Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
This is a song list featuring hit and classic tracks by female singer-songwriters from the 1990s.
The 1990s were the era in Japan when music and CDs sold the most, with million-selling records coming one after another.
Alongside massive hits, many highly musical works were also produced that satisfied even dedicated music fans.
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1990s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026] (71–80)
Addicted To YouUtada Hikaru76rank/position
This is Hikaru Utada’s fourth single, released in November 1999, and it came out as an advance single for the album Distance.
The song also drew attention for being featured in a Sony commercial.
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis—who have worked with Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson—participated in the production, delivering an authentic R&B sound that was unparalleled in Japan at the time.
It topped the Oricon charts for two consecutive weeks and became a massive hit, selling a total of about 1.78 million copies.
The lyrics vividly portray an intense fixation on the other person and the pain of being unable to let go.
Even when reason understands, the emotions can’t keep up—capturing the raw conflict of love that really hits home.
Its distinctive atmosphere blends heavy beats and urban cool with a lingering sense of poignancy.
It’s a classic you should hear if you know what it feels like to be drowning in love, or if there’s someone you still can’t forget.
Azure NocturneOzaki Ami77rank/position
Amii Ozaki, who is active as a singer-songwriter, is also well known for her work as a lyricist and composer, including providing the song “Listening to Olivia” for Anri.
Centered on the timbre of the piano, the song and vocals leave a strong impression, conveying both heartrending emotion and burning passion, and it is sometimes performed live as a piano-and-vocal piece.
The lyrics depict the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment to someone who is leaving, conveying a sense of momentum as if unleashing pent-up anguish.
It is a sorrowful song whose resonant vocals communicate the intensity of its emotions.
Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako78rank/position
When you want to sing a cheer song to boost your motivation, “Yume wo Akiramenai de” is perfect.
This piece is performed by singer-songwriter Takako Okamura.
True to its lyrics, it emphasizes the importance of never giving up on your dreams.
It’s great for lifting your spirits in everyday singing, and it would also suit karaoke at year-end parties or send-off gatherings.
From the verse to the chorus, the melody has a narrow and steady pitch range, so the key is to sing without overexerting yourself.
Midwinter MemoriesMatsu Takako79rank/position
This classic winter song, which emerged in the late ’90s, was released in November 1997 as actress-singer Takako Matsu’s fourth single.
Its lyrics delicately depict changes in relationships and a gentle nostalgia for the past, leaving a strong impression.
Even amid busy days, it’s a warm piece that reminds us of the bonds we share with those dear to us.
Despite having no commercial tie-in, its debut performance at the FNS Music Festival remains fresh in our memories.
Matsu’s clear, translucent vocals and the tender melody make this a song that warms the heart in the cold season.
It may be the perfect track for creating winter memories with someone special.
A Merry Christmas to the you I’d almost forgottenMatsutōya Yumi80rank/position
Among Christmas songs born in the ’90s, this track by Yumi Matsutoya is known as a masterpiece that portrays a bittersweet longing for love.
Included on the album “Cowgirl Dreamin’,” released in February 1997, it centers on spending Christmas Eve alone.
The lyrics are memorable for their delicate depiction of a rain-soaked cityscape and fleeting memories of past love that resurface for just a moment.
Through the special, almost magical time of Christmas, the song gently sings of feelings for a precious person that were nearly forgotten.
It’s a moving piece for those who have experienced heartbreak or have been separated from someone important.
A song you’ll want to listen to quietly, alone, on Christmas night.