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 | Ed Sheeran, who recorded a worldwide mega-hit… |
| 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 | Along with an exhilarating pop-punk sound, it... |
| 6 | Love YourselfJustin Bieber |  play_arrow | Justin Bieber's hit song tops the U.S. charts |
| 7 | Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen |  play_arrow | Carly Rae Jepsen’s song “C…” |
| 8 | 2002Anne-Marie |  play_arrow | Anne-Marie’s … released in 2018 |
| 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 | This piece released in July 2021 is a maste… |
| 11 | EspressoSabrina Carpenter |  play_arrow | Sabrina’s smash hit expresses confidence and charm |
| 12 | All About That BassMeghan Trainor |  play_arrow | 『All About That Bass… |
| 13 | High HopesPanic! At The Disco |  play_arrow | It gives you a push, making you feel, “I can do it!” |
| 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 | It features an energetic, danceable beat... |
| 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 | Released in January 2024, it has been ... around the world. |
| 22 | Just The Way You AreBruno Mars |  play_arrow | Introducing Bruno Mars’s classic love songs! |
| 23 | NumbLinkin Park |  play_arrow | Formed in 1996, an American alternative rock... |
| 24 | SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire |  play_arrow | A dance song loved across generations |
| 25 | Here With Me Feat. CHVRCHESMarshmello |  play_arrow | Gaining popularity with a unique marshmallow headpiece… |
| 26 | Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis |  play_arrow | If you’re talking about an Oasis song that makes you cry, it’s this one. |
| 27 | Live While We’re YoungOne Direction |  play_arrow | A youth anthem that celebrates young people's spirit of adventure |
| 28 | Wake Me UpAvicii |  play_arrow | A radiance like fireworks blooming in the summer night sky, Sū... |
| 29 | I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys |  play_arrow | A poignant love song, a worldwide hit |
| 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 | Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Shakira |  play_arrow | The official song of the Soccer World Cup, a masterpiece that thrilled the world |
| 33 | She Looks So Perfect5 Seconds of Summer |  play_arrow | A pop-rock coming-of-age song that resonates with the heart |
| 34 | Bad DayDaniel Powter |  play_arrow | Even on unlucky days, someone who gently stays by your side... |
| 35 | If We Ever Broke UpMae Stephens |  play_arrow | In 2023, a British… who took TikTok by storm |
| 36 | We Are the WorldUSA For Africa |  play_arrow | Created by a gathering of top artists from around the world… |
| 37 | Green Green GrassGeorge Ezra |  play_arrow | This piece, characterized by its cheerful melody and heartfelt lyrics... |
| 38 | Despacito ft. Daddy YankeeLuis Fonsi |  play_arrow | The tasteful flamenco hit song “Despacito” |
| 39 | A Bar Song (Tipsy)Shaboozey |  play_arrow | A smash hit that fused country and hip-hop |
| 40 | I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder |  play_arrow | Stevie Wonder is still active. |
| 41 | Blinding LightsThe Weeknd |  play_arrow | 80s music makes a comeback as The Weeknd’s songs draw attention |
| 42 | HelloAdele |  play_arrow | Appearing like a comet and still attracting attention from around the world... |
| 43 | It’s My LifeBon Jovi |  play_arrow | A classic that sings of the courage to live true to oneself |
| 44 | Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOdBring Me The Horizon |  play_arrow | British rock band Bring Me… |
| 45 | MiracleCalvin Harris, Ellie Goulding |  play_arrow | Let me introduce an exceptionally poppy, danceable track... |
| 46 | Viva La VidaColdplay |  play_arrow | Coldplay’s masterpiece, a hymn to life |
| 47 | Basket CaseGreen Day |  play_arrow | The pioneering American pop-punk band, Gri... |
| 48 | Let It GoIdina Menzel |  play_arrow | “Let It Go” is a song about self-liberation. |
| 49 | I’m YoursJason Mraz |  play_arrow | A refreshing, heartwarming acoustic guitar classic |
| 50 | Born This WayLady Gaga |  play_arrow | Find hope to live through Lady Gaga’s powerful lyrics |
