[University Students] Popular Western Music Rankings [By Generation]
We’re excited to present the latest top 100 ranking of popular Western songs among college students, all in order of most plays! It’s a rock-solid list packed with mega-hits featured in TV shows and commercials.
The playlist is updated every week.
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[College Students] Popular Western Music Rankings [By Generation] (51–60)
Symphony feat. Zara LarssonClean Bandit51rank/position
A tear-jerking love song from the hugely popular Clean Bandit.
Just reading the lyrics makes it seem like a beautiful love song, but the music video tells a heartbreaking story of a male couple where one partner is lost in a traffic accident.
Watching it together with the lyrics will bring you to tears.
I Feel It ComingThe Weeknd52rank/position
This track blends a soul-stirring vocal performance with a comfortable, infectious rhythm.
Its arrangement feels like it unleashes the emotions buried deep within, gripping the listener’s heart.
The lyrics, which sing of the premonition of love and of hope, help heal past wounds and give you the courage to take a step toward a new relationship.
Featured on The Weeknd’s third album, Starboy, this song was created in collaboration with Daft Punk.
Since its release in November 2016, it has continued to captivate many listeners.
It’s a perfect choice for you if you’re looking forward to new encounters and experiences in college life—plus, it might be a great conversation starter with friends.
bad guyBillie Eilish53rank/position
Billie Eilish, the breakout new artist everyone’s talking about.
Her popularity is soaring in Japan as well! This is her signature song, “bad guy.” Since it was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Shiro demo Kuro demo nai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau” (The World of Neither White Nor Black, the Panda Laughs), many people have probably heard it even if they don’t know her.
The catchy bassline and whispery vocals give it a very cool vibe, yet there’s something a bit comical about it too.
It’s a buzzworthy track, so you can’t go wrong adding it to your playlist!
Beat ItMichael Jackson54rank/position
When it comes to classic tracks for sports days, you can’t leave out Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” Its famously iconic guitar riff is instantly recognizable the moment you hear it.
The combination of an R&B-flavored drum machine beat with hard rock guitar sounds felt incredibly fresh and stirs up a fighting spirit.
Three legendary guitarists took part in this track, and the one most often talked about is Eddie Van Halen.
There’s even a story that the speakers caught fire while he was recording the guitar solo.
Quite literally, it’s a blazing, fiery track!
Play HardDavid Guetta55rank/position
They’re an artist whose work people might be split on, but their skill level is very high.
They’re also quite well-known.
Some people don’t become repeat listeners, but once you do, their music is so addictive that you can’t get away from it.
We Found LoveRihanna56rank/position
Despite sounding bright, this song actually doesn’t have a happy ending.
The lyrics are bittersweet, yet relatable once you understand them.
It portrays a girl who becomes so consumed by love that she loses sight of everything around her.
Still, it makes you think you might want to experience this kind of addictive love, too (lol).
Back in BlackAC/DC57rank/position
AC/DC is a high-pitched, shout-style band.
If I had to explain it in one phrase to someone who doesn’t know the band name, I’d say it’s the kind of music you often hear on “Soramimi Hour.” There might even be some lyrics that sound like funny mishearings somewhere in their songs.
FlowersMiley Cyrus58rank/position
American songstress Miley Cyrus rose to fame in the 2000s through Disney Channel’s hit series Hannah Montana and has continued to evolve as an artist, exploring a wide range of genres including pop, rock, R&B, and country.
Flowers, which she released in January 2023 as the lead single, is a precursor to her eighth album, Endless Summer Vacation.
It’s a moving message song about the importance of self-love, written after experiencing heartbreak and nearly losing herself, and then overcoming that period.
As one of the biggest international hits of 2023, your students have likely heard it somewhere.
Miley’s powerful vocals, memorable melody, and disco-tinged pop sound are sure to create maximum excitement at key moments in events like sports festivals and school field days.
Eye Of The TigerSurvivor59rank/position
Eye of the Tiger by the American rock band Survivor.
The guitar riff that goes “ja, jaa-ja-ja!” is incredibly striking.
The drums feel great too, and as you listen, your body naturally starts to move.
It’s still used as background music on TV and the like, so if you play it at a school sports day, there will probably be people who think, “I’ve heard this song before,” and get excited.
In particular, since it was the theme song for the movie Rocky III, it might sound especially nostalgic to parents’ generation!
Into YouAriana Grande60rank/position
A dance-pop track released in 2016 by American singer Ariana Grande.
It became a hit worldwide and was certified platinum in seven countries.
The desert-set music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis.