10 Best X Japan Songs

Photo: Georges Seguin (Okki), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 X Japan Songs list takes a look at a Japanese rock ‘n’ roll band with a huge following overseas in the Eastern Hemisphere. The band was founded by Yoshiki Hayashi. The group would become huge in Japan through the 80s and 90s selling out huge arenas such as the Tokyo Dome. Their first major label release was issued in 1988 entitled Vanishing Vision. The group followed up their debut album one year later with the very successful Blue Blood album released in 1989. The album turned the group into a household name in Japan. Two years later the band returned with their third record in 1991 titled Jealousy. Another two years would pass before X Japan released their fourth album entitled Art Of Life in 1993. Their final studio album was released three years after that in 1996 entitled Dahlia.

In 1997 the group played five consecutive nights at The Tokyo Dome in what was to be their final concerts as the group had decided to call it quits. Of course no superstar rock band ever really calls it quits. Can someone say KISS? The group would of course reunite in the the 2000s. In the year 2010, X Japan would travel to the United States for the first time and perform at Lollapalooza.

X Japan has gone through much personal changes over the years and of course personal tragedies within the band. Still they remain one of the biggest rock bands of all time in Japan. Our top 10 X Japan songs list introduces Western audiences to the sound of this great band called X Japan.

# 10 – Vanishing Love

We open up our top 10 X Japan songs list with this roaring rocker entitled “Vanishing Love.” Right off the bat you can hear so many 70s rock influences from Kiss to the Ramones to David Bowie. This is intense rock and roll with high energy and spirit. These guys aren’t messing around. The video is very interesting to watch. From the double bass drumming to the dual guitar leads these guys have a big sound. The song was released on their debut album Vanishing Vision. The song “Vanishing Love,” was written by Yoshiki.

# 9 – Jade

Continuing with our top 10 X Japan songs list we jump many years ahead in time to 2011 and present the out of this world song entitled “Jade.” Like many of their songs, “Jade” starts out with a soft touch in an almost Celine Dion fashion, then something clicks and its chaos everywhere. You have to love it. The song, like most of their great songs was written by Yoshiki. Don’t miss the video, it will turn into something your not expecting. The song also featured their amazing new guitarist Sugizo.

# 8 – Silent Jealousy

The influences of 80s big hair Glam Bands take center stage on this smoking song. A little bit of punk in the vocals, a whole lot of metal in the groove, and the big over the top ballad style vocals makes this one very interesting band to watch and listen.The song “Silent Jealousy,” was released in 1991. It’s hard to believe but at the same time music like this was big in Japan, Nirvana and Pearl Jam were ruling the airwaves with a very different sound in the States.

# 7 – Kurenai

In the number seven position on our top 10 X Japan songs list is the explosive song entitled “Kurenai.” What starts out as sounding like a beautiful ballad so sweet and sugary turns into an almost death metal extravaganza sounding somewhere between Metallica and Dream Theater. At about the 1:50 mark, this song will blow your 70s classic rock mind. This one goes all the way back to the mid 80s and is responsible for helping the band build their mighty fans base on the Island of Japan.

# 6 – Forever Love

Sailing into the number six spot on our top 10 X Japan songs list we present the song “Forever Love.” This would become the band last number one single of their career…..so far. The song was released on the album entitled Dahlia. The song was a number one hit on the Japanese Oricon Music Charts Charts. The song also appeared on the soundtrack to the animated film We Are X. The song “Forever Love,” was composed by Yoshiki.

# 5 – Week End

At the halfway point on our top 10 X Japan songs list is another scorcher titled “Week End.” The bands lays out their Guns N’ Roses punk vibe on this very cool tune. It’s got a mean dirty guitar riff that bites you the second you hear it. The song “Week End,” was released in 1990. It was issued on the album Blue Blood. The song was a hit on the Japanese Oricon Music Charts Charts peaking at number two. The song was written by Yoshiki.

# 4 -Dahlia

On man do I love this song. The opening is simply killer. This one is going to knock off your rock and roll booties. They sound a little like the great band UFO here in the guitar work. Yokishi is an incredible drummer. He plays with such fire. The song “Dahlia,” was released in 1996. The song would become another number one hit on the Japanese Oricon Music Charts. Listen to all the magnificent rhythm changes throughout the song. It’s unbelievable how good this is.

# 3 – Tears

In the number three slot on our top 10 X Japan songs list we present the song entitled “Tears.” This amazing song would become the biggest selling single of X Japan’s career. The song was released in 1993. The song “Tears,” hit number two on the Japanese Oricon Music Charts. This is a powerful rock and roll ballad with a beautiful string arrangement and a stellar vocals. There are English lyrics sung on this one.

# 2 -Rusty Nail

Just of the numero uno spot on our top 10 X Japan songs list we raise up the song entitled “Rusty Nail.” This would become the group’s first number one single of their career. It was also the band’s tenth single release since they began. The song was released on the album entitled Dahlia. The album was released in 1996. The single was released earlier in 1994. The song was a number one hit on the Japanese Oricon Music Charts.”Rusty Nail,” was composed by Yoshiki. The band sounds like Journey on this one a bit in the keyboard opening. Fun stuff.

# 1 – Endless Rain

We wrap up our top 10 X Japan songs list with the song entitled “Endless Rain.” This is by far the band’s most popular song of their career. The song opens with a piano riff in the same style of Guns N’ Roses “November Rain,” but the song shifts more towards Celine Dion territory than it does Guns N’ Roses. Still Toshi delivers an incredibly passionate vocal. The drums sound sharp, the strings sweet, the rhythm section tight all flowing like….endless rain. The song was released on the album entitled Blue Blood. The album was released in 1989.