| 51 | Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi |  play_arrow | A singer-songwriter from Scotland… |
| 52 | Stay With MeSam Smith |  play_arrow | Sam Smith’s Grammy Award-winning song. The perfect tune to wake up to in the morning. |
| 53 | StitchesShawn Mendes |  play_arrow | Shawn Mendes’s hit song wins the grand prize |
| 54 | thank u, nextAriana Grande |  play_arrow | The American singer Ariana Grande... |
| 55 | SacrificeBebe Rexha |  play_arrow | Bebe Rexha’s hit song “Sacrifice” |
| 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 | I confidently recommended it even to people who are new to Western music... |
| 59 | DALLA DALLAITZY |  play_arrow | ITZY: The captivating musicality of their debut song |
| 60 | You’re BeautifulJames Blunt |  play_arrow | Sweet lyrics and a melodious trac... |
| 61 | CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!Justin Timberlake |  play_arrow | Energize yourself with bright, rhythm-filled music. |
| 62 | RoarKaty Perry |  play_arrow | Katie Perry’s smash hit that boosts self-esteem |
| 63 | Dancing Feet ft. DNCEKygo |  play_arrow | Kygo, popular for his upbeat, catchy music |
| 64 | Shout Out to My ExLittle Mix |  play_arrow | I chose it because it’s a song that blows away depression. She… |
| 65 | HeroMariah Carey |  play_arrow | It's a classic song, but a nostalgic one that gives me confidence... |
| 66 | SugarMaroon 5 |  play_arrow | This one is cool too, and once you listen to it, you'll be captivated... |
| 67 | ApologizeOneRepublic |  play_arrow | OneRepublic was formed in 2002... |
| 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 | Australian-born rapper, The Kid… |
| 70 | The MottoTiësto & Ava Max |  play_arrow | Ava Max and Tiësto’s collaboration track |
| 71 | Favorite SongToosii |  play_arrow | A fresh expression of the feeling of being in love, Toos… |
| 72 | PILLOWTALKZAYN |  play_arrow | ZAYN, who left One Direction... |
| 73 | Kill This LoveBLACKPINK |  play_arrow | BLACKPINK is a group from the K-pop scene that... |
| 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 | Calvi, a highly popular DJ in the electro scene… |
| 76 | We Don’t Talk AnymoreCharlie Puth |  play_arrow | This signature song, a collaboration with Selena Gomez... |
| 77 | Rockabye ft. Sean Paul & Anne-MarieClean Bandit |  play_arrow | A dance track that fuses electro and classical... |
| 78 | Love me like you doEllie Goulding |  play_arrow | This song represents one of the current trends among female singers... |
| 79 | Not AfraidEminem |  play_arrow | Hip-hop that showcases advanced rap skills... |
| 80 | Work from Home ft. Ty Dolla $ignFifth Harmony |  play_arrow | Fifth Harmony’s smash hit |
| 81 | Life Is Good ft. DrakeFUTURE |  play_arrow | An iconic track by a top rapper in the trap scene |
| 82 | BelieverImagine Dragons |  play_arrow | Popular songs by Imagine Dragons |
| 83 | Mi GenteJ Balvin, Willy William |  play_arrow | A refreshing dance beat and energetic rhyt... |
| 84 | On The Floor ft. PitbullJennifer Lopez |  play_arrow | It depicted a feverish night on the dance floor… |
| 85 | Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRockLMFAO |  play_arrow | LMFAO are rappers and da... |
| 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 | Ringing out from a searingly distorted guitar... |
| 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 | ChandelierSia |  play_arrow | Sia is a singer from Australia. "… |
| 94 | Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)Silentó |  play_arrow | A Hip-Hop artist from Atlanta... |
| 95 | DANCE MONKEYTones and I |  play_arrow | Tones and I’s worldwide hit song |
| 96 | Shake It OffTaylor Swift |  play_arrow | Taylor Swift’s hit song “Sh…” |
| 97 | Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that sampled a surf rock track |
| 98 | CloserThe Chainsmokers |  play_arrow | The Chainsmokers, released in 2016, … |
| 99 | Don’t Let Me DownThe Chainsmokers ft. Daya |  play_arrow | Speaking of autumn, it's also a comfortable season to spend time in, and… |
| 100 | See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa |  play_arrow | When it comes to tear-jerker songs recommended for young people, this is the one... |