[Clubs, Friendship, Romance] Youth songs middle schoolers should listen to

GRADUATIONSBACK-ON

GRADUATIONS (Theme song for V-Cinext 'Kamen Rider Gotchard GRADUATIONS')

This is a song that gently encourages you as you say goodbye to close friends and take a step onto a new path.

Holding the memories of precious friends you spent time with, it captures the wavering feelings of young people heading toward their respective futures through an emotional melody and powerful guitar sound.

The track serves as the theme song for “Kamen Rider Gotchard GRADUATIONS,” released by BACK-ON in February 2025, and stands as a supportive anthem that stays close to the major life turning point of graduation.

It blends seamlessly with the worldview of the V-Cinext production, further heightening the work’s emotional impact.

It’s a perfect song for the grand finale of a school or cultural festival and for making memories with friends.

While feeling the importance of friendship and bonds, this song gives you the courage to take your first steps toward the future.

The sun in your heartMACK JACK

MACK JACK – Sun in My Heart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

MACK JACK is a four-member music group that traveled to Jamaica to experience authentic reggae and forged their current style.

Their track “Sun in the Heart,” released digitally on July 1, 2022, was selected as a support song for the regional tournaments of the 104th National High School Baseball Championship.

With all members being former high school ballplayers, it’s no wonder the passionate lyrics deliver a powerful push alongside a positive message.

It’s a breezy reggae tune with a warm melody—an uplifting number that lets you face your youth with a forward-looking spirit.

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Hoshino Takashi

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TokimekiVaundy

Youth Bingo | Vaundy × DOCOMO Youth Discount Graduation Celebration Movie

Vaundy, who enjoys tremendous support even among teens—have you listened to his song “Tokimeki”? It was originally written as a song for a car commercial.

However, since it was also used in a Docomo Seishun-wari (Youth Discount) short film, it’s beloved as a youth anthem as well.

The lyrics delve into positive emotions like “moving moments” and “laughter,” making it perfect for looking back on fun memories from your school days.

Be sure to check out both the short film and the full-length track.

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yamamoto

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In that casemakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Empitsu "Saraba" Music Video

It’s a love song that beautifully captures fresh memories of youth and the aching pain of unrequited love.

Created by Macaroni Enpitsu, the piece portrays unreturned feelings and longing for someone from a warm, gentle perspective.

Its sweet, wistful vocals and melodious sound tenderly embrace the complexities of being in love.

Released in January 2025, it serves as the opening theme for the second cour of the TV anime Ao no Hako.

Seamlessly harmonizing with the anime’s worldview, it succeeds in expressing the vivid emotions of youth through music.

This heartwarming track resonates deeply not only with those currently in love but also with anyone who recalls a past romance.

Cherry Blossom MoonSakurazaka46

Sakurazaka46 'Sakuzuki'

A single released by Sakurazaka46 in February 2023, themed around youthful farewells and new encounters, with a poignant love depicted through the imagery of cherry blossoms that tugs at the heart.

The delicate feeling of “being unable to tell you how I feel” is entrusted to the falling blossoms, while the protagonist’s resolve to live as beautifully as a full-bloom sakura is expressed through a fleeting yet powerful melody.

In their fifth single, second-generation member Rena Moriya serves as center for the first time, and the members’ expressively nuanced performance is a major draw.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear in the spring season of partings—one that encourages young people heading into new lives, such as through transferring schools or moving on to higher education.

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Mela!' Music Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Mela!

This song powerfully portrays the protagonist’s determination to carve out a new path while staying true to themselves.

Even as they face challenges, their courage to help others and their desire to become a hero come through vividly alongside energetic music.

Included on Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s album “SINGALONG,” released in June 2020, the track stands out for its strong melody and an upbeat style that blends pop and rock.

It was featured in the commercial song for Dariya’s “Palty Coloring,” and was also used in a JRA (Japan Racing Association) commercial in 2025.

It’s a song that gives junior high school students stepping into new environments the courage to believe in their potential and the energy to look ahead.

Unrequited lovemiwa

miwa 'Unrequited Love'

When you have a crush, it can feel so heartbreaking, right? You want them to look only at you, but you don’t feel like you’re in any position to say that.

Even when you try to express your feelings, you just can’t, and end up watching from afar.

I think this song captures that bittersweet, youthful kind of love.

The lyrics are a bit mature, but I’m sure there are plenty of parts students can relate to.