Famous Western songs everyone knows: a roundup of classic tunes you’ve heard somewhere before
For those who mainly listen to Japanese music, foreign songs might not feel very familiar.
However, these days, hit Western tracks are used all over the place—as BGM for TV shows and social media videos, in commercials, and more—so even people who don’t usually listen to Western music have probably heard plenty of it.
In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of those universally recognizable Western songs all at once.
You’ll likely find tracks you’ve heard but never knew the title of, as well as songs whose titles or artist names you’ve seen but never actually listened to.
Take this opportunity to discover the appeal of Western music!
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Famous Western songs everyone knows: a roundup of classic tunes you’ve heard somewhere (11–20)
I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys
Speaking of the Backstreet Boys, they are a male group that epitomized the 1990s and has remained hugely popular as the best-selling boy band even into the 2000s and beyond.
A song they released in 1999, hailing from the United States, can be considered one of the group’s signature tracks.
Included on the album Millennium, the song became a massive hit immediately after its release.
Back then, it was played all over the streets in Japan, and many people would recognize it the moment they heard that ultra-famous chorus phrase.
With its delicate melody line and memorable lyrics, it captures the complexities of love.
I Want You BackThe Jackson 5
The debut single released by America’s Jackson 5 in 1969 is a gem of a pop number that sings of regret over a lost love and a wish to reconcile.
With its catchy melody and rhythmic beat, the track is especially memorable for the powerful vocals of Michael Jackson, who was just 11 years old at the time.
It reached No.
1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts in January 1970, catapulting the Jackson 5 to worldwide fame.
It was also featured in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy, winning over a new generation of fans.
This is a perfect song for easing the pain of heartbreak or lifting your spirits.
Lovin’ YouMinnie Riperton
If you hear that stunningly beautiful high-tone voice, most people will feel they’ve encountered it at least once.
It’s the classic released in 1974 by legendary American singer Minnie Riperton.
It’s also known for being produced by Stevie Wonder, and the ultra-high-tone vocals in the chorus could well be called one of the miraculous performances in music history.
The song was written by Riperton and her husband as an expression of love for their daughter, and its charm lies in a unique atmosphere where simple musicality is fused with natural sounds.
Rolling in the DeepAdele
A powerful song swirling with anger and sorrow was created by Adele, a singer from the United Kingdom.
Candidly voicing the pain of heartbreak and a thirst for revenge, this track appears on Adele’s second album, 21, and was released in November 2010.
Characterized by deeply emotive vocals and a striking rhythm, it reached number one on the charts in 12 countries worldwide.
It won three Grammy Awards and is known as one of Adele’s signature songs.
It’s a recommended track for those looking to heal the wounds of a broken heart or to channel intense emotions through music.
Stay With MeSam Smith
A beautiful ballad that gives voice to aching emotions became a signature song for the U.K.-born Sam Smith.
Featuring gospel-tinged choruses and lyrics that resonate deeply, it portrays the loneliness that follows a one-night encounter.
Released in the U.S.
in April 2014, it reached No.
2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
At the 57th Grammy Awards, it won two categories, catapulting Sam Smith to global fame.
It’s a song that comforts anyone who has experienced heartbreak or longs for someone’s warmth.
In August 2024, a collaborative version with Hikaru Utada was also released, showcasing a fresh appeal.
As It WasHarry Styles
Songs by UK-born Harry Styles capture listeners’ hearts as if by magic.
This track conveys nostalgia for pre-pandemic everyday life and the struggle with loneliness, expressed through energetic music and a gentle vocal delivery.
Released in April 2022, the song swiftly dominated charts worldwide.
Many outlets, including the BBC and NME, named it one of the best songs of the year.
As the lead single from the album “Harry’s House,” it fully showcases Styles’s wide-ranging musical talents.
It’s highly recommended for anyone seeking a fresh, catchy tune—perfect for a morning drive or a mood boost.
Famous Western songs everyone knows: A compilation of classic tunes you’ve heard somewhere (21–30)
Story of My LifeOne Direction
One Direction rose from a UK talent show to become a globally beloved group.
Released in October 2013, this track from their third album, Midnight Memories, showcases a mature sound that steps beyond their idol image.
The warm tones of the acoustic guitar, delicate strings, and the layered chorus featuring all the members are breathtaking.
The lyrics, reflecting on time gone by and memories with family, resonate not just as a love song but as a story of life.
The music video features the members’ real families, interweaving childhood photos with the present in a tear-jerking montage.
For those who discovered Western pop through YouTube or MTV, it’s a nostalgic piece that may well overlap with memories of their own youth.