Moving Western songs recommended for junior high school students: world classics and popular hits

All of the StarsEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – All Of The Stars [Official Music Video]

This song, created as the ending theme for the film “The Fault in Our Stars,” is a love ballad about longing for a distant lover.

With the autumn sky so high, it’s only natural to feel the distance between you and the one far away.

Both the performance and the vocals make it an achingly poignant track.

Wake me up when September endsGreen Day

Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends [Official Music Video] [4K Upgrade]

The band Green Day, who sing this song, are from the United States, and the lyrics include the word “September.” In America, September marks the start of a new school year, and the music video for this song somehow evokes memories of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

There are various ways to interpret it, but the song’s content is about a boy’s feelings for his deceased father.

Falling ShortLåpsley

Låpsley – Falling Short (Official Audio)

It’s a song that stands out for its minimal sounds and an irresistibly captivating voice you won’t forget after a single listen.

As you enter junior high and your circle of friends grows, you’ll likely encounter new music as well.

This song is exactly the kind of encounter that feels right for that moment.

Experiences like these can have a lasting impact afterward.

Young BloodNoah Kahan

Noah Kahan – Young Blood

It’s a song where the acoustic guitar fits perfectly with the transparent, airy world of the vocals.

As we become adults, seeing something through takes a lot of courage, and there’s a constant anxiety that what we do might end up hurting someone.

When you’re in middle school or otherwise young, maybe there’s an energy that surpasses that anxiety—enough to invent or achieve something!

Gotta Be YouOne Direction

One Direction – Gotta Be You

It’s a One Direction number released in 2011.

In the music video, you can see the members looking fresh and still a bit innocent at the time.

It has a slow tempo and simple lyrics, making it easy enough to understand and likely helpful for junior high school English listening practice.