Ranking of Western Music Artists Popular Among Junior High School Students [2026]
When kids move from elementary to junior high school, their musical tastes often change regardless of gender.
It’s only natural, since they start to understand the meanings of more mature songs.
It’s also the age when many discover Western music, with lyrics in other languages and melodies different from Japanese pop.
Here’s a ranking of Western artists popular among junior high school students.
Playlist
| Ranking of Western Music Artists Popular Among Junior High School Students [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Good TimeOwl City & Carly Rae Jepsen |  play_arrow | A refreshing electropop track, music that makes your heart dance |
| 2 | Shape of YouEd Sheeran |  play_arrow | Introduce Ed Sheeran's smash hit song |
| 3 | APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars |  play_arrow | Expressing the exhilaration of a party and the sweet feelings of romance |
| 4 | bad guyBillie Eilish |  play_arrow | Billie Eilish’s dark songs |
| 5 | GirlfriendAvril Lavigne |  play_arrow | Avril Lavigne’s smash hit song |
| 6 | Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen |  play_arrow | Start learning English with Carly’s classic hit |
| 7 | Love YourselfJustin Bieber |  play_arrow | Justin Bieber's hit song tops the U.S. charts |
| 8 | 2002Anne-Marie |  play_arrow | Anne-Marie '2002' dance recommended |
| 9 | Don’t Start NowDua Lipa |  play_arrow | Dua Lipa’s signature song “Don’t Start Now” |
| 10 | STAYThe Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber |  play_arrow | The Kid LAROI and Bieber's smash hit |
| 11 | EspressoSabrina Carpenter |  play_arrow | Sabrina’s smash hit expresses confidence and charm |
| 12 | All About That BassMeghan Trainor |  play_arrow | Megan Trainor’s positive song |
| 13 | High HopesPanic! At The Disco |  play_arrow | Anthem of Panic! At The Disco |
| 14 | Let It BeThe Beatles |  play_arrow | A world-famous rock that surely everyone knows... |
| 15 | As It WasHarry Styles |  play_arrow | Active as a member of One Direction… |
| 16 | Uptown Funk ft. Bruno MarsMark Ronson |  play_arrow | A smash hit energetic funk track |
| 17 | We Will Rock YouQueen |  play_arrow | "We Will Rock You" is the will to win. |
| 18 | Dirty WorkAustin Mahone |  play_arrow | In Japan, the comedian Buruzon Chiemi (Chiemi Blouson)... |
| 19 | ButterBTS |  play_arrow | BTS’s exhilarating summer dance tune ignites massive excitement |
| 20 | I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston |  play_arrow | A tumultuous love song, a masterpiece that conveys the depth of love |
| 21 | Beautiful ThingsBenson Boone |  play_arrow | A ballad from Benson Boone’s signature songs that portrays gratitude and loss |
| 22 | Just The Way You AreBruno Mars |  play_arrow | Introducing Bruno Mars’s classic love songs! |
| 23 | NumbLinkin Park |  play_arrow | Linkin Park is an attractive band |
| 24 | SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire |  play_arrow | A dance song loved across generations |
| 25 | Here With Me Feat. CHVRCHESMarshmello |  play_arrow | Collaboration song by Marshmello and Chvrches |
| 26 | Live While We’re YoungOne Direction |  play_arrow | A youth anthem that celebrates young people's spirit of adventure |
| 27 | Wake Me UpAvicii |  play_arrow | Avicii’s innovative EDM. Themes of life and self-discovery. |
| 28 | I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys |  play_arrow | A poignant love song, a worldwide hit |
| 29 | Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Shakira |  play_arrow | The official song of the Soccer World Cup, a masterpiece that thrilled the world |
