Karaoke and Band Song Rankings Popular with College Students [2026]

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number1rank/position

Back Number – Hanako-san on a High Pedestal

This is an unrequited-love song by back number with a title that piques your interest.

It’s written from a male perspective, but there are plenty of lines girls can relate to as well.

It’s an upbeat song that says, “No matter how hard I try, the person I like still feels out of reach… but I love you anyway.” Let’s all sing it together and get hyped!

366 daysHY2rank/position

HY 366 Days LIVE

You could say it’s a classic heartbreak song.

I think it’s a track everyone who’s experienced a breakup listens to at least once.

Many girls will relate to the painfully sad lyrics that bring you to tears.

If you belt it out at karaoke while having a good cry, it might help heal your heartbreak a little.

HabitSEKAI NO OWARI3rank/position

SEKAI NO OWARI「Habit」

SEKAI NO OWARI’s classic song “Habit,” released in 2022, gained popularity with a gritty musical style that hadn’t been seen in their work before.

Even going into 2023, it continues to enjoy strong, enduring popularity.

Since the song is groove-centered, it doesn’t require much vocal prowess.

There aren’t any high parts either, so it should be easy to sing.

College karaoke can be pretty demanding physically, so a track like this—one that gets people hyped without needing you to belt—might be a perfect fit.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Vivid ColorsL’Arc〜en〜Ciel4rank/position

Vivid Colors l’arc en ciel live

Although it’s a fast-paced song, it’s very easy to sing among L’Arc’s tracks.

Because it’s upbeat and gets people hyped, it consistently ranks high in karaoke popularity rankings for L’Arc songs.

There are also a few lines in English, so it might be good to practice them in advance.

Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN5rank/position

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN “Sugar Song and Bitter Step” Short Ver.

This is a song by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, a band popular among college students.

It was written specifically as the ending theme for the anime Blood Blockade Battlefront.

Since the song is in a high key, many people sing it—not just men, but women as well!

The Zero Sense10-FEET6rank/position

10-FEET – The Zero Sense (Ending Theme Song of the Film 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK')

10-FEET’s track, released as a digital single in November 2022, was specially produced as the ending theme song for the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.

Written by TAKUMA, the song features a striking blend of distinctive rhythms and melodies and gained traction on TikTok.

Its lyrics, which symbolize the journey of pursuing dreams and self-realization, are sprinkled with basketball-related terms, underscoring its connection to the film’s theme.

The song is also included on 10-FEET’s album Collins—their first in about five years—and won Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan in 2023.

When singing it at karaoke, try delivering the boldly crafted lyrics—rich with unique imagery—while embodying the mindset of young people striving toward their dreams.

It’s a perfect track for getting hyped with friends.

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN7rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

A song that enjoys great popularity among college students.

It isn’t a recent release, but it’s beloved as a karaoke staple.

For the band that performs it, BUMP OF CHICKEN, this track was their first to reach the top three on the Oricon charts and was the song that ignited their popularity.

Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts8rank/position

Creepy Nuts “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” × TV Anime “MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES” Collaboration Music Video #BBBB Dance

The anime tie-in song by Creepy Nuts that dropped in January 2024 became both a standout hit of the year and a viral sensation, and it looks set to remain a top staple for college karaoke.

The self-affirming lyrics laid over rap are perfect for blowing off steam.

The beat is catchy too, sure to capture the hearts of young people looking to get hyped.

It’s exploding on TikTok, so any social media–savvy college student should know it.

Sing it at karaoke with friends and the vibe will skyrocket.

It even charted on the Billboard Global 200—an impressive track well worth giving a try.

Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE9rank/position

Da-iCE – “Osaka LOVER” [Lyric] (From “The best covers of DREAMS COME TRUE Doriuta Vol.1” Released on 2017.7.7!!)

It’s a song popular not only among college students but across a wide range of ages.

Many people in their parents’ generation seem to be hooked on it.

It’s an up-tempo track that sings about the loneliness of a long-distance relationship.

It’s perfect for those who became college students and ended up being separated from their partners!

GO!!!FLOW10rank/position

FLOW 'GO!!! ~15th Anniversary ver.~' (Music Video Full Ver. with Commentary)

From the opening line to the very end, this is an up-tempo, high-energy song, making it perfect for when you want to get pumped up.

Because the tempo is extremely fast, it’s a great choice for the beginning of a karaoke session when you still have stamina, or when your throat is in good condition.