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.

Playlist

Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	First LoveUtada Hikaru		A masterpiece that expresses heartbreak and first love with poignant lyrics
2	I want to see you.sawada chikako		The signature song of Chikaco Sawada: the heartrending feelings of a winter farewell
3	PRIDEImai Miki		Miki Imai’s ballad of love and independence
4	1/2Kawamoto Makoto		The masterpiece opening theme of Rurouni Kenshin
5	Silent EveKarashima Midori		The T… that featured Atsuko Sendo, Eisaku Yoshida, and others
6	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		“Kabutomushi” is a masterpiece that portrays the four seasons of love.
7	PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki		A song that gives me courage because there’s a tomorrow
8	My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri		Eri Hiramatsu’s signature song—a major hit depicting love
9	threadNakajima Miyuki		A heartwarming classic that sings about the bonds of life
10	AutomaticUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada: A musical revolution in R&B
11	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s fight song, a classic that delivers courage and hope
12	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		The spring classic “Spring, Come,” a timeless masterpiece across generations
13	Watarase BridgeMoritaka Chisato		Moritaka Chisato’s lyrics often include real place names and sce…
14	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		A journey to protect love: the struggles and hopes of life
15	Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako		Takako Matsu’s debut single
16	rainMoritaka Chisato		Heartbreak and Rain: Chisato Moritaka’s Soul-Stirring Ballad
17	ALONEMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s 3rd album: a melancholy ballad that paints emotions
18	Hello, my friendMatsutōya Yumi		Keep loving the person you fell for as a friend
19	appearsHamasaki Ayumi		Expressing the contrast between the winter season and a heartrending love
20	Summertime BluesWatanabe Misato		A bittersweet summer classic, Misato Watanabe’s signature song
21	Between the Sky and YouNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima 1994 release, TV drama theme song
22	Jin jin jingle bellMoritaka Chisato		Christmas songs color the scenes of winter
23	Even when I become an old ladyMoritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka’s classic song “Even If I Become an Old Lady”
24	Tonight is a Hearty PartyTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s classic Christmas hit
25	I can’t wait until ChristmasWatanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe: a classic winter song that sings of pure love
26	The Boy Is MineBrandy&Monica		Brandy and Monica’s 90s R&B classic
27	CountdownCocco		Cocco’s major-label debut single
28	Movin’ on without youUtada Hikaru		A masterpiece with a mature worldview right after their debut
29	The Talent for LoveKawamoto Makoto		Produced by Yasuyuki Okamura, a rhythmic debut single
30	A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi		Midsummer Night’s Dream, a signature song by Yumi Matsutoya
31	slideShiina Ringo		A song that portrays the delicate subtleties of the heart in a relationship between a man and a woman.
32	ZUTTOMariko Nagai		Released in October 1990, and for 12 weeks…
33	My pager doesn’t beep anymoreKunitake Mari		The Nippon TV drama 'My Pager Won’t Ring...'
34	This City (HOME MIX)Moritaka Chisato		A strong love and nostalgia for one’s hometown
35	Lala SunshineMoritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka’s refreshing classic, delivering the hope of morning
36	Summer DayMoritaka Chisato		Singing about a summer day of Chisato Moritaka, memories of love, and feelings
37	Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo		A 1999 song that showcases Ringo Sheena’s musical sensibility
38	instinctShiina Ringo		The music video by Ringo Sheena features an impressive nurse outfit.
39	Friday ChinatownYasuha		City Pop classics: Dreaming of the 80s
40	Boys & GirlsHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic hit “Boys,” a summer staple
41	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		A classic single by Misato Watanabe composed by Tetsuya Komuro
42	GraduationWatanabe Misato		A classic spring song by Misato Watanabe that sings of love
43	The radiance is within you.Suzuki Yume		Ninku theme song: a gem of a track by Yuumen Suzuki
44	A gentle feelingChara		He began composing in elementary school, and in his roots, B…
45	bubble; ephemeral; transient (like foam)Cocco		Depicting a moving cherry blossom scene on Cocco’s CD
46	HORIZONUA		UA’s debut song shocks the music scene
47	fireworksaiko		A bittersweet summer romance painted in a song of fireworks
48	Takoyaki Mantoman Theme Songsaneyoshi isako		Theme song of Takoyaki Mantoman
49	Embrace the seasonsOfuji Fumi		Fumi Oto’s soothing debut song, with a pure singing voice.
50	EveOkui Masami		A heartfelt song that resonates at summer’s end
51	cherry blossomKawamoto Makoto		Singer-songwriter Makoto Kawamoto. He...
