[Middle School Students] Popular Songs Ranking by Generation [2026]

User ManualNishino Kana50rank/position

Kana Nishino 'Torisetsu' MV (Short Ver.)

A pop tune that humorously captures a girl’s feelings! The instruction-manual-like lyrics feel fresh and really convey the delicate emotions of women.

Kana Nishino’s soft vocals charmingly portray the complexities of a woman’s heart.

Released in September 2015, the song was also used as the theme for the film “No Longer Heroine” released the same year.

Popular at weddings, this track might even help men better understand women’s feelings.

It could be nice for couples to listen together and reaffirm each other’s feelings.

ultramarineYOASOBI51rank/position

YOASOBI “Gunjou” Official Music Video

A signature work by YOASOBI that vividly expresses young people’s passion and pursuit of dreams through striking lyrics.

Released in September 2020, the song gained broad recognition after being featured in Bourbon’s “Alfort Mini Chocolate” commercial.

In 2021, it was also selected as the theme song for Nippon TV’s “Dance ONE Project ’21,” adding flair to high school students’ dance performances.

Evoking the image of blue light, the piece impressively portrays the challenges of self-expression and creativity, making it perfect for school sports-day entrance marches and dance performances.

It’s a song that lets everyone share in the unique sense of unity of a sports festival and the courage to take the first step toward their dreams.

InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE52rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Inferno

This song, used as the opening theme for the anime Fire Force, conveys a sense of speed from the very first drum beats and a feeling that something is about to begin.

In events where momentum is crucial—like cavalry battles—it will surely boost athletes’ motivation with a “Let’s go!” spirit.

In fact, the song encapsulates both transience and passion, asking what meaning we find in a life that will one day end and how we live with that awareness.

It’s an ideal track for spending your school days—a youth that will inevitably come to an end—with burning intensity.

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kojifumi

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I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu53rank/position

Spitz / I Should Be Able to Fly in the Sky

On the day you set off on a new journey, you naturally want to listen to songs that make you feel grateful for having met your classmates and teachers.

“Sora mo Toberu Hazu” (“We Could Even Fly in the Sky”), released by Spitz in 1994, features Kusano’s crystalline vocals that lift your spirits.

The bittersweet lyrics prompt you to look back on your school days, and the catchy melody makes it easy to sing along.

The chorus lyrics, which make you feel like you can go anywhere, are perfect for singing on graduation day!

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mutō

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Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai54rank/position

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Is Youth Embarrassing?' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Hazukashiika Seishun wa

This song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai vividly portrays the rush of sprinting through the fleeting moments of youth.

Released in July 2024, its uptempo sound and distinctive melodic lines resonate powerfully with young listeners.

It carries a message: there’s no need to be embarrassed about giving your all—treasure the experiences you can only have in this very moment.

The track is included on the album “Channel U” and was also chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s original romance show “Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita.

Summer Vacation 2024.” It’s a perfect fit for scenes of coming together at school sports days or athletic events, making it an ideal choice as background music for group gymnastics as well.

We againSG55rank/position

We Again (Wind Ensemble ver.) – SG (Official Behind-the-Scenes Music Video)

This work by SG has gained support as an encouraging song that resonates deeply during graduations and farewells.

Its gentle melody, which accompanies young people as they overcome partings and take new steps forward, and its lyrics filled with hope for reunion are especially appealing.

Released in April 2021, it has become a popular track with a cumulative 150 million streams.

Starting in November 2024, it has also been featured in Calorie Mate’s exam-season support commercial, and a concert band version by the Hanazono Tokuei High School Wind Ensemble has been making waves.

It’s a heartwarming song for farewells, graduation ceremonies, and moments when you long to see someone special again.

It’s a recommended track for times when you want to cherish your memories while looking ahead and doing your best.

14-fourteen-Sakushi Sakkyoku: Yugeda Kensuke56rank/position

[Featured in textbooks from 2025] Junior High School 2nd-year chorus piece “14–fourteen–” for the Coming-of-Age Pledge Ceremony and grade-level chorus

This choral piece is filled with kindness that closely attends to the feelings of junior high school students.

It carefully depicts the anxieties, hopes, and growth of students turning 14 at the height of adolescence.

Along with its warm, heartfelt melody, the work carries a message that resonates with junior high schoolers.

It was included in 2020 in Education Art Co.’s music textbook for fourth-grade elementary students and has earned high praise in educational settings.

Ideal for moments when you want to sing as one—such as choir competitions and graduation ceremonies—this piece is perfect for deepening class bonds.