Recommended Western music for junior high school students — from popular classics to the latest hits
What kind of image comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Western music” if you’re a current junior high school student?
Some of you might feel like, “I can’t understand the English lyrics,” or “I’m not sure what they mean.”
This time, we’ve put together a selection of recommended songs for students who are just starting to listen to Western music or are thinking of giving it a try.
Focusing on tracks with easy-to-listen-to melodies and lyrics that use simple English words, we’ve selected a wide range across genres—from classic pop masterpieces to loud, intense rock bands, and the latest hit songs!
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Recommended Western Music for Junior High School Students — From Popular Classics to the Latest Hits — (1–10)
She Looks So Perfect5 Seconds of Summer
They are a four-piece pop-rock band from Australia that enjoys worldwide popularity, including in Japan.
Because of their connection to their senior peers One Direction and their good looks, they’re sometimes called a boy band, but they’re a bona fide band who play instruments and write their own songs.
Their landmark global debut single, She Looks So Perfect, is a bright, catchy track with an emo-to-pop-punk vibe inspired by the 2000s, a major influence on all the members.
Its straightforward melody and upbeat feel make it easy to enjoy even for junior high schoolers who are just starting to listen to Western music.
everything i wantedBillie Eilish
Billie Eilish burst onto the scene in the late 2010s at the young age of 15.
Her languid, whisper-like melodies and lyrics that capture the complex emotions of teens living in the social media era from a unique perspective heralded the arrival of a new-generation talent.
Her debut album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, released in 2019, became a worldwide hit, and at the 62nd Grammy Awards she made history as the youngest artist—and the first female artist—to win in five categories, including the four major awards.
Her 2019 track everything i wanted lays bare the raw, painful emotions she experienced amid her rapid success as an artist.
The lyrics, which also convey the bond with her brother and musical partner, Finneas, are well worth reading closely—with a dictionary in hand.
I was born to love youQueen
In recent years, thanks in part to the massive success of the film Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen—Britain’s beloved national band—has once again become widely recognized among younger generations.
They’ve produced countless classics everyone has heard, but this time I’d like to introduce I Was Born to Love You, a masterpiece originally recorded as a solo track by the unparalleled vocalist Freddie Mercury and later arranged and re-released by the remaining members after his passing.
In Japan, it’s been used repeatedly in commercials and as a TV drama theme, making it a very familiar song.
Its overwhelming sense of exhilaration is something you won’t find anywhere else.
It’s also fun to compare it with the solo version and hear the differences.
thank u, nextAriana Grande
The 2019 song “thank u, next” by American singer Ariana Grande.
It already has quite a mature vibe, but I think it really resonates with middle schoolers too.
The catchy chorus makes the English easy to catch and the meaning easy to grasp.
It expresses a strong determination to move forward even after heartbreak.
Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, just having this track in your player makes you look a bit cooler—it’s that kind of cool song.
Welcome To The Black ParadeMy Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is a rock band from New Jersey that represents the 2000s.
Although they disbanded in 2013, their sudden reunion in 2019 is still fresh in our memories for delighting longtime fans.
Unfortunately, their Japan tour was canceled, but the news of their reunion made waves online, so some younger music fans may have first learned their name then.
This time, I’d like to introduce one of their signature songs, “Welcome to the Black Parade,” released in 2006.
Its dramatic song structure is truly superb, and its overwhelmingly melodic quality makes it easy to listen to even for those not used to Western music.
If you’re interested, be sure to check out the album The Black Parade as well!