Western music artists ranking popular among people in their 20s [2025]

All I Want For ChristmasMariah Carey71rank/position

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)

This is one of Mariah Carey’s signature songs, loved as a classic Christmas tune.

Released in 1994, it became a major hit in Japan as well.

The song expresses a desire to spend time with a loved one rather than receive Christmas presents, featuring a catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics.

In Japan, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Christmas at Age 29,” leaving a deep impression on many people.

Every December, it reappears on charts around the world.

It’s the perfect track for boosting the holiday spirit or conveying your feelings to someone special.

Let Me Love YouMario72rank/position

Mario – Let Me Love You (Official Video)

This is a summer classic by Mario, where his sweet, urban vocals shine with an outstanding rhythm-and-blues approach.

It’s especially popular among men in their twenties, and its mood-rich, refreshing lyrics leave you feeling refined.

Uptown Funk (ft. Bruno Mars)Mark Ronson73rank/position

Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk (Official Video) ft. Bruno Mars

If there’s a song that boldly heralded the revival of ‘80s funk and became a massive hit in the 2010s, it has to be this track released in 2014.

It was a huge hit around the world, and since it was used in commercials here in Japan, even people who don’t usually listen to Western music have probably heard it at least once.

It’s a smash hit born from the collaboration between Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars—a renowned music producer who has worked on countless famous artists’ albums since the 2000s and a hugely popular singer-songwriter.

It’s a song that makes you want to move with the rhythm, guaranteed to hype up any party or karaoke session.

All I Want for Christmas Is YouMerry Christmas74rank/position

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)

Mariah Carey’s signature song, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Although this piece is often cited as a difficult song, it’s not without singable elements.

The tricky part is mainly the slow-tempo opening; once the beat kicks in and the tempo picks up, the kind of wide-interval vocal runs heard in the intro appear less frequently.

Even so, the overall difficulty remains on the higher side, but given its top-tier recognition and popularity, it’s well worth the challenge.

ThrillerMichael Jackson75rank/position

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Official 4K Video)

Speaking of autumn, it’s got to be Halloween! This song perfectly matches Halloween’s slightly dark yet fun vibe.

It’s one of Michael Jackson’s signature tracks, and just watching the highly polished short-film-style music video is exciting.

Razor-sharp dance moves, phenomenal vocals, and the hospitality of an entertainer dedicated to delighting people—Michael’s charm remains as vibrant as ever.

FlowersMiley Cyrus76rank/position

Miley Cyrus – Flowers (Official Video)

This song portrays a journey of self-discovery that begins at the end of a romance.

Miley Cyrus’s clear, luminous vocals gently embrace the process of moving on after heartbreak.

Released in January 2023 by the American artist, the track became a massive hit, reaching number one in 38 countries.

Its message about the importance of self-love is sure to resonate with women in their 20s who are struggling with love.

Listen to it at a girls’ night with friends, and it might become a moment to encourage one another.

It’s also popular at music festivals and clubs, so be sure to add it to your playlist.

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo77rank/position

Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license (Official Video)

Olivia Rodrigo is a female singer-songwriter who has gained popularity for her wide-ranging musicality.

Even those who aren’t very familiar with Western music have probably heard her songs or her voice at least once.

Her renowned track “drivers license,” released in 2021, became popular for its emotional vocals.

While it features a lot of falsetto and requires delicate pitch control, it doesn’t incorporate much of the advanced technique known as ‘fakes’ (improvisational runs).

So as long as you can accurately follow the pitch, it’s not an especially difficult song to perform.