Ranking of Western Music Artists Popular Among University Students [2025]

AnimalsMartin Garrix71rank/position

Martin Garrix – Animals (Official Video)

This song is Western-style music you might hear in clubs—club music.

Built around a pleasing sound that feels like processed glockenspiel tones, it’s hugely popular with partygoers.

It seems like a track that would go over very well with college students, so I recommend it.

All About That BassMeghan Trainor72rank/position

Meghan Trainor – All About That Bass (Official Video)

“All About That Bass” is a number by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, featuring a cheerful, Hawaiian-tinged rhythm that feels pleasant.

The lyrics are positive, encouraging women who worry about their body shape to embrace themselves just as they are.

The prominent bass tone throughout the track seems to add a sense of gravitas and gives the song a feeling of reassurance.

For a school sports day, it’s recommended for an individual event called “Ketsu-atsu Measurement,” a race where participants pop a balloon placed on a chair at a checkpoint by sitting on it, and those who pop it first sprint to the finish.

Beat ItMichael Jackson73rank/position

Michael Jackson – Beat It (Official 4K Video)

When it comes to classic tracks for sports days, you can’t leave out Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” Its famously iconic guitar riff is instantly recognizable the moment you hear it.

The combination of an R&B-flavored drum machine beat with hard rock guitar sounds felt incredibly fresh and stirs up a fighting spirit.

Three legendary guitarists took part in this track, and the one most often talked about is Eddie Van Halen.

There’s even a story that the speakers caught fire while he was recording the guitar solo.

Quite literally, it’s a blazing, fiery track!

FlowersMiley Cyrus74rank/position

Miley Cyrus – Flowers (Official Video)

American songstress Miley Cyrus rose to fame in the 2000s through Disney Channel’s hit series Hannah Montana and has continued to evolve as an artist, exploring a wide range of genres including pop, rock, R&B, and country.

Flowers, which she released in January 2023 as the lead single, is a precursor to her eighth album, Endless Summer Vacation.

It’s a moving message song about the importance of self-love, written after experiencing heartbreak and nearly losing herself, and then overcoming that period.

As one of the biggest international hits of 2023, your students have likely heard it somewhere.

Miley’s powerful vocals, memorable melody, and disco-tinged pop sound are sure to create maximum excitement at key moments in events like sports festivals and school field days.

StarshipsNicki Minaj75rank/position

Nicki Minaj – Starships (Explicit) (Official Video)

This upbeat dance tune, which skillfully weaves together elements of electropop and reggae, is a perfect track to energize sports days and dance events.

Released by Trinidad and Tobago–born Nicki Minaj from her album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which dropped in April 2012, the song features a structure that starts with a guitar riff and unfolds into a catchy chorus.

Boasting stellar achievements—including winning Best Female Video at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards and earning diamond certification in the United States—this track’s electrifying sound and dynamic rhythm make it an ideal choice for group dance performances.

Miss YouOliver Tree & Robin Schulz76rank/position

Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz – Miss You [Official Music Video]

Released in 2022, singer-songwriter Oliver Tree’s “Miss You” is an outrageously upbeat dance tune.

He collaborates with DJ and music producer Robin Schulz, and the result is a high-energy track with an EDM vibe.

Its brisk tempo makes it perfect for running, so it could work well as background music for races like relays, scavenger runs, or giant ball-rolling events.

Be sure to check it out.

Little ThingsOne Direction77rank/position

One Direction – Little Things

This song by the five-member group One Direction, who sadly went on hiatus in 2016, was written by Ed Sheeran.

It’s a straightforward love song with a message along the lines of “I love you just the way you are,” so direct it’s almost embarrassing.