[University Students] Popular Western Music Rankings [By Generation]

Shake It OffTaylor Swift15rank/position

Taylor Swift – Shake It Off

Taylor Swift’s hit song “Shake It Off.” Around this track, Taylor Swift began moving away from her country style and shifting toward pop, which has a larger market.

Every part of the song is wrapped in a bright, upbeat vibe.

Because the melody is simple, it might be a great match for Japanese listeners who tend to find complex melodies challenging.

In any case, it’s an exceptionally cheerful song, so it works well as entrance music or in any scene where you want to raise the energy level.

Mi GenteJ Balvin, Willy William16rank/position

J Balvin, Willy William – Mi Gente (Official Video)

This is a collaborative work by J Balvin from Colombia and Willy William from France, blending exhilarating dance beats with energetic rhythms.

Skillfully weaving in elements of moombahton, reggaeton, and dancehall, the track sparked a global sensation the moment it was released in June 2017.

It was also featured in the popular Just Dance video game series, and the music video achieved 400 million views just 47 days after its release—an all-time record.

With its powerful sound and catchy melody line, it’s an ideal choice to add flair to dance performances at school sports days and athletic festivals.

CloserThe Chainsmokers17rank/position

The Chainsmokers – Closer (Lyric) ft. Halsey

The Chainsmokers’ hit song “Closer,” released in 2016.

If you’ve even dabbled a little in Western pop music, you’ve probably heard it.

The track does a great job of highlighting Halsey’s wistful vocals.

It’s a song that conveys the feelings of both a man and a woman after a breakup.

As the song approaches the end, Halsey’s vocals grow increasingly powerful—be sure to pay attention.

It may not have much of a sports day vibe, but it’s guaranteed to lift your spirits!

HelloAdele18rank/position

Adele – Hello (Official Music Video)

The atmosphere exudes a sense of tragic melancholy, like a heartbreak song.

Rather than relying on the sound, it seems to be a track that showcases the artist’s own vocal ability.

It may not be hugely popular among younger listeners, but I hope people of all ages will give it a listen.

Rockabye ft. Sean Paul & Anne-MarieClean Bandit19rank/position

Clean Bandit – Rockabye (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie) [Official Video]

Clean Bandit, renowned for their dance music that fuses electronic and classical elements.

“Rockabye” is a hit song that topped the charts in many countries through a collaboration between Clean Bandit, singer-songwriter Anne-Marie—known for her versatile vocal timbre and compelling balance of power—and rapper Sean Paul.

It’s a wonderful track that empathizes with the efforts and challenges of a single mother striving for her child.

Since it focuses on a parent and child, it could be great for use in a parent-child duo performance, like a three-legged race!

Work from Home ft. Ty Dolla $ignFifth Harmony20rank/position

Fifth Harmony – Work from Home (Official Video) ft. Ty Dolla $ign

The American five-member girl group Fifth Harmony took the global music scene by storm with this ultimate dance anthem.

A mid-tempo melody infused with breezy tropical house elements sets the stage for the group’s powerful vocals to soar.

Their sophisticated R&B-style singing is perfectly accented by rapper Ty Dolla $ign’s gritty feature.

Released in February 2016 as the lead single from the album “7/27,” it peaked at No.

4 on the Billboard chart and earned 5× Platinum certification in both the U.

S.

and Canada.

Catchy and energetic, it’s an ideal BGM for group dance scenes.

Seamlessly blending a retro funk vibe with modern EDM sounds, this track is guaranteed to bring a vibrant flourish to school sports days and athletic festivals.

This Is What You Came For ft. RihannaCalvin Harris21rank/position

Calvin Harris, Rihanna – This Is What You Came For (Official Video)

This is their first song together since “We Found Love,” a massive hit by the hugely popular electronic DJ Calvin Harris and the incomparable songstress Rihanna—and this one was a big hit too.

By the way, rumor has it the song was written by Calvin Harris’s ex, Taylor Swift… or maybe not.

It’s a track with a little bit of lore behind it.