Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Music that adds color to the event.

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.

A school sports day is one of those events that stays in your memory as a page of youth! Working together with your teammates in competitions, getting fired up with dances and cheering battles—there’s so much excitement.

And to really liven things up, background music is essential! In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs that are perfect for sports day, especially ones that really capture the feeling of youth.

From refreshing melodies, to songs about friendship, to tracks that make you want to start running—these are all timeless classics packed with youthful passion.

Be sure to use them as a reference!

[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Tracks that color the competition setting (101–110)

Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 'Someday These Tears Will' Short Ver.

Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster

An uplifting anthem by Little Glee Monster, brimming with passion and powerful harmonies that stir the heart.

Created as the support song for the 96th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, this piece gives a push to all who are walking toward their dreams.

Included on the album “juice,” the song carries a message that the tears you’ve shed will one day turn into shining achievements.

When you want to get fired up before a match or for an important moment, listening to this track will fill you with courage and hope.

It’s a song that stays close to your heart and gives you tremendous strength.

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SunMy Hair is Bad

My Hair is Bad – Sun

SunMy Hair is Bad

It’s a song by My Hair is Bad imbued with the freshness of a spring breeze.

Vivid depictions unique to high school baseball—pre-game nerves, the smell of mud on the field, the sound of the brass band—resonate deeply.

The members’ past and present feelings intertwine, resulting in a gem that fires up the hearts of its listeners.

Released in March 2024, the track was written as the official theme song for MBS for the 96th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.

At their show at Saitama Super Arena, they created a moving stage together with a full house of fans.

It’s a work that will resonate not only with those who have memories of the baseball club, but with anyone who threw themselves wholeheartedly into their youth.

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Blue SpringRADWIMPS

Radwimps – Aoi Haru (Blue Spring)

Blue SpringRADWIMPS

An early masterpiece by RADWIMPS, whose popularity has soared even more through their collaboration with director Makoto Shinkai.

As the title suggests, it’s a song themed around youth—one you’ll definitely want to listen to while you’re still a student.

The opening lines are in English, but most of the lyrics are in Japanese, so try listening while following along with the lyric booklet.

If you really take in the words, you’ll feel inspired to cherish the present with your friends.

It’s upbeat and refreshing, making it perfect as BGM for school sports days and athletic festivals.

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OrangeSPYAIR

SPYAIR “Orange” Music Video (Theme Song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle: The Movie)

OrangeSPYAIR

A heart-thumping number where the bittersweetness of youth coexists with optimism.

The lyrics, which look back on past memories while singing of hope for the future, are particularly striking.

Released in February 2024, this track was used as the theme song for the film Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle and became a major talking point.

It marks SPYAIR’s fourth collaboration with the Haikyu!! series.

Fresh and energetic, the song is perfect to listen to before an important game or competition.

It will surely give a gentle push to your back as you believe in yourself and move forward.

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Live in the present.Saucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Live in the present.” Music Video

Live in the present.Saucy Dog

The friendship song by Saucy Dog is a wonderful track that brightens up any sports day! Its refreshing melody and lyrics expressing gratitude to teammates who fight alongside you truly resonate.

Written as the support song for the 101st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, it conveys the importance of continuing to push beyond your limits.

With powerful messages like “We’re beautiful even if we’re not perfect,” it’s sure to give you courage.

Released digitally in December 2022, this song is perfect not only during events and competitions, but also for moments of deepening bonds with your friends.

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[Youth Songs] Songs that energize sports days and athletic festivals. Tracks that brighten up competition venues (111–120)

together; along with; bothWANIMA

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

together; along with; bothWANIMA

This song, “Tomoni,” one of WANIMA’s signature tracks, is like an anthem that cheers on life and is loved by people of all ages—perfect for events like sports days, don’t you think? With its driving energy and positive vibe, it pushes forward despite difficulties, which I believe especially resonates with younger generations.

It would be an excellent BGM for heated events like sprints or relays.

At the same time, the melody is very refreshing, making it a song that fits any scene at a sports day.

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I can flyYOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome

YOSHIKI EZAKI × Bleecker Chrome「I can fly」

I can flyYOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome

YOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome drew attention as a collaboration between artists dominating today’s J-POP hip-hop scene.

Their song “I can fly,” chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup, stands out with a rock-tinged track and emotionally layered vocals.

The driving melodies over a floating, crystalline ensemble are guaranteed to raise the voltage at any sporting event.

It’s a modern pop tune perfect as BGM for school sports days and athletic festivals.

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Hoshino Takashi

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