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[Elementary School Music] List of Popular and Nostalgic Songs That Have Appeared in Textbooks

Do you remember the songs you sang in elementary school music class or the pieces you played on the recorder?

Songs learned in childhood are deeply engraved in our memories, and sometimes a fragment of the melody pops into your head out of the blue.

In this article, we’ll introduce songs that were featured in elementary school textbooks, as well as pieces that are still included today.

From nostalgic children’s songs to recent J-pop, the genres are diverse.

Of course, you can simply listen and reminisce, but it’s also great to listen with family or friends and let the conversation bloom with memories!

Playlist

[Elementary School Music] List of Popular and Nostalgic Songs That Have Appeared in Textbooks
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1COSMOSSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasu
COSMOSSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasuplay_arrow
A moving song that connects the universe and humanity
2BELIEVELyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi
BELIEVE Lyrics/Composition: Ryūichi Sugimotoplay_arrow
The power of songs that face forward, with hope and friendship
3puffPeter, Paul & Mary
puffPeter, Paul & Maryplay_arrow
A moving tale of friendship between a dragon and a boy
4Born on this planetLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi
Born on this planet Lyrics & Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichiplay_arrow
A cheer song of hope and courage, conveying the joy of living
5My Ballad
My Balladplay_arrow
The appeal of Takao Matsui’s signature song “My Ballad”
6the world of dreamssakushi: furō akiko / sakkyoku: hashimoto shōji
the world of dreamssakushi: furō akiko / sakkyoku: hashimoto shōjiplay_arrow
A heartwarming song—an inspiring piece that portrays friendship and dreams.
7Carrying YouInoue Azumi
Carrying YouInoue Azumiplay_arrow
The moving ending theme of Castle in the Sky (Laputa)
8Please give me wings
Please give me wingsplay_arrow
Give Me Wings, a timeless classic across generations
9On the Day of Departure
On the Day of Departureplay_arrow
The untold story behind the creation of the graduation classic “Tabidachi no Hi ni”
10Edelweiss
Edelweissplay_arrow
A famous song that sings of the white flowers of the Alps
11Song of LifeManakana
Song of LifeManakanaplay_arrow
A heartwarming classic that sings about human connection
12Aura Leesakushi: W. W. Fosdick/sakkyoku: George R. Poulton
Aura Leesakushi: W. W. Fosdick/sakkyoku: George R. Poultonplay_arrow
The Appeal and Universality of American Popular Songs
13Mickey Mouse MarchLyrics/Composition: Jimmie Dodd
Mickey Mouse March Lyrics and Music: Jimmie Doddplay_arrow
Mickey Mouse’s beloved theme song
14Green Green
Green Greenplay_arrow
A nostalgic song, a timeless classic loved by many.
15Country RoadHon’na Yoko
Country RoadHon'na Yokoplay_arrow
The famous song “Country Roads” from a Studio Ghibli film
16Let’s dance in a circle (Wasshoi)V6
Let's dance in a circle (Wasshoi)V6play_arrow
A classic V6 song you can dance to with a smile
17I want to become the wind.THE BOOM
I want to become the wind.THE BOOMplay_arrow
Samba and Japan’s exhilarating summer classics
18Earth Star SongSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasu
Earth Star SongSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasuplay_arrow
A moving choral piece that sings of peace and nature
19Princess MononokeMera Yoshikazu
Princess MononokeMera Yoshikazuplay_arrow
The moving, heartfelt theme songs from Hayao Miyazaki’s films
20rainbow
rainbowplay_arrow
The moving children’s song “Niji,” a masterpiece that touches the heart
21The day called tomorrowSakushi: Yamamoto Yoko / Sakkyoku: Yagisawa Satoshi
The day called tomorrowSakushi: Yamamoto Yoko / Sakkyoku: Yagisawa Satoshiplay_arrow
A moving work in which a song of hope heals people's hearts.
22Flower of Thanks
Flower of Thanksplay_arrow
A song that conveys gratitude with the word “thank you.”
23Wish ~Believing in Dreams
Wish ~Believing in Dreamsplay_arrow
A choral piece that resonates in the heart, conveying dreams and hope
24hometown
hometownplay_arrow
Nostalgic songs, unforgettable classics
25hazy moonlit night
hazy moonlit nightplay_arrow
A song depicting a spring dusk scene with a field of rapeseed blossoms and the moon.
26To the Sun in the Palm of Your Hand
To the Sun in the Palm of Your Handplay_arrow
Memories of Elementary School Singing Time and Music
27Red sky at duskFurēberu Shōnen Gasshōdan
Red sky at duskFurēberu Shōnen Gasshōdanplay_arrow
Sunset glow, a Japanese mental image
28Summer has come
Summer has comeplay_arrow
Summer shoka 'Natsu wa Kinu,' a seasonally rich song full of emotion
29Spring MeadowSakushi: Sakata Hiroo Sakkyoku: Ichikawa Toshiharu
Spring MeadowSakushi: Sakata Hiroo Sakkyoku: Ichikawa Toshiharuplay_arrow
A children's song about a spring pasture where foals gallop.
30Flowers will bloom.
Flowers will bloom.play_arrow
A heartwarming song to encourage those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake
31Light of Fireflies
Light of Firefliesplay_arrow
A masterpiece that bids farewell, a melody that lingers in the heart
32Aux Champs-Élysées
Aux Champs-Élyséesplay_arrow
A song themed on a famous street in Paris
33I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyuplay_arrow
Kyu Sakamoto’s classic song “Ue o Muite Arukou,” hope and courage
34We Look Up to You with Respect
We Look Up to You with Respectplay_arrow
A song that sings of gratitude to teachers and memories of school
35Orchestra of Life
Orchestra of Lifeplay_arrow
Expressing the beauty of nature and life through sound
36Moon over the Ruined Castle
Moon over the Ruined Castleplay_arrow
Kojo no Tsuki is a masterpiece that changed the course of Japanese music history.
37strollInoue Azumi
strollInoue Azumiplay_arrow
The theme of My Neighbor Totoro is the Japanese spirit.
38Sugarcane field
Sugarcane fieldplay_arrow
Sugarcane fields are a song of peace and life.