Popular Western music. Latest rankings [2025]

Stand By MeBen E. King64rank/position

Stand By Me

A timeless masterpiece that continues to move people’s hearts across generations.

Its gently resonant melody and lyrics that seep into the soul are truly captivating.

It expresses gratitude and love for that special person who stays by your side, even in difficult times.

Released in 1961, it returned to the spotlight in 1986 as a movie theme song.

Covered by more than 400 artists and performed at a British royal wedding in 2018, it remains beloved across generations.

It’s recommended for moments when you feel down or want to feel the bond with someone important.

Wrapped in its warm vocals, you’re sure to find courage.

HelloAdele65rank/position

Adele – Hello (Official Music Video)

This song was covered by Taka from ONE OK ROCK, and one of my male students practiced it a lot in our lessons! It was the Taka version, but as he kept practicing, he was able to hit the high notes in the chorus cleanly and comfortably.

So it might be a good practice piece, and it’s also a song that feels amazing to sing once you can do it, so I recommend it! The A and B sections are basically low and gentle, but the chorus jumps into high notes, so the trick is to sing without tensing up.

You might feel like belting, but imagine sending the sound far out.

There are also falsetto ad-libs, so if you keep resonating in the space between your eyebrows and the top of your head, switching between chest voice and falsetto will become smoother.

Try to stay mindful of lifting your facial muscles as you sing!

Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses66rank/position

Choir! Choir! Choir! sings Gn’R “Sweet Child O’ Mine”

The love song, which begins with a powerful guitar riff and features a beautiful melody and a moving vocal performance, was released in June 1988 as a single from the 1987 album Appetite for Destruction.

For the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, this work became their first No.

1 hit in the United States, and it has been loved across generations, appearing in films such as Thor: Love and Thunder.

It was also performed during their Japan tour in May 2025, sending the venue into a frenzy.

Reimagined as a choral piece, it could reveal a new charm that harmonizes the raw energy of hard rock with the gentleness of a ballad.

Having the entire class sing it together would create a deeply moving, heartfelt stage.

7 ringsAriana Grande67rank/position

Ariana Grande – 7 rings (Official Video)

Often hailed as the second coming of Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande boasts immense vocal prowess and a cute look that have made her extremely popular in Japan.

“7 rings,” included on her 2019 album Thank U, Next, is a song themed around friendship.

It celebrates using the money she earned herself to spoil herself and her friends, expressing women’s independence and self-assertion.

The song was a huge hit, topping the U.

S.

charts as a single.

It was also used as fighter Ren Hiramoto’s entrance song at RIZIN 40, a mixed martial arts event.

You could say it’s a perfect track for female fighters striving to seize happiness through their own power.

With its pop vibe and powerful message, this anthem encourages everyone striving to live positively.

A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton68rank/position

Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles

A gem of a love song written with a single-minded desire to visit someone dear, far away.

Released in 2002 as the debut single of American artist Vanessa Carlton, the piece is memorable for its beautiful piano melody and crystalline vocals.

Its music video—featuring the innovative concept of playing the piano while moving through the city—garnered widespread attention and earned two Grammy nominations.

It was also used in a memorable scene in the film White Chicks and has since been featured in numerous movies and TV shows.

With a heartwarming melodic line and sincere emotion, this song resonates deeply with those in long-distance relationships or anyone who can’t easily see the one they love.

Love You Like a Love SongSelena Gomez & The Scene69rank/position

Selena Gomez & The Scene – Love You Like A Love Song

Formed in the United States in 2008, Selena Gomez & The Scene, a group under Selena Gomez’s alternate moniker, quickly gained immense popularity especially among young people despite their brief period of activity.

“Love You Like a Love Song,” the second single from their album When The Sun Goes Down, was released in 2011 and became a beloved track worldwide with its catchy melody and sweet atmosphere.

This song particularly resonates with women who feel the spark of a fresh romance or who are in the midst of a bittersweet crush.

Its lyrics, which carry a magical pull that makes you want to hit repeat, capture both the sweetness and the sting of unrequited love, evoking a sense of both transience and strength.

For women yearning for love yet troubled by feelings that may not be returned, Selena Gomez’s catchy refrain offers encouragement.

May the power of music lighten even a little of that heavy heart.

You’re BeautifulJames Blunt70rank/position

James Blunt – You’re Beautiful (Official Music Video) [4K]

This is a moving song about unrequited love by British singer-songwriter James Blunt.

Released in May 2005, it was inspired by his experience of unexpectedly seeing a former lover on the subway with a new partner.

Featured on the album “Back to Bedlam,” it became a major hit, reaching number one in 13 countries worldwide.

In Japan, it was used as an insert song for the Fuji TV drama “Kobayakawa Nobuki no Koi” and as a commercial song for the Toyota Vitz.

Although it may sound romantic at first, it actually conveys bittersweet feelings and complex emotions, resonating deeply with those who have experienced heartbreak or parting.