[Rhythm Play] A roundup of popular cup songs
Have you heard of “Cups,” which is hugely popular around the world, especially among younger generations?
It’s a game that originated from Anna Kendrick’s song “Cups.” The rules are very simple: you move a cup and clap your hands in time with the music.
For some reason, though, it’s oddly satisfying and addictive.
With a bit of practice, you’ll pick it up quickly.
Why not try playing along to your favorite songs, using the cup song list in this article as a reference?
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[Rhythm Play] Compilation of Popular Cup Songs (21–30)
I DON’T WANNA LIVE FOREVERTaylor Swift, Zayn
This is a cup song arrangement of “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” a collaboration between Zayn Malik—who was also active as a member of One Direction—and Taylor Swift.
The song is a love track included on the album “Fifty Shades Darker.” The four performers create a stunning ensemble that’s absolutely mesmerizing.
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
Kyu Sakamoto’s classic “Ue o Muite Arukou” is the song you want to listen to when you need a boost.
It’s been covered by countless renowned artists and became known to younger generations after being featured in Studio Ghibli’s film “From Up on Poppy Hill.” You can use any song for playing cups, but it’s best to start by carefully checking the steps as you practice.
In times like that, try using this song.
Begin with one rhythm pattern over four measures; once you’re used to it, try doing the same rhythm pattern over two measures!
summer festivalWhiteberry
When it comes to Whiteberry’s hit songs, their cover of JITTERIN’JINN’s Natsu Matsuri comes to mind.
For many people, this is the song that pops up when you think of summer love.
It looks and sounds powerful when you express the drum rhythm by tapping with your hands or with cups! How about having everyone sing the intro together, and then start clapping the cups right when the instruments all come in? If you’re doing it with a large group, it might be fun to prepare colorful cups and have everyone move them like fireworks.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is one of the nursery rhymes loved by children and is often sung as a lullaby.
The lyrics have lots of repetition, which makes it easy for kids to learn and sing—great, right? If your child is interested in cups but is still a bit young, why not try playing along with this song? Because the melody repeats, one rhythm pattern is all you need! Plus, the tempo is very slow, so they’re less likely to get flustered and make mistakes.
Once they get used to the cup moves with this song, try playing along to their favorite tunes next.
RudeMAGIC
It’s a song that can be considered the signature track of the Toronto band MAGIC!, released in 2013 as the lead single from their debut album Don’t Kill the Magic.
Despite its laid-back rhythm, the lyrics express the feelings of a man who isn’t being allowed to marry the person he loves.
It has a good tempo for a cups song, and if your love life isn’t going well, picking this track and tapping out the rhythm might help relieve a bit of stress.
Honnō-ji IncidentEgusupurōjon
The dance unit Explosions, featuring Machaaaki and Obara Yoshio—who are also members of Yoshimotozaka46—has a dance track called “Honnō-ji Incident.” The song is about the historical event everyone learns in school, the Honnō-ji Incident, and it was released on YouTube as part of the popular “Dancing Lessons Series.” Doing cups with this track would be fun, but the lyrics are so funny that there’s a high chance you’ll burst out laughing and mess up.
Still, if you keep your cool and make it to the end, that’s pretty cool, right?
PolyrhythmPerfume
This is a Perfume song written by Yasutaka Nakata and used as the campaign song for “Recycle Mark is the ECO Mark.” Although it’s a love song, the lyrics about treasured people and feelings really resonate even when friends listen together.
When playing with cups, you could deliberately use a repeating rhythm pattern, or—taking a cue from the title—have two people tap out different rhythms, which is also fun.
You might include moves that only two people can do, like striking the cups together to make sounds.
Perfect for couples or close friends.