listen to.
67	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		A journey to protect love: the struggles and hopes of life
68	Like the shining moonSuperfly		A ballad that sings of gratitude and resolve to a loved one
69	PassionUA		An iconic J-POP masterpiece of the Heisei era
70	fireworksaiko		A famous song by aiko that portrays the feelings of summer love
71	Spring Dayaimyon		Aimyon “Crayon Shin-chan” theme song
72	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s masterpiece ballad depicting the bonds of life
73	PRIDEImai Miki		Miki Imai’s ballad of love and independence
74	LALALA feat. Wakadanna (Shonan no Kaze)Kato Miria		A heartwarming masterpiece dedicated to Miliyah Kato’s beloved dog
75	Last LoveKato Miria		A masterpiece that expresses the pain of heartbreak with a transparent voice
76	Love is…Kato Miria		An inspiring classic that vows eternal love
77	Sayonara, baby.Kato Miria		A song of love wavering between true feelings and a public facade
78	YOU… feat. Izumi Nakasone (HY)Kato Miria		Hit ballads by Miliyah Kato and HY
79	COLORSUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru-style electro with a Japanese vibe
80	For YouUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s poignant coming-of-age song, portraying loneliness and hope
81	SAKURA DropsUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada: A poignant cherry blossom tale of heartbreak
82	Wait & See ~Risk~Utada Hikaru		Utada’s first DVD track becomes a 1.66-million-selling smash
83	When Someone’s Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada's film theme song single
84	Shineieiri reo		A masterpiece from a young woman's perspective
85	The summer you gave meieiri reo		A wistful summer love song: Lea Ieiri's timeless masterpiece that resonates with the heart
86	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima’s moving song that sings of hope for the future
87	Always With MeKimura Yumi		Theme song of Spirited Away: Yumi Kimura’s heartwarming piece
88	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		A classic song by Yumi Matsutoya that depicts anticipation for spring and nostalgia
89	Excessive WealthShiina Ringo		Shiina Ringo's lyrics are captivating and encouraging.
90	Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo		Sheena Ringo’s delicate vocals and bold lyrics
91	The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo		Apple’s First Love: Pure Feelings and a Sense of Sprinting
92	Midnight is purityShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena’s single, a classic song performed with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
93	Stem ~Daimyo Play Arc~Shiina Ringo		Orchestral arrangement of Shiina Ringo songs
94	DearestHamasaki Ayumi		A moving ballad that depicts deep affection
95	DarlingNishino Kana		The popularity of Kana Nishino’s love songs
96	Dear…Nishino Kana		A winter love song by Kana Nishino singing about the sorrow of parting
97	No matter how…Nishino Kana		Regret and aching feelings for a lost love
98	Because it makes me want to see youNishino Kana		A signature song by Kana Nishino that depicts the pain of heartbreak.
99	InfectionOnitsuka Chihiro		A heart-touching ballad by Chihiro Onitsuka
100	Freeze my heartTakayama Iwao		Takayama Gen’s enka song “Kokoro Koorasete” left a significant mark on the Heisei-era music scene.