Classic songs for musical chairs. A carefully curated selection of easy-to-walk-to, crowd-pleasing tracks.
Musical Chairs—haven’t you all played it at least once?In this article, we’ll introduce songs that are perfect to play during a game of musical chairs.When you play, you may wonder what kind of music makes it easy to walk and gets everyone excited.So we’ve picked a wide range of recommendations—from classics like “Oklahoma Mixer” and “Mayim Mayim,” to popular children’s songs, dance tracks, and J-pop that everyone knows.If you’re looking for tracks to use for recreational activities, be sure to check these out.
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Classic songs for musical chairs: a carefully curated selection of easy-to-walk, crowd-pleasing tracks (11–20)
lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE
A hit song by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE propelled by exhilarating guitar sounds.
While portraying the glow and bittersweetness of youth, it delivers a message that resonates—let’s love even our imperfect selves.
Its fast BPM and buoyant rhythm are perfect for keeping a brisk pace in musical chairs, instantly brightening the atmosphere.
Released in April 2024, the track was chosen as the opening theme for the anime “Oblivion Battery.” It also drew attention for winning the 66th Japan Record Awards, marking the band’s first-ever back-to-back victory.
Technical guitar phrases layered with Motoki Omori’s soaring vocals make this a surefire mood-lifter that will get any listener fired up.
GeGeGe no KitaroHikawa Kiyoshi
This song, GeGeGe no Kitaro, has long been beloved as the opening theme of the nationally cherished anime GeGeGe no Kitaro.
In the sixth series, which aired from April 2018, the “prince of enka,” Kiyoshi Hikawa, took on vocal duties.
Arranged by Kohei Tanaka, the piece—paired with Hikawa’s clear, soaring voice—achieves a wonderfully bewitching finish.
Released as a single CD in October 2018, could there be a track more perfect as BGM for a game of musical chairs? Its melody, which anyone can hum along to, is sure to be enjoyed across generations.
With a comfortable walking tempo, it will undoubtedly make recreation time even more exciting!
Mysterious PocketSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru
A delightful children’s song filled with a wish so magical it seems like a spell: every time you pat your pocket, the sweets keep increasing.
Since its publication in a magazine in September 1954, this piece has been beloved for many years.
Its simple melody and lively rhythm are easy to match with your walking pace, and is there any number that hypes up a game of musical chairs more than this? It’s a classic that has long been cherished.
A famous song by Michio Mado and Shigeru Watanabe that everyone knows, it can be enjoyed by both adults and children.
Surely many of you have actually tried patting your pockets yourselves.
strollInoue Azumi
Sampo,” with its parade-like melody, encourages an easy walking pace for musical chairs.
The song is sung by Azumi Inoue and is famous as the opening theme of the 1988 film “My Neighbor Totoro.” Even people who haven’t watched many Ghibli films probably know this tune.
Its powerful performance and the energetic “Okay, let’s go!” make it a great pick to play during musical chairs, especially when little kids are joining in.
Just be careful not to get so absorbed in the music that you forget to sit when it stops!
U.S.A.DA PUMP
“U.S.A.” is the hit song that drew renewed attention to DA PUMP after they restarted with a new lineup formed by members from Okinawa Prefecture.
It actually has an original version—the song was originally a single by Italian singer Joe Yellow.
It’s a dance number that incorporates Eurobeat, and the “Ii ne” dance and “Invader” dance that appear in the song became a social phenomenon! It’s a track that naturally gets both adults and kids moving and excited, so it’s also a great recommendation for background music for musical chairs.
Mickey Mouse MarchDizunī
The Disney song everyone knows, “Mickey Mouse March.” I’m sure people all over the world loved Mickey Mouse when they were kids.
That’s because this song was first used as the opening theme for the children’s TV program “The Mickey Mouse Club,” which aired on America’s ABC from 1955 to 1960.
Since then, it’s become Mickey Mouse’s theme song.
Above all, the march tempo of this tune lifts your spirits.
I bet even little kids playing musical chairs for the first time will stop crying and start happily walking and playing as soon as this song starts playing!
Classic songs for musical chairs: a carefully selected list of easy-to-walk, crowd-pleasing tracks (21–30)
DynamiteBTS
“Dynamite” is perfect as BGM for a grown-ups’ game of musical chairs.
Released by BTS in 2020, the single was a massive hit, topping the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks.
Its uptempo vibe will get your body moving, making it an ideal track to play during the game.
It’s fun not only to walk, but to add a little dance to your steps like BTS while you circle the chairs.
Give it a try at your adults-only party!