High School Students’ Favorite Band Songs Ranking [2026]

OH!SHISHAMO92rank/position

SHISHAMO「OH！」

The youthful days of experiencing the school sports festival will inevitably come to an end.

How deeply you’ll be moved when that end arrives depends on how hard you’ve pushed yourself up to that point.

No matter what you look like, be proud of giving it your all! That’s the kind of message you feel from this SHISHAMO track.

In school life, the sports festival comes around once a year.

To be honest, it can be a hassle, and you might feel embarrassed about going all out.

Even so, giving it your best can lead to great results and create unforgettable, moving memories with your friends.

This song gives you the strength to throw yourself into this once-in-a-lifetime moment—no matter how you look—just recklessly, wholeheartedly, and with everything you’ve got.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Philosophy[Alexandros]93rank/position

[Alexandros] – Philosophy (MV)

[Alexandros] is a four-piece rock band that has gained popularity for its piercing, sky-high high-tone vocals and a rock sound that feels both modern and classic.

Their fourth digital-only single, “Philosophy,” written in 2019 for NHK’s event ‘18-Fes,’ features an ensemble highlighted by the warm tones of acoustic guitar.

Its message, which seems to empathize with the real-life struggles of youth, is likely to resonate especially strongly with younger generations.

It’s a highly recommended track for a school festival BGM—one that many listeners will inevitably find themselves relating to.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā94rank/position

I’ve gotta do the thing that seems impossible.

A powerful anthem that gives you a push in those youthful moments.

Released by Sambomaster in February 2010, this song carries a warm message that boosts self-affirmation and the spirit to take on challenges.

Centered on themes of “not giving up,” “moving forward,” and “possibility,” it offers a gentle embrace for everyone’s anxieties and doubts while giving the courage to take a new step.

It has been featured in a Nissan commercial and as the image song for the film Cheer☆Dance, resonating with many hearts.

It’s a classic that students training for sports festivals, as well as anyone standing at a crossroads in life, should hear.

Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā95rank/position

Sambomaster / Starting to Shine and Run - MUSIC VIDEO

It’s a cheer song brimming with youthful passion and hope.

It portrays a protagonist who carries deep pain in their heart and feels on the verge of losing themselves, yet by accepting that suffering, the work gives them the courage to take a new step forward.

Released by Sambomaster in August 2018, the track was chosen as the theme song for the TBS Friday drama “Cheer☆Dan,” and, alongside the story of high school students striving to conquer the United States, left a lasting impression on many viewers.

This piece is also perfect as background music for school sports days and athletic festivals, gently supporting students who give their all and sweat it out together with their friends.

Glass BluesBUMP OF CHICKEN96rank/position

Glass No Blues

This song by BUMP OF CHICKEN is actually the first track in Japanese that Motoo Fujiwara wrote when he was a first-year high school student.

The lyrics, filled with reflections on the meaning of life and a passion for music, are sure to resonate deeply with students in the midst of their youth.

It’s included on their indie-era album FLAME VEIN and remains a fan favorite that’s often performed live even today.

If you play it on stage at a school or cultural festival, it’ll definitely bring the whole venue together and get everyone excited.

It’s sure to become an unforgettable memory for your friends, too.

Give it a try!

SignalWANIMA97rank/position

WANIMA “Signal” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

WANIMA is a rock band that sets listeners’ hearts ablaze.

All of their songs are bursting with energy, making them perfect as background music for sports days and athletic festivals.

Among them, the one I especially recommend as an entrance song is “Signal”! This track is a message song born from an NHK music program and is included on the masterpiece “Everybody!!,” released in January 2018.

It also gained attention as the song for Lotte’s “Sou” commercial.

Its powerful message—“You don’t have to be perfect; it’s okay to take on challenges just as you are”—and its liberating rock sound give a strong push to athletes as they head into competition.

The exhilarating melody, which blows away everyday frustrations, instantly raises the excitement on the field and fosters a sense of unity with the crowd.

Thank youikimonogakari98rank/position

Ikimonogakari 'Arigatou' Music Video

This is Ikimonogakari’s 18th single, written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Gegege no Nyobo.

Released in May 2010, it won an Excellence Award at the 52nd Japan Record Awards.

The lyrics, which tenderly portray the love nurtured in everyday life and gratitude toward those dear to us, resonate deeply.

The warmth conveyed by holding hands and the hope for a shared future are expressed through a gentle melody that warmly embraces listeners.

In the 2013 school year, it was included as a choral piece in high school music textbooks, and it has also become a popular staple for graduation ceremonies.

It may feel a bit embarrassing to put into words, but this song is perfect for conveying thanks to the teachers, friends, and family who have supported you.

Why not sing it to express your honest feelings along with your memories of junior high school life?