High School Students’ Favorite Band Songs Ranking [2026]

Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN1rank/position

I tried dancing 'Sugar Song and Bitter Step' in front of the Eiffel Tower

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN is a rock band known for their overwhelming vocals and high-level musicianship.

Their 2015 release Sugar Song and Bitter Step is a danceable track packed with colorful charm.

The moment you hear the light, upbeat guitar in the intro, you can’t help but want to start stepping.

The refreshing melody line that unfolds with a rhythmic tempo also resonates with the heart.

It’s an uptempo tune that works both with technical choreography and beginner-friendly arrangements—perfect for livening up culture festivals and school festivals!

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CorrectRADWIMPS2rank/position

RADWIMPS – The Answer [Official Music Video]

A gentle anthem of support that blends the bittersweetness and hope of youth.

It portrays, with a warm gaze, the feelings of young people searching for answers of their own.

Its message—that there is no single right answer in life and it’s okay to move forward at your own pace—will surely touch everyone’s heart.

Released digitally in January 2024 by RADWIMPS, this song has often been sung at school graduation ceremonies and in scenes of remembrance.

When you feel anxious about the future or find yourself at a crossroads in life, this warm, comforting track will softly nudge you forward.

Please, take the courage from this song to help you step into a new beginning.

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE3rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video

This track captivates with its refreshing guitar sound and exhilarating sense of speed.

Crafted by the popular band Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, you might also recognize it as the opening theme for the anime “Oblivion Battery.” Released in April 2024, it went on to win the Grand Prize at the 66th Japan Record Awards the same year.

The lyrics, which depict the brilliance and inner conflicts of youth, amplify the excitement of summer vacation.

Be sure to give it a listen as the perfect BGM for making memories with friends!

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE4rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Blue and Summer

An exhilarating rock number that epitomizes summer with an irresistible, piercing sense of refreshment.

In this track by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, seasonal scenes like wind chimes and sunflowers are painted while conveying a fiery message: don’t wait for the story to come to you—be the protagonist and dash through the present.

Released as a single in August 2018, it was written as the theme song for the film “Aonatsu: 30 Days of Love.” It has since taken root as a Koshien stadium cheer song, encouraging countless high school ballplayers and students.

It’s perfect not only as a pump-up work BGM, but also for blowing away a downcast mood.

A Little Love SongMONGOL8005rank/position

A Little Love Song

A beloved classic that stands as a monument to youth punk! Riding on a driving, fast-paced beat, it sings of love for the important people close to us and an unchanging, eternal bond.

Its straightforward message fires up your heart every time you listen and gives you the energy to keep your hands moving at work! Featured on MONGOL800’s album “MESSAGE,” released in September 2001, this song sold over 2.8 million copies despite being an indie release, and it was used as the motif for the film “Little Love Song” and as the ending theme for the anime “Teasing Master Takagi-san.” It’s a guaranteed pick-me-up when you want to boost your mood and focus, or when you need that last push—highly recommended!

horizonback number6rank/position

back number – Horizon

A gem of a track by back number that gently stays close to your heart whenever you hit a wall in life.

Even amid the despair that feels like your dreams and hopes are collapsing, the lyrics portray the journey of looking inward and eventually finding light—sure to move you deeply.

This song is also known for being created in August 2020 for high school students after the Inter-High Championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While affirming frustration and sorrow, it gives a sense of the view that awaits beyond overcoming them.

As you step into a new world at graduation, you may feel anxiety or loneliness.

In those moments, this song will wrap your pain in its embrace and give you the quiet courage to take that first step.

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN7rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

Released in March 2001, this BUMP OF CHICKEN song was also used as an insert track for the drama “Tentaikansoku” (Stargazing).

The image of the protagonist gazing up at the starry sky while reflecting on their future and relationships is striking.

The lyrics capture the drive to chase dreams and the struggle with reality, resonating deeply with listeners.

It’s a song we especially recommend to those facing worries and uncertainties in their youth.

Listen to it while looking up at the night sky, and you’re sure to find courage.