[Elementary School Students] Popular Western Music Rankings [By Generation]

Best Day Of My LifeAmerican Authors71rank/position

American Authors – Best Day Of My Life

A hit song by the rock band American Authors.

Its upbeat, happy melody and optimistic lyrics—saying “Today is gonna be the best day of my life”—make it a track that fires you up.

And that catchy “Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh” hook will get everyone pumped and singing along after just one listen.

abcdefuGAYLE72rank/position

GAYLE – abcdefu (Official Music Video)

GAYLE is a female singer-songwriter who gained support from young people around the world after a viral hit on TikTok.

She’s a young artist, but her musical style is already well established.

Among her works, the song I especially recommend for elementary school students is “abcdefu.” It’s sung in a near-whisper voice, so for elementary school kids whose voices haven’t fully changed yet, it might be surprisingly easy to sing.

Another point is that precocious elementary schoolers will find many of the lyrics relatable.

Bad DayDaniel Powter73rank/position

Daniel Powter – Bad Day (Official Music Video) [HD]

Daniel Powter’s song “Bad Day.” The title might sound a bit negative at first, but if you translate the English lyrics into Japanese, your impression will completely change.

It was a huge hit in 2005 and is a warm track that can lift you up when you’re feeling down.

Even years after its release, it remains a timeless classic, and the melody is wonderful.

Listening to it and making it the first English song you can sing as part of your repertoire would be pretty cool!

My WayFrank Sinatra74rank/position

My Way (2008 Remastered)

It’s one of the world’s most iconic songs, loved by people of all ages.

Since dads and moms often hum it, children naturally learn it too.

As long as you can sing the “my way” part, you’re pretty much set, so it’s a number that elementary school kids love.

Gotta Be YouOne Direction75rank/position

One Direction – Gotta Be You

It’s a One Direction number released in 2011.

In the music video, you can see the members looking fresh and still a bit innocent at the time.

It has a slow tempo and simple lyrics, making it easy enough to understand and likely helpful for junior high school English listening practice.

I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston76rank/position

Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You – Lyrics

It’s a song that could be considered one of American singer Whitney Houston’s signature tracks.

The very first word of the climactic chorus draws attention—widely praised and often used as a fun reference—so it’s highly well-known.

The song itself is a magnificent masterpiece with a gentle resonance, so please take your time and listen closely.

World’s Smallest ViolinAJR77rank/position

AJR – World’s Smallest Violin (Official Video)

AJR’s song “World’s Smallest Violin” is a work that portrays the difficulty of getting others to understand your troubles.

The message embedded in the track is the conflict of feeling that one’s personal problems seem trivial when compared to someone else’s bigger issues.

The protagonist’s inner life is candidly revealed, touching on a grandfather’s wartime experiences and friendships.

While emphasizing the need for emotional expression, it also highlights society’s tendency to dismiss emotions.

It’s a track that strongly reflects the musical identity of AJR, an American indie pop band.

Released on the 2021 album OK ORCHESTRA, it became a viral hit on social media.

It has also racked up views in YouTube Shorts and is hugely popular even among elementary school students.