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] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | First LoveUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Poignant lyrics that evoke the pain of heartbreak and the feelings toward a first love… |
| 2 | I want to see you.sawada chikako |  play_arrow | The signature song of Chikaco Sawada: the heartrending feelings of a winter farewell |
| 3 | PRIDEImai Miki |  play_arrow | Miki Imai’s ballad of love and independence |
| 4 | beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko |  play_arrow | “Kabutomushi” is a masterpiece that portrays the four seasons of love. |
| 5 | PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki |  play_arrow | A song that gives me courage because there’s a tomorrow |
| 6 | 1/2Kawamoto Makoto |  play_arrow | The masterpiece opening theme of Rurouni Kenshin |
| 7 | Silent EveKarashima Midori |  play_arrow | The T… that featured Atsuko Sendo, Eisaku Yoshida, and others |
| 8 | My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri |  play_arrow | This work, known as one of Airi Hiramatsu’s signature songs… |
| 9 | threadNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | A heartwarming classic that sings about the bonds of life |
| 10 | AutomaticUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Hikaru Utada: A musical revolution in R&B |
| 11 | TOMORROWMayo Okamoto |  play_arrow | Mayo Okamoto’s fight song, a classic that delivers courage and hope |
| 12 | Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | The spring classic “Spring, Come,” a timeless masterpiece across generations |
| 13 | Watarase BridgeMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Moritaka Chisato’s lyrics often include real place names and sce… |
| 14 | The strong and fleeting onesCocco |  play_arrow | A journey to protect love: the struggles and hopes of life |
| 15 | Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako |  play_arrow | Takako Matsu, who had already earned high acclaim as an actress... |
| 16 | rainMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Heartbreak and Rain: Chisato Moritaka’s Soul-Stirring Ballad |
| 17 | ALONEMayo Okamoto |  play_arrow | Mayo Okamoto’s 3rd album: a melancholy ballad that paints emotions |
| 18 | Hello, my friendMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | This work, which lit up the summer of 1994, is a Monday 9 p.m. drama… |
| 19 | appearsHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | 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 |  play_arrow | Four decades from the 1970s to the 2000s... |
| 22 | Jin jin jingle bellMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Christmas songs color the scenes of winter |
| 23 | Even when I become an old ladyMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Chisato Moritaka’s classic song “Even If I Become an Old Lady” |
| 24 | Tonight is a Hearty PartyTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Mariya Takeuchi’s classic Christmas hit |
| 25 | I can’t wait until ChristmasWatanabe Misato |  play_arrow | Misato Watanabe: a classic winter song that sings of pure love |
| 26 | The Boy Is MineBrandy&Monica |  play_arrow | A fiery, passionate emblem of ’90s R&B... |
| 27 | CountdownCocco |  play_arrow | Cocco, whose release was in March 1997... |
| 28 | Movin’ on without youUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | A masterpiece with a mature worldview right after their debut |
| 29 | The Talent for LoveKawamoto Makoto |  play_arrow | A debut produced by the eccentric Yasuyuki Okamura… |
| 30 | A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | Six from the 1970s to the 2020s… |
| 31 | slideShiina Ringo |  play_arrow | A song that portrays the delicate subtleties of the heart in a relationship between a man and a woman. |
| 32 | ZUTTOMariko Nagai |  play_arrow | Released in October 1990, and for 12 weeks… |
| 33 | My pager doesn’t beep anymoreKunitake Mari |  play_arrow | The Nippon TV drama 'My Pager Won’t Ring...' |
| 34 | This City (HOME MIX)Moritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Mori..., which was released on February 10, 1991 |
| 35 | Lala SunshineMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Chisato Moritaka’s refreshing classic, delivering the hope of morning |
| 36 | Summer DayMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Singing about a summer day of Chisato Moritaka, memories of love, and feelings |
| 37 | Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo |  play_arrow | You can fully savor Ringo Sheena’s musical sensibility… |
| 38 | instinctShiina Ringo |  play_arrow | The music video by Ringo Sheena features an impressive nurse outfit. |
| 39 | Friday ChinatownYasuha |  play_arrow | City Pop classics: Dreaming of the 80s |
| 40 | Boys & GirlsHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic hit “Boys,” a summer staple |
| 41 | My RevolutionWatanabe Misato |  play_arrow | A classic single by Misato Watanabe composed by Tetsuya Komuro |
| 42 | GraduationWatanabe Misato |  play_arrow | Misato Watanabe appeared in a Meiji Life (Meiji Seimei) commercial in April 1991... |
| 43 | The radiance is within you.Suzuki Yume |  play_arrow | Ninku theme song: a gem of a track by Yuumen Suzuki |
| 44 | A gentle feelingChara |  play_arrow | He began composing in elementary school, and in his roots, B… |
| 45 | bubble; ephemeral; transient (like foam)Cocco |  play_arrow | Depicting a moving cherry blossom scene on Cocco’s CD |
| 46 | HORIZONUA |  play_arrow | As if gently casting light upon the voice that lies deep within the heart… |
| 47 | fireworksaiko |  play_arrow | A bittersweet summer romance painted in a song of fireworks |
| 48 | Takoyaki Mantoman Theme Songsaneyoshi isako |  play_arrow | Theme song of Takoyaki Mantoman |
| 49 | Embrace the seasonsOfuji Fumi |  play_arrow | Fumi Oto’s soothing debut song, with a pure singing voice. |
| 50 | EveOkui Masami |  play_arrow | A heartfelt song that resonates at summer’s end |
