[Classic & Latest] Famous and Popular Songs That Sing of Youth

Fortune comes to the gate that fights.masshirona kyanbasu

Pure White Canvas / Fortune Comes to the Fighting Gate [MUSIC VIDEO]

Formed in 2017, the idol group Masshiro na Canvas—nicknamed “Shirocan”—delivers a youth-empowerment anthem with their song ‘Tatakau Kado ni Sachi Kitaru.’ Remarkably, it also reached No.

1 on the Oricon Daily Singles chart.

With lyrics like “No matter how hard it is and how close I am to losing, just standing still won’t do,” the song gives a powerful push to boys and girls who are feeling lost.

The choreography and jumps during the instrumental break are guaranteed crowd-pleasers at live shows!

SiriusAoi Eiru

Eir Aoi 'Sirius (Music Video) - Short ver. -'

Released as a single in 2013, it was used as the opening theme for the anime Kill la Kill.

The lyrics evoke youth and the protagonist’s emotions, sung over a rock sound driven by guitar, keyboards, and drums.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll feel refreshed.

Hero HOLDING OUT FOR A HEROAsakura Miki

Hero (Holding Out for a Hero) 1984 Miyuki Asakura

The school drama School Wars starring Shinji Yamashita depicts the journey of a single teacher who leads the rugby team at a troubled high school to a national championship.

Its theme song is Hero (Holding Out for a Hero) performed by Miki Asakura.

Silent majorityKeyakizaka46

Keyakizaka46 'Silent Majority'

Keyakizaka46’s debut song—and an instant classic.

It topped the Oricon chart, iTunes Store, and Billboard Japan Hot 100, among many other No.

1s, and propelled the name Keyakizaka46 into the spotlight.

With its powerful lyrics centered on the theme “We won’t be controlled by adults—this is our path,” the song struck a chord with young people across generations.

Its cool, mold-breaking image of youth—“dreaming of a new world where we don’t just obey adults”—won over not only male fans but female fans as well.

Truly a track that leads the youth of a new era!

road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE

EXILE / Michi (Short Ver.)

With an overwhelming performance, this is a smash hit by EXILE, one of Japan’s leading music groups.

It’s a song about moving forward for one’s dreams while reminiscing about the fun days spent with friends and lovers during youth, and it’s considered one of the staple numbers for graduation ceremonies.

secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE

secret base ~What You Gave Me~ ZONE (Full)

A mega-hit song by ZONE, who unfortunately disbanded in 2005.

They later reunited but ended their activities in 2013.

If there’s a song that makes you say, “Listening to this takes me right back,” it has to be Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~.

The dramatic lyrics—about two close friends being separated by a sudden transfer, leaving only a promise that they’ll definitely meet again—continue to tug at people’s hearts across generations.

ZONE, who left us with such a wonderful song, were actually marketed at their debut as a “bandol,” a blend of idol and band.

Did you know that?

beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko

aiko - 'Kabutomushi' music video

Perhaps you could call it the way Japanese is set to melody—the kind that makes me think every time how beautiful the language is—this is one of Aiko’s signature songs.

It’s also a song that suddenly brings back memories, like “I used to listen to this every day when I was young.” Taking a sharp turn from the pop image of the previous song, Hanabi, this track is said to have been inspired by the idea that while a rhinoceros beetle is strong, beneath that hard shell it’s actually surprisingly soft.

The lyrics are generous enough to allow multiple interpretations; one reading has it chronicling a moment that’s “so happy it’s almost scary.” A happy love—ah, youth.