If you’re a high school student, you probably have plenty of chances to come across songs about friendship in your everyday life, right?
Of course, you might listen to them regularly or sing them at karaoke, and you might even use a friendship song as the BGM for a message video you send for a friend’s birthday.
In this article, we’ll introduce upbeat friendship songs that perfectly fit a variety of situations like these.
We’ve focused on tracks by artists who are currently trending as well as those popular among younger generations, so feel free to use this as a reference.
If you listen while reading the lyrics, you’ll have an easier time finding the song that’s just right for you!
- A collection of upbeat friendship songs that brighten your mood, themed around friends
- A roundup of bright friendship songs: upbeat tracks and crowd-pleasers.
- [For High School Students] A Collection of Touching Friendship Songs
- A friendship song that fires up the culture festival/school festival
- Emotional friendship songs recommended for high school students
- Classic and popular songs recommended for high school girls
- Friendship songs recommended for high school students: classic and popular J‑pop hits
- Uplifting songs recommended for high school students
- Friendship songs to listen to in March: introducing graduation songs and songs of gratitude to friends
- A roundup of youth-themed songs recommended for high school students
- [Usable on TikTok] Emotional songs perfect for lyric videos with friends
- [For High School Students] A Collection of Friendship Songs to Give on Birthdays
- Friendship songs to listen to in April: a curated selection of tracks themed around new encounters!
Bright friendship songs recommended for high school students. A roundup of hype/energetic tracks (1–10)
Dear.aNEW!chanyu i
A heartwarming number by Chanyu-i that sings of gratitude to an irreplaceable best friend and a bond that will never change.
It conveys honest feelings toward a friend—someone even more precious than a lover.
Originally released in December 2020, a band arrangement version came out in 2022 and was used as an insert song for a segment on ABEMA’s “High-Teen Bible.” It was written at the request of a best friend during the artist’s early childhood education student days, and the story of how it resonated widely on social media is lovely, isn’t it? This work reminds us anew of the importance of friends who stay by our side in both joyful and difficult times.
usual membersNEW!riria.
Lilia’s song vividly captures the precious time spent with the usual crew and the sparkle of youth.
It’s a warm, emotional track that reminds us of the irreplaceable friendships built in the everyday moments.
You can’t help but feel that wishful ache—if only those times laughing with friends could last forever.
Released in October 2022, the song was featured in Universal Studios Japan’s “Escape the Usual Tonight” commercial.
Ryo Nagano’s slightly mature sound design amplifies Lilia’s down-to-earth lyrics.
It’s a number you’ll want to listen to in spring—when you’re meeting new companions and hoping to make many memories—while thinking of the dear friends who mean so much.
best friendNEW!SG
A song by SG that I want to give to a dear friend.
As the title suggests, it’s a warm message song themed around the bond with a friend deeply connected at heart.
Life brings many partings—graduations, turning points—but this song straightforwardly sings about an unchanging friendship despite distance, and the hope of meeting again.
Released as a single in March 2022, it resonated with many people, ranking high in LINE MUSIC’s real-time music video charts.
Known for “Bokura Mata,” SG penned this track in his own words, offering not only the sorrow of parting but also the courage to look ahead.
It’s perfect as BGM for graduation season, as well as for times when you want to express gratitude that’s hard to say, or when you’re thinking of a friend far away.
footprint(s)Little Glee Monster
Little Glee Monster is a vocal group whose overwhelming singing ability moves listeners to the core.
Their 16th single, “Ashiato” (Footprints), released in September 2020, is a grand number penned by the members themselves that gives you the courage to keep moving forward even in times of uncertainty.
Its powerful lyrics, which seem to affirm their own journey, are perfect for looking back on the days spent with friends during graduation season, when everyone sets off on separate paths.
Written as the required piece for the Junior High School division of the NHK All-Japan School Choir Competition and also broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” the song has become widely loved as a choral piece.
It’s a moving track we hope you’ll listen to when you want to send thanks and cheers for the future to the dear friends with whom you’ve laughed and supported each other along the way!
MemoriesNiziU
Born from an audition show, NiziU has been captivating the world with their cute dancing and vocals.
Released digitally in February 2024, this track is an emotional pop song that blends the excitement and bittersweetness unique to spring.
It was chosen as the theme song for Universal Studios Japan’s “Uni Spring 2024,” and it was also announced that it will be included on the mini-album AWAKE.
The message—depicting the moment when everyday life with friends, once taken for granted, becomes an irreplaceable treasure at the milestone of graduation—is sure to resonate with students in the same situation.
Believing that bonds won’t fade even when you’re apart, it’s the perfect song to express your gratitude to your cherished friends!