[20s] Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

Heroineback number85rank/position

back number – Heroine (full)

A hit song by back number that portrays a bittersweet unrequited love against a wintry backdrop.

Through the image of snow falling and gently piling up, the narrator’s feelings and affection for their loved one are expressed.

Used as the theme song for JR East’s “JR SKISKI” commercials and Kirin’s “Tanrei Green Label” commercials, the song sold approximately 29,000 copies in its first week, surpassing the previous release and setting a new personal best.

If you sing it at karaoke with someone you’re interested in, your feelings—likened to the beauty of snow—might come across.

Why not let the gentle melody softly carry your heart to them?

One Lovearashi86rank/position

One Love – Arashi

This is a mutual-love song by Arashi, a group renowned as a leading example of Johnny’s idols who are highly active on television as well.

With its powerful sound and easy listenability, the piece contributes to elevating the romantic sensibilities of women in their twenties.

broad daylightKing Gnu87rank/position

King Gnu – Hakujitsu

When we watch the snow falling hard, a bittersweet yet beautiful melody comes to mind.

It’s a signature song by King Gnu, released digitally in 2019 and written as the theme for the drama “Innocence: False Accusation Lawyer.” The lyrics depict a heartfelt wish to have an irreparable past and one’s mistakes concealed beneath pure white snow.

No matter how much we regret, time won’t turn back; all we can do is keep walking through the continuous present—a painful truth most of us have felt at least once.

Begun by Daiki Tsuneta at the end of 2018, the track went on to set astonishing streaming records.

It’s also an indispensable winter soundtrack on TikTok.

Listening to it in the cold air might be a good chance to face your own heart.

Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta)88rank/position

"The Voice of the Sea" Full ver. / Urashima Taro (Kenta Kiritani) [Official]

This song became an instant sensation through au’s “Santaro Series” commercials and has since been cherished as a karaoke staple.

Released in 2015 by actor Kenta Kiritani under the name Urashima Taro, it conveys a heartfelt longing for Otohime.

Its emotionally rich world, where the sounds of the sky, wind, and sea are overlapped with the voice of a loved one, deeply resonates with listeners.

The Okinawan-influenced melody crafted by BEGIN’s Yu Shimabukuro blends beautifully with the sanshin played by Kiritani himself, resulting in a piece that feels warmly nostalgic.

In 2016, it topped the annual karaoke rankings for both JOYSOUND and DAM, winning fans across generations.

With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy to sing and perfect for everyone to hum along together.

for YOU。haji→89rank/position

Haj→ – for YOU.

Packed with heartfelt messages of love, this song is a powerful piece in which Hajime→ sings of gratitude and resolve toward the person he loves.

You can feel the small joys of everyday life and the importance of the time the two of them spend together.

Released in July 2013, this single became Hajime→’s first entry into the Oricon Top 10 and was also used as the CM song for Fuji Television Flower Center’s “Fuji TV Flower Net.” This work is recommended not only for couples but also for those who find it hard to put their feelings for someone special into words.

Its warm melody and lyrics are sure to give your feelings a gentle push.

To all my ex-girlfriendsKoresawa90rank/position

Koresawa - To All My Ex-Girlfriends [Lyric Video]

Koresawa, who enjoys overwhelming popularity especially among younger generations, is a singer-songwriter from Osaka known for basically not showing her face and appearing as “Reko-chan,” a bear girl, in MVs.

Her songs—sung with outstanding melodic sense and lyrics that skillfully, and at times candidly, express women’s true feelings—are also hugely popular at karaoke.

The track we’re introducing this time, the impressively titled “To All My Ex-Girlfriends,” is a digital single released in 2024 and a hit distinguished by its MV set in a karaoke box.

Its country-flavored, upbeat sound, lyrics that keep slightly hard-to-say emotions bright, and catchy melody all showcase her impeccable taste.

While the overall pitch sits a bit on the higher side, the melodic line is easy to sing, and those with lower voices can handle it just fine by adjusting the key.

Be mindful of the bouncy rhythm, and make sure to bring out the contrast between smoothly connected sections and crisply articulated parts!

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Heavy rotationAKB4891rank/position

[MV full] Heavy Rotation / AKB48 [Official]

A signature song by the idol group AKB48 that resonates with women in their twenties who raced through their youth.

With a catchy melody and relatable lyrics about love, it’s hugely popular as a karaoke staple.

Released in August 2010 with Yuko Oshima as center, the song shows meticulous attention to detail—such as adding call-and-response shouts in the intro at Yasushi Akimoto’s suggestion during production.

The music video, directed by Mika Ninagawa, brings out the members’ charm.

Sing it at karaoke with friends or coworkers and the whole room will feel united.

Imitating the chorus choreography while you sing makes it even more fun.