Moving Western songs recommended for junior high school students: world classics and popular hits

Born This WayLady Gaga

Lady Gaga – Born This Way (Official Music Video)

A hit song by the world-famous pop star Lady Gaga, whose name is widely known even among junior high school students.

While Gaga’s visuals can be a bit intense for younger generations, the lyrics are incredibly powerful and offer listeners a sense of hope for life.

It’s a song I’d love junior high school students—who are entering a time of self-reflection—to sing passionately while savoring the meaning of the words.

NumbLinkin Park

Numb (Official Music Video) [4K UPGRADE] – Linkin Park

Formed in 1996, the American alternative rock band Linkin Park is a perfect choice for a Western rock band to start listening to from middle school.

Their songs feature choruses that genuinely soar, verses brimming with a sense that something’s about to happen, heavily distorted guitars, and emotional vocals—every element is just incredibly cool.

Their track “Numb” exemplifies this, and I believe it’s a song that can open a musical door you’ve never opened before.

MemoriesMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – Memories (Official Video)

Maroon 5 is an American band that has gained worldwide popularity with its wide-ranging musicality and catchy lyrics.

From upbeat tracks that get you moving to heart-wrenching ballads, they can do it all—but the song we’re introducing this time is so sad you’ll want to have a handkerchief ready.

“Memories” is a masterpiece created as a requiem when their longtime manager passed away.

While death may not feel very close to most high school students, parting ways with friends is inevitable for seniors preparing to graduate.

If you’re in your final year, be sure to give it a listen.

Welcome To The Black ParadeMy Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance – Welcome To The Black Parade [Official Music Video] [HD]

My Chemical Romance is a rock band from New Jersey that represents the 2000s.

Although they disbanded in 2013, their sudden reunion in 2019 is still fresh in our memories for delighting longtime fans.

Unfortunately, their Japan tour was canceled, but the news of their reunion made waves online, so some younger music fans may have first learned their name then.

This time, I’d like to introduce one of their signature songs, “Welcome to the Black Parade,” released in 2006.

Its dramatic song structure is truly superb, and its overwhelmingly melodic quality makes it easy to listen to even for those not used to Western music.

If you’re interested, be sure to check out the album The Black Parade as well!

Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video)

This is a historic masterpiece by Nirvana that rewrote the music scene of the 1990s with nothing more than a power-chord riff blasted through heavily distorted guitars.

Kurt Cobain, who at the time was elevated as a spokesperson for the so-called Generation X, delivered screams that resonated powerfully with young people grappling with loneliness and frustration.

Because the band’s history—and the tragic events surrounding Kurt Cobain afterward—is so well known, people tend to approach the song with all kinds of preconceptions.

But I hope today’s middle schoolers will simply experience how straight-up cool the song itself is.

Live While We’re YoungOne Direction

One Direction – Live While We’re Young

One Direction, the boy band that achieved top-tier success in the 2010s.

The feats they pulled off in the few years before going on hiatus in 2016 can’t be summed up in a short sentence.

Of course, they’re hugely well-known in Japan as well, and the song we’re featuring this time, “Live While We’re Young,” was a massive hit released in 2012.

It was even used as the theme song for the TV show Mezamashi Doyoubi, so many of you have probably heard it.

It’s a pop song bursting with youthful energy—quintessentially them at their peak—and its lyrics about enjoying your youth will likely resonate directly with junior high students in the midst of adolescence.

ChandelierSia

Sia – Chandelier (Official Video)

With this striking music video, it quickly became popular among Japanese middle schoolers and other young people.

I think it’s rare to see a music video that incorporates dance scenes to this extent.

And we’re all drawn to those powerful, commanding vocals, aren’t we? I’ve heard it’s been popular at karaoke lately, too.