[Middle School Students] Popular Western Music Ranking [By Generation]

Dance The NightDua Lipa29rank/position

Dua Lipa – Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album) [Official Music Video]

Born in London, England, Dua Lipa is one of the most talked-about millennial pop stars, working as both a singer-songwriter and a fashion model.

Released in May 2023, her track “Dance The Night” drew attention as part of the soundtrack for the film Barbie, in which she also appears.

Inspired by the disco sound of the ’80s, the song perfectly matches Lipa’s sultry vocals with a poppy, catchy melody, making it an ideal dance number—great even as background music for school sports days and athletic festivals.

Its uplifting lyrics, which depict dancing the night away while embracing one’s own radiance, are sure to resonate with young listeners.

Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran30rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (Official Music Video)

Before his debut, Ed Sheeran, a British artist with an unusual background, was homeless and made a living by performing over 300 live shows a year.

Thinking Out Loud is a calm and simple song, but it’s the sweetest love song.

Wake Me UpAvicii31rank/position

Avicii – Wake Me Up (Official Video)

The music of Swedish artist Avicii, which shines like fireworks blooming in the summer night sky, captivated many with its innovative sound that fuses EDM and folk.

This work, themed around life’s journey and self-discovery, is marked by Aloe Blacc’s powerful vocals and the warm melodies woven by acoustic guitar.

Released in June 2013 and reaching number one on the charts in 22 countries, it asserted a presence like a grand firework launched into the music world.

It’s a song I highly recommend for your walk home from a summer festival or for those standing at a turning point in life.

Just The Way You AreBruno Mars32rank/position

Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are (Official Music Video)

Bruno Mars, a genius who effortlessly commands pop and R&B.

This is one of his signature songs and a hugely popular choice for wedding background music.

Its charm lies, above all, in the lyrics that unabashedly and straightforwardly lavish praise on the one you love.

Just listening to it makes you feel happy.

Released in July 2010 as his solo debut single and included on the album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, this track also won at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

With piano at its core and an easy-to-remember melody, it’s very approachable to try.

If you sing it when expressing your feelings to someone special, it’s sure to be a hit!

Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters33rank/position

Yesterday Once More

The Carpenters were a duo that enjoyed tremendous popularity in Japan.

Known for their laid-back pop tunes, they released hit songs one after another until vocalist Karen Carpenter passed away.

Although they’re artists from the past, many people—even junior high school students—are familiar with them today because their songs are still used widely in the media.

Among their repertoire, Yesterday Once More is especially easy to sing.

There are relatively few vowels compared to the number of notes, making the lyrics easy to memorize and the pronunciation fairly simple.

While it may lack punch compared to more modern tracks, it’s one of the easiest songs featured in this article, so be sure to check it out.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

abcdefuGAYLE34rank/position

[Japanese Translation] GAYLE “abcdefu” [Official]

Singer-songwriter GAYLE has gained immense popularity among listeners worldwide through TikTok.

For many junior high school students, TikTok is now an essential social media platform, and plenty of people have probably heard her songs.

The track that propelled her to fame is “abcdefu.” This song, an alternative rock piece with strong power-pop elements, packs a serious punch.

Because of that, many might assume it demands a high level of vocal ability.

Despite its punchy melody, the chorus stays in the mid-range, so the vocal difficulty is actually quite low.

For middle schoolers going through voice changes, a slightly husky tone can make the performance even more compelling.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Bad DayDaniel Powter35rank/position

Daniel Powter – Bad Day (Official Music Video) [HD]

Even on an unlucky day, this song’s memorable piano tone feels like a gentle companion.

It’s the classic that put Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Powter on the global map, included on his album “Daniel Powter.” Centered on the theme of having a “bad day,” it portrays the kind of slump everyone experiences, while offering a warm message that says, “Hey, it happens.” The track was used repeatedly on the popular American audition show “American Idol,” and became a massive hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks.

When your studies or club activities aren’t going well and you’re feeling down, give it a listen—you’ll likely think, “Well, I guess days like this happen,” and feel a little lighter.

It’s a magical, encouraging song that makes you want to try again tomorrow.