[High School Students] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE57rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

An encouraging anthem that gently stays by your side and gives you a push forward, dedicated to everyone who feels anxiety and uncertainty in the midst of youth.

With Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s signature emotional, catchy melodies and lyrics rich with messages that boost self-esteem, it resonates deeply.

Released in January 2025, the song was written for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.

GREEN APPLE 18-sai Matsuri” and featured a special performance alongside 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation.

Play it as the finale of a sports day or school athletic festival, and you’re sure to end on a moving, memorable note!

Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi58rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Horse and Deer

A heartwarming song by Kenshi Yonezu that gives a boost to the spirit of doing your best at sports days and athletic festivals.

It’s included on the acclaimed album STRAY SHEEP, released in August 2020.

The lyrics, which use the metaphor of a horse and a deer to portray the importance of holding on to sincere feelings even when you’re awkward, leave a strong impression.

Created amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the piece reflects Yonezu’s search for his role in a chaotic situation.

Singing of a resilient heart that strives to rise even when it’s on the verge of breaking, this song will gently encourage everyone working hard in practice and on the big day.

Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro59rank/position

Motohiro Hata / Promise of a Sunflower (Short Ver.)

One of Motohiro Hata’s signature songs, “Himawari no Yakusoku” (Promise of a Sunflower).

Released as a single in 2014, it served as the theme song for the film “STAND BY ME Doraemon,” and is a track loved by people of all ages.

It’s a moving ballad and a popular friendship song—one that will likely captivate everyone if you sing it at karaoke.

Hata’s songs can be quite difficult and you may find some notes hard to reach, but lowering the key a bit makes it feel just right and makes the chorus easier to sing.

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utatane

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StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE60rank/position

Usable for sports day! Mrs. GREEN APPLE “StaRt” easy dance choreography ♪ #SportsDay #PEdance #MrsGreenApple

This is a song by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE that captured many hearts with its exhilarating pop-rock sound and uplifting message.

It was included on their major-label debut mini-album “Variety,” released in July 2015, and was also featured in a Kao Merit commercial in 2017.

Riding an up-tempo rhythm, the song celebrates the small joys hidden in everyday life and the courage to take on new challenges.

Brimming with youthful performance and a pleasant, positive energy, it’s a perfect track for school festivals or sports day dance routines.

proofflumpool61rank/position

flumpool “Akashi (A Spring Breath ver.)” ‘ROOF PLAN ~Acoustic in Billboard Live~’ 2021.12.31 Billboard Live

It seems this was the set piece for the 2011 (78th) NHK All-Japan School Music Competition, Junior High Division! The vocal range is quite wide, from A2 to C5.

The falsetto parts appear in the chorus.

The melody line is easy to follow, building nicely through a verse (A), pre-chorus (B), chorus, and final chorus.

First, the A section sits quite low, so be careful not to overuse your throat there.

If you watch choirs or singers’ facial expressions, you’ll notice their eyebrows and facial muscles are lifted quite a bit.

Simply lifting your facial muscles like this helps open the throat and makes singing a bit easier.

It also helps you transition smoothly from chest voice to falsetto.

In addition, make sure to fully support and release your breath on the high falsetto notes.

Aiming your voice straight up toward the top of your head makes falsetto easier to produce.

With just a small shift in awareness, the song becomes much easier to sing—give it a try!

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Kubota Mami

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Blue Springback number62rank/position

back number – Aoi Haru (full)

This rock number by back number is characterized by its strummed guitars and exhilarating, fast-paced sound.

While wrestling with one’s own shortcomings, the down-to-earth message of desperately trying to keep looking forward carries a heat that can ignite the listener’s heart.

Released in November 2012 as the band’s seventh single, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “High School Entrance Exam” starring Masami Nagasawa, and also drew attention as the band’s first self-produced work.

For high school students feeling the pressure of daily studies and club activities, why not turn to this song when you hit a wall and use it as strength to push through? It’s sure to rouse a discouraged heart.

From Me to Youflumpool63rank/position

flumpool “Kimi ni Todoke” Music Video

A classic flumpool song that captures the sweet and bittersweet feelings of youthful love.

Released in September 2010, it was chosen as the theme song for the popular film “Kimi ni Todoke,” starring Mikako Tabe.

It resonates with the desire to convey your feelings straightforwardly to someone important.

The chorus line “Todoke” (“Reach”) is especially memorable and guaranteed to fire up any karaoke session! It’s the perfect track for a high school boy who wants to confess his feelings to his crush.

flumpool’s songs are also hugely popular with women, so if you can sing it coolly, your charm factor is sure to go up.

Highly recommended for adults who want to reminisce about their youthful romances, too!