Recommended Western music for junior high school students — from popular classics to the latest hits

Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video)

This is a historic masterpiece by Nirvana that rewrote the music scene of the 1990s with nothing more than a power-chord riff blasted through heavily distorted guitars.

Kurt Cobain, who at the time was elevated as a spokesperson for the so-called Generation X, delivered screams that resonated powerfully with young people grappling with loneliness and frustration.

Because the band’s history—and the tragic events surrounding Kurt Cobain afterward—is so well known, people tend to approach the song with all kinds of preconceptions.

But I hope today’s middle schoolers will simply experience how straight-up cool the song itself is.

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Sunday MorningMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – Sunday Morning

Since the massive success of their 2002 debut album Songs About Jane, Los Angeles–born Maroon 5 have remained at the forefront of the music scene.

Among their songs—distinguished by a keen sense for skillfully blending diverse musical styles into contemporary pop—I’d like to highlight Sunday Morning from that debut album.

Chosen for a Toyota commercial, it’s also a very popular track in Japan.

With a vibe that would fit perfectly as lounge music playing in a café, it’s an ideal song for junior high school students who want to take a small step up and listen to something stylish.

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WonderwallOasis

Oasis – Wonderwall (Official Video)

Oasis is a British rock band that was active in the ’90s and 2000s.

They truly became legends in rock history, and even after their breakup, they remain beloved by many listeners.

But they’re not just an amazing band from the past—Oasis influenced rock bands around the world that came after them.

Of course, many of Japan’s newest rock musicians have also been influenced by their songs.

For middle school students, if Oasis becomes your starting point for listening to Western rock bands, you can trace music back from there or explore new sounds—the ways you can listen from here are limitless.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Ain’t It FunParamore

Paramore: Ain’t It Fun [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

When Paramore made their album debut in 2005, their vocalist Hayley Williams was just 17 years old.

Even with more than 15 years of experience under their belt, she was still in her early thirties as of 2020, which really shows how young they were when they started out.

“Ain’t It Fun,” included on Paramore’s acclaimed 2015 album Paramore and winner of the Best Rock Song at the 57th Grammy Awards, exemplifies this.

Centered on Hayley’s superb vocals, its funky rhythms and beats feel great, and it stands out as a masterpiece with exceptional pop craftsmanship.

It’s also a great pick for a dance assignment!

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It’s my lifeBon Jovi

Bon Jovi – It’s My Life (Official Music Video)

Bon Jovi, the monster band that achieved worldwide success in the 1980s and is also known for its strong bond with Japanese fans.

While their signature songs are largely the massive hits released in the ’80s, the track that became a new anthem for them was It’s My Life, released in 2000.

Considering they only released two albums in the 1990s, this song could hardly be more fitting as a masterpiece to usher in a new phase of their career from the 2000s onward.

Built on tight rhythms and hard-edged guitar riffs, the instantly memorable melody line is nothing short of remarkable.

Its empowering lyrics make it a great cheer song even for junior high school students studying for entrance exams.

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Master of PuppetsMetallica

Metallica-Master Of Puppets (Lyrics)

A song by Metallica, a four-piece metal band with over 100 million albums sold worldwide.

The palm-muted guitar riff that runs throughout the track is played entirely with down-picking despite the fast tempo, creating a relentlessly thrilling sound.

At the start of the guitar solo, the mood shifts from the preceding intensity to a sorrowful arpeggio, then unfolds into a weeping twin-lead guitar solo—a structure rich in storytelling that epitomizes metal.

Since its release, it has become one of the indispensable classics in the history of metal.

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Hoshino Takashi

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HappyPharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams – Happy (Official Video)

Released in 2014, this funky, pop-infused masterpiece by Pharrell Williams became a global smash hit.

Beyond the brilliance of the song itself, its music video is indispensable to the story.

Billed as the world’s first 24-hour music video, the groundbreaking visual project drew major attention, and soon after, fan-made tribute videos of people dancing to the track popped up worldwide, further propelling its success.

It’s a hit that perfectly embodies the internet era.

By the way, you should also know that Pharrell Williams is first and foremost a renowned music producer who had already achieved global recognition since the 1990s through his work with groups like The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.

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