Hit and popular songs by WANDS
We’d like to introduce songs by WANDS, the rock band that achieved million-seller hits with multiple tracks such as “Toki no Tobira” and “Sekai ga Owaru made wa…”.
WANDS is known for songs that epitomize the ’90s and was one of the flagship artists of their then-label, Being.
They shifted to the alternative sound that was mainstream overseas at the time with their 10th single “SAME SIDE,” but it wasn’t well received domestically back then, and sales did not grow.
However, in recent years “SAME SIDE” has been reevaluated, and vocalist Uesugi, who composed it, has reflected that “it has become the origin of my current music.”
It still sounds incredibly cool today, and the husky vocals are wonderful.
Please enjoy WANDS’s many classic tracks in this playlist.
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WANDS’ classic and popular songs (31–40)
Brand New LoveWANDS
Released on February 11, 1998 as the 13th single.
It was used as a commercial song for an automobile manufacturer.
It’s a trance rock track about setting off toward a new love.
The English announcement at the beginning features the voice of ZARD’s Izumi Sakai.
Let’s shoot through the present with a rusty machine gun.WANDS
Released on September 3, 1997 as the 12th single.
It was used as the ending theme for a TV anime.
It’s a mid-tempo rock song that depicts an urban sunset.
A self-cover by Miho Komatsu, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, has also been produced.
RAISE INSIGHTWANDS
WANDS’ new song stirs listeners’ souls with its moving melody and powerful lyrics.
It sings about the importance of overcoming hardships and deepening your own insight.
The driving sound and husky vocals match perfectly, giving listeners courage and hope.
Released in May 2023, the track was also used as the opening theme for the popular anime Detective Conan.
When you feel lost in life and on the verge of losing confidence, give this song a listen—it’s sure to give you the strength to face forward.
Until the world endsWANDS
This is one of WANDS’ signature songs, colored by the sweet memories of youth.
Its powerful melody and heartrending lyrics resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in 1992, it was also used as an ending theme for the anime SLAM DUNK.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the big city, the protagonist’s feelings as they reaffirm their bond with a loved one are expressed through WANDS’ characteristically emotive vocals.
Conveying a yearning to believe in eternal love in a changing world, the work has a universal appeal that anyone can relate to.
It has cemented its status as a karaoke staple and continues to be loved by many to this day.
Shooting starWANDS
WANDS’s new song is a track that evokes a sparkle like a shooting star.
The lyrics, as if making a wish upon the night sky, really resonate.
I hear it’s been used as the ending theme for Detective Conan since January 2025, and it seems like a great match for the anime’s world.
This is the kind of song that might be perfect to listen to while gazing at the stars.
How about looking up at the sky with someone special and picturing the wishes in your heart? It’s sure to become a wonderful memory.
WANDS’ iconic and popular songs (41–50)
If only I had held you tighterWANDS
WANDS is strongly associated with the image of an idol-style rock band, but vocalist Show Uesugi’s true persona—complete with a nose piercing and chains—was aimed squarely at a hardcore heavy metal direction, so he was reportedly very perplexed by the J-pop path they took after debuting.
He later referred to his time in WANDS as his “idol era,” and after leaving the band, he grew a beard, shaved his head, got tattoos, and moved toward his original direction.
DON’T TRY SO HARDWANDS
A song by WANDS, a three-piece rock band that ranked among the top of the Being label artists who dominated the J-POP scene in the 1990s.
Featured on their fourth album, “PIECE OF MY SOUL,” it takes a rock ballad approach that stands apart from their earlier pop-leaning sound—very cool.
The depth of the ensemble born from its dark atmosphere makes it perfect for those who want a karaoke pick that stands out from the crowd.
It’s a challenging song to sing, but its unique worldview is the charm of this sophisticated, moody number.
