[20s] Popular Songs Ranking by Generation [2026]

Thank youikimonogakari85rank/position

Ikimonogakari 'Arigatou' Music Video

A signature ballad by Ikimonogakari, beloved as a classic song for expressing heartfelt thanks to those who’ve supported you.

It was written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama Gegege no Nyobo, starring Nao Matsushita as the heroine, and released as a single in May 2010.

Its warm message—portraying the love nurtured in everyday life and the resolve to walk hand in hand with someone precious into the future—resonates deeply with listeners.

Feelings that are clumsy and hard to put into words can be conveyed honestly when carried by the song’s gentle yet powerful melody.

So widely embraced that it’s even included in high school music textbooks, this masterpiece is perfect for expressing gratitude to teachers and friends at graduation ceremonies, or to family at thank-you gatherings.

somedaySaucy Dog86rank/position

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

A straightforward, honest love song that brings the ache and poignancy of heartbreak right to your chest.

Through real-life scenes—like the deserted park at Tawarayama and the sloping road where you can see the starry sky—the memories woven together vividly portray feelings for a precious person you can never meet again.

Released in May 2017 as a track on the album “Country Road,” this piece gently embraces an unforgettable love with warm lyrics that blend in the local Shimane dialect.

Its softly resonant melody offers quiet comfort to those who want to hold their one-sided love close, and to those who can’t quite put an end to a past romance.

Heroineback number87rank/position

back number – Heroine (full)

A hit song by back number that portrays a bittersweet unrequited love against a wintry backdrop.

Through the image of snow falling and gently piling up, the narrator’s feelings and affection for their loved one are expressed.

Used as the theme song for JR East’s “JR SKISKI” commercials and Kirin’s “Tanrei Green Label” commercials, the song sold approximately 29,000 copies in its first week, surpassing the previous release and setting a new personal best.

If you sing it at karaoke with someone you’re interested in, your feelings—likened to the beauty of snow—might come across.

Why not let the gentle melody softly carry your heart to them?

To all my ex-girlfriendsKoresawa88rank/position

Koresawa - To All My Ex-Girlfriends [Lyric Video]

Koresawa, who enjoys overwhelming popularity especially among younger generations, is a singer-songwriter from Osaka known for basically not showing her face and appearing as “Reko-chan,” a bear girl, in MVs.

Her songs—sung with outstanding melodic sense and lyrics that skillfully, and at times candidly, express women’s true feelings—are also hugely popular at karaoke.

The track we’re introducing this time, the impressively titled “To All My Ex-Girlfriends,” is a digital single released in 2024 and a hit distinguished by its MV set in a karaoke box.

Its country-flavored, upbeat sound, lyrics that keep slightly hard-to-say emotions bright, and catchy melody all showcase her impeccable taste.

While the overall pitch sits a bit on the higher side, the melodic line is easy to sing, and those with lower voices can handle it just fine by adjusting the key.

Be mindful of the bouncy rhythm, and make sure to bring out the contrast between smoothly connected sections and crisply articulated parts!

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One Lovearashi89rank/position

One Love – Arashi

This is a mutual-love song by Arashi, a group renowned as a leading example of Johnny’s idols who are highly active on television as well.

With its powerful sound and easy listenability, the piece contributes to elevating the romantic sensibilities of women in their twenties.

broad daylightKing Gnu90rank/position

King Gnu – Hakujitsu

When we watch the snow falling hard, a bittersweet yet beautiful melody comes to mind.

It’s a signature song by King Gnu, released digitally in 2019 and written as the theme for the drama “Innocence: False Accusation Lawyer.” The lyrics depict a heartfelt wish to have an irreparable past and one’s mistakes concealed beneath pure white snow.

No matter how much we regret, time won’t turn back; all we can do is keep walking through the continuous present—a painful truth most of us have felt at least once.

Begun by Daiki Tsuneta at the end of 2018, the track went on to set astonishing streaming records.

It’s also an indispensable winter soundtrack on TikTok.

Listening to it in the cold air might be a good chance to face your own heart.

Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta)91rank/position

"The Voice of the Sea" Full ver. / Urashima Taro (Kenta Kiritani) [Official]

This song became an instant sensation through au’s “Santaro Series” commercials and has since been cherished as a karaoke staple.

Released in 2015 by actor Kenta Kiritani under the name Urashima Taro, it conveys a heartfelt longing for Otohime.

Its emotionally rich world, where the sounds of the sky, wind, and sea are overlapped with the voice of a loved one, deeply resonates with listeners.

The Okinawan-influenced melody crafted by BEGIN’s Yu Shimabukuro blends beautifully with the sanshin played by Kiritani himself, resulting in a piece that feels warmly nostalgic.

In 2016, it topped the annual karaoke rankings for both JOYSOUND and DAM, winning fans across generations.

With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy to sing and perfect for everyone to hum along together.