Youth songs by Japanese bands. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
Listening to youth-themed songs can stir your heart—making your chest feel tight or filling you with nostalgia.
I think many people love youth songs, not only those in the midst of their youth right now but also adults who once sprinted through their youthful days.
In this article, we’ll focus especially on tracks by rock bands among the youth songs and introduce a selection of recommended tunes all at once! We’ve chosen many songs with lyrics and melodies that truly hit home on the theme of youth, so please take your time and give them a careful listen.
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Youth songs by Japanese bands: Recommended classics and popular tracks (21–30)
The First Steprakkuraifu
It’s included on the 2017 album “Life is beautiful.” It was chosen as the opening theme for the anime Cheer Boys!!.
Luck Life is a four-piece rock band from Osaka Prefecture formed in 2005.
It’s a positive message song that says even if you’re anxious, taking a step forward should change something.
SHAMROCKUVERworld
This is a track included on the 2007 album BUGRIGHT.
It was used as the theme song for the drama Dandori: Dance☆Drill.
UVERworld is a six-member rock band from Shiga Prefecture, formed in 2000.
The contrast between the intensity of their sound and the poppy melodies really hits the mark.
The bold breakdown in the middle is cool, too.
Youth songs by Japanese bands: recommended classics and popular tracks (31–40)
I like you for one minuteKALMA
KALMA is a three-piece rock band based in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
As its title suggests, “1-Minute I Love You” is a brisk youth punk track that runs just over a minute.
The lyrics, in plain and straightforward words, express a deep affection for “you,” including your silly faces and quirks that no one else knows.
The song is included on their major-label debut mini-album “TEEN TEEN TEEN,” released in March 2020.
Give it a listen when you’re overflowing with love for your partner!
At least this / Just this (one thing)WANIMA
This is the B-side track to the single “Gotta Go!!,” released in 2017.
It was featured in a commercial for McDonald’s Japan’s “McShake × Calpis.” It’s a bright melodic hardcore song that really resonates.
The chorus in the hook is great, too.
Express Ticket and RhythmConton Candy
Written as the theme song for the film “Zenbu of Tokyo,” released in October 2024, this track marks a major milestone for Conton Candy as their first movie theme song.
Its exhilarating guitar sound and lyrics depicting the struggles of youth set against the city of Tokyo leave a strong impression.
Loveless words and unpleasant memories of the past are all reset by a loved one’s smile—imbued with the purity and strength that come with youth.
Vocalist Tsumugi has said the song was created with the message “I want you to be yourself,” conveying a wish for listeners not to forget their own colors even amid a chaotic city.
It’s a masterpiece we highly recommend to anyone who can relate to the conflicts of adolescence and the hope for the future.
silhouetteKANA-BOON
This song is featured on the 2015 album “TIME.” It was used as the opening theme for the anime “NARUTO Shippuden.” KANA-BOON is a four-piece rock band from Osaka, formed in 2006.
With its danceable rock sound and catchy pop melody, it’s a cool, highly addictive track.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!Androp
It’s a digital-only single released in 2015.
It was used as the theme song for Asahi Soft Drinks’ Mitsuya Cider commercial.
androp is a four-member rock band formed in 2008.
With its aggressive, powerful sound, it’s the kind of track that makes your body start moving naturally as you listen.