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] (11–20)
Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako15rank/position
This is the memorable debut single of Takako Matsu, who had already earned high acclaim as an actress.
Released in March 1997, it was also featured in an NTT commercial and became a hit, selling about 500,000 copies.
The warm, springlike melody—like sunlight filtering through the trees—matches perfectly with her clear, translucent voice.
The lyrics depict bittersweet memories of days gone by and a poignant longing for someone dear.
The scenes from those days, when you simply watched “you” devoted to your passion, come vividly to mind.
Listening to it in the season when farewells and new encounters intersect—graduations, new beginnings—might fill your heart with both nostalgia and hope for the future.
rainMoritaka Chisato16rank/position
A heart-stirring ballad by Chisato Moritaka, where the ache of heartbreak overlaps beautifully with the imagery of rain.
Since its release in September 1990, this song has marked a turning point as she evolved toward a more artist-driven direction.
The delicate vocals weave a tale of unrequited love, vividly portraying the complex emotions of a woman parting from her lover in the rain.
Released by Warner-Pioneer, it reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts.
It’s the perfect accompaniment for quiet moments—when you want to empathize with the sorrow of love, on a gentle rainy afternoon, or during a nighttime drive to sort out your feelings.
ALONEMayo Okamoto17rank/position
Singer-songwriter Mayo Okamoto, who also performs as a pianist under the name mayo and even produced an idol group in 2023.
Her third album, “Alone,” features an ensemble of crystalline piano and acoustic guitar that creates a sentimental atmosphere.
The lyrics, with their depictions that evoke the frustration of being unable to express one’s feelings and a sense of loneliness, may make your chest tighten as you picture the scenes they paint.
It’s a nostalgic ballad whose melancholic melody colors the bittersweetness of autumn.
Hello, my friendMatsutōya Yumi18rank/position
Coloring the summer of 1994, this song was released as the theme for the Monday 9 p.m.
drama “The Summer I Spent with You,” becoming a million seller that topped the Oricon charts.
Among Yumi Matsutoya’s works, it stands out as a profoundly heartrending masterpiece, depicting the complex emotions of someone who continues to think about a past love while wishing to keep that person in their heart as “just a friend.” The protagonist’s resolve to live positively despite the sadness of parting is something anyone can’t help but empathize with.
Its urbane arrangement, rich in synthesizers, blends exquisitely with a melody line that evokes a sense of nostalgia, making it an easy song to sing at karaoke.
It’s a track I especially recommend to those who, while looking back on a past romance, quietly hold feelings for someone dear.
appearsHamasaki Ayumi19rank/position
A song by Ayumi Hamasaki that sent shockwaves through Japan’s music scene in the late ’90s.
Its delicate, wintery sound and lyrics that contrast the outward happiness of lovers with the truth hidden beneath leave a strong impression.
Released in November 1999 on the same day as her second album, LOVEppears, it reached No.
2 on the Oricon weekly chart and became a major hit, selling a total of 291,000 copies.
This work depicts the complexities and conflicts of love, resonating deeply with many listeners.
It expresses the subtleties of romance alongside a sense of the season—memories of Christmas, attempts to take off a ring, and more.
It’s a recommended track for those troubled by love or looking to reflect on their relationship with someone important.
Summertime BluesWatanabe Misato20rank/position
It’s a classic packed with the bittersweetness and freshness of summer.
Released as a single in May 1990, it’s also included on the album “tokyo.” It gained attention when it was featured in the Meiji Yasuda Life “Super Life” commercial.
Misato Watanabe’s firm, resonant vocals leave a strong impression.
The song weaves in the pain of heartbreak and complex emotions.
Why not give it a listen when you feel like looking back on summer memories and feelings of love? As one of Misato Watanabe’s signature songs, it has been loved for many years.
Top Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s: Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (21–30)
Between the Sky and YouNakajima Miyuki21rank/position
Miyuki Nakajima is a singer-songwriter who holds the remarkable record of topping the singles chart across four different decades, from the 1970s to the 2000s.
Her 31st single, released as a double A-side with “Fight!,” came out in May 1994 as the theme song for the TV drama “Homeless Child,” which starred Yumi Adachi and became a social phenomenon.
Written from the perspective of the dog that appears in the drama, its sentimental story asks what it means to stand by someone rather than simply pity them.
Woven with her trademark powerful vocals, the number evokes scenes from the drama as you listen.
It’s an emotional song that’s sure to draw attention if you sing it at karaoke.