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!

Playlist

Recommended Western music for junior high school students — from popular classics to the latest hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	All About That BassMeghan Trainor		Megan Trainor's debut single
2	Shape of YouEd Sheeran		Introducing the appeal of Ed Sheeran’s smash hit “Shape of You”
3	Just The Way You AreBruno Mars		Bruno Mars’s iconic debut single
4	Don’t Start NowDua Lipa		Dua Lipa’s song becomes a hit worldwide
5	Live While We’re YoungOne Direction		Introducing One Direction’s 2012 smash hits
6	She Looks So Perfect5 Seconds of Summer		The world debut song by a four-member Australian band
7	everything i wantedBillie Eilish		Billie Eilish’s success and song introduction
8	I was born to love youQueen		The band rearranges Freddie’s solo song
9	thank u, nextAriana Grande		Ariana Grande’s breakup song
10	Welcome To The Black ParadeMy Chemical Romance		Introducing My Chem’s signature songs released in 2006
11	Sunday MorningMaroon 5		Maroon 5’s debut song is popular in Japan as well.
12	Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen		Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen
13	Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana		The allure of Nirvana’s historic masterpiece
14	WonderwallOasis		Oasis is a legendary band with a huge influence.
15	American IdiotGreen Day		Green Day’s masterpiece album “American Idiot”
16	NumbLinkin Park		Linkin Park is an attractive band
17	Ain’t It FunParamore		Paramore's Grammy-winning song
18	It’s my lifeBon Jovi		Bon Jovi’s new anthem song from 2000
19	HappyPharrell Williams		Pharrell Williams’s 2014 smash hit
20	Master of PuppetsMetallica		A classic Metallica song. It features a guitar riff that relentlessly drives with down-picking.
21	Mystical MagicalBenson Boone		Innovative pop rock that samples classic tracks
22	Uptown FunkMark Ronson		Mark Ronson, Uptown Funk success
23	Count on MeBruno Mars		A heartwarming song about the importance of bonds with friends
24	Try EverythingShakira		Positive vibes from Shakira’s Zootopia theme song
25	Stay With MeSam Smith		Sam Smith releases a hit song
26	If I Were a BoyBeyoncé		Beyoncé’s famous sing
27	Santa Tell MeAriana Grande		Ariana’s Christmas song sings of love
28	The Lazy SongBruno Mars		Expressing a lazy mood with a Bruno Mars song
29	This Is MeThe Greatest Showman Cast		An anthem that encourages you to proudly be yourself just as you are
30	ChandelierSia		Sia’s signature song “Chandelier” became a worldwide hit
31	Can’t Feel My FaceThe Weeknd		Hit songs by The Weeknd
32	MotherMeghan Trainor		Doo-wop-style Meghan Trainor classic
33	One TimeLuis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber		A beaver achieves huge success from YouTube
34	ImmortalsFall Out Boy		A rock song by Fall Out Boy
35	I Kissed A GirlKaty Perry		Katy Perry’s signature song “I Kissed a Girl”
36	ApologizeOneRepublic		OneRepublic debuted in 2007.
37	Get the Party StartedP!nk		P!nk's 2001 hit single
38	Out Of The WoodsTaylor Swift		Taylor Swift's signature songs
39	High HopesPanic! At The Disco		Anthem of Panic! At The Disco
40	Whatcha SayJason Derulo		Jason Derulo's debut single is a big hit
41	CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!Justin Timberlake		Energize yourself with bright, rhythm-filled music.
42	Favorite SongToosii		Toosii’s “Favorite Song” is popular.
43	EspressoSabrina Carpenter		Sabrina’s smash hit expresses confidence and charm
44	APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars		A collaboration song born from a Korean drinking game
45	Please Please PleaseSabrina Carpenter		Sabrina sings about the struggles of love
46	BAILAR CONTIGOBlack Eyed Peas, Daddy Yankee		A reggaeton song by the Black Eyed Peas
47	Teeth5 Seconds of Summer		5SOS's new song: a sense of speed and dynamism
48	Walk This WayAerosmith		Aerosmith is a famous rock band.
49	Dangerous WomanAriana Grande		Ariana won a single in 2016
50	Hello KittyAvril Lavigne		Avril Lavigne Japanese-language song
51	Fix YouColdplay		Coldplay's signature song, Fix You
52	I See FireEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran's "I See Fire" Hobbit theme song
53	Green Green GrassGeorge Ezra		George Ezra’s feel-good anthem about enjoying life
54	The Edge Of GloryLady Gaga		Lady Gaga's 2011 single
55	If We Ever Broke UpMae Stephens		Mae Stephens' song is going viral on TikTok
56	Harder To BreatheMaroon 5		Maroon 5 won a Grammy Award.
57	Dani CaliforniaRed Hot Chili Peppers		Red Hot Chili Peppers' 2006 single
58	Part-Time LoverStevie Wonder		Signature songs of Stevie Wonder
59	Work from HomeFifth Harmony		Fifth Harmony’s smash hit
60	Cry Me A RiverJustin Tinberlake		Timberlake thrives with hit songs
61	UmbrellaRihanna		Rihanna’s smash hit song “Umbrella”
62	Lush LifeZara Larsson		Swedish singer, Lush Life
63	PILLOWTALKZAYN		Zayn succeeds with his solo debut after leaving One Direction