Western music artists popular among middle school students: 2025 ranking
When kids move from elementary to junior high school, their musical tastes often change regardless of gender.
It’s only natural, since they start to understand the meanings of more mature songs.
It’s also the age when many discover Western music, with lyrics in other languages and melodies different from Japanese pop.
Here’s a ranking of Western artists popular among junior high school students.
Western Music Artists Popular Among Junior High School Students: Ranking [2025] (1–10)
Good TimeOwl City & Carly Rae Jepsen1rank/position
This is an exceptionally happy track created by Owl City, a leading figure in electropop, and the globally popular singer Carly Rae Jepsen.
The lyrics paint a picture of an incredibly fun time where you can laugh things off with a cheerful “It’s all good!” no matter what happens.
It’s brimming with a positive energy that says, “Let’s just enjoy the moment.” Released in June 2012, the song appears on both artists’ albums, The Midsummer Station and Kiss, and topped the charts in Canada and New Zealand.
Its brisk melody and the harmonious blend of male and female vocals are a delight, and it’s a sure-fire crowd-pleaser that will light up the room if you duet it at karaoke.
Shape of YouEd Sheeran2rank/position
Ed Sheeran’s song is an upbeat dance number themed around the beginning of a romance.
It portrays how a relationship deepens after a chance meeting at a club or bar.
Released in 2017, the track blends elements of pop, dancehall, and tropical house, and became a global smash hit.
It has surpassed two billion streams on Spotify and topped the charts in many countries.
It’s a must-have classic in dance music.
Still widely loved, this song is also recommended for middle school students.
Its rhythm-forward, catchy melody is perfect for those who enjoy dancing.
It’s a great pick for enjoying a party with friends or for lifting your mood.
APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars3rank/position
This track stands out with a pop-rock sound full of wave-riding rhythm and powerful energy.
It’s a collaboration between Rosé, the main vocalist of Korea’s BLACKPINK, and 15-time Grammy winner Bruno Mars.
Released in October 2024, it topped the charts in more than 25 countries worldwide.
Inspired by a drinking game popular among young people, it deftly weaves together the exhilaration of a party and the sweetness of romance.
The wistful vocals and edgy guitar work blend seamlessly, resulting in a polished, sophisticated song.
It’s perfect for boosting team motivation at school sports festivals or anytime you want to hype up the crowd with powerful chants.
bad guyBillie Eilish4rank/position
Billie Eilish, an American singer-songwriter who is highly acclaimed around the world, is known for her dark and melancholic songs, and she has continued to thrive without fundamentally changing her musical style since her debut.
Her biggest hit is “bad guy.” It was a massive hit in 2019, so even junior high school students are probably familiar with it.
While the track showcases her dark aesthetic, it’s crafted with an overall groovy, catchy melody.
It’s rare to find a song this upbeat with such a softly sung vocal line, so be sure to try it at karaoke.
We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor Swift5rank/position
Taylor Swift is a female singer-songwriter who has been active for many years since the 2000s.
She originally specialized in orthodox country music, but from the middle of her career she also began working in dance music.
Among her songs, the one I especially recommend for junior high school students is “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” It features a classic melody that epitomizes Western pop music, so I think even junior high school students who don’t know the song can enjoy it a lot.
GirlfriendAvril Lavigne6rank/position
Set to an exhilarating pop-punk sound, this track captures the straightforward emotions born from a one-sided crush.
Released in February 2007 by Canadian artist Avril Lavigne, it showcases her quintessential powerful vocals and energetic performance that captivated music fans around the world.
As the lead single from the album “The Best Damn Thing,” it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and has achieved over 7.
3 million in global sales.
It’s a perfect pick for school festivals and cultural events, instantly lifting the mood of the venue.
Beloved by many at parties and dance events as well, this vibrant song continues to energize crowds everywhere.
Love YourselfJustin Bieber7rank/position
This work, one of his signature songs, is a hit number from the album Purpose, released in November 2015.
With a simple arrangement centered on the sound of the guitar, the melody is remarkably easy to remember.
Since it’s sung in a whisper rather than belted out, some listeners may find it surprisingly easy to sing.
The song reached No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts and impressively topped the year-end chart for 2016.