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

Story of My LifeOne Direction11rank/position

One Direction – Story of My Life

The British boy group One Direction.

They debuted in 2010 when they were around 16, and their success story became a worldwide phenomenon.

Their song “Story of My Life” was released in 2013, at the peak of their popularity.

The lyrics are beautiful, expressing passionate feelings for a single woman in a literary way—so I hope you’ll also enjoy the Japanese translation.

That said, it’s a track you can think is cool from the very first listen, so just enjoy the music!

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Murakami Shinpei

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ImagineJohn Lennon12rank/position

IMAGINE. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band (with the Flux Fiddlers) HD

When it comes to John Lennon’s anti-war songs, the single “Imagine,” released in 1971, immediately comes to mind.

It topped both the U.S.

and U.K.

charts and has remained a beloved classic for many years.

The lyrics, imbued with his wish for peace, truly resonate as you listen.

Because the song repeats a similar structure while slightly changing the wording, it’s easy to memorize and excellent for learning English.

“Imagine,” which also helps learners understand social issues, is a song I really hope elementary school students will listen to.

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Hamada Takuya

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shape of youEd Sheeran13rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Shape of You (Official Music Video)

If you asked an elementary school child what Western pop song they like and they named this one, I’d think that’s really cool.

It’s “Shape of You,” a signature hit by the globally popular singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.

Precisely because the arrangement is simple with few instruments, the coolness of the vocals really stands out.

True to the EDM-influenced Western pop of the 2010s, the mature lyrics are part of its appeal.

The melody is excellent, and it’s a song you can lightly sway to and enjoy.

I think it’s a great choice to play as a quintessential example of cool music.

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Murakami Shinpei

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SorryJustin Bieber14rank/position

Justin Bieber – Sorry (PURPOSE : The Movement)

This is a song by Justin Bieber, who is now incredibly popular.

He sings it casually, but the meaning carries a strong message to today’s youth.

It’s slower than I expected, so it’s easy to catch the words and feels like he’s speaking to you, which makes it a good study resource.

Just The Way You AreBruno Mars15rank/position

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

This is an original song by Bruno Mars.

He elevated niche-oriented soul and funk into a higher level of pop music.

That’s what led to his overwhelming sales and popularity.

Of course, he’s popular among middle schoolers too, so if you don’t know him, you should check him out.

DynamiteBTS16rank/position

BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Dynamite’ Official MV

When it comes to signature songs by BTS, the Korean idol group taking the global music scene by storm, Dynamite is the one that comes to mind.

Released in 2020, the single hit number one on the U.S.

charts and became a huge success in Japan as well.

With a sound that evokes classic disco music, its cool dance moves are extremely popular even among elementary school students.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube of kids dancing to this track.

The lyrics also contain many expressions and grammar points commonly used in conversation, so be sure to compare the English lyrics with their Japanese translations!

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Hamada Takuya

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I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys17rank/position

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (Official HD Video)

The Backstreet Boys were a hugely popular boy band in the 2000s.

They held a position similar to One Direction a little more recently, gaining international popularity especially among younger generations.

For those of you with elementary school–aged children, they might be just the right-generation boy group.

For such families, we recommend I Want It That Way.

It’s one of their signature songs, with a relaxed rhythm and a refreshing overall feel.

The vocal range is narrow and it doesn’t require many advanced techniques like runs or ad-libs, making it easy for elementary school students to sing.

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Ryo

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What Makes You BeautifulOne Direction (Wan Dairekushon)18rank/position

One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful (Official Video)

A signature song from One Direction’s debut album “Up All Night” that propelled them to global stardom.

It’s also well known for winning the British Single of the Year at the 2012 BRIT Awards.

Born from the songwriter’s real-life experience, the heartwarming message—encouraging a loved one who feels “I’m not beautiful”—never fails to stir the emotions with every listen.

From the intro’s guitar riff it’s irresistibly catchy, and the unforgettable melody is guaranteed to light up any karaoke session.

The chorus is super simple, so even if you’re not confident in your English pronunciation, you can power through it—perfect for a big sing-along.

It’s the ultimate feel-good anthem.

RadioactiveImagine Dragons19rank/position

Imagine Dragons – Radioactive

This song has an extraordinary atmosphere.

The heavy bass and the vocalist’s clear melodic line are addictive.

Just listening to it makes a mysterious power well up inside you.

Give it a listen before an important exam.

We are youngFun20rank/position

Fun.: We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

The chorus is the kind of song that makes everyone want to raise their fists and sing along.

The lyrics—saying we’re young so we can do anything, something you’d want to tell elementary school kids—and the upbeat groove have a positivity that makes you want to recommend it not just to kids, but to everyone.