Recommended Western karaoke songs for middle school students

The OneBackstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys – The One (Official Video)

One of the signature songs by the popular idol group Backstreet Boys.

It’s cool even from an adult’s perspective, but its edgy, chuunibyo-tinged vibe especially appeals to middle schoolers of that generation.

Since most of the lyrics are clearly articulated, with some practice you can sing it stylishly and become a hit at karaoke.

We Are Young ft. Janelle MonáeFun

Fun.: We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Fun’s hit song that sings of youth.

The chorus is striking, and once you get the rhythm down, it’s easy to sing along.

As the title suggests, the theme is youth, and for undefeated middle schoolers, it perfectly represents the present and is easy to relate to.

However, since there’s a phrase about drinking alcohol, it might reflect the youth of a slightly older generation.

Ma Ya HiO-Zone

O-Zone ma ya hi (Dragostea Din Tei)

A song from Romania whose boom spread nationwide in Japan starting from 2channel.

Many people sang along to “Mai ya hi, mai ya hu” without understanding the meaning of the lyrics.

In particular, songs like this—fun but whose meaning isn’t clear—are extremely popular among middle schoolers.

99luft BaloonsNena

NENA | 99 Luftballons [1983] [Offizielles HD Musikvideo]

A globally popular German pop song, which was rare for its time.

It’s a familiar tune in Japan as well, having been used as a TV show theme.

The lyrics are in German, making it quite difficult, but if a middle schooler can sing it, they’ll definitely look cool—a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.

Let It GoIdina Menzel

Idina Menzel – Let It Go (From Frozen/Sing-Along)

A famous song that sparked the Frozen craze at Disney.

Since Disney songs, including their international versions, are often played on TV and at various events, I think they’re familiar even to younger kids.

Even if the pronunciation isn’t perfect, the chorus—“Let it go, let it go”—is something anyone can belt out, so it’s a great song to get everyone excited.

All I Want For Christmas Is YouMariah Carey

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)

A Christmas song so classic that you’d almost suspect there’s no one who doesn’t listen to it in December.

The tempo is fast, but since almost everyone has heard it, anyone can hum along at karaoke as long as they know the lyrics.

One of its charms is that it can surprisingly get a crowd going regardless of the season.

Please Please PleaseSabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please

This track from American singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter blends disco-pop with country elements.

It captures the turmoil between love and reason through narrative-driven lyrics that contrast with its light, breezy sound.

Released in June 2024, the song became a global hit and was nominated for Song of the Year at the 67th Grammy Awards.

Featured on the album Short n’ Sweet, it was co-produced by Jack Antonoff and Amy Allen.

The lyrics, rich with witty turns of phrase that convey heartfelt doubts about a romantic relationship, are perfect for creating an energetic vibe at school sports days and athletic events.