Popular Western Music Artist Rankings [2026]

Fight SongRachel Platten36rank/position

Rachel Platten – Fight Song (Official Video)

It’s a stirring pop-rock tune that powerfully sings about the importance of believing in yourself.

After more than a decade of paying her dues, Rachel Platten created this song as a bid for her own comeback.

The lyrics, filled with a strong will to keep fighting without giving up, give you courage when you feel like breaking down in your studies.

Released in February 2015 and later included on the following year’s album “Wildfire,” the track gained attention after being used on the TV show Pretty Little Liars and as a campaign song in the 2016 U.S.

presidential election.

It’s no wonder it reached No.

6 on the Billboard charts.

If you listen to it when you want to boost your focus for crucial moments like entrance exams or certification tests, you’re sure to feel empowered.

SomedayMariah Carey37rank/position

Mariah Carey – Someday (Official HD Video)

I thought this song was very relatable because it portrays a girl who’s putting on a brave face despite the sadness of heartbreak, telling the person who dumped her, “You’ll regret turning me down.” I believe many girls feel this way, so it’s a song I want lots of girls to hear.

Good TimeOwl City & Carly Rae Jepsen38rank/position

Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen – Good Time (Official Video)

This song, packed with the simple message that you can have a good time anytime, anywhere, is a summer anthem released in 2012.

Born from the collaboration between Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen, it peaked at No.

8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No.

1 in Canada and New Zealand.

Set to a breezy blend of synth-pop and dance-pop, it portrays a positive attitude that laughs off everyday mishaps—like dropping your phone in the pool.

The message that there are moments you can enjoy without trying is perfect for when you want to shake off stress.

Put it on during a drive with friends or a weekend outing, and you’ll find your body moving naturally under the blue sky.

HonestyBilly Joel39rank/position

Billy Joel – Honesty (Official Video)

This is a ballad that powerfully resonates with people’s hearts, celebrating the importance of sincerity.

Featured on the classic 1978 album “52nd Street” by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, the song portrays a longing for honesty—something harder to find than kindness or love—accompanied by a beautiful piano melody.

Beloved around the world, it reached number one in France and earned Gold certification for ringtone downloads in Japan.

Carrying a universal message that calls for truth not only in romantic relationships but also from politicians, this is a recommended track for anyone struggling with human relationships.

Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses40rank/position

Choir! Choir! Choir! sings Gn’R “Sweet Child O’ Mine”

The love song, which begins with a powerful guitar riff and features a beautiful melody and a moving vocal performance, was released in June 1988 as a single from the 1987 album Appetite for Destruction.

For the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, this work became their first No.

1 hit in the United States, and it has been loved across generations, appearing in films such as Thor: Love and Thunder.

It was also performed during their Japan tour in May 2025, sending the venue into a frenzy.

Reimagined as a choral piece, it could reveal a new charm that harmonizes the raw energy of hard rock with the gentleness of a ballad.

Having the entire class sing it together would create a deeply moving, heartfelt stage.

HappyPharrell Williams41rank/position

Pharrell Williams – Happy (Official Video)

Many of you may remember how it lifted spirits around the world as the theme song for the animated film Despicable Me 2.

Created by the multitalented American artist Pharrell Williams, this feel-good track celebrates an invincible sense of happiness that can bounce back from any negative event.

There’s even an anecdote that it was born from a bout of creative block and a touch of irony—something that reminds us of life’s curious twists.

The song was also included on the album G I R L and spent ten consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the U.S.

charts.

When you find yourself overthinking, listening to this track might free your heart like a room without a roof and help you rediscover the joy of being alive.

Closer ft. HalseyThe Chainsmokers42rank/position

The Chainsmokers – Closer (Official Video) ft. Halsey

Released in 2016, Closer, a collaboration between The Chainsmokers and Halsey, is a song that delicately portrays the complexities and misalignments of love.

While reflecting on a past relationship and weaving in hope for the future, it’s perfect for couples trying to bring their hearts back together after a fight.

In particular, the refrain “We ain’t ever getting older” reminds us that, no matter how much time passes, there’s an unchanging bond between the two.

If you’re feeling distant after an argument, be sure to give it a listen.