Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Friendship Song] Music to hype up sports days and athletic festivals

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

I think there are very many students who look forward to school sports days and athletic festivals.

On those days, you’ll have fun and smile, throw yourself into heated competitions, and even be moved to tears—truly a day packed with youthful memories.

At such a memorable sports day, you might also grow closer through practice and events, or deepen your friendships even more, don’t you think?

With that in mind, this article will introduce lots of recommended songs for a sports day with the theme of friendship!

I hope you find wonderful tracks to color your special day.

[Friendship Songs] Tunes to Energize Your Sports Day or Athletic Festival (81–90)

Hello, KagerouGReeeeN

GReeeeN – Hello Kagerou

Hello, KagerouGReeeeN

A track by GReeeeN that was used as the theme song for the PyeongChang Olympics held in 2018.

This song, which gives a push to the many people striving at the Olympics, will also cheer on those giving their all at school sports festivals.

A sports festival isn’t a grand stage like the Olympics, nor is it something everyone watches with bated breath.

Yet it holds emotions that are no less moving than the Olympics.

For the sake of just one day, there are many days of effort—days of joy and sometimes tears—leading up to it.

This is a song like an anthem for those who keep walking forward through such days.

It will be a song that colors the memories of you who have persevered without giving up.

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Our Starting LineHIPPY

Our Starting Line

Our Starting LineHIPPY

A new song from HIPPY, brimming with passion and hope, has arrived.

Co-created with high school students in Hiroshima Prefecture, it will be released digitally in August 2024.

It’s the official support song for the 2025 All Japan High School Athletic Championships.

The lyrics are packed with youth and a passion for sports, paired with a catchy, powerful pop melody.

This anthem portrays the drive to take on new challenges—an irresistible track for J-pop fans.

It’s perfect not only for young people devoted to sports but also for anyone ready to take a new step forward.

Imbued with HIPPY’s love for his hometown and a heartfelt message to young people, the song especially celebrates the brilliance of youth experienced through sports.

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Dear, boyHump Back

Hump Back – “Dear, Boy” Music Video

Dear, boyHump Back

This track by Hump Back pierces the heart with its powerful vocals and straightforward lyrics.

Released in June 2018 as their major-label debut single, it was also selected as the ending theme for “Buzz Rhythm 02” for June 2018.

Emphasizing the importance of chasing your dreams and giving you the courage to bounce back from setbacks, this song is sure to ignite your fighting spirit.

It’s a must-listen for anyone taking on new challenges or striving to make their dreams come true.

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My Best FriendLittle Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 『My Best Friend』Music Video-Short Ver.-

My Best FriendLittle Glee Monster

The girls’ vocal group Little Glee Monster is hugely popular, especially among younger generations! Each member’s strong vocals and their stunning harmonies are beautiful, making their songs so captivating you don’t want to miss a single moment.

This song portrays the friendship between girls.

Its upbeat rhythm feels great and is easy to groove to, so I think it would be a perfect fit for a school sports day.

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The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 'The World Is Smiling at You' Short Ver.

The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster

We recommend “The World Smiles at You” as a song to make your entrance feel bright and celebratory.

Released in 2018 during Little Glee Monster’s five-member era, this showcase of their exceptional vocals and harmonies has become one of the group’s signature songs, performed in a variety of settings.

It’s even used as a dance track at school sports days and athletic festivals.

The members’ richly colored vocal work and positive message are sure to get you excited! It will boost your energy and help you dive smoothly into the events and cheering.

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Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls

NICO Touches the Walls - “Clap Your Hands”

Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls

NICO Touches the Walls, a four-piece rock band that unfortunately announced a hiatus in 2019, released their 9th single “Te o Tatake,” which was featured in commercials for KDDI’s au LISMO! and RecoChoku’s RecoChoku.

Its pop melody and brisk band sound really lift your spirits.

The positive lyrics and catchy handclap rhythms are sure to boost your motivation before taking on a challenge.

It’s a refreshing rock tune that also works great as background music for events like school sports days.

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Hoshino Takashi

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[Friendship Songs] Tracks to Hype Up Sports Days and Athletic Festivals (91–100)

Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Tomorrow Too”

Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

An encouraging song by SHISHAMO that sings about the anxiety and setbacks we feel in life, and the courage to keep moving forward.

Many listeners will relate to the lyrics that say even when it’s painful and you want to cry, there’s a hero whose very presence gives you the strength to live.

Surely you, too, have your own hero—someone who makes you think, “I can do my best for them!” This track was included on the album SHISHAMO 4, released in February 2017, and was also featured in a DOCOMO commercial.

It’s a perfect song for those struggling at school or striving toward their dreams.

With its powerful yet warm melody, it will give you the courage to take a step toward tomorrow.

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