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

One million “I love you”sRake

Rake "One Million Times 'I Love You'"

Rake’s “1,000,000 Times I Love You” has also been featured in commercials, and it’s a song written from a male perspective that expresses straightforward feelings for a woman.

The melody is very refreshing, and the subtle hint of a Western pop vibe gives it a stylish touch.

OH!SHISHAMO

SHISHAMO「OH！」

A youthful rock number that delivers a powerful message: give everything you’ve got in this very moment! It’s a song by SHISHAMO, a three-piece girls’ band from Kanagawa, released as a single in 2019.

It was featured in a commercial for Lotte’s ice cream “Sou,” which made it a hot topic.

Perhaps thanks to the unadorned, straightforward sound and vocals, the feelings woven into the lyrics seem to hit you directly in the chest.

Perfect for when you want to crank up your energy.

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Araki Jakkan

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jabbermuque

jabber

This song vividly portrays the small moments of everyday life.

The lyrics, packed with memories from student days, blend nostalgia and fragility in a delicate balance.

The beat, influenced by UK garage and Miami bass, pairs strikingly with the subtle harmony of acoustic guitar.

Released digitally in September 2024, it’s included on the album “Dungeon,” and was selected for FM802’s Heavy Rotation for September.

Recommended for those who want to feel suspended between reality and dreams, or to sense the fleeting nature of youth.

It’s a track that showcases muque’s flexible musicality to the fullest.

POISONSorimachi Takashi

Poison -Iitai Kotomo Ienai Konna Yononakawa-

GTO is the quintessential coming-of-age drama everyone knows.

Its theme song, POISON, sung by actor Takashi Sorimachi, has powerful, straightforward lyrics that really hit home.

Later, GTO was remade with EXILE’s Akira in the lead role, and both versions were absolutely fantastic!

All or NothingB’z

B'z / Ichibu to Zenbu

“Ichibu to Zenbu” became a hit as the theme song for Buzzer Beat, starring Tomohisa Yamashita and Keiko Kitagawa.

As someone who has played basketball myself, I really enjoyed watching it, including the story.

Above all, the compatibility between the drama and the theme song was outstanding!

GarnetOku Hanako

Garnet

This is the theme song of the animated film “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” a track where Hanako Oku’s vocals resonate deeply with the heart.

It captures the sparkle of days gone by and an unchanging feeling for someone precious—listening to it might just make your heart ache a little.

Released as a single in July 2006, it further heightened the film’s emotional impact.

Try listening to it on a summer evening when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood or when you’re remembering old friends.

It’s a song that will surely stay gently by your side.

Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako

Unchanging Things

This is a piece with a beautiful piano melody, perfect for those summer evenings when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood.

Through the lyrics—almost as if a character in a film were speaking directly to you—feelings of nostalgia for irreplaceable days gone by and a deep, unwavering affection for someone precious, unchanged by time, come straight through via Hanako Oku’s clear, translucent voice.

If you’ve ever had those sudden moments when a memory rushes back and your chest tightens, this will really resonate.

The song is included on the single “Garnet,” released in July 2006, and can also be heard on the album “TIME NOTE,” released in March 2007.

It is also known for coloring some of the most moving scenes as an insert song in the feature-length animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

It’s a work I hope you’ll experience at least once in a summer filled with youthful memories—friendship, first love, and more.