Relive those feelings from back in the day! Youth anthems recommended for the Yutori generation
For those from the so-called “Yutori Generation,” likely born around 1987 to 2004, their youth probably spans from about 2002 to 2019.
Music we listened to during our formative years has that mysterious power to pull us right back to that time, no matter how much time passes.
So this time, we’ve compiled a list of classic youth anthems recommended for the Yutori Generation.
From universally known hits to hidden gems, we’ll cover a wide range—so don’t miss it!
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Relive Those Feelings from Back Then! Recommended Youth Songs for the Yutori Generation (41–50)
Summer Colorsyuzu
This is an ode to youth that vividly captures the image of young people speeding down a hill on their bicycles.
Released in 1998, this song brought a fresh breeze to the music scene as Yuzu’s major-label debut single.
Featuring the refreshing sound of acoustic guitars and the crisp harmonies of Yujin Kitagawa and Koji Iwasawa, it was included on the album “Yuzu Ikka” and later used in 2017 as the theme song for Lotte’s “Sou” commercial.
Its lyrics, filled with summer memories and the bittersweetness of first love, gently portray a moment of youth that everyone can relate to.
The song is still used as the approach melody at Keikyu Kami-Ōoka Station, and has become a seasonal fixture woven into the fabric of the city—a quintessential summer track.
It’s perfect for the time of year when the start of summer is in the air, or when you want to look back on memories with someone special.
1000 daysnozomi
Released in April 2025 with its music video following in August, this track layers a passionate melody over a pop-tinged guitar rock sound.
Its lyrics—singing of the bittersweet emotions born from roughly a thousand intense days of high school life and a cheer for the future—are likely to resonate with many listeners.
It’s an emotional power song that embraces the feeling of cherishing days gone by.
Teenager ForeverKing Gnu
A powerful anthem that brilliantly captures the radiance and restlessness of youth.
Its driving melody, carried by a brisk rhythm, stirs the heart, and the determination to keep moving forward despite the anxieties and impatience of being young is deeply moving.
Featured on the album “CEREMONY,” this track was used in January 2020 as the commercial song for Sony’s WF-1000XM3 true wireless earbuds, with King Gnu’s distinctively original sound drawing wide attention.
The deftly interwoven piano and guitar arrangement vividly conveys the urgency and inner conflicts of people living in a time-pressed modern world.
It’s the perfect song for moments when you need a push—during morning commutes, on the way to school, or when racing to meet a deadline.
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
A gem of a love song delivered with a breezy melody that seems to float through the air and a voice brimming with vitality.
It weaves the wavering feelings unique to youth—where anxiety and expectation mingle—into a warm sound that gently embraces the heart.
Spitz’s eighth single, released in April 1994 and included on the album “How to Fly in the Sky,” later drew major attention when it was chosen as the theme song for the 1996 drama “Hakusen Nagashi.” Tenderly sung with poetic expression, capturing pure love and aching longing, this piece deeply resonates with young people struggling with romance and continues to shine just as brightly today.
When you want to connect heart-to-heart with someone special, this song will gently give you a push.
Why do we run?Nogizaka 46
This is a song by Nogizaka46 that vividly captures the dazzling glow of youth—being driven by something for no reason at all.
In response to the question of why we run and sweat, the lyrics boldly declare, “There’s no meaning,” embodying that uniquely youthful impulse where the body moves before the mind can think.
Perhaps it’s precisely because it’s sung by the 6th generation, the group’s next wave, that the words carry a genuine, unfeigned radiance.
Included on the single “Same numbers,” released in July 2025, this track is a youth pop anthem that blends coolness with an emotional resonance.
snowdropConton Candy
Set to a fast-paced, exhilarating rock sound, this Conton Candy track gives voice to the complex emotions unique to adolescence.
Written as the opening theme for the TV anime Rascal Does Not Dream of a Santa Claus, it builds on the keyword “Adolescence Syndrome” to vividly portray the protagonists’ wavering hearts.
It’s a song of encouragement that pushes you forward—struggling through imperfect realities yet still trying to face ahead.
Perfect for immersing yourself in the anime’s world, and just right for the moments you need courage.
WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Start a Movement~H Jungle with T
It’s a compelling song that embodies the strength of its time and carries a timeless, universal message.
The single released in February 1995 by H Jungle with t, the unit formed by Masatoshi Hamada and Tetsuya Komuro, became a massive hit, selling over 2.13 million copies.
Filled with empathy and encouragement for people living in an era of stagnation, the piece is infused throughout with the will to keep looking forward and moving ahead even in difficult circumstances.
Amid hectic days and moments of confusion, it conveys a powerful desire to seek change, rally oneself, and take a step forward together with friends.
It’s a heartfelt anthem that gently supports those who feel worn out by society or who want to change something, resonating deeply as a song of encouragement.