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

Runnerbakufū suranpu

Bakufu Slump - Runner (High Quality)

Runnerbakufū suranpu

It’s a classic tune that’s been played at countless sports days from long ago to today.

You also hear it often as background music on TV shows.

The chorus never loses its luster and leaves a strong impression on listeners—it’s undeniably powerful.

Since friendship and bonds matter most in school events that get you moving, I hope this song lifts everyone’s spirits and helps strengthen their friendships.

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[Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Tracks that color the event setting (121–130)

If I sing to the sky175R

175R - If I Sing to the Sky

If I sing to the sky175R

When it comes to bands that represent 2000s youth punk, 175R is at the forefront.

They’re known for songs that are passionate yet tinged with melancholy.

Among their signature tracks—and a perfect fit for school sports days—is “Sora ni Utaeba.” Released in 2003, the song was featured in a commercial for J-PHONE.

It’s an uptempo number with a classic guitar sound.

SHOGO’s emotional flow in the pre-chorus (B-melody) is sure to stir your heart.

Highly recommended if you’re looking for a track to hype up class-versus-class events.

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HeiwajimaB-DASH

B-DASH – Heiwajima (Official Music Video)

HeiwajimaB-DASH

If you want to liven up a sports day or school athletics festival with a passionate, groovy track, “Heiwajima” is highly recommended.

Released in 2002 by B-DASH, a band known for their punkish sound infused with ska and pop, the song features strikingly airy, alternative guitar rock.

While the band is known for their unique lyrics that are neither in Japanese nor English, this track resonates with emotional lyrics themed around “youth.” How about cranking up the venue’s energy with punk rock that blows the heat away?

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TwinsCHiCO with HoneyWorks

Twins / CHiCO with HoneyWorks

TwinsCHiCO with HoneyWorks

A friendship song by the hugely popular creator unit HoneyWorks.

Many women will likely relate to the lyrics that depict friendship between girls.

Surely there are many who feel that the best friends they spent their school days with are friends for life.

This brightly arranged, up-tempo piano-rock style track is full of energy and, in my opinion, perfectly suited for a sports day.

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Brand-New MyselfCharcoal Filter

Charcoal Filter – Brand-New Myself

If you’re looking for a song that captures the energetic spirit of youth, “Brand-New Myself” is highly recommended.

This track is known as a signature song by the rock band Charcoal Filter, released in 2002.

It was also featured in a commercial for Otsuka Beverage’s “MATCH.” The song boasts a refreshing melody line reminiscent of American power pop.

Its brisk guitar rock will liven up any event, from ball toss to tug-of-war.

Give it a listen—it’s the perfect number to kick off a sports day or school athletic festival.

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COLORSFLOW

FLOW 『COLORS』(Music Video Short Ver.)

COLORSFLOW

FLOW is a band that has led the rock scene since the 2000s and has even made inroads overseas.

They are also known for performing numerous anime theme songs.

Among their tracks, the one that fits a sports festival perfectly is “COLORS.” Released in 2006, this song was used as the first opening theme for the anime Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

Its orchestral sound pulses over a disco-style rhythm.

It’s a heartfelt message song themed around “being yourself.” It’s sure to cheer on anyone participating in any event at a school sports day or athletic festival.

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Blue BookmarkGalileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei - Aoi Shiori (Blue Bookmark)

Blue BookmarkGalileo Galilei

If you want to feel a refreshing sense of youth along with beads of sweat, we recommend Aoi Shiori.

It’s included on Galileo Galilei’s 2012 album PORTAL—the rock band known for its distinctive sound reminiscent of indie rock.

The song was used as the opening theme for the anime Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day and became a hot topic.

Its emotional choral work, woven with poetic lyrics, is striking.

It’s a mid-tempo number that adds a refreshing touch to sun-drenched sports days and athletic festivals.

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