[2025] Western Music You’ve Heard at Least Once — From Trending New Tracks to Timeless Classics

Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) [Remix]Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Lil Nas X brought us 2019’s big trend: the crossover with country.

The crossover with hip-hop and R&B felt incredibly fresh.

Country legend Billy Ray Cyrus even shows up in the music video practically in cosplay! The video, crafted like a Tarantino film, is a feast for the eyes.

It’s packed with punchy jokes and oozes cool.

The visuals are striking, but the song itself is also bold—the combination was unprecedented, so once you hear it, you won’t forget it.

The RoseBette Midler

The Rose – by Bette Midler + lyrics

It’s a well-known song in Japan, notable for its gentle piano tones and Bette Midler’s vocals.

It was also used as the theme song for the film The Rose, in which Bette Midler herself starred.

In Japan, it has been featured not only as the theme song for the drama Flowers for Algernon starring Tomohisa Yamashita, but also in various tie-ins and as background music.

Top of the worldCarpenters

Carpenters Top of the World The Carpenters HQ

A smash hit by the American pop duo the Carpenters, who produced numerous classics mainly in the 1970s.

Released in 1973, this song’s catchy melody line continues to be loved by many people today.

In Japan, it has been used in a variety of contexts, including commercials and TV dramas.

SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello – Señorita

Camila Cabello, who rose to global attention with “Havana.” Born in Cuba, she’s known for weaving Latin musical flavors into her songs.

That Latin vibe also comes through in “Señorita,” her collaboration with Shawn Mendes.

It’s a sensual track where the voices of the two singers intertwine.

The cinematic music video is excellent as well, and it’s a perfect song to listen to while driving or taking a walk, swaying to the rhythm.

Dancing QueenABBA

ABBA – Dancing Queen [Lyrics]

This is a single released in 1976 by the Swedish chorus group ABBA.

Remarkably, the song reached number one in 13 countries worldwide and sold 3 million copies globally, including 500,000 in Japan, making it a major hit.

Boy With Luv feat. HalseyBTS

BTS (방탄소년단) ‘작은 것들을 위한 시 (Boy With Luv) (feat. Halsey)’ Official MV

This is “Boy With Luv” by BTS, the male hip-hop group representing South Korea, which reportedly set a world record by reaching 100 million views at the fastest pace right after the MV was released.

The lyrics talk about discovering love after meeting you, expressing both personal growth and love for a partner.

The razor-sharp dancing, the looks, the style—everything is cool, and the video is so fun that it’s definitely worth watching!

Separate WaysJourney

Journey – Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (Official HD Video – 1983)

You’ll recognize this one from its tense, synth-driven intro: it’s Separate Ways, released in 1983 by the legendary rock band Journey.

With an aggressive, fighter-like, and muscular sound, the song has even been used in Japan as Samurai Japan’s theme for the WBC.

And you can’t talk about this track without mentioning its music video—one that inevitably makes you add a question mark.

It’s a notorious curio that runs counter to how cool the song is, so be sure to check it out at least once!