52	The Last LieMatsutōya Yumi		That unforgettable singing voice that hasn’t changed since their debut...
53	They are lovers.Moritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka's lead single track
54	Love in AugustMoritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka’s classic song that evokes a summer farewell
55	I want to see your smileHamada Rie		The Appeal of the Popular Shōjo Manga “Marmalade Boy”
56	PIECE MY WISHImai Miki		Miki Imai’s million-selling signature song
57	Summer has come!Watanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s summer song is passionate and refreshing.
58	If it’s the rain in JulyNishiwaki Yui		In the rain, ending a love and walking anew
59	Freeze my heartTakayama Iwao		Takayama Gen's 1992 single, a major hit
60	Best FriendBrandy		Stylish, atmospheric music expressing friendship
61	I Wanna Be DownBrandy		Brandy debuted at 15 and became famous for her hit song with Monica.
62	HeavenChara		Chara’s debut song in an acid jazz style
63	tomorrowaiko		aiko's debut song is distinctive.
64	Feelings for youtsuji ayano		The captivating songs from Ayano Tsuji’s debut work
65	Friends again tomorrownishiwaki yui		A classic song that warmly sings about the importance of friendship. Children…
66	Actress in the MirrorNakahara Meiko		A signature song by Meiko Nakahara, a city pop masterpiece
67	Song of the TravelerNakajima Miyuki		Theme songs of TV dramas move society
68	Miss YouImai Miki		A masterpiece born from the duo of Miki Imai and Tomoyasu Hotei
69	Snowy WeekendImai Miki		Miki Imai’s heartrending snowy scenery and resolve
70	Girls’ GenerationHarayuko		A classic song that captures the bittersweet memories of youth
71	A Smile for the Angel of TearsHarayuko		Haruyoko Hara's gentle singing voice resonates with the autumn heart.
72	Just a JokeKokubu Yurie		City pop, a classic song that sings about the pain of heartbreak
73	I can’t leave you anymore.Kunitake Mari		Introducing the appeal of Mari Kunitake’s debut song
74	Summer ConnectionOhnuki Taeko		Taeko Onuki’s songs that color the brilliance of summer
75	Rondo – revolutionOkui Masami		The revolutionary anime Revolutionary Girl Utena
76	Addicted To YouUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s smash hit depicts the agony of love
77	Azure NocturneOzaki Ami		Stirring, piano-centered emotional music
78	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		An encouraging classic about not giving up on your dreams
79	Midwinter MemoriesMatsu Takako		Takako Matsu’s heartwarming winter classic from the ’90s
80	A Merry Christmas to the you I’d almost forgottenMatsutōya Yumi		A classic song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of Christmas
81	Come, spring.Matsutoya Yumi		A masterpiece of farewell and hope, with a heart waiting for spring
82	An afternoon offMoritaka Chisato		A gentle folk-pop holiday song
83	Wish Upon a StarMoritaka Chisato		Music that wishes upon stars and heals under the night sky
84	Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo		Even when I think back to that time, our debut song “Happi…
85	The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo		The appeal of Shiina Ringo’s debut song “Koufukuron” (A View of Happiness)
86	Even after graduating, even after saying goodbye, even from afarMariko Nagai		A bittersweet youth song filled with feelings of graduation
87	LOVE〜Destiny〜Hamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s fateful, heartrending ballad
88	POWDER SNOWHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s winter song “POWDER SNOW”
89	TO BEHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s philosophically themed song that resonates with hearts at a crossroads
90	Poker FaceHamasaki Ayumi		Known for celebrity-style fashion and a clear, translucent singing voice
91	I WishWatanabe Misato		The appeal of Misato Watanabe’s moving masterpiece “I Wish”
92	Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s classic, a sophisticated love song
93	THE CHRISTMAS SONGTakeuchi Mariya		A refined masterpiece of English poetry for Christmas
94	Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s moving Christmas song
95	Pure Love RhapsodyTakeuchi Mariya		Introducing Mariya Takeuchi’s hit song “Jun’ai Rhapsody”
96	aloneShinohara Miyako		Releasing captivating songs with piano and vocals
97	The Night We Go to Meet SantaTanimura Yumi		Yumi Taniguchi’s poignant Christmas ballad
98	PART OF LIFESuzuki Yume		An artist with a calm singing voice.
99	Full of dreamsSeki Yumiko		The signature song of the anime 'Chibi Maruko-chan'
100	manKyūhō Ruriko		This song, which became a big hit with over 500,000 copies sold, is about a man...