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 Songs Ranking [2026] (91–100)
I WishWatanabe Misato91rank/position
Singer-songwriter Misato Watanabe, whose name became widely known thanks to the massive hit of her 4th single “My Revolution,” composed by Tetsuya Komuro.
“I Wish,” the closing track of her 9th album “Baby Faith,” features an ensemble centered on lyrical piano tones that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
The lyrics, depicting a farewell with a loved one, convey a vivid realism through their portrayal of the times.
It’s a classic that colors the autumn season, with a sentimental voice and melody that linger in the ear.
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya92rank/position
Known as a quintessential masterpiece of Japanese city pop, this song is included on the 1984 album “VARIETY.” Its smooth, sophisticated sound and lyrics depicting the complex emotions between lovers have captivated many listeners.
Mariya Takeuchi wrote and composed the song herself, with arrangements by Tatsuro Yamashita.
The fusion of their talents had a significant impact on Japan’s pop music scene.
In 2021, a 12-inch analog edition was reissued, allowing listeners to savor its magical allure with the warmth of vinyl.
The lyrics, portraying the emptiness of romance and surface-level relationships, vividly express the feelings of a lonely woman wandering the city at night.
THE CHRISTMAS SONGTakeuchi Mariya93rank/position
An exquisite Christmas song by Mariya Takeuchi, who calls herself a “singer‑song full-time housewife.” The lyrics are entirely in English, making it a great choice for background music.
Its stylishness sets it apart from other Christmas songs, a unique atmosphere that only her voice can create.
It’s one of the tracks included on the single “Quiet Life,” released on cassette in 1992.
She has many Christmas songs and they often get buried among her other masterpieces, but this one is definitely a gem as well!
Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya94rank/position
Mariya Takeuchi is a singer-songwriter who represents Japan, who breezed through the music scenes of the ’90s, 2000s, and 2010s and still enjoys immense popularity in the 2020s.
Released in November 2001, this work is a heartwarming song themed around a cozy, family Christmas.
Created as a tie-in for Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan’s Christmas commercials, the track features rich orchestral arrangements.
It opens with imagery that evokes the arrival of winter, and its lyrics, expressing the joy of Christmas and the bonds of family, are sure to resonate with many listeners.
It has become one of those songs you often hear around town during the holiday season.
Why not play it as background music for a homey Christmas party with family or a loved one?
Pure Love RhapsodyTakeuchi Mariya95rank/position
Since the late 2010s, Mariya Takeuchi has been rediscovered by overseas music fans in the context of city pop, and her outstanding talent as a singer-songwriter has become known to younger generations as well.
Many of the masterpieces she created in tandem with her husband, Tatsuro Yamashita, were big hits, but when it comes to Mariya in 1994, it has to be “Jun’ai Rhapsody.” It was the theme song for the drama “Deatta Koro no Kimi de Ite,” and although it’s a refined pop song, its theme actually follows the drama’s storyline: an affair.
It’s remarkable how it conveys none of the sordid undertones you might expect, and in fact, it stands as her biggest hit.