Heisei-era songs that are popular on YouTube Shorts
It’s quite common for older songs to become hits again on social media and YouTube.
So this time, we’re introducing a selection of Heisei-era songs that are hugely popular on YouTube Shorts!
Thanks in part to channels like THE FIRST TAKE on YouTube, Heisei hits are reaching younger generations and finding new success.
Many artists who were active in the Heisei period have also resumed their activities, leading to numerous revival hits for various reasons.
I hope this helps you discover new tracks or brings back some nostalgic memories.
Let’s get started!
- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- A Showa-era song that had a revival hit on YouTube Shorts
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- Cool songs of the Heisei era. Hit tracks that energized the times.
- Resonates across generations! Hit songs that colored the Heisei era, perfect as BGM
- Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Catchy Commercial Jingles and Ad Songs Featured on YouTube Shorts
- Heisei-era hit songs gaining popularity on TikTok
- Popular Showa-era songs you can use in Instagram Stories
- Nostalgic yet new! Songs that made a comeback and became revival hits on TikTok
- Hits that resonate across generations! Popular 1990s songs on TikTok
- Nostalgic even though it’s recent? Iconic 2010s songs that went viral on TikTok
Heisei-era songs popular on YouTube Shorts (1–10)
Heart Throbsnobobyknows̟+
The signature song by nobodyknows+, a group from Nagoya, bursts with a joy that makes your heart dance.
Blending hip-hop and J-pop, it captures the small happiness of everyday life and the positive energy of music.
Included on the album “Do You Know?” released in May 2004, the group also performed on that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
More recently, their one-take performance on THE FIRST TAKE has become a hot topic, surpassing 10 million views and sparking a resurgence in popularity.
The song’s appeal lies in its relatable lyrics about busy mornings and the rhythms of daily life.
It’s a perfect track for anyone looking to free their spirit through music.
New Treasure IslandSakanakushon
Released in September 2015 as the theme song for the film Bakuman., this track is characterized by a sound that fuses pop and dance music.
Its lyrics carry a universal message about striving to get closer to important people and promises, even if you’re clumsy, resonating with each listener’s own interpretations and memories.
Beloved as one of Sakanaction’s signature songs, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart.
While aligning with the film’s content, it also expresses the band’s own attitude toward music, and it remains highly popular on YouTube Shorts.
It’s a song that conveys the conflicts and determination felt by people engaged in creative work.
Sign of LovePUFFY
A song loved across generations.
Released in 1998, this track has continued to capture the hearts of many listeners as one of PUFFY’s signature songs.
With lyrics by Masamune Kusano of Spitz and arrangement by Tamio Okuda, it features a catchy melody and heartwarming words.
In 2016, it was featured in a Kirin Beer commercial, which drew attention as the two members of PUFFY also appeared in it.
In recent years, it has spread to younger audiences through TikTok, gaining a new fan base.
It’s a perfect pick for use in YouTube Shorts.
Heisei-era songs popular on YouTube Shorts (11–20)
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
This song vividly captures the essence of youthful summers.
It was produced as the theme song for the 2018 film “Ao-Natsu: 30 Days of Loving You.” Created by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, it stands out with its driving melody and lyrics that convey the fleeting nature of youth.
By January 2024, its views on YouTube had surpassed 500 million, making it a track that resonates with many listeners.
Filled with messages about cherishing summer traditions and every moment of adolescence, it evokes both nostalgia and freshness at the same time.
During the summer season, YouTube Shorts is often flooded with this song.
A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly
This song expresses gratitude to family and loved ones by putting those feelings into a bouquet of flowers.
Released in 2008, it is Superfly’s fourth single and was also used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Edison no Haha” (Mother of Edison).
In the lyrics, the protagonist, though a bit awkward, conveys gratitude to family and a lover, feeling a deep bond in the process.
Flowers of various colors appear, suggesting that these colors symbolize the protagonist’s feelings toward their family.
The song is often used at weddings, such as when reading letters of thanks to parents or presenting a surprise bouquet.
It’s a perfect track for anyone who wants to express appreciation to someone special.
It’s also a very popular song on YouTube Shorts.
GO FOR IT !!Nishino Kana
This is a pop song that portrays the feelings of a woman with an unrequited crush.
Released in July 2012, it became a popular track and was featured in a commercial for Yamazaki Baking’s Lunch Pack.
Many listeners related to the lyrics, which capture the mix of nerves and jealousy toward the person she likes, along with the clash between wanting to confess and feeling anxious.
The bright, catchy melody blends with Kana Nishino’s down-to-earth lyrics, offering encouragement to women struggling with love.
It was also included on the album “Love Place” and performed at many live shows.
After going on an indefinite hiatus in 2019, she made headlines by suddenly resuming activities in June 2024.
366 daysHY
This song portrays the pain of heartbreak and deep love.
It was included on the album “HeartY,” released in April 2008, and was also chosen as the theme song for the film “Red Thread.” The lyrics, based on the real-life experiences of Izumi Nakasone, the band’s only female member, are filled with powerful feelings for a former lover and have resonated with many listeners.
It has garnered support across generations, surpassing 10 million views on YouTube, and it’s of course a popular track on YouTube Shorts as well.