Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists [2025]

Western songs that play as movie theme songs, in commercials, and sometimes even in comedy sketches.

Just by going about our daily lives, there are more and more moments when we think, “Oh! I’ve heard this song before!” A time may be near when Japanese people naturally hum Western songs, just like children sing ‘Butterfly.

’ So this time, we’ll introduce popular Western music artists in a ranking format.

Playlist

Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists [2025]
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	You Belong With MeTaylor Swift		A song that sings of unrequited love, jealousy, and a bittersweet maiden's heart
2	Shape of YouEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s famous song about meeting in a bar
3	Just the Way You AreBruno Mars		"Just The Way You Are" is a classic love song.
4	Wake Me UpAvicii		A radiance like fireworks blooming in the summer night sky, Sū...
5	Bohemian RhapsodyQueen		Queen's classic song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is moving.
6	One ThingOne Direction		One Direction, a passionate song about unrequited love
7	Love YourselfJustin Bieber		Justin Bieber's hit song tops the U.S. charts
8	One Last TimeAriana Grande		It was included in My Everything and...
9	High HopesPanic! At The Disco		An anthem of encouragement that gives you the courage to chase your dreams.
10	Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen		A coming-of-age song that portrays the feelings of impulsive love.
11	The Heart Wants What It WantsSelena Gomez		This breakup song by Selena Gomez is th...
12	MemoriesMaroon 5		A heartwarming classic by the band Maroon 5
13	Uptown Funk ft. Bruno MarsMark Ronson		Puts you in the mood to stride breezily through the summer city…
14	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		A moving ballad that sings of friendship and the hope of reunion
15	When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne		Avril Lavigne’s wistful ballad
16	Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis		Oasis classic “Wonderwall” inspires people
17	bad guyBillie Eilish		Characteristics of Billie Eilish’s “bad guy”
18	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele’s poignant love songs: lingering attachment and letting go
19	It’s My LifeBon Jovi		A rock sound brimming with a strong message and a sense of speed…
20	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		Backstreet Boys’ classic hit moves people around the world
21	If I Can’t Have YouShawn Mendes		A song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of an unrequited love
22	RoarKaty Perry		A song of growth to reclaim my voice
23	Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana		Nirvana’s iconic song depicting anger at society and a sense of alienation
24	All of MeJohn Legend		A moving song that sings of unconditional love
25	Hey JudeThe Beatles		The Beatles’ musical contributions are immeasurable…
26	Lose YourselfEminem		A song of Eminem’s success and the courage to overcome adversity
27	So WhatP!nk		A powerful pink-themed song about bouncing back from heartbreak
28	Bad DayDaniel Powter		A timeless song that stays by your side in times of discouragement: “Bad Day”
29	Don’t Start NowDua Lipa		Dua Lipa's 'Don't Start Now' is captivating.
30	Fight SongRachel Platten		A powerful anthem to reclaim your life, shaking the soul
31	Good TimeOwl City & Carly Rae Jepsen		A refreshing electropop track, music that makes your heart dance
32	Stay With MeSam Smith		A timeless song about loneliness and heartbreak reaches the world
33	Viva La VidaColdplay		The grand kingly sorrow of Coldplay
34	Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses		The classic song “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
35	One Call AwayCharlie Puth		Charlie Puth's unrequited love song
36	HappyPharrell Williams		Pharrell Williams’s hit song that sings about happiness
37	Closer ft. HalseyThe Chainsmokers		The Chain, released in 2016…
38	Tears In HeavenEric Clapton		Requiem for Eric Clapton’s Son
39	HappierMarshmello ft. Bastille		A parting drawn from wishing for a loved one’s happiness…
40	Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi		A gem of a ballad that gently stays close to the hearts of those in pain…
41	SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello		A Latin pop classic that depicts summer love
42	Beat ItMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's masterpiece, the power of peace
43	NumbLinkin Park		The alternative rock scene of the 2000s…
44	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		Cyndi Lauper’s classic captivates the world with a love song
45	We Are the WorldUSA For Africa		A song for world peace filled with love for humanity, “We Are the World.”
46	HonestyBilly Joel		A classic song that celebrates the importance of integrity
