Background music for a birthday party. A roundup of recommended birthday songs
At family and friends’ birthday parties, a birthday song is absolutely essential, right?
You can sing it when the cake appears or play it as party background music—it’ll shine in all kinds of moments.
But when it comes time to pick songs, you might find yourself thinking, “I can’t come up with any good ones!” or “I can’t think of enough tracks to run as BGM.”
So in this article, we’ll introduce a roundup of recommended birthday songs that work not only as the main celebratory tune but also as party background music.
It’s also a great idea to create a playlist of just your favorites from the songs introduced here and use it as BGM.
We hope this helps you choose the perfect tracks.
- [Also great as video BGM] A birthday song to give a friend on their birthday
- Disney songs recommended for birthdays!
- [Birthday Songs] A collection of birthday songs you can choose from to match the person and the occasion
- Songs for birthdays you’ll want to listen to and give—birthday songs with lyrics that touch the heart
- [Party BGM] Introducing popular and latest tracks that are guaranteed to get the crowd going
- Songs to gift for longevity celebrations: heartwarming classics and popular tunes about life
- Make your once-a-year special day dazzling! A birthday song born in the Heisei era
- [For Gifts and Video BGM] A Song for Celebrating the 60th Birthday (Kanreki)
- Brighten your special day with happiness! A birthday song born in the Reiwa era
- Recommended Japanese birthday songs to give on someone's birthday
- [1st Birthday] Perfect songs for kids’ celebrations—great for birthday parties and videos
- A popular TikTok song to send to someone special on their birthday
- A moving birthday song to give on someone’s special day. A birthday song so heartfelt it could bring you to tears.
Birthday party BGM that gets the party going (31–40)
Happy Birthday to YouAI
As the title suggests, this song straightforwardly delivers a message of congratulations to someone celebrating their birthday.
With a gently floating, calm sound, it beautifully conveys a warm atmosphere perfect for celebratory moments.
The lyrics, which portray the process of planning a birthday celebration, are especially noteworthy—the image of reaching the big day without having decided anything because you were thinking too hard about what would make them happy comes across as endearingly sweet.
Filled with heartfelt feelings for a special person, this is a song that radiates a sense of happiness throughout.
HBDiamSHUM
iamSHUM’s track “HBD” is a refreshing J-pop gem dedicated to those of us living in a fast-changing world.
It’s perfect for gathering with friends and enjoying a night that’s out of the ordinary, with a bright melody that helps you forget the busyness of everyday life.
The genre-crossing musicality that iamSHUM established on the album “Beautiful Melodies” also shines in this song.
It’s a piece I recommend when you want to give happiness and relaxation to someone celebrating a birthday!
Happy birthday to myselfnakanekana
Kana Nakanekana has an unusual background—she even passed the training program for the Shiki Theatre Company in her teens.
Many of you might know her from the humor-packed track that went viral on TikTok, “Mote-sugite Kusa, Sasottete Mori” (literally: “So Popular It’s Grass, So Inviting It’s a Forest”).
Here is her birthday anthem that lavishly celebrates her own birth, “Happy Birthday to Myself.” It’s an upbeat song overflowing with the spirit of “If no one’s going to celebrate me, I’ll celebrate myself!!” It’s perfect as BGM for a birthday party with lots of people.
A highly recommended track that will liven up any place.
Happy Birthday to You
Speaking of birthdays, isn’t this the song that’s famous worldwide? Honestly, having everyone sing this simple song to celebrate is often the most heartwarming.
It seems it’s available at karaoke too, so why not give it a try?
Tears Surprise!AKB48
If you’re planning a surprise birthday party, make sure to use this song as the BGM! It’s a track by the beloved national idol group AKB48, released in 2009 as their 12th single.
The song has a cute storyline about getting classmates to help throw a surprise birthday party at school.
Its upbeat sound will energize you.
If you can make it a birthday that makes your friends so happy they cry, it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
Birthday party BGM that gets the party going (41–50)
Happy BirthdayB’z
Birthdays are the best day not only for the person celebrating, but also for everyone around them! And B’z’s “Happy Birthday” is the perfect song to make that day even more exciting.
It’s a super hype rock number.
From the intro, it bursts with a happy vibe, so it’s great to play when bringing out the cake at a surprise party, and it also works well as background music for videos! The ending wraps up really cleanly, too! Send it along with the biggest, brightest smile!
Birthday SongBEGIN
BEGIN is known for songs that gently and warmly resonate with the heart.
True to its title, “Birthday Song” is a tender birthday tune that slowly spreads warmth as you listen.
Released in 1997 as BEGIN’s 11th single, it’s a track that suits anyone’s birthday, but pay special attention to the lyrics—they feel especially fitting as a gift for a child.
It’s a birthday song that wraps you up in a big, embracing love.
