[2026] Western music you've heard at least once — from trending new tracks to timeless classics

Uptown GirlBilly Joel

Billy Joel – Uptown Girl (Official Video)

You’ve probably heard it in a beverage company’s TV commercial—the one with the actress in a white dress out on the grasslands! It’s a song that feels like it contains all of Billy Joel’s songwriting craft, one that even music aficionados can’t resist.

Sailor SongGigi Perez

Gigi Perez – Sailor Song (Official Music Video)

A gemlike love song that portrays emotions ebbing and flowing like warm waves and the receding tide.

Self-released by Gigi Perez in July 2024, the track went viral on TikTok and subsequently debuted at No.

1 on the UK Singles Chart.

Its appeal lies in the candid lyrics about her lover—who resembles Anne Hathaway—and a simple yet deeply affecting folk sound.

Hailing from the United States, Perez put out the song independently after parting ways with Interscope Records, achieving global success in just a few months.

Chronicling the ache of distance while yearning for passionate love, this piece is especially recommended for those in the throes of a bittersweet romance or anyone who wants to honor their own authentic way of loving.

One Way TicketNeil Sedaka

One Way Ticket

A masterpiece that shines in pop music history, it rides on the brisk clatter of a train to sing of a heartrending journey of farewell.

With a rhythmical yet wistful melody, it brilliantly captures the lonely state of mind of someone who can no longer return to their loved one.

Released by Neil Sedaka in September 1959 as the B-side to the classic “Oh! Carol,” this song became explosively popular in Japan under the title “Koi no Kataomoi Kippu” (“One Way Ticket to Love”), even surpassing the A-side in fame, and was covered by numerous singers.

It is also known for its 1979 cover by the disco group Eruption, which sparked a worldwide revival hit.

Packed with the charm of the oldies, its sound continues to be loved across generations.

It’s the perfect track for when you want to bask in a sense of nostalgia or are looking for a catchy melody that lingers in the heart.

Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) [Remix]Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Lil Nas X brought us 2019’s big trend: the crossover with country.

The crossover with hip-hop and R&B felt incredibly fresh.

Country legend Billy Ray Cyrus even shows up in the music video practically in cosplay! The video, crafted like a Tarantino film, is a feast for the eyes.

It’s packed with punchy jokes and oozes cool.

The visuals are striking, but the song itself is also bold—the combination was unprecedented, so once you hear it, you won’t forget it.

Dirty WorkAustin Mahone

Austin Mahone – Dirty Work (Official)

Austin Mahone’s “Dirty Work” became a huge hit in Japan as the song used in comedian Chiemi Blouson’s routine.

If you’ve seen her act, the phrase “3.5 billion” probably pops into your head the moment you hear this track.

It’s a cool song with a bouncy synthesizer rhythm that’s seriously addictive.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Last ChristmasWham!

Wham! – Last Christmas (Official Video)

It’s a single released in 1984 by the British music group Wham!, and it’s a classic Christmas song that you can almost always hear during the holiday season.

In Japan, it has surpassed one million copies in total sales, and many Japanese artists have covered it, so it’s a very familiar song here as well.

JumpVan Halen

Van Halen – Jump (Official Music Video) [HD]

The moment that fully ’80s intro keyboard phrase hits your ears, you can’t help but feel like jumping around—just like the title says! This huge hit was released as the lead single from Van Halen’s masterpiece album “1984,” fronted by guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who sadly passed away in October 2020.

It reached No.

1 on the U.S.

Billboard chart.

Its catchy style—boldly incorporating shimmering keyboards into a hard guitar sound—is quintessentially ’80s and has had a major influence on Japanese popular music as well.

With the powerful vocals of David Lee Roth, the singer who helped shape the image of early Van Halen as a born entertainer, just listening to it is enough to lift your spirits.

The song is often used in various contexts, and it was featured again in 2019 in a TV commercial for Suntory All-Free, so some people may have discovered it there for the first time.

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KOH-1

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