An idol-sung youth anthem: a roundup of songs celebrating sparkling, radiant days

tightlySexy Zone

Sexy Zone “Gyutto” (short ver.)

An encouraging song by Sexy Zone that lights a warm glow in your heart, telling you to accept every version of yourself and keep going tomorrow.

Chosen as the theme song for the drama “Wagahai no Heya de Aru” starring Fuma Kikuchi, this track was released in October 2017.

It’s also known for having lyrics written by member Fuma Kikuchi and choreography created by all the members.

With a message that gently says “It’s okay” on days when things don’t go well, it’s sure to wrap listeners’ hearts in kindness.

If you listen to it when you’re a little tired or want to cheer yourself up, you might feel the tension ease from your shoulders and find a more positive outlook.

Parachute of the uniformBoku ga mitakatta aozora

The Blue Sky I Wanted to See / “Seifuku no Parachute” Music Video

The blue sky visible from the classroom window, the casual chatter with friends, that sudden flutter in your chest.

It’s a buoyant pop tune packed with the sparkle of youth.

The metaphor of a “parachute” for that irresistible rush of falling in love is brilliant, and just listening to it brings a sweet, bittersweet feeling to the surface.

This track is a unit song included on the single “Thinking About the Blue Sky,” released in August 2023 as the debut work of Bokuga Mitakatta Aozora.

Singing straight from the heart about the joy and ache of love, it turns ordinary days into something special.

Listen to it on the train to school or in those slightly sentimental after-school hours, and the scenery before you will surely look more vivid.

Our Uniform Christmas＝LOVE

=LOVE (Equal Love) / 2nd Single “Our Uniform Christmas” [MV full]

Doesn’t the idea of spending Christmas in a school uniform make many hearts flutter? Walking through town at dusk with someone you like—the exhilaration and the slightly bittersweet mood blend beautifully in this quintessential winter song.

Producer Rino Sashihara poured her strong desire to create “a Christmas song” into this track, which was released in December 2017 as =LOVE’s second single and became one of the group’s signature early hits.

It lets you relive a sparkling page of youth, bringing back those sweet and sour memories from your school days.

Give it a listen when you want to feel the excitement of a budding romance all over again.

Between YES and NO22/7

22/7 13th single “Between YES and NO” dance video (TV Anime “ATRI -My Dear Moments-” Ending Theme)

It’s a bright, exhilarating idol song with a rock flavor.

Performed by 22/7, it was released digitally in July 2024.

The track was selected as the ending theme for the anime “ATRI -My Dear Moments-.” With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto, the song explores themes of inner conflict and hope for the future, conveying a warmth that resonates with young people’s lives.

The straightforward vocals of the 22/7 members further enhance the song’s world.

If you’re in the midst of your youth, be sure to check it out!

Dreaming 15-year-oldSumairēji

S/mileage 'Yume Miru 15-sai' (Music Video)

S/mileage’s major-label debut captures the summer romances of 15-year-old girls, filled with gentle vocals and bittersweet feelings.

Eurobeat-style synths blend with a kayōkyoku-inspired melody, tenderly expressing the fluttery first loves unique to adolescence.

Depicting a girl’s heart swaying between idealized scenes—summer festivals, fireworks, seaside dates—and reality, the song was produced by Hello! Project’s renowned producer Tsunku♂.

Upon its May 2010 release, it reached No.

5 on the Oricon charts and went on to win the Best New Artist Award at the 52nd Japan Record Awards.

It’s a perfect track for those who want to relive the sweet-and-sour memories of youth or empathize with a down-to-earth teenage girl’s feelings of love.