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.

Playlist

Western music artists popular among middle school students: 2025 ranking
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Good TimeOwl City & Carly Rae Jepsen		A refreshing electropop track, music that makes your heart dance
2	Shape of YouEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s songs capture the beginning of a romance…
3	APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars		Expressing the exhilaration of a party and the sweet feelings of romance
4	bad guyBillie Eilish		Billie Eilish’s dark songs
5	We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor Swift		Taylor Swift, a songstress thriving across multiple genres
6	GirlfriendAvril Lavigne		Along with an exhilarating pop-punk sound, it...
7	Love YourselfJustin Bieber		Justin Bieber's hit song tops the U.S. charts
8	2002Anne-Marie		Anne-Marie’s … released in 2018
9	Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen		Carly Rae Jepsen, popular for her catchy pop lyrics
10	Don’t Start NowDua Lipa		Dua Lipa’s signature song “Don’t Start Now”
11	SugarMaroon 5		A smash-hit song everyone knows. A poppy mel…
12	All About That BassMeghan Trainor		『All About That Bass…
13	High HopesPanic! At The Disco		An anthem of encouragement that gives you the courage to chase your dreams.
14	Let It BeThe Beatles		A world-famous rock that surely everyone knows...
15	STAYThe Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber		The signature song of 1980s-style synth-pop, 'STAY'
16	EspressoSabrina Carpenter		An addictive blend that skillfully fuses pop and funk...
17	As It WasHarry Styles		Harry Styles' signature song 'As It Was'
18	Uptown Funk ft. Bruno MarsMark Ronson		It features an energetic, danceable beat...
19	We Will Rock YouQueen		The powerful rhythm of clapping and stomping electrifies the spo...
20	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		A tumultuous love song, a masterpiece that conveys the depth of love
21	Dirty WorkAustin Mahone		24-Hour Runner featured in Buruzon Chiemi’s comedy routine…
22	ButterBTS		Perfect for the height of summer, Edgar de Po...
23	NumbLinkin Park		Formed in 1996, an American alternative rock...
24	Just The Way You AreBruno Mars		Introducing Bruno Mars’s classic love songs!
25	SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire		A dance song loved across generations
26	Here With Me Feat. CHVRCHESMarshmello		Gaining popularity with a unique marshmallow headpiece…
27	Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis		If you’re talking about an Oasis song that makes you cry, it’s this one.
28	Live While We’re YoungOne Direction		A youth anthem that celebrates young people's spirit of adventure
29	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		A poignant love song, a worldwide hit
30	Wake Me UpAvicii		A radiance like fireworks blooming in the summer night sky, Sū...
31	Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters		People who still love the Carpenters’ classic songs
32	abcdefuGAYLE		GAYLE’s popular TikTok hit “abcdefu” is perfect for middle school students.
33	Blinding LightsThe Weeknd		80s music makes a comeback as The Weeknd’s songs draw attention
34	She Looks So Perfect5 Seconds of Summer		A pop-rock coming-of-age song that resonates with the heart
35	Bad DayDaniel Powter		Uplifting classics to listen to when you're feeling down
36	If We Ever Broke UpMae Stephens		In 2023, a British… who took TikTok by storm
37	Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Shakira		With a powerful, groovy rhythm and Afro…
38	Green Green GrassGeorge Ezra		This piece, characterized by its cheerful melody and heartfelt lyrics...
39	Despacito ft. Daddy YankeeLuis Fonsi		It begins with the austere tones of a flamenco guitar...
40	A Bar Song (Tipsy)Shaboozey		Skillfully blending country and hip-hop…
41	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		Stevie Wonder is still active.
42	We Are the WorldUSA For Africa		A song for world peace filled with love for humanity, “We Are the World.”
43	HelloAdele		Appearing like a comet and still attracting attention from around the world...
44	It’s My LifeBon Jovi		A rock sound brimming with a strong message and a sense of speed…
45	MiracleCalvin Harris, Ellie Goulding		Let me introduce an exceptionally poppy, danceable track...
46	Viva La VidaColdplay		Coldplay’s masterpiece, a hymn to life
47	Basket CaseGreen Day		The pioneering American pop-punk band, Gri...
48	Let It GoIdina Menzel		“Let It Go” is a song about self-liberation.
49	I’m YoursJason Mraz		A refreshing, heartwarming acoustic guitar classic
50	Born This WayLady Gaga		Find hope to live through Lady Gaga’s powerful lyrics
51	HappyPharrell Williams		An exhilarating track that conveys happiness, a No. 1 hit in the U.S.
52	Stay With MeSam Smith		The supreme singing voice born in the UK. The world's greatest v…
53	ChandelierSia		Australian songstress Sia in 2014…
54	thank u, nextAriana Grande		The American singer Ariana Grande...
