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

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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Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe

Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian singer-songwriter.

In Japan, she’s a popular figure with name recognition on par with fellow Canadian artist Avril Lavigne.

Her signature song—and the one that sparked her breakthrough—was Call Me Maybe, released in 2012.

It’s a tightly crafted, danceable pop tune with a simple yet irresistibly catchy melody that became a worldwide hit.

The lyrics depict the sweet, bittersweet feelings of teenage love, and anyone of that generation who’s felt the same way will surely relate.

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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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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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American IdiotGreen Day

Green Day – American Idiot [Official Music Video] [4K Upgrade]

Since their formation in 1987, Green Day—the ultimate trio that has constantly stirred up the music scene without ever riding fleeting trends—has continued to achieve major commercial success over a career spanning more than 30 years.

Their sound is popular across generations, but it has a particular allure that captivates younger listeners in any era.

Among the many signature and classic tracks they’ve produced, the 2004 album American Idiot and its title track marked the beginning of a new golden era for Green Day.

The album sold an astonishing 15 million copies worldwide and was highly acclaimed as a conceptual punk opera.

Be sure to enjoy it with an eye to the meaning embedded in the lyrics.

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