| 30 | Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters |  play_arrow | People who still love the Carpenters’ classic songs |
| 31 | abcdefuGAYLE |  play_arrow | GAYLE’s popular TikTok hit “abcdefu” is perfect for middle school students. |
| 32 | She Looks So Perfect5 Seconds of Summer |  play_arrow | A pop-rock coming-of-age song that resonates with the heart |
| 33 | Bad DayDaniel Powter |  play_arrow | A warm piano piece that lifts you up even on unlucky days |
| 34 | If We Ever Broke UpMae Stephens |  play_arrow | Mae Stephens' song is going viral on TikTok |
| 35 | We Are the WorldUSA For Africa |  play_arrow | Created by a gathering of top artists from around the world… |
| 36 | Green Green GrassGeorge Ezra |  play_arrow | George Ezra’s feel-good anthem about enjoying life |
| 37 | Despacito ft. Daddy YankeeLuis Fonsi |  play_arrow | The tasteful flamenco hit song “Despacito” |
| 38 | A Bar Song (Tipsy)Shaboozey |  play_arrow | A smash hit that fused country and hip-hop |
| 39 | I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder |  play_arrow | Stevie Wonder is still active. |
| 40 | Blinding LightsThe Weeknd |  play_arrow | 80s music makes a comeback as The Weeknd’s songs draw attention |
| 41 | It’s My LifeBon Jovi |  play_arrow | A classic that sings of the courage to live true to oneself |
| 42 | Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOdBring Me The Horizon |  play_arrow | British rock band Bring Me… |
| 43 | MiracleCalvin Harris, Ellie Goulding |  play_arrow | Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s new song |
| 44 | Viva La VidaColdplay |  play_arrow | Coldplay’s masterpiece, a hymn to life |
| 45 | Basket CaseGreen Day |  play_arrow | The pioneering American pop-punk band, Gri... |
| 46 | Let It GoIdina Menzel |  play_arrow | “Let It Go” is a song about self-liberation. |
| 47 | I’m YoursJason Mraz |  play_arrow | A refreshing, heartwarming acoustic guitar classic |
| 48 | Born This WayLady Gaga |  play_arrow | Find hope to live through Lady Gaga’s powerful lyrics |
| 49 | Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi |  play_arrow | Lewis Capaldi’s smash-hit heartbreak ballad |
| 50 | Stay With MeSam Smith |  play_arrow | Sam Smith’s Grammy Award-winning song. The perfect tune to wake up to in the morning. |
| 51 | StitchesShawn Mendes |  play_arrow | Shawn Mendes’s hit song wins the grand prize |
| 52 | HelloAdele |  play_arrow | Appearing like a comet and still attracting attention from around the world... |
| 53 | thank u, nextAriana Grande |  play_arrow | Ariana Grande’s breakup song |
| 54 | SacrificeBebe Rexha |  play_arrow | Bebe Rexha’s hit song “Sacrifice” |
| 55 | Light SwitchCharlie Puth |  play_arrow | Charlie Puth’s new song “Light Switch” |
| 56 | My UniverseColdplay X BTS |  play_arrow | Coldplay and BTS's collaborative song |
| 57 | My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion |  play_arrow | A song that moved people as the theme of Titanic |
| 58 | I Don’t CareEd Sheeran & Justin Bieber |  play_arrow | Introduction to the collaboration song by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber |
| 59 | DALLA DALLAITZY |  play_arrow | ITZY: The captivating musicality of their debut song |
| 60 | CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!Justin Timberlake |  play_arrow | Energize yourself with bright, rhythm-filled music. |
| 61 | RoarKaty Perry |  play_arrow | Katie Perry’s smash hit that boosts self-esteem |
| 62 | Dancing Feet ft. DNCEKygo |  play_arrow | Kygo, popular for his upbeat, catchy music |
| 63 | Shout Out to My ExLittle Mix |  play_arrow | I chose it because it’s a song that blows away depression. She… |
| 64 | HeroMariah Carey |  play_arrow | You can become strong with the hero in your heart |
