[Elementary School Students] Popular Western Music Rankings [By Generation]

Don’t Worry Be HappyBobby McFerrin71rank/position

Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)

A hit song by American jazz singer Bobby McFerrin.

The intro, which starts with whistling, is memorable, and many adults have surely heard it.

It’s a work whose message—“Don’t worry, stay positive”—resonates with the heart.

Dani CaliforniaRed Hot Chili Peppers72rank/position

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Dani California [Official Music Video]

A famous song by the world-renowned American band Red Hot Chili Peppers.

From the moment you hear the intro, you’ll be guaranteed to get pumped.

It was also used in the movie Death Note, making it familiar to many Japanese listeners.

The band has gone through many lineup changes, and this track—created when they were at their best—is a must-listen.

Under the SeaSamuel E. Wright73rank/position

Samuel E. Wright – Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) (Official Video)

This is the international version of an insert song from the Disney film The Little Mermaid.

It’s a number where the character Sebastian sings about the wonders of the underwater world.

The track is lively and bustling, featuring a variety of instrumental timbres throughout.

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kappamaki

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I’m Good (Blue)David Guetta & Bebe Rexha74rank/position

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – I’m Good (Blue) [Official Music Video]

For energetic elementary school students, EDM can be considered one of the more approachable genres.

Among EDM tracks, a standout recommendation is “I’m Good (Blue).” It was one of the most-played club tracks in 2023, featuring a driving production by David Guetta and sleek vocals by Bebe Rexha that mesh perfectly.

While the catchy melody tends to steal the spotlight, the repeated phrases and narrow vocal range make it easy to sing—even for elementary schoolers whose voices may be unstable due to changes like the onset of voice deepening.

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Ryo

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Favorite SongToosii75rank/position

Toosii – Favorite Song (Official Video)

For elementary and junior high school students, it’s no exaggeration to say that the most important social media platform is TikTok.

Toosii’s hit “Favorite Song” is a track that went massively viral on TikTok.

If you use TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably heard it at least once.

The real charm of this song lies in its sweet, heart-wrenching melody.

Since the overall pitch skews higher, I think the range is just right for elementary school kids.

Also, the vocals are heavily Auto-Tuned, so if you sing it at karaoke, try adding a vocal effect.

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Ryo

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Only TimeEnya76rank/position

Enya – Only Time (Official 4K Music Video)

Released in 2000, the Irish singer Enya became a huge hit in Japan as well.

Among her songs, “Only Time” is certainly the most famous.

It’s popular as a healing piece, and its deeply echoing, richly layered chorus seems to gently ease the tension from your shoulders when you listen with your eyes closed.

How should we introduce this song to elementary school children? Rather than only offering fast, glittery tracks, letting them listen to pieces that highlight ensemble might lead to new discoveries.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Let’s Get It StartedThe Black Eyed Peas77rank/position

The Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get It Started

A hit song by The Black Eyed Peas that instantly flips you into go-mode with a “Alright, let’s start from here!” vibe.

Since it’s rap, I think the difficulty is high, but the chorus is repetitive, and kids who take dance lessons could ride the rhythm and sing it really cool.