47	Basket CaseGreen Day		In the alternative rock scene of the ’90s...
48	UnfaithfulRihanna		From Barbados, a country located around the Caribbean Sea…
49	Blinding LightsThe Weeknd		The Weeknd’s 80s-style music is perfect for Halloween.
50	JumpVan Halen		The totally 80s-as-heck synthesizer in the intro...
51	APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars		Expressing the exhilaration of a party and the sweet feelings of romance
52	Counting StarsOneRepublic		Light at heart between ideals and reality
53	If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys		A soul-stirring R&B ballad that sings of the preciousness of love
54	I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THINGAerosmith		Aerosmith’s smash-hit love song
55	SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire		A disco classic, blissful music that makes your heart dance
56	SorryBeyoncé		Beyoncé’s anger-charged masterpiece, “So….”
57	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		A heartwarming classic that sings of everyday love
58	Stairway To HeavenLed Zeppelin		The Red ... released in November 1971
59	Under The BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers		…the most well-known overseas rock band in Japan…
60	The GreatestSia		Australian singer Sia...
61	SuckerJonas Brothers		Expressing the depth of love with a refreshing song
62	Top Of The WorldCarpenters		Carpenters’ heartwarming classic “Top of the World”
63	10,000 HoursDan + Shay, Justin Bieber		A genre-defying love song, moving
64	Made You LookMeghan Trainor		In the spotlight for a song that boosts self-esteem
65	Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles		Eagles, the legendary country rock band
66	Master Of PuppetsMetallica		It begins with an odd-meter riff and moves into a lyrical development in the middle…
67	You Are The ReasonCalum Scott		A heartrending love song that heals the pain of a broken heart
68	My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion		Céline Dion’s famous song, the theme from Titanic
69	SomedayMariah Carey		The strength of a woman overcoming the pain of a broken heart
70	LoyalChris Brown ft. Lil Wayne, Tyga		Chris, whose high-level dance technique is captivating, bu...
71	The ClimbMiley Cyrus		A ballad of hope and courage, a moving masterpiece
72	Love You Like a Love SongSelena Gomez & The Scene		Selena Gomez’s sweet love song
73	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		A timeless classic that carries on the tale of love
74	CreepRadiohead		Radiohead's cry of loneliness and alienation
75	Born This WayLady Gaga		In the music scene since the late 2000s…
76	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		A poignant song about unrequited love becomes a global hit
77	RoundaboutYES		Promoting the appeal of progressive rock masterpieces through anime
78	Love Me Like You DoEllie Goulding		A passionate love song, a track by Ellie Goulding
79	Wouldn’t It Be NiceThe Beach Boys		A classic song that sings of the pure love of youth
80	Stand By MeBen E. King		Timeless melodies that touch the heart—songs of love and gratitude that uplift people.
81	A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton		Thinking of a precious person far away, I want to go see them...
82	Smoke on the WaterDeep Purple		Deep Pu… released in 1972
83	Eagle Fly FreeHelloween		The Appeal of the Halloween Classic “Eagle Fly Free”
84	Beautiful Now ft. Jon BellionZedd		ZEDD’s signature song that became a worldwide hit. Bu...
85	Sky HighElektronomia		ElektroNomia from Finland is...
86	Last ChristmasWham!		A classic Christmas breakup song
87	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A masterpiece by The Police: a sweet melody with morbid lyrics
88	Open ArmsJourney		A signature song by Journey, who were hugely active in the 1980s…
89	Here With Me Feat. CHVRCHESMarshmello		Gaining popularity with a unique marshmallow headpiece…
90	Symphony feat. Zara LarssonClean Bandit		Clean Bandit's classic song, the melody of love
91	Let Her GoPassenger		Passenger’s hit song “Let Her Go”
92	HUMBLEKendrick Lamar		Kendrick La…, a key figure in the hip-hop world,
93	I Was Born To Love YouFreddie Mercury		Freddie of Queen: A masterpiece of love and passion
94	Virtual InsanityJamiroquai		A track with a groovy, striking bassline…
95	What I Like About You ft. Theresa RexJonas Blue		Summary (20 characters): A woman in love sings of the allure of her new partner and the freedom she feels in dance-pop.
96	Shape Of My HeartSting		The Appeal of Sting's 'Seven Days'
97	Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)Kelly Clarkson		A powerful song about overcoming with 'Stronger'
98	I Turn To YouChristina Aguilera		Christina’s iconic song of gratitude, a heartwarming R&B
99	As It WasHarry Styles		Harry Styles’s poignant classic “As It Was”
100	Comfortably NumbPink Floyd		The innovative rock band that Britain is proud of, Pin…