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

Just The Way You AreBruno Mars22rank/position

Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are (Official Music Video)

This is an original song by Bruno Mars.

He elevated niche-oriented soul and funk into a higher level of pop music.

That’s what led to his overwhelming sales and popularity.

Of course, he’s popular among middle schoolers too, so if you don’t know him, you should check him out.

Smell Like Teen SpiritNirvana23rank/position

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video)

This one song dropped like a bomb on America back when L.

A.

metal was all the rage.

It’s the signature track from the band that catapulted grunge—a genre that wasn’t very familiar to the general public and wasn’t mainstream—into a full-blown boom.

A must-listen, especially for its explosive chorus.

Can’t Stop The FeelingJustin Timberlake24rank/position

Justin Timberlake – CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! (from DreamWorks Animation’s “TROLLS”) (Official Video)

It’s a song that instantly boosts your mood, making you think, “I can’t hold back this fun feeling—let’s just dance!” It may seem difficult at first glance, but if you use the cover version from the movie Trolls as a reference, even elementary school students should find it approachable.

In the film, it was also used as a song that makes everyone happy.

Sweet child O mineGuns N’ Roses25rank/position

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine (Official Music Video)

This song, built around a distinctive riff, dates back to the 1980s, yet it still doesn’t feel dated—that’s what’s amazing about this band.

The foundations of rock lie with the older bands, so I recommend starting with this essential group and then branching out to listen to various others.

Hips don’y lieShakira26rank/position

Shakira – Hips Don’t Lie (Official 4K Video) ft. Wyclef Jean

It’s an ultra-famous track by the Latin queen, Shakira.

It has a different vibe from American songs, with distinctive Latin rhythms woven generously throughout.

Her voice is unique, and the song is sure to immerse you in a captivating, otherworldly atmosphere.

What Makes You BeautifulOne Direction27rank/position

One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful (Official Video)

A signature song from One Direction’s debut album “Up All Night” that propelled them to global stardom.

It’s also well known for winning the British Single of the Year at the 2012 BRIT Awards.

Born from the songwriter’s real-life experience, the heartwarming message—encouraging a loved one who feels “I’m not beautiful”—never fails to stir the emotions with every listen.

From the intro’s guitar riff it’s irresistibly catchy, and the unforgettable melody is guaranteed to light up any karaoke session.

The chorus is super simple, so even if you’re not confident in your English pronunciation, you can power through it—perfect for a big sing-along.

It’s the ultimate feel-good anthem.

I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys28rank/position

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (Official HD Video)

The Backstreet Boys were a hugely popular boy band in the 2000s.

They held a position similar to One Direction a little more recently, gaining international popularity especially among younger generations.

For those of you with elementary school–aged children, they might be just the right-generation boy group.

For such families, we recommend I Want It That Way.

It’s one of their signature songs, with a relaxed rhythm and a refreshing overall feel.

The vocal range is narrow and it doesn’t require many advanced techniques like runs or ad-libs, making it easy for elementary school students to sing.