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

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE1rank/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.

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE2rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video

A high-velocity guitar rock track that vividly captures both the radiance and the shadows of youth! Released by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE in April 2024, this song was written specifically as the opening theme for the TV anime “Oblivion Battery.” It became the fastest in the band’s history to surpass 100 million streams and even won the 66th Japan Record Awards—a true classic.

As vocalist Motoki Omori has said, he created it with the feeling of an answer song to their hit “Ao to Natsu,” and it gives you the courage to move forward by affirming even your past self and your anxieties.

Try listening to it on the morning of your entrance ceremony as you slip into your new uniform, syncing with your pounding heartbeat.

You’ll surely feel your heart grow lighter, thinking, “I’m fine just the way I am!”

A Little Love SongMONGOL8003rank/position

MONGOL800 / A Small Love Song

This song has the power to make you rediscover the small joys of everyday life and the connections with the people you cherish.

Included on the album “MESSAGE,” it’s featured on MONGOL800’s landmark release, which sold over 2.8 million copies despite being an indie work.

Since its release in September 2001, it has been beloved as a karaoke standard and remained on the Oricon karaoke charts for an extended period.

It was also used as the theme song for the film “Little Love Song,” perfectly matching the story that portrays the growth and romance of young people.

It’s a highly recommended track for anyone who wants to express their feelings honestly to someone important, or to recall the pure emotions of their youth.

Good TimeOwl City & Carly Rae Jepsen4rank/position

Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen – Good Time (Official Video)

This is an exceptionally happy track created by Owl City, a leading figure in electropop, and the globally popular singer Carly Rae Jepsen.

The lyrics paint a picture of an incredibly fun time where you can laugh things off with a cheerful “It’s all good!” no matter what happens.

It’s brimming with a positive energy that says, “Let’s just enjoy the moment.” Released in June 2012, the song appears on both artists’ albums, The Midsummer Station and Kiss, and topped the charts in Canada and New Zealand.

Its brisk melody and the harmonious blend of male and female vocals are a delight, and it’s a sure-fire crowd-pleaser that will light up the room if you duet it at karaoke.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number5rank/position

Back Number – Hanako-san on a High Pedestal

A three-piece rock band, back number, known for their popularity with bittersweet lyrics and a melancholic tone.

It’s an exhilarating rock number that captures the relatable emotions of unrequited love.

The guitar mainly features chord strumming patterns, but there are plenty of spotlight moments—like delay-driven phrases and a solo—that are simple yet showy, making it fun to play.

The rhythm section is generally straightforward, but the rhythm becomes irregular in the B section, so be careful not to fall out of sync with the other parts.

None of the parts are particularly difficult, but precisely because of that, mistakes stand out, so it’s important to play each phrase cleanly and with intention.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN6rank/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!

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mutō

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CorrectRADWIMPS7rank/position

RADWIMPS – The Answer [Official Music Video]

An emotional number by RADWIMPS that sings about the questions you’re likely to face in your school life ahead and the importance of finding your own answers.

It was created to be performed with one thousand 18-year-olds for the NHK program “RADWIMPS 18-sai Matsuri,” broadcast in October 2018.

The lyrics, which explore the true meaning of life—things not found in school textbooks—will surely resonate deeply with junior high school students starting a new chapter.

In addition to being included on the album “ANTI ANTI GENERATION,” it was released as a CD single in February 2024.

The beautiful interplay of piano and chorus is sure to gently give you courage on the morning of the entrance ceremony, when anxiety and anticipation are intertwined.