55	SacrificeBebe Rexha		A masterpiece that truly embodies dance music, ‘…’
56	My UniverseColdplay X BTS		Coldplay and BTS's collaborative song
57	My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion		A song that moved people as the theme of Titanic
58	I Don’t CareEd Sheeran & Justin Bieber I Don’t Care		A collaboration song by a famous artist that sings about emotions
59	DALLA DALLAITZY		In 2019, as the junior group to TWICE...
60	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		Sweet lyrics and a melodious trac...
61	CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!Justin Timberlake		Energize yourself with bright, rhythm-filled music.
62	RoarKaty Perry		Katie Perry’s smash hit that boosts self-esteem
63	Dancing Feet ft. DNCEKygo		Kygo, popular for his upbeat, catchy music
64	ApologizeOneRepublic		OneRepublic was formed in 2002...
65	StitchesShawn Mendes		Shawn Mendes’s hit song wins the grand prize
66	The MottoTiësto & Ava Max		Ava Max and Tiësto’s collaboration track
67	Favorite SongToosii		A fresh expression of the feeling of being in love, Toos…
68	PILLOWTALKZAYN		ZAYN, who left One Direction...
69	Kill This LoveBLACKPINK		BLACKPINK is a group from the K-pop scene that...
70	Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)Beyoncé		Beyoncé, the magnificent songstress of America…
71	This Is What You Came For ft. RihannaCalvin Harris		Calvi, a highly popular DJ in the electro scene…
72	We Don’t Talk AnymoreCharlie Puth		This signature song, a collaboration with Selena Gomez...
73	Rockabye ft. Sean Paul & Anne-MarieClean Bandit		A dance track that fuses electro and classical...
74	Love Me LIke You DoEllie Goulding		Working with an up-tempo, rhythmic sound...
75	Not AfraidEminem		Hip-hop that showcases advanced rap skills...
76	Work from Home ft. Ty Dolla $ignFifth Harmony		Fifth Harmony’s smash hit
77	Life Is Good ft. DrakeFUTURE		An iconic track by a top rapper in the trap scene
78	Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses		It’s a band I got into in middle school. Once you listen…
79	BelieverImagine Dragons		A rock ba... with a modern, stylish vibe that's really appealing
80	Mi GenteJ Balvin, Willy William		A refreshing dance beat and energetic rhyt...
81	On The Floor ft. PitbullJennifer Lopez		It depicted a feverish night on the dance floor…
82	Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRockLMFAO		LMFAO are rappers and da...
83	RudeMAGIC		Popular reggae-pop song, success on the world charts
84	Lean On feat. MOMajor Lazer & DJ Snake		The American electronic group Maj...
85	Girls Like YouMaroon 5 ft. Cardi B		In autumn, when it's easy to feel nostalgic, …
86	Billie JeanMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson’s hit song “Billie Jean”
87	FlowersMiley Cyrus		American songstress Miley Cyrus...
88	Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana		Ringing out from a searingly distorted guitar...
89	AnacondaNicki Minaj		Nicki Mi…, an American rapper
90	Just Give Me A ReasonP!nk		Won Song of the Year at the 56th Grammy Awards and…
91	WorkRihanna		Even the current Japan national soccer team coach, Halilhodžić, is a fan...
92	The Heart Wants What It WantsSelena Gomez		Trouble in my relationship with my boyfriend...
93	SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello		Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello a...
94	Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)Silentó		A Hip-Hop artist from Atlanta...
95	DANCE MONKEYTones and I		Tones and I’s worldwide hit song
96	Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas		A masterpiece that sampled a surf rock track
97	CloserThe Chainsmokers		The Chainsmokers, released in 2016, …
98	Don’t Let Me DownThe Chainsmokers ft. Daya		Speaking of autumn, it's also a comfortable season to spend time in, and…
99	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		When it comes to tear-jerker songs recommended for young people, this is the one...
100	Stressed Outtwenty one pilots		The American rock band twenty on...