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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
1eastCOSMOSSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasu
COSMOSSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasuplay_arrow
A moving song that connects the universe and humanity
2eastBELIEVELyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi
BELIEVE Lyrics/Composition: Ryūichi Sugimotoplay_arrow
The power of songs that face forward, with hope and friendship
3eastpuffPeter, Paul & Mary
puffPeter, Paul & Maryplay_arrow
A moving tale of friendship between a dragon and a boy
4eastBorn 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
5eastMy Ballad
My Balladplay_arrow
The appeal of Takao Matsui’s signature song “My Ballad”
6eastCarrying YouInoue Azumi
Carrying YouInoue Azumiplay_arrow
The moving ending theme of Castle in the Sky (Laputa)
7eastthe 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.
8eastEdelweiss
Edelweissplay_arrow
A famous song that sings of the white flowers of the Alps
9eastOn the Day of Departure
On the Day of Departureplay_arrow
The untold story behind the creation of the graduation classic “Tabidachi no Hi ni”
10eastPlease give me wings
Please give me wingsplay_arrow
Give Me Wings, a timeless classic across generations
11eastSong of LifeManakana
Song of LifeManakanaplay_arrow
A heartwarming classic that sings about human connection
12eastAura 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
13eastMickey Mouse MarchLyrics/Composition: Jimmie Dodd
Mickey Mouse March Lyrics and Music: Jimmie Doddplay_arrow
Mickey Mouse’s beloved theme song
14eastGreen Green
Green Greenplay_arrow
A nostalgic song, a timeless classic loved by many.
15eastCountry RoadHon’na Yoko
Country RoadHon'na Yokoplay_arrow
The famous song “Country Roads” from a Studio Ghibli film
16eastLet’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
17eastI want to become the wind.THE BOOM
I want to become the wind.THE BOOMplay_arrow
Samba and Japan’s exhilarating summer classics
18eastEarth Star SongSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasu
Earth Star SongSakushi sakkyoku: Mimasuplay_arrow
A moving choral piece that sings of peace and nature
19eastPrincess MononokeMera Yoshikazu
Princess MononokeMera Yoshikazuplay_arrow
The moving, heartfelt theme songs from Hayao Miyazaki’s films
20eastrainbow
rainbowplay_arrow
The moving children’s song “Niji,” a masterpiece that touches the heart
21eastFlower of Thanks
Flower of Thanksplay_arrow
A song that conveys gratitude with the word “thank you.”
22eastThe 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.
23easthazy moonlit night
hazy moonlit nightplay_arrow
A song depicting a spring dusk scene with a field of rapeseed blossoms and the moon.
24easthometown
hometownplay_arrow
Nostalgic songs, unforgettable classics
25eastSpring 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.
26eastWish ~Believing in Dreams
Wish ~Believing in Dreamsplay_arrow
A choral piece that resonates in the heart, conveying dreams and hope
27eastLight of Fireflies
Light of Firefliesplay_arrow
A masterpiece that bids farewell, a melody that lingers in the heart
28eastTo 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
29eastWe 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
30eastRed sky at duskFurēberu Shōnen Gasshōdan
Red sky at duskFurēberu Shōnen Gasshōdanplay_arrow
Sunset glow, a Japanese mental image
31eastSummer has come
Summer has comeplay_arrow
Summer shoka 'Natsu wa Kinu,' a seasonally rich song full of emotion
32eastFlowers will bloom.
Flowers will bloom.play_arrow
A heartwarming song to encourage those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake
33eastMoon over the Ruined Castle
Moon over the Ruined Castleplay_arrow
Kojo no Tsuki is a masterpiece that changed the course of Japanese music history.
34eastI 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
35eastAux Champs-Élysées
Aux Champs-Élyséesplay_arrow
A song themed on a famous street in Paris
36eaststrollInoue Azumi
strollInoue Azumiplay_arrow
The theme of My Neighbor Totoro is the Japanese spirit.
37eastSugarcane field
Sugarcane fieldplay_arrow
Sugarcane fields are a song of peace and life.
38eastOrchestra of Life
Orchestra of Lifeplay_arrow
Expressing the beauty of nature and life through sound