Uplifting songs recommended for high school students

Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Tomorrow Too”

I think SHISHAMO is a very familiar girl band for high school students.

Their sound is modern, super catchy, and full of songs that lift your spirits.

Among them, “Ashita mo” is one of their most famous tracks.

HANABIMr.Children

Mr.Children「HANABI」 Tour2015 REFLECTION Live

Mr.Children is a band very familiar to high school students as well.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them a national band—many of you have probably been listening to their songs since you were kids.

Among their works, I recommend one of their later pieces, “HANABI.”

March 9Remioromen

Remioromen – March 9th (Music Video Short ver.)

Remioromen’s songs have the power to move listeners to tears.

“March 9th” is one such track.

It’s one of their signature songs and a very sad ballad.

It’s full of Remioromen’s charm, and listening to it will let you feel just how wonderful they are.

flying boatKing Gnu

King Gnu – Hikōtei (Seaplane)

This is a song by King Gnu—known for their distinctive musicality—that gives you a push when you want to break through the status quo and take a new step forward.

It carries a powerful message: don’t be bound by society’s conventions or ideas of correctness—embrace your past and future alike, and move ahead by your own will.

Monumental, stadium-shaking choruses fuse with earth-rumbling low-end to shake the listener to the core.

Released in August 2019, the track was also featured in an ANA commercial.

If you listen to it when you’re facing a major challenge or need to fire yourself up in the morning, it just might make you believe in limitless possibilities.

breakfastMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「breakfast」Official Music Video

This song has been used since June 2025 as the theme for Fuji TV’s information program “Sun! Shine.” The full-on choreography—making you think, “Does Mrs.

GREEN APPLE dance this much?”—has become a hot topic, but above all it’s a refreshing morning-perfect anthem.

The track isn’t merely cheerful; it portrays the struggles of imperfect everyday life and the resolve of “All right, let’s get to it today,” and that depth feels very true to them.

This is the third time Mrs.

GREEN APPLE has handled a theme for a Fuji TV information program.

It’s a stylish, emotional number that will surely put you in a positive mood before school, even on slightly gloomy mornings.

Easy Breezychelmico

chelmico「Easy Breezy」【Official Music Video】

The high-speed beat and addictive back-and-forth rap make it a joy to listen to.

It’s a track by chelmico, the female rap duo of Rachel and Mamiko, released as a single in January 2020.

Chosen as the opening theme for the anime Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, it became a big talking point alongside its inventive animation.

The straightforward message—“Don’t worry about others; stay true to what you love”—gives a powerful push to anyone who hears it.

Centered on hip-hop with a playful sound, it’s a stylish pep song that blows away the blues and fills you with energy.

It’s also included on the album maze.

IdeaHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Idea (Official Video)

This is a masterpiece by Gen Hoshino that I especially want you to listen to when you’re feeling a bit low.

Released in August 2018, the song was used as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Half, Blue.” Its structure is captivating, unfolding from a buoyant, marimba-based intro into a gentle first verse.

His warm voice gives you a soft push forward.

The positive worldview—one that seems to turn even the sound of rain into song—will surely lighten your heart, whether on your commute to work or school, or as you stand before an important challenge.