The best J-pop songs
The top 3 according to 15 votes from people: A Cruel Angel's Thesis — Yoko Takahashi · Lemon — Kenshi Yonezu · Idol — YOASOBI. (Updated Nov 28, 2024.)
Combining the Heisei-era song popularity poll, JOYSOUND's Heisei karaoke ranking and all-time sales: the J-pop classics sung across generations.
Automatically translated (original in 日本語). See the original
Top 20
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1
A Cruel Angel's Thesis — Yoko Takahashi
1995. The Neon Genesis Evangelion theme; number one in JOYSOUND's Heisei karaoke ranking.
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2
Lemon — Kenshi Yonezu
2018. Theme of the drama Unnatural; a record-breaking digital hit in Japan.
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3
Idol — YOASOBI
2023. The opening of the anime Oshi no Ko; the first Japanese-language song to top the Billboard Global Excl. US chart.
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4
Kiseki — GReeeeN
2008. Theme of the drama Rookies; number one in the Heisei songs popularity poll.
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5
Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana — SMAP
2003. Written by Noriyuki Makihara; the single sold over three million copies.
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6
Cherry — Spitz
1996. Masamune Kusano's song of youth; third in the popularity poll.
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7
First Love — Hikaru Utada
1999. Its album of the same name is the best-selling album in Japanese history.
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8
Robinson — Spitz
1995. Spitz's biggest hit.
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9
Shima Uta — THE BOOM
1992. Built on Okinawan folk scales; a hit again in Argentina when covered there.
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10
Hanamizuki — Yo Hitoto
2004. A ballad sung endlessly at karaoke; second in JOYSOUND's Heisei ranking.
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11
Chiisana Koi no Uta — MONGOL800
2001. An indie classic from the Okinawan band; third in the karaoke ranking.
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12
Yoru ni Kakeru — YOASOBI
2019. The debut of the duo that turns short stories into songs; the first big hit of the Reiwa era.
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13
TSUNAMI — Southern All Stars
2000. About 2.9 million singles sold; Japan Record Award.
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14
Pretender — Official Hige Dandism
2019. Theme of the film The Confidence Man JP; a long-running streaming hit.
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15
Tentai Kansoku — BUMP OF CHICKEN
2001. Motoo Fujiwara's story-like lyrics made it a generational anthem.
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16
LOVE LOVE LOVE — DREAMS COME TRUE
1995. Theme of the drama Aishiteiru to Itte Kure.
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17
Ito — Miyuki Nakajima
1998. A wedding staple that inspired a 2020 film.
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18
Eikō no Kakehashi — Yuzu
2004. NHK's theme song for the Athens Olympics.
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19
Nada Sōsō — Rimi Natsukawa
2001. Lyrics by Ryoko Moriyama, music by BEGIN; an Okinawan classic.
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20
Konayuki — Remioromen
2005. Featured in the drama 1 Litre of Tears; a winter staple.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (4)
チェリーとロビンソン、スピッツが2曲入ってるのは納得。
First Loveは何年経っても名曲。
Lemonはドラマと一緒に聴いて泣いた。
残酷な天使のテーゼはカラオケで必ず歌う 🎤