| 65 | Sunday MorningMaroon 5 |  play_arrow | Maroon 5’s debut song is popular in Japan as well. |
| 66 | WonderwallOasis |  play_arrow | An iconic song representing the 90s, loved around the world. |
| 67 | ApologizeOneRepublic |  play_arrow | OneRepublic debuted in 2007. |
| 68 | HappyPharrell Williams |  play_arrow | An exhilarating track that conveys happiness, a No. 1 hit in the U.S. |
| 69 | A COLD PLAYThe Kid LAROI |  play_arrow | The Kid Laroi’s breakup song |
| 70 | The MottoTiësto & Ava Max |  play_arrow | Ava Max and Tiësto’s collaboration track |
| 71 | Favorite SongToosii |  play_arrow | Toosii’s “Favorite Song” is popular. |
| 72 | PILLOWTALKZAYN |  play_arrow | ZAYN, who left One Direction... |
| 73 | Kill This LoveBLACKPINK |  play_arrow | A representative song by BLACKPINK and a popular dance track |
| 74 | Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)Beyoncé |  play_arrow | It starts right off with the chorus, so in the morning it’s just… |
| 75 | This Is What You Came For ft. RihannaCalvin Harris |  play_arrow | Calvin and Rihanna's smash hit |
| 76 | Rockabye ft. Sean Paul & Anne-MarieClean Bandit |  play_arrow | A hit song by Clean Bandit. It portrays the struggles of a single mother. |
| 77 | Love me like you doEllie Goulding |  play_arrow | Classic electropop signature song |
| 78 | Not AfraidEminem |  play_arrow | Hip-hop that showcases advanced rap skills... |
| 79 | Work from Home ft. Ty Dolla $ignFifth Harmony |  play_arrow | Fifth Harmony’s smash hit |
| 80 | Life Is Good ft. DrakeFUTURE |  play_arrow | An iconic track by a top rapper in the trap scene |
| 81 | Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses |  play_arrow | Introducing classic hits from nostalgic rock bands |
| 82 | BelieverImagine Dragons |  play_arrow | Popular songs by Imagine Dragons |
| 83 | Mi GenteJ Balvin, Willy William |  play_arrow | A collaboration song by Balvin and William |
| 84 | On The Floor ft. PitbullJennifer Lopez |  play_arrow | A Latin pop dance track by Lopez and Pitbull |
| 85 | Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRockLMFAO |  play_arrow | LMFAO's signature song, Party Rock Anthem |
| 86 | RudeMAGIC |  play_arrow | Popular reggae-pop song, success on the world charts |
| 87 | Girls Like YouMaroon 5 ft. Cardi B |  play_arrow | In autumn, when it's easy to feel nostalgic, … |
| 88 | Billie JeanMichael Jackson |  play_arrow | Michael Jackson’s hit song “Billie Jean” |
| 89 | FlowersMiley Cyrus |  play_arrow | Miley, a smash hit song about self-love |
| 90 | Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana |  play_arrow | The allure of Nirvana’s historic masterpiece |
| 91 | WorkRihanna |  play_arrow | Even the current Japan national soccer team coach, Halilhodžić, is a fan... |
| 92 | The Heart Wants What It WantsSelena Gomez |  play_arrow | Trouble in my relationship with my boyfriend... |
| 93 | SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello |  play_arrow | A collaboration song by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello |
| 94 | ChandelierSia |  play_arrow | Sia’s signature song “Chandelier” became a worldwide hit |
| 95 | Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)Silentó |  play_arrow | A Hip-Hop artist from Atlanta... |
| 96 | DANCE MONKEYTones and I |  play_arrow | Tones and I’s worldwide hit song |
| 97 | Shake It OffTaylor Swift |  play_arrow | Taylor's shift from country to pop |
| 98 | Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that sampled a surf rock track |
| 99 | CloserThe Chainsmokers |  play_arrow | The Chainsmokers’ breakup song |
| 100 | Don’t Let Me DownThe Chainsmokers ft. Daya |  play_arrow | Speaking of autumn, it's also a comfortable season to spend time in, and… |