| 51 | cherry blossomKawamoto Makoto |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter Makoto Kawamoto. He... |
| 52 | The Last LieMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | That unforgettable singing voice that hasn’t changed since their debut... |
| 53 | They are lovers.Moritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Chisato Moritaka’s drama theme song singles |
| 54 | Love in AugustMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Chisato Moritaka’s classic song that evokes a summer farewell |
| 55 | I want to see your smileHamada Rie |  play_arrow | The Appeal of the Popular Shōjo Manga “Marmalade Boy” |
| 56 | Summer has come!Watanabe Misato |  | Misato Watanabe’s summer song is passionate and refreshing. |
| 57 | If it’s the rain in JulyNishiwaki Yui |  play_arrow | Even before this song, they had released tracks such as movie theme songs… |
| 58 | Freeze my heartTakayama Iwao |  | “Kokoro Koorasete” was released in 1992 and is a high… |
| 59 | Best FriendBrandy |  play_arrow | Stylish, atmospheric music expressing friendship |
| 60 | I Wanna Be DownBrandy |  play_arrow | In 1995, at just 15 years old, they even “I Wa… |
| 61 | HeavenChara |  play_arrow | The leg style that was popular from the mid to late ’80s… |
| 62 | tomorrowaiko |  play_arrow | Because it has a serious atmosphere to its musical tone, in the A-melody... |
| 63 | Feelings for youtsuji ayano |  play_arrow | The light, lively tones of the ukulele, and something somehow nostalgic… |
| 64 | Friends again tomorrownishiwaki yui |  play_arrow | A classic song that warmly sings about the importance of friendship. Children… |
| 65 | Actress in the MirrorNakahara Meiko |  play_arrow | A signature song by Meiko Nakahara, a city pop masterpiece |
| 66 | Song of the TravelerNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Theme songs of TV dramas move society |
| 67 | Miss YouImai Miki |  play_arrow | Miki Imai, who has been active since the 1980s... |
| 68 | Snowy WeekendImai Miki |  play_arrow | Miki Imai’s heartrending snowy scenery and resolve |
| 69 | Girls’ GenerationHarayuko |  play_arrow | A classic song that captures the bittersweet memories of youth |
| 70 | A Smile for the Angel of TearsHarayuko |  play_arrow | Haruyoko Hara's gentle singing voice resonates with the autumn heart. |
| 71 | Just a JokeKokubu Yurie |  play_arrow | City pop, a classic song that sings about the pain of heartbreak |
| 72 | I can’t leave you anymore.Kunitake Mari |  play_arrow | A gentle, whispery voice that soothes with a moist, intimate feel... |
| 73 | Summer ConnectionOhnuki Taeko |  play_arrow | Taeko Onuki’s songs that color the brilliance of summer |
| 74 | Rondo – revolutionOkui Masami |  play_arrow | The revolutionary anime Revolutionary Girl Utena |
| 75 | Addicted To YouUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Hikaru Utada’s smash hit depicts the agony of love |
| 76 | Azure NocturneOzaki Ami |  play_arrow | Stirring, piano-centered emotional music |
| 77 | Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako |  play_arrow | An encouraging classic about not giving up on your dreams |
| 78 | Midwinter MemoriesMatsu Takako |  play_arrow | Takako Matsu’s heartwarming winter classic from the ’90s |
| 79 | A Merry Christmas to the you I’d almost forgottenMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of Christmas |
| 80 | Come, spring.Matsutoya Yumi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece of farewell and hope, with a heart waiting for spring |
| 81 | An afternoon offMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | A gentle folk-pop holiday song |
| 82 | Wish Upon a StarMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Music that wishes upon stars and heals under the night sky |
| 83 | Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo |  play_arrow | Even when I think back to that time, our debut song “Happi… |
| 84 | The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo |  play_arrow | Compared to Ringo Sheena’s later successes and songs, … |
| 85 | Even after graduating, even after saying goodbye, even from afarMariko Nagai |  play_arrow | A bittersweet youth song filled with feelings of graduation |
| 86 | LOVE〜Destiny〜Hamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | Ayumi Hamasaki’s fateful, heartrending ballad |
| 87 | POWDER SNOWHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | Ayumi Hamasaki’s winter song “POWDER SNOW” |
| 88 | TO BEHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | Ayumi Hamasaki’s philosophically themed song that resonates with hearts at a crossroads |
| 89 | Poker FaceHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | At the height of their popularity, they had an Americanized celebrity fash… |
| 90 | I WishWatanabe Misato |  play_arrow | The appeal of Misato Watanabe’s moving masterpiece “I Wish” |
| 91 | Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Mariya Takeuchi’s classic, a sophisticated love song |
| 92 | THE CHRISTMAS SONGTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | A refined masterpiece of English poetry for Christmas |
| 93 | Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Mariya Takeuchi’s moving Christmas song |
| 94 | Pure Love RhapsodyTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Since around the late 2010s, the boom of City Pop has… |
| 95 | aloneShinohara Miyako |  play_arrow | An arrangement centered on a piano-and-vocal style... |
| 96 | The Night We Go to Meet SantaTanimura Yumi |  play_arrow | Yumi Taniguchi’s poignant Christmas ballad |
| 97 | PART OF LIFESuzuki Yume |  play_arrow | To have such a composed singing voice since their debut... |
| 98 | Full of dreamsSeki Yumiko |  play_arrow | The signature song of the anime 'Chibi Maruko-chan' |
| 99 | manKyūhō Ruriko |  | This song, which became a big hit with over 500,000 copies sold, is about a man... |
| 100 | PIECE MY WISHImai Miki | play_arrow | Many people were intoxicated by Miki Imai’s singing voice… |