[2026] Best English-language wake-up songs recommended for junior high school students

What Makes You BeautifulOne Direction

One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful (Official Video)

A five-member unit with sweet looks that was born from a popular audition show.

Dubbed the “second coming of the Beatles,” they skyrocketed to explosive popularity.

Despite member departures, their popularity remains strong.

Known for their vocals, this is a track that can instantly lift your spirits with their wonderful singing—perfect for waking up to.

Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe

Carly Rae Jepsen, whose popularity has skyrocketed in Japan as well, is a Canadian singer adored by young women for her cute vocals.

Among her songs, this one, which captures the heart of a girl in love, is upbeat, easy to listen to, and the kind of track that energizes you from the morning.

Training SeasonDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Training Season (Official Music Video)

A great recommendation for middle schoolers who want to wake up to stylish Western pop from the morning is a track from Dua Lipa’s third album, “Radical Optimism.” Released in February 2024, the song features a disco beat, syncopated guitars, and shimmering synths.

The lyrics carry an empowered message—“I’m past the stage of teaching someone how to love me from scratch”—portraying a positive, self-respecting outlook on life.

With piano phrases reminiscent of ABBA and girl-group-style choruses, it has a feel-good groove that will get your body moving first thing in the morning.

It was also featured in a Porsche commercial and performed at the Grammys and the BRIT Awards, making it a standout track.

Perfect for boosting your energy before heading to school!

As It WasHarry Styles

Harry Styles – As It Was (Official Video)

Harry Styles, who rose to fame as a member of One Direction, has achieved worldwide success as a solo artist since the group went on hiatus.

A quintessential example of his work is this track from the album Harry’s House.

Released in April 2022, it topped the charts in more than 45 countries and set a record by holding the No.

1 spot on the Billboard chart for 15 weeks.

Blending synth-pop and new wave, its sound combines the nostalgia and sleekness of a classic from the 1980s, making it a perfect morning song.

greedyTate McRae

Tate McRae – greedy (Official Video)

Tate McRae, a Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer who’s gaining worldwide attention.

The lead single from her second album, Think Later, released in September 2023, is a female empowerment song about the importance of believing in yourself.

It embraces taking time to open up to someone as being “mysterious,” and delivers a bold message: “If you really want to know me, you’re the one who should be hungry.” The track became a viral hit, used in over 200,000 videos on TikTok, and reached No.

1 on the Billboard Global 200.

In a compact 2 minutes and 11 seconds, it packs dance-pop and R&B into an energizing number perfect for starting your day.