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 (41–50)
Today is My BirthdayBerryz Kobo
If you’ve got a friend you can joke around with, I recommend sending them Berryz Kobo’s “Today is My Birthday.” As the title suggests, the lyrics are about one’s own birthday, so it’s really a song best listened to on your own birthday.
But if you give it to a friend you can kid around with, they’ll probably turn it into a laugh with a playful comeback.
Of course, it’s also great to listen to or sing yourself when it’s your own birthday.
BA・BA・BA BIRTHDAY SONGDJ OZMA
DJ OZMA, who energized Japan with his sparkling, flashy bodysuits and outrageously cheerful songs, was thought to keep the party going in the Japanese music scene forever—but he retired to much regret on December 31, 2008.
Still, no matter how many years pass, the groove in his music never fades.
For a celebratory birthday, how about pumping things up with this irresistibly upbeat track from DJ OZMA? Even if you don’t know the lyrics, you’ll somehow find yourself humming along—an easy-to-enjoy, highly recommended song for everyone.
Happy BirthdayEXILE
If you want to convey your congratulations in a gentle, heartfelt way, EXILE’s “Happy Birthday” is a great choice! It’s included on their 2006 album “ASIA.” Even when you genuinely want to celebrate someone, it can feel embarrassing to say it face-to-face.
In those moments, try singing this song or giving it as a gift to express that you’re celebrating your friend from the heart.
It’s also perfect as a birthday present for friends you’re too busy to meet in person.
Happy BirthdayGO-BANG’S
It’s an upbeat anthem by GO-BANG’S, a girl band that defined the ’80s.
They have lots of songs perfect for parties, but this one is a full-on birthday song, so I recommend using it when everyone’s getting together to make some noise!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOHAND DRIP
HAND DRIP is a vocal unit with the unusual lineup of one guitar and three vocalists, hailing from Kyoto and Osaka.
Their song “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO” has a funky vibe that makes it perfect for birthday celebrations! In particular, this track carries a strong message of “wanting to thank you for being born,” so if you surprise someone by singing it to them, it might move them to tears of joy.
Be sure to gift this song to someone special.
Happy! BirthdaaaaaaaayHey! Say! JUMP
“Happy! Birthdaaaaaaaay” is a pop, rhythmically satisfying birthday song by the popular idol group Hey! Say! JUMP.
Its upbeat vibe, which really reflects their cheerful personalities, makes it perfect for birthday parties! The song has a video uploaded on YouTube as a celebration for member Ryosuke Yamada’s birthday, where you can enjoy everyone’s happy expressions.
If you’d like, be sure to check that out as well.
BIRTHDAY SONGJUDY AND MARY
“BIRTHDAY SONG” intertwines a band sound driven by thunderous low-end grooves with melodic flair.
It opens the legendary band JUDY AND MARY’s 1997 album “THE POWER SOURCE.” The lyrics shimmer with sensuality while evoking a bright, forward-moving future, and they carry a sense of innocence as well.
It’s an instant mood-lifter—perfect for spinning at a birthday party.
Its message also suits fresh starts and restarts, so it might be a great gift not only for your best friend but also for any friend—regardless of gender—with whom you’d like to deepen your relationship.
