Nostalgic yet new! Songs that made a comeback and became revival hits on TikTok
We live in an era where social media is essential if you want to stay on top of what’s new and trending.
Among them, TikTok is a must-have platform, especially for younger generations.
There are countless songs that went viral on TikTok and found a second wave of popularity.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs released from the Showa to Heisei eras that achieved revival hits thanks to TikTok.
Among these hit songs, many were actually popular even earlier and have cover versions as well.
Try comparing the original tracks with the cover versions and enjoy the differences.
- Heisei-era hit songs gaining popularity on TikTok
- [Revisited] A roundup of popular and classic Showa-era songs that are trending now [2026]
- Showa-era songs that went viral on TikTok / revival hit songs
- A revival hit driven by social media! Heisei-era masterpieces that are resonating with Gen Z today
- Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
- A Showa-era song that had a revival hit on YouTube Shorts
- Popular songs on TikTok
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- An addictive song used on TikTok
- Hits that resonate across generations! Popular 1990s songs on TikTok
- Cute! Various adorable songs that trended on TikTok
- Revival among the youth? Japanese dance music that was a hit in the 1980s. Showa-era dance tracks.
- Pick up the songs that went viral on social media! Reiwa-era dance numbers
[Nostalgic yet New!] Songs that made a comeback and became revival hits on TikTok (11–20)
Sign of LovePUFFY
A classic song that paints a faint, fleeting feeling of love.
Known as one of PUFFY’s signature works, it was released in 1998 and written and composed by Masamune Kusano of Spitz.
Coupled with arrangement by Tamio Okuda, it became a gently touching track that sinks into the heart.
In 2016, it was also used in a Kirin Beer commercial, with the two members of PUFFY appearing and drawing attention.
The lyrics, depicting a shy young man falling in love, are especially memorable.
The joy and bittersweet ache of love are expressed in a beautifully balanced way, resonating with listeners.
It’s a perfect song for those troubled by love or holding feelings for someone special.
I like you, I like you—I love you.Togawa Jun
TikTok is becoming a trendsetter not only in Japan but also overseas.
This song—the title track from singer-songwriter Jun Togawa’s 1985 album—stands out for its one-of-a-kind sound.
It’s gone viral abroad as well, packed with borderless appeal.
The edgy, poppy melody leaves a strong impression.
The dynamic arrangement conveys her cute feelings in a straightforward way.
Singing with the candor of a young girl, she at times shows a love so intense it can be frightening.
If you’ve ever felt “I’m so in love I might lose my mind,” you’ll relate.
First LoveUtada Hikaru
The third single by Hikaru Utada, released in 1999.
She wrote and composed the song at just 16 years old, impressing many with her remarkable talent.
The lyrics delicately portray the pain of heartbreak and the lingering memory of a first love, resonating with countless listeners.
Taken from the album “First Love,” it reached No.
2 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was hugely popular at karaoke.
It’s a song that anyone who has felt the ache of love or the pain of parting can relate to.
Recently, it has gained attention among younger audiences on TikTok and has become a timeless classic loved across generations.
Tonight is Boogie BackOzawa Kenji
The collaboration between Kenji Ozawa and Scha Dara Parr is a rare pairing, released in August 1994.
Its lyrics charmingly portray the earnest feelings of a man in love, set to a catchy pop tune.
Two versions were released simultaneously across record labels, and it became a huge hit, selling over 500,000 copies.
Ozawa’s laid-back vocals and Scha Dara Parr’s rhythmic rap blend perfectly, making for a track that lifts your spirits.
It’s ideal as background music for a party with close friends or a drive, and it’s also a classic go-to for karaoke.
Love Song of LumMatsutani Yūko
This song, famous as the opening theme of the anime Urusei Yatsura, features Yuko Matsutani’s clear vocals and a distinctive, bleepy 1980s sound.
Its lyrics, which portray the bittersweet feelings of a girl in love, are sure to resonate with many.
Released in October 1981, it became a major hit and has continued to be beloved over the years, even being used in a Tokyo Gas commercial.
Combining nostalgia with freshness, this track is recommended not only for those who want to reminisce, but also for younger listeners drawn to retro vibes.
Rediscovered on TikTok, this is a song you should definitely give a listen.
Playback Part 2Yamaguchi Momoe
A Showa-era idol a bit different from today’s image of an idol: Momoe Yamaguchi’s signature and smash-hit song.
Following “Red Shock,” it sold over 500,000 copies.
Thanks to a TikTok trend—where you glare at your partner, keep a blank expression, then jump straight into the choreography—the song has enjoyed a revival, so many younger people likely know it too.
When she performed it on NHK, it made headlines that the word “Porsche” in the lyrics was changed to “car.” A nostalgic track with cool, well-placed breaks.
Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB
This song captures the spirit of adventure in love and dreams, carried by a light, upbeat rhythm, and expresses the feeling of taking off into the unknown with a free spirit.
Crafted by Kome Kome Club, who blend a funky sound with a positive message, it was released in April 1990 and is known as one of the group’s signature works.
It also drew attention as the tie-in song for JAL’s “Okinawa Travel” campaign and topped the Oricon weekly chart.
With its highly entertaining, stage-ready flair, the track delivers a sense of exhilaration and refreshment, as if you’re soaring through the sky.
Even today, it remains a beloved song across generations.
Breakin’ DishesRihanna
The song “Breakin’ Dishes,” which is currently trending on TikTok, is one of Rihanna’s early works and emphasizes a strong hip-hop flavor throughout.
While there isn’t a rap section per se, the vocal line prioritizes flow over melody in a rap-like way, making it feel similar to singing a rap hook.
It doesn’t require advanced vocal techniques like runs or intricate embellishments, so focus on locking into the groove as you sing.
Summer is comingDaikoku Maki
Set to passionate Latin rhythms, this Maki Ohguro number portrays the rising anticipation that comes with summer and the impatience hidden deep in the heart.
It’s said that the lyrics reflect a strong will to push back against social pressure to marry and to forge one’s own career.
The timbales-driven beat dramatizes those complex emotions.
Released in April 1994 as her eighth single, it was chosen as the opening theme for TBS’s music program “COUNT DOWN TV” and is also included on the classic album “Eien no Yume ni Mukatte.” For anyone who wants to shine in their own way, this song might just give you the powerful push you need.
Tsubpari High School Rock ’n’ Roll (Going-to-School Edition)Yokohama Ginbae
This is a single released in January 1981 that portrays the relationship between a headstrong high schooler and their parent with lively rock ’n’ roll.
The lyrics follow a 7-7-7-5 meter, creating a pleasing sense of rhythm and comically expressing the inner world of a rebellious youth.
While it vividly depicts the style and behavior of a delinquent, it’s also a nuanced work that reveals glimpses of care for the mother and a search for one’s own way of life.
It has remained beloved across generations, appearing in a 2008 commercial for Suntory’s canned chuhai “Calori.” and covered in a 2011 Asahi Soft Drinks “Jurokucha” ad featuring Yui Aragaki.
Today, it’s a trending track for posting dance videos on social media with simple, modern choreography.