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[2025] Youthful Western Music Songs: A Collection of Recommended Hidden Gems

There are countless shapes that youth can take, and there are many songs that capture those bright yet bittersweet days—young love, stories of failure, and everyday moments with friends.

In this article, we focus on “hidden gems” among Western songs that evoke youth, selecting lesser-known bands in Japan and deep cuts from famous artists’ albums.

We’ve especially highlighted many young Gen Z artists, so it’s a must-read for anyone looking to discover new music.

In the latter half, we also introduce classic youth anthems from past decades, so be sure to enjoy those as well!

Playlist

[2025] Youthful Western Music Songs: A Collection of Recommended Hidden Gems
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastHey YouThe Belair Lip BombsComing-of-age pop by an Australian band
2eastBeach HousedaydreamersDaydreamers: a rising star of wistfulness and exhilaration
3eastSpeeding 72MommaMonma, a band reviving 90s rock for the modern era
4eastHow Do You KnowDayglowAn 80s-style coming-of-age song that sings about young people's anxieties
5eastNot Like The RestGIRLBAND!The appeal of the UK’s spotlighted girl band
6eastNothing Would ChangeThe Linda LindasThe restlessness and hope of youth as depicted by a young punk band
7eastEmo SongbeabadoobeeA masterpiece that sings of the emotional sway of a Gen Z singer
8eastXmas EveCentral CeeThe soul of Central Cee, a talent of the UK rap scene
9eastNEED YOUNEMZZZA young rapper from Manchester, a song of youth
10eastI’ve seen ur exflowerovloveGen Z singer portrays the complex emotions of love
11eastFeel SomethingClairoA sense of lost youth and a wistful ballad
12eastalright (feat. The Kid Laroi)EKKSTACYMusic that expresses the feeling of youth with a sense of speed
13eastKellyThe AcesThe Aces’ queer coming-of-age song
14eastIce Cold PoolWallowsA moving song that portrays the anxieties and nostalgia of youth
15eastused to youmxmtoonA coming-of-age song by a Gen Z icon, singing of nostalgia
16eastLive While We’re YoungOne DirectionA youthful hit song by 1D, hugely popular worldwide
17eastThank youPale FountainsA classic by The Pale Fountains
18eastYoung at HeartTHE BLUEBELLS80s trad-style music that feels youthful
19eastMemories of Sunny Beat (Oblibious)Aztec CameraAztec Camera and Roddy, symbols of youth
20eastScars of Youth (Hurts So Good)John CougarThe American hit song “Scars of Youth”
21eastThe Glow of Youth (I Need to Be in Love)CarpentersThe timeless classic that continues to shine, “A Love That Gazes Into Each Other’s Eyes”
22eastMy GenerationThe WhoThe Who’s explosive 60s rock song
23eastLight and Shadow of YouthJudy Collins
Light and Shadow of YouthJudy Collins
A folk classic: Chicago’s Light and Shadow
24eastDancing QueenABBAIconic songs by the Swedish pop group ABBA
25eastSchool’s OutAlice CooperA smash-hit song with a summer vacation theme
26eastFight for Your Right (To Party)Beastie BoysThe Bee City Boys’ Hit Songs and Musical Revolution
27eastWhen the Leaves Are Young (First of May)Bee GeesTheme song of Wakaba no Koro, a famous song by the Bee Gees
28eastYoung One (The Young Ones)Cliff RichardAn iconic song that epitomizes youth music in 1960s Britain
29eastTonight Is What It Means To Be YoungFire Inc.A song that depicts the beauty and transience of youth
30eastDon’t Treat Me Like a ChildHelen ShapiroA poignant song by a teenager who isn’t understood by their parents
31eastAt Seventeen (when I was 17)Janis IanA masterpiece that sings of the complex emotions of youth
32eastAn Officer and a Gentleman (Up Where We Belong)Joe Cocker & Jennifer WarnesThe theme song of the film “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
33eastAlways keep the sun in your heart (To Sir With Love)LuluA moving film about a Black teacher and a white student
34eastBuilt To LastMêléeA youth anthem that pursues dreams, conveying courage and hope
35eastSmells Like Teen SpiritNirvanaNirvana’s classic song “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
36eastYou’re SixteenRingo StarrLove for a 16-year-old girl with sparkling eyes
37eastThe Youth That Will Never Return (Yesterday When I Was Young)Shirley BasseyAn adaptation of a song by Charles Aznavour
38eastSexy & Seventeen ((She’s) Sexy + 17)Stray catsStray Cats’ neo-rockabilly music
39eastTeenage DreamT-REXThe classic song by glam rock master Marc Bolan
40eastLong LiveTaylor SwiftAn inspiring youth anthem for friends who chase their dreams
41eastHigh School Teacher (Don’t Stand So Close to Me)The PoliceThe Police’s hit song about a forbidden relationship between a teacher and a student
42eastMickeyToni BasilToni Basil scores a hit with “Mickey.”
43eastDreaming Tracy (They Don’t Know)Tracey UllmanTracey Ullman is a talented singer and actress.
44eastObscurity KnocksTrashcan SinatrasA masterpiece that captures the hazy, restless feelings of youth
45eastYMCAVillage PeopleVillage People's signature song, worldwide popularity
46eastBurning Youth (Young Turks)Rod StewartAn anthem for the youth, Rod’s techno track
47eastWhen You Were YoungThe KillersSam's Town, the Killers' signature work