Packed with everything from friendship to romance! Youth anthems recommended for Gen Z
When you hear the phrase “youth anthem,” what kind of songs come to mind?
Some people immersed themselves in clubs or hobbies, others treasured time with friends, and some were swept up in romance.
Because each person focused on different things during their youth, there are as many youth anthems as there are listeners.
This time, we’ve curated songs we especially recommend for members of Generation Z.
We selected tracks released roughly between 2011 and 2024—the years when many in Gen Z likely spent their formative youth—so put them on and let the memories come flooding back!
Playlist
| Packed with everything from friendship to romance! Youth anthems recommended for Gen Z | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A refreshing rock song that captures the youth of summer |
| 2east | OrangeSPYAIR |  play_arrow | SPYAIR’s theme song overflowing with the passion of youth |
| 3east | Is that okay?RADWIMPS |  play_arrow | Introduction to RADWIMPS' happiness-themed song |
| 4east | Cry BabyOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | An inspiring song that portrays the struggles of youth. |
| 5east | I’ll call your name.SUPER BEAVER |  play_arrow | Gratitude and Bonds of the Tokyo Revengers Theme Song |
| 6east | Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya |  play_arrow | An emotionally moving song that poetically depicts a youthful farewell |
| 7east | together; along with; bothWANIMA |  play_arrow | WANIMA’s cheering song about friendship |
| 8east | cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that sings of Yojiro Noda’s heartrending love |
| 9east | CorrectRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | A classic song that portrays the joys and anxieties of youth |
| 10east | bookmarkkuriipuhaipe |  play_arrow | CreepHyp’s classic song that portrays the bittersweet love of youth |
| 11east | determinationSUPER BEAVER |  play_arrow | Powerful rock that supports your life choices |
| 12east | cotton candyback number |  play_arrow | A band that captivates the heart with wistful lyrics and vocals |
| 13east | Youth SicknessFuji Kaze |  play_arrow | A masterpiece by Fujii Kaze that sings of youth and fleeting moments |
| 14east | Dear, boyHump Back |  play_arrow | Life-sized message rock by Hump Back |
| 15east | You don’t listen to rock.aimyon |  play_arrow | Aimyong’s youthful love song |
| 16north_east | Run!Momoiro Kurōbā Zetto |  play_arrow | An energetic, uplifting song of youth |
| 17south_east | Love WindIkuta Rira |  play_arrow | A heartrending song that gently wraps a heart timid in love |
| 18east | Teenager ForeverKing Gnu |  play_arrow | A song by King Gnu that portrays youth and expresses the gap between dreams and reality. |
| 19east | One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS |  play_arrow | A classic song that celebrates the courage and bonds of youth |
| 20east | Pissed Off -another story- feat. Koma Takanashi (CV: Manaka Iwami)HONEY WORKS |  play_arrow | A wistful song portraying the struggles of youth and the stirrings of first love |
| 21east | Starting Oversumika |  play_arrow | A song of youthful challenges and the passion to chase dreams |
| 22east | We againSG |  play_arrow | A social media hit SG: a graduation song of parting and hope |
| 23east | Cinderella BoySaucy Dog |  play_arrow | A poignant love song that portrays the turmoil between betrayal and budding feelings of love |
| 24east | life hackVaundy |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays the struggles of love and the wavering of emotions |
| 25east | Express Ticket and RhythmConton Candy |  play_arrow | Depicting the struggles of youth through a movie theme song |
| 26east | The limits of languageHinatazaka46 |  play_arrow | Hina Kawata sings of bonds of the heart ahead of graduation. |
| 27east | I’ll put it on for you.DAOKO |  play_arrow | The magical song from DAOKO's debut album |
| 28east | 1000 daysnozomi |  play_arrow | A moving song that captures the brilliance and transience of youth |
| 29east | SUMMER ENDiri |  play_arrow | iri’s songs that make you feel the end of summer are comforting. |
| 30east | Blue JeansHANA |  play_arrow | HANA’s second single expresses a bittersweet love |
| 31east | maybeYOASOBI |  play_arrow | A poignant song that depicts the pain of parting and lingering attachments. |
| 32east | Chronostasiskinoko teikoku |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song for lovers walking through the city at night |
| 33east | Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN |  play_arrow | An inspiring movie theme song that celebrates the value of friendship |
| 34east | BetelgeuseYuuri |  play_arrow | Yuuri’s ballad that portrays human bonds with a star motif |
| 35east | lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A refreshing rock song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE |
| 36east | DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that depicts the brilliance and uncertainties of youth |
| 37east | I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu |  play_arrow | A classic by Spitz that poetically portrays the emotions of youth |
| 38east | FRIENDS!!!imase |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that portrays the bonds of friendship |
| 39east | Make It CountINI |  play_arrow | INI's warm message song |
| 40east | Stay by my side.Yuika |  play_arrow | A heartwarming coming-of-age song about friendship turning into love |
| 41east | Savoring youthIkuta Rira feat. ano |  play_arrow | A song that depicts the boredom of everyday life and the brilliance of the future |
| 42east | Love songMarushii |  play_arrow | Depicting the warmth of love in everyday life |
| 43east | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that depicts memories of youth and friendship |
| 44east | Someone more important than a friendGoriki Ayame |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that depicts the bonds of deep friendship |
| 45east | ObsessedAyumu Imazu |  play_arrow | Bittersweet feelings of love painted with a pop sound |
| 46east | Blue SpringSUPER BEAVER |  play_arrow | An uplifting song that portrays the bonds of youth |
| 47east | Young SongKawasaki Takaya |  play_arrow | A soothing song for busy adults |
| 48east | STEADYSPEED |  play_arrow | SPEED 1997 annual singles No. 5 |
| 49east | Marigoldaimyon |  play_arrow | Aimyong’s youthful love song |
| 50east | One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu |  play_arrow | Release of the support song for New School Leaders |
| 51east | Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa |  play_arrow | A rock ballad depicting friendship and farewell |
| 52east | HarukaYOASOBI |  play_arrow | A life story watched over by a mug |
| 53east | A Song for a FriendSonar Pocket |  play_arrow | A coming-of-age pop tune that sings about the bonds of friendship |
| 54east | friendedhiii boi |  play_arrow | A heartwarming friendship song that stands by young people |
| 55east | astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN |  play_arrow | Stargazing: a classic song that sets your thoughts adrift in the night sky |
| 56east | I like you, please.FRUITS ZIPPER |  play_arrow | A coming-of-age song about a girl who longs for an ideal romance |
| 57east | Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad |  play_arrow | My Hair is Bad Youth Rock Movie Theme Song |
| 58east | Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu |  play_arrow | A heart-stirring song that captures a fleeting moment of youth |
| 59east | Youth DiaryRyukku to soine gohan |  play_arrow | A coming-of-age song that portrays the emotions of first love and farewell. |
| 60east | no planRozarīna |  play_arrow | An inspiring song that celebrates the importance of friendship |
| 61east | Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai |  play_arrow | A Ryokuoushoku Shakai song portraying the brilliance and conflicts of youth |