When you think of youth anthems, many people probably picture bright, explosive “cheer songs,” tear-jerking tracks about meetings and farewells, or slightly bittersweet love songs.
In this article, we’re switching things up to introduce hit and popular tracks that capture the heart with stylish sounds and chic lyrics among youth songs.
From sophisticated numbers you might hear in a café to the perfect track for a sunset drive, you’re sure to find songs you’ll want to add to your youth playlist.
- [Classic & Latest] Famous and Popular Songs That Sing of Youth
- A roundup of youth-themed songs recommended for high school students
- A classic, bittersweet youth song. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Guaranteed to resonate!] Youth songs that strike a chord with teens. Recommended coming-of-age tracks.
- Stylish tracks that resonate with people in their twenties. A collection of songs with refined, comfortable sound.
- [For adults too] Youth songs that let you look back on your memories
- Tear-jerking youth songs: recommended classics and popular tracks
- Packed with everything from friendship to romance! Youth anthems recommended for Gen Z
- A collection of uplifting, youth-themed songs — timeless tracks that set your heart on fire
- Youthful songs to listen to in summer. Classic summer hits and recommended popular tracks.
- Recommended coming-of-age songs for women
- Youth songs you want to listen to in spring. Classic and popular spring songs.
- A poignant masterpiece that sings of adolescence. Popular songs you’ll want to hear during your teenage years.
Stylish Youth Songs | A curated selection of sleek, easy-listening tracks (1–10)
Blue BookmarkGalileo Galilei
This work blends the nostalgic timbre of the kalimba with a refined band sound, creating a wistful yet translucent atmosphere.
Released by the rock band Galileo Galilei in June 2011, it is still beloved by many.
Chosen as the opening theme for the anime Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, which became a social phenomenon, it harmonizes perfectly with the series’ world and adds depth to its story.
The lyrics portray memories of days gone by and the bonds with cherished friends, evoking nostalgic scenes like turning the pages of a photo album.
17TOMOO
Singer-songwriter TOMOO is known for her simple, piano-centered sound rich in emotion.
Released in October 2022 as her second major single, this piece is a lyrical medium ballad that awakens the memory of being seventeen that everyone carries in their hearts.
It’s striking how it weaves in the familiar motif of ice cream from a vending machine to portray the loneliness of growing up and the hope that, thanks to someone by your side, you can become a child again.
The track was later included on the album “TWO MOON.” It invites you to bask in nostalgia while also letting you feel the warmth of the present moment.
You don’t listen to rock.aimyon
It’s a love song that feels as if the emotions bubbling up from the depths of the heart were spoken straight out loud, radiating passion.
This track by Aimyon, a singer-songwriter from Hyogo Prefecture, portrays an awkward unrequited love, where the protagonist hopes to close the distance even a little by letting the person they like listen to their cherished rock music.
Released in August 2017 as her third single, it earned power-play rotation on 42 radio stations nationwide, helping to propel Aimyon’s name across Japan.
Its bittersweet yet refreshing sound, reminiscent of 1990s J-pop, is perfect for a drive at dusk.
to clear up (weather)Yorushika
The rock duo Yorushika, known for their literary lyrics and eclectic musicality, has won widespread popularity.
Released in January 2024, this track is a truly sophisticated number that fuses an electronic sound colored by synthesizers with a powerful guitar riff.
Suis’s crystal-clear vocals gently wrap the nostalgia of days gone by and guide it toward a bright hope, like the sky after the rain.
It also drew attention as the opening theme for the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.
Perfect for an evening drive or a morning when you want to take a new step forward.
Why not add this stylish coming-of-age song to your playlist to softly illuminate your heart?
I don’t need youth.Sangatsu no Phantasia
It’s a stylish number that captures the unspoken impulses and the yearning for adulthood behind the tough words, “I don’t need youth.” The melody by Yorushika’s n-buna, who produced the track, conjures that languid feeling at summer’s end and feels so comfortable, doesn’t it? Included on the March 2019 album “GIRLS BLUE・HAPPY SAD,” this song was created as the first installment of a project tied to a novel written by Mia, and its lyric video has surpassed 13 million views.
The performance on THE FIRST TAKE also drew attention.
It’s a song that gently stays by your side, embracing the complex emotions of youth that aren’t all glitter and shine.
Untitled TodayHirai Dai
Singer-songwriter Dai Hirai, known for his organic sound rooted in surf music, has won widespread popularity.
This song is a heartwarming number that reminds us the greatest treasures are hidden in everyday, ordinary scenes.
Rather than sketching grand dreams with a magic pen, it conveys a message of cherishing the small joys before us and the warm connections between people—delivered through gospel-tinged choruses and a gentle vocal that resonates deeply.
Included on the February 2021 album “Life Goes On,” it surpassed 100 million streams in December of the same year.
A polished track that enriches sunset drives and leisurely café time on the weekend.
PUZZLEShimizu Shota
It’s a gospel-style cheer song that fills your heart with the bonds of friendship and hope for the future.
The fact that Shota Shimizu returned to his hometown of Osaka and created it together with students from his alma mater adds an extra layer of warmth to the piece.
Released in October 2024, it was later included on the album “Pulsatilla cernua.” The choral performance with around 20 students on THE FIRST TAKE is truly overwhelming.
If you’re taking on a challenge with your team or stepping into something new, listening to it will surely give you courage.
Its polished sound also pairs perfectly with a leisurely café time on your day off.