[University Students] Popular Songs Ranking by Generation [2026]

Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN1rank/position

I tried dancing 'Sugar Song and Bitter Step' in front of the Eiffel Tower

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN is a rock band known for their overwhelming vocals and high-level musicianship.

Their 2015 release Sugar Song and Bitter Step is a danceable track packed with colorful charm.

The moment you hear the light, upbeat guitar in the intro, you can’t help but want to start stepping.

The refreshing melody line that unfolds with a rhythmic tempo also resonates with the heart.

It’s an uptempo tune that works both with technical choreography and beginner-friendly arrangements—perfect for livening up culture festivals and school festivals!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mutō

Report a problem

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE2rank/position

[Lilac] Mrs. GREEN APPLE 'Flag & Easy Dance' — A simple arrangement dance you can perform at sports festivals and recitals!

A heartwarming cheer song by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE that gently embraces the youthful days where hope and anxiety coexist.

While tenderly acknowledging the loneliness and inner struggles we carry as time passes, it conveys the message: “Cherish yourself just as you are.” Released in April 2024 as the opening theme for the anime “Oblivion Battery” (Bokyaku Battery), it won the Grand Prize at the 66th Japan Record Awards.

Singing of unforgettable memories and bonds with cherished people, this song is perfect for group performances at school sports festivals and field days.

It fosters unity among students and helps create unforgettable moments.

Planet LoopNayutan Seijin3rank/position

[Reversed & Back View ver.] Planet Loop - I Tried Dancing [Yuno] dance/practice use

An irresistibly catchy and cute tune, ‘Planet Loop.’ It’s a track by NayutalieN, a Vocaloid producer also known for providing songs like ‘Meteo’ and ‘Gingira Galaxy.’ With a poppy, refreshing melody that makes your body start moving just by listening, and gentle choreography that kids and adults alike can dance to, it’s a recommended pick for anyone looking for an easy dance number.

There are plenty of dance cover videos, so you can practice thoroughly while watching.

It’s also hugely popular among the Vocaloid generation!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN4rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

BUMP OF CHICKEN’s signature song “Tentai Kansoku” (Stargazing).

Watching this music video reminds me of how I used to look up at the sky over and over with the telescope we had at home, almost every night.

Even though it’s a song from the very beginning of the 21st century, it’s a timeless classic!

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE5rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Blue and Summer

It’s a refreshing rock number packed with the brilliance and wistfulness of summer.

While it portrays anxieties about friendships and romance, the song overflows with a positive belief in human connections.

Released in August 2018 as the theme song for the film “A Blue Summer: 30 Days of You,” Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s seventh single surpassed 500 million streams in January 2024.

It was also performed at the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in December 2024, generating major buzz.

Filled with summer-specific imagery and a desire to cherish every moment of youth, it’s guaranteed to unite and electrify the entire venue if performed at a school festival.

Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya6rank/position

Where Our Blue Is / Tatsuya Kitani

Tatsuya Kitani’s song “Ao no Sumika” captivates with a beautiful, heart‑stirring melody that feels like a snapshot of a fleeting moment in youth.

Released in July 2023, it drew attention as the opening theme for the second season of the anime Jujutsu Kaisen.

The lyrics, which portray lost time and feelings that never reached their destination, resonate deeply with listeners.

Its sense of speed and drive makes it perfect for school sports days and athletic festivals.

It’s a track I especially recommend to those who are right in the midst of their youth.

From Me to Youflumpool7rank/position

flumpool “Kimi ni Todoke” Music Video

Here’s a song that will make those precious moments of school life even more moving and dramatic! It’s “Kimi ni Todoke” by the rock band flumpool.

With its dynamic, dramatic progression, it’s a deeply touching track that perfectly matches the heart-pounding excitement of a school festival, when it feels like something is about to happen.

Combined with the music video shot on a school campus, it’s perfect for a day that feels like a page out of your youth.

Overlaying that scenery with this song will make everything feel many times more dramatic.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Murakami Shinpei

Report a problem