1990s Male Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
Isn’t it in the 1990s that singer-songwriters began covering a wider range of musical genres and self-composed songs seemed to become the mainstream?
From among the many timeless masterpieces born in the ’90s, we’re highlighting popular tracks—focusing especially on those by male singer-songwriters—and presenting them in a ranking.
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- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- Best Songs and Popular Tracks by Male Singer-Songwriters: 2026 Rankings
- Popular Nostalgic Songs: J-Pop Ranking [1990s Japanese Music Ranking]
- A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
Male Singer-Songwriters of the 90s: Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (71–80)
CIRCUSHotei Tomoyasu71rank/position
This is guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei’s 13th single.
As the title suggests, it’s a circus-themed song that seems to express a somewhat eerie atmosphere lurking beneath the glamour and showiness.
The lyrics juxtapose the scene of a circus, where performances shine in an instant, with the singer’s own way of life.
PoisonHotei Tomoyasu72rank/position
Tomoyasu Hotei’s 9th single.
While his songs have always had distinctive qualities, wasn’t it around this track that the current style really began to show? An energetic backing sound paired with Hotei’s sharp, edgy guitar riffs.
The lyrics, rhythm, and melody stick in your head—personally, it’s one of my favorites.
SurrenderHotei Tomoyasu73rank/position
It was released in 1994 as Tomoyasu Hotei’s seventh single.
The song was used in a Shiseido commercial for the “New Liquid Hair Styling Agent: Agre Hair Gelling Water” and reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
The midsection guitar solo is constructed using only two chords.
thrillHotei Tomoyasu74rank/position
Rather than being known as a Tomoyasu Hotei track, it might now be more famous as the song that plays when Egashira 2:50 makes his entrance.
The lyrics have quite a few edgy expressions, and listeners at the time must have felt a little thrill.
The PVs often feature beautiful foreign women, which tends to draw your attention.
But any guitarist will understand—Hotei’s songs are insanely difficult.
What’s amazing is how the production makes it feel effortless.
That’s what struck me, looking back from 2016.
BambinaHotei Tomoyasu75rank/position
The 18th single by Tomoyasu Hotei, released in April 1999.
It was produced in conjunction with the release of the best-of album “GREATEST HITS 1990-1999.” The title is an Italian word meaning “girl.” Just by listening, you can picture a sexy woman with a mischievous, devilish charm.
For those who yearn for a slightly dangerous romance, this song must have been quite thrilling, don’t you think?
LOVE IS ALLTokunaga Hideaki76rank/position
Released in September 1991, this was Hideaki Tokunaga’s 12th single, themed around a grand, universal love that transcends personal romance.
Inspired by images of soldiers heading to the battlefield during the Gulf War carrying photos of their families, the song was featured in a Gekkeikan commercial and became memorable alongside the ad starring Hiroyuki Sanada.
It reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and sold approximately 354,000 copies.
The track was also included on the album “Revolution,” released in October of the same year.
Its universal message—portraying the love and sorrow people share under the same sky—continues to resonate with hearts swayed by changing times.
Forbidden Rouge MagicImagawa Kiyoshiro + Sakamoto Ryuichi77rank/position
A collaboration song by Kiyoshiro Imawano and Ryuichi Sakamoto, released in 1982.
Although it was produced as Shiseido’s spring campaign song, it went beyond a simple commercial track to become a captivating work in its own right.
The lyrics, which stress the importance of living freely without worrying about others’ eyes, resonated deeply with the youth of the time.
In the promotional video, the striking image of the two racing through the city at night and scattering bundles of cash stands out.
During a TV performance, the scene where Imawano kisses Sakamoto became a major talking point and brought a fresh breeze to the music scene.
I can’t just leave you alone.Kusunose Seishiro78rank/position
A heartrending love song that presses straight on the heart.
Released in October 1991, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “AD Boogie.” Characterized by Seishiro Kusunose’s gentle vocals and delicate arrangement, it has been embraced by a wide range of listeners since its release.
Positioned as one of a “love trilogy,” it conveys a fervent wish to hold a loved one tightly, even while hiding unreturned feelings and the pain in one’s heart.
It’s said there was once an idea for Masatoshi Hamada of Downtown to sing it, and the relatively high key of the song is a remnant of that plan.
This work portrays the strength, fragility, and beauty of humanity through love.
It is sure to resonate with those who have experienced a painful breakup or who keep deep feelings for someone dear close to their heart.
SPYMakihara Noriyuki79rank/position
Noriyuki Makihara is a genius singer-songwriter who dominated commercial sales in the 1990s and, after many twists and turns, continues to thrive even now in the 2020s.
While his early work often evokes love songs and anthems that skillfully depict the everyday, his track “SPY” stands out for its striking phrases that hint at Chinese musical influences, and lyrics that brilliantly tie back to the title—an undeniable masterpiece that’s sure to impress.
It’s bittersweet that the lyrics are actually based on Makihara’s own experiences, and the song became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
North Wind ~May It Reach You~Makihara Noriyuki80rank/position
The winter song released by Noriyuki Makihara in October 1992 is a heartwarming ballad that tries to carry a bittersweet love on the north wind.
Using the snowfall blanketing a winter city as its motif, it delicately portrays the ache of being unable to express feelings to someone you love and the sense of loneliness felt even amid a crowd.
Makihara’s gentle vocals and deeply resonant lyrics are a perfect match; shortly after its release, the song reached No.
6 on the Oricon charts.
Despite having no tie-ins with commercials or TV dramas, it became a major hit, selling over 620,000 copies in total.
It’s the perfect track to listen to on a winter night while spending time alone, thinking of someone special.