A Must-See for Those in Their 20s: A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days
People in their 20s today—what songs come to mind when you hear the phrase “youth anthem”? The songs you listened to as a student can instantly bring back the fun times and the tough moments, right? Why not take this opportunity to look back on those memorable classics from your youth? In this article, we’ll introduce songs that people in their 20s find nostalgic.
Surely, memories of what happened back then—exchanges with friends, and the person you had a crush on—will all come vividly flooding back.
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[A Must-See for People in Their 20s] A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days (11–20)
Butter-FlyWada Kōji
Back then, nothing could beat the excitement when this song first started playing on TV.
It’s “Butter-Fly,” the iconic debut single by Kouji Wada and the very first opening theme of the anime Digimon Adventure, released in 1999.
True to a series starring boys and girls, the lyrics and melody are straightforward and burning with passion! Listening to it might bring back memories of your younger, purer self.
The chorus just makes you want to sing along! It’s a timeless anthem—a true monument in the world of anime songs.
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
A refreshing rock number that portrays the spark of romance and the brilliance of youth that arrives with the start of summer.
Released in August 2018 as the theme song for the film “Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi,” it became one of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s signature tracks.
Interweaving iconic summer imagery, it sings of the complexities of love and friendship and the hope for the future.
This song deeply resonates with people in their twenties who feel nostalgic about their youth.
It’s perfect for looking back on summer memories or reminiscing about your school days.
flying getAKB48
A youthful pop song set on a midsummer beach where a passionate man’s love begins to bloom under the blazing sun.
Fusing Latin music with rock, it features fiery brass and an exhilarating guitar solo.
Released by AKB48 in August 2011, the song won the 53rd Japan Record Award and achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing one million sales on its release day.
It was also chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise ~ 2011,” and its 18-minute music video directed by film director Yukihiko Tsutsumi became a hot topic.
Perfect for those who want to express their feelings of love honestly or pursue romance proactively.
Also recommended as a summer driving soundtrack.
crescent moonayaka
A heartwarming song that sings of the bittersweetness and hope of a long-distance relationship.
Released in 2006, it’s beloved by many as one of Ayaka’s signature works.
It was featured as the theme song for NHK’s program “Mirai Kansoku Tsunagaru TV @ Human” and used in au’s “LISMO” commercial, making it popular across a wide range of ages.
Through the image of a crescent moon, it beautifully expresses the feeling that hearts remain connected even when apart.
For people in their twenties, it’s no exaggeration to call this a defining song of their generation.
Give it a listen and let it take you back.
Starlight ParadeSEKAI NO OWARI
I imagine quite a few people got to know SEKAI NO OWARI because of this song.
The dance-music-like beat combined with its fantastical sound left a strong impression—I remember being really shocked by it at the time.
It has a slightly different vibe from their more recent tracks, so listening to it now feels very nostalgic, doesn’t it? I bet many of you also listened to the album ENTERTAINMENT, which includes this song, over and over.
RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
This is their fifth single, released in 2005 by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, and one of their signature songs, well known for being used as the opening theme for the anime Fullmetal Alchemist.
I’d bet anyone in their twenties today knows the shouted chorus.
It’s a track that had a huge impact on band kids as well.
[A Must-See for Your 20s] A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days (21–30)
A life-sized love songAqua Timez
A signature smash hit by Aqua Timez.
Brings back memories! I’m a bit shocked to realize we’ve reached the era where this song feels nostalgic (lol).
They drew attention as a new-generation mixture rock band, and I bet many people got hooked after hearing them on TV or radio back then.
The lyrics and songwriting by vocalist Futoshi are so cool.
I’m sure it brings back memories of someone you were dating or had feelings for at the time.
It’s a wonderful love song that hasn’t faded at all, even now.
In 2018, Mirei Toyama released an answer song to it.
