[2025] A Collection of Dark Western Songs Middle Schoolers Should Hear

Love me please love meMichel Polnareff

love me please love me (bonne qualité)

From the piano in the intro to the vocals that skillfully use falsetto, it’s an utterly beautiful masterpiece.

The song expresses a plea to be loved, and I’m sure many middle schoolers have felt this way about the person they have a crush on.

A great song remains great across generations.

CoffeeMiguel

Miguel – Coffee (Official Video)

Many love songs tend to be dreamy and fantastical, but this track portrays the scenes common to them in a realistic way.

There are a few slightly adult expressions, but I believe this is exactly how we’re influenced by songs and grow them into part of our identity.

Young BloodNoah Kahan

Noah Kahan – Young Blood

It’s a song where the acoustic guitar fits perfectly with the transparent, airy world of the vocals.

As we become adults, seeing something through takes a lot of courage, and there’s a constant anxiety that what we do might end up hurting someone.

When you’re in middle school or otherwise young, maybe there’s an energy that surpasses that anxiety—enough to invent or achieve something!

TroublemakerOlly Murs ft. Flo Rida

Olly Murs – Troublemaker ft. Flo Rida

In this upbeat, catchy song, he sings about calling the girl who stirs up his heart a troublemaker.

Of course, that’s really his feelings in reverse, but that kind of twisted, can’t-look-at-things-straight-on attitude is pretty common in love, isn’t it? Don’t you middle schoolers have a lot of moments like that too?

You know meRobbie Williams

Robbie Williams | You Know Me (Official Video)

It’s a song about regrets overflowing without end, and personally, I even feel like it’s almost negative promotion.

Because it’s an ex who I felt truly knew my real self, it’s hard to fully move on.

That’s the gist of the lyrics, but the song itself has a somewhat light, pop feel and is easy to listen to.

Be With YouRoger Taylor

Roger Taylor – Be With You

First off, the plaintive, weeping guitar in the intro is heartbreaking—it really evokes the deepening of autumn.

By the time you’re in middle school, people’s musical tastes start to diverge, and some will come to love this kind of adult, understated sophistication.

Definitely try listening to it while taking a walk through fallen leaves.

Don’t Tell MeRuel

Ruel • Don’t Tell Me (Official Audio)

When this song by Ruel came out, he was just 14 years old, and even Elton John—after hearing it—said, “I’m blown away!” Indeed, the maturity and vocal prowess in his voice are remarkable.

In Japan, that’s around middle-school age, right? This track makes it clear that it’s never too early to start something.