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

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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Hey JudeThe Beatles

The Beatles – The Beatles – Hey Jude (Official Music Video) [Remastered 2015]

The world-famous band The Beatles released their 18th single in August 1968.

Even fifty years after its release, the song remains timeless and has been featured in many commercials in Japan.

In 2004, it was ranked 8th on Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time,’ making it a track that continues to be loved across generations.

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Hoshino Takashi

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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.

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.

That’s So TrueGracie Abrams

Gracie Abrams – That’s So True (Official Lyric Video)

This song, woven with a refined melody and emotionally resonant lyrics, portrays the complex feelings surrounding a past romance.

Gracie Abrams’s clear, transparent vocals brilliantly convey a mix of jealousy and self-loathing toward an ex’s new relationship.

Included on the deluxe edition of the album “The Secret of Us,” released in November 2024, the track garnered significant international attention, reaching No.

6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Abrams has been steadily building her career, including serving as an opening act on Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour.

It’s a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone facing the end of a relationship or looking to reflect on themselves amid complicated emotions.

The RoseBette Midler

The Rose – by Bette Midler + lyrics

It’s a well-known song in Japan, notable for its gentle piano tones and Bette Midler’s vocals.

It was also used as the theme song for the film The Rose, in which Bette Midler herself starred.

In Japan, it has been featured not only as the theme song for the drama Flowers for Algernon starring Tomohisa Yamashita, but also in various tie-ins and as background music.

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SAKI

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SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello – Señorita

Camila Cabello, who rose to global attention with “Havana.” Born in Cuba, she’s known for weaving Latin musical flavors into her songs.

That Latin vibe also comes through in “Señorita,” her collaboration with Shawn Mendes.

It’s a sensual track where the voices of the two singers intertwine.

The cinematic music video is excellent as well, and it’s a perfect song to listen to while driving or taking a walk, swaying to the rhythm.