Youth Anthems in Western Music: Ranking [2025]

Leave the Door OpenBruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic57rank/position

Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open [Official Video]

Silk Sonic is a duo formed by Bruno Mars and Anderson .

Paak.

They’re known for a sound rooted in 1970s neo-soul—a modern style of soul music—and their retro approach has earned high praise around the world.

One of Silk Sonic’s classic tracks is Leave the Door Open.

It’s an incredibly sweet love song, so if you’re a high school student with a significant other, be sure to check out the Japanese translation too!

You’re BeautifulJames Blunt58rank/position

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

It’s a classic tear-jerking love song by James Blunt.

Its somewhat bittersweet vibe makes it a perfect match for one’s youth.

Surely, listening to this song with a lover when you’re young would make for a truly wonderful time.

I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas59rank/position

The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (Official Music Video)

A classic by The Black Eyed Peas.

It’s a wonderful track that carries the scent of youth.

As you listen, happy memories naturally come flooding back, filling you with warmth.

Beneath its bright, dance-style melody, there’s a hint of bittersweetness—absolutely a song you should experience while you’re young.

Somewhere Only We KnowKeane60rank/position

Keane – Somewhere Only We Know (Official Music Video)

A masterpiece of piano rock that blends nostalgia and freshness will strike a chord in your heart.

Delicate piano melodies sketch inner landscapes, leading listeners back to their youth.

The lyrics possess a crystalline purity, and a gentle longing for the past slowly seeps into the soul.

A band sound with the piano at its core creates an atmosphere rich in emotion, resonating with our inner selves.

Released in May 2004, this track reached No.

3 on the UK charts.

Tying a journey of the heart to the piano, it’s easy to see why this Keane classic has been loved across time.

It’s a song you’ll want to play when you’re reminiscing about memories with someone dear.

Whenever, WhereverShakira61rank/position

Shakira – Whenever, Wherever (Official HD Video)

This is a single by Shakira, a Latin pop singer from Colombia.

Released in 2001, it reached number 8 on the charts in Japan.

Although she had already gained fans in Spanish-speaking regions, this song marked her challenge to the global stage as a non-native English speaker—and her success.

ComplicatedAvril Lavigne62rank/position

Avril Lavigne – Complicated (Official Video)

Among Avril’s songs, one track in particular is famously known for making listeners cry: “”.

While it can hardly be called a recent release, its unique mood—combined with Avril’s age at the time—will undoubtedly move today’s high school students to tears.

Try EverythingShakira63rank/position

Shakira – Try Everything (Official Video)

It’s the theme song of Disney’s animated film Zootopia, which also serves as the ending theme.

It’s a happy, uplifting track that Judy, the protagonist, listens to on the train as she heads from the countryside to the big city.

Perfect for weddings, receptions, and celebrating a new beginning.