Youth Anthems in Western Music: Ranking [2025]

We’ve put together a collection of youthful, vibrant pop songs—both old and new—that have been popular over the years.

We’re introducing them in a ranking format based on video view counts.

Check it out to see which songs are popular and use it as a reference.

The playlist is also being updated.

Playlist

Youth Anthems in Western Music: Ranking [2025]
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Live While We’re YoungOne Direction		One Direction’s classic that portrays the troubles of youth
2	Here’s to Never Growing UpAvril Lavigne		It’s a rousing anthem that celebrates eternal youth.
3	FifteenTaylor Swift		A treasured song that portrays the radiance and pain of youth
4	Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen		A coming-of-age song that portrays the feelings of impulsive love.
5	What Makes You BeautifulOne Direction		An anthem to encourage women who lack confidence
6	SugarMaroon 5		Maroon 5 has so many breakup and cheating songs...
7	Blank SpaceTaylor Swift		Songs included on a globally famous and popular Western music album
8	We Are YoungFun. ft. Janelle Monáe		Overcoming youthful failures and regrets through music
9	Where Is The Love?The Black Eyed Peas		After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States...
10	Counting StarsOneRepublic		A five-piece rock band gaining support in the English-speaking world...
11	Rolling in the DeepAdele		Adele makes a global breakthrough with '21'
12	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		A massive 90s hit, a staple love song for karaoke
13	Dancing QueenABBA		Iconic songs by the Swedish pop group ABBA
14	No OneAlicia Keys		Signature song 'Daremo' expresses a strong will.
15	I’m YoursJason Mraz		Bright and somehow soothing, with a distinctive ukulele...
16	I Dont’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith		It's a classic song, and I think many people can relate to it...
17	Fight SongRachel Platten		A moving song that portrays the moment of decision
18	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		Because time cannot be stopped, people look ahead...
19	CelebrationKool and The Gang		A classic brimming with positive energy is a ma...
20	When You Were YoungThe Killers		A masterpiece that reflects on growth and the past
21	YesterdayThe Beatles		The youthful spirit of the Beatles’ hit classic “Help!”
22	Seventeen ForeverMetro Station		The music video for the hit song “Shake It”
23	Die Young Stay PrettyBlondie		A reggae-style ode to life, an international hit song
24	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		A moving masterpiece that portrays friendship and bonds, resonating with the heart.
25	Shape of YouEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s coming-of-age love song
26	RoarKaty Perry		Katy Perry, who is popular worldwide
27	SorryJustin Bieber		Justin Bieber's signature music
28	Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s soul-stirring masterpiece
29	Let Her GoPassenger		We take things for granted and lose something, and only then, for the first time...
30	FadedAlan Walker		Somehow happy, yet tinged with a bittersweet feeling…
31	BailandoEnrique Iglesias		Dance song by Enrique from Spain
32	New RulesDua Lipa		Changes in music trends and Dua Lipa’s songs
33	On The Floor ft. PitbullJennifer Lopez		J.Lo’s club music hit song
34	Someone Like YouAdele		A bittersweet ballad that brings back memories of a former lover I dearly loved…
35	DANCE MONKEYTones and I		Popular songs by Tones and I
36	Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana		Nirvana’s classic song “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
37	Bad RomanceLady Gaga		The captivating musical world of Lady Gaga
38	I’m the One ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil WayneDJ Khaled		DJ Khaled, an American DJ, ja...
39	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		A gemlike love ballad that powerfully sings of eternal love…
40	I’m Not The Only OneSam Smith		A husband who is having an affair, and as I begin to realize it...
41	Girls Just Want To Have FunCyndi Lauper		An iconic song from the ’80s and Cyndi’s remarkable singing soothe the soul.
42	Somewhere over the RainbowIsrael “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole		The place where the rainbow hangs is where our dreams come true. A movie…
43	Rap GodEminem		Hip-hop is trending among high school students.
44	It’s My LifeBon Jovi		A hit song that delivers courage and hope
45	When I Was Your ManBruno Mars		While I was her boyfriend, the things that made her happy…
46	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A famous song by The Police that portrays an obsession with lost love
47	Hot N ColdKaty Perry		If you want to liven up your wedding or reception in an outrageous way, ...
48	CreepRadiohead		Even among the hugely popular band Radiohead, particu...
49	MemoriesMaroon 5		Maroon 5's moving tribute song
50	FRIENDSMarshmello & Anne-Marie		A relatable song that portrays youthful romance
51	Another LoveTom Odell		I started a new relationship, but I keep remembering the one before...
52	Baby One More TimeBritney Spears		Britney’s smash hit “…Baby One More Time”
53	STAY (with Justin Bieber)The Kid LAROI		A masterpiece that portrays youthful regret and a bittersweet love
54	A Sky Full Of StarsColdplay		They make weddings and receptions moving and exciting...
55	RoyalsLorde		Sing the life-sized cries of youth
56	Blinding LightsThe Weeknd		A new trend in 80s music: synth-pop
57	Leave the Door OpenBruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic		Silk Sonic, a '70s-style soul music act
58	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		A tear-jerking love so… by James Blunt
59	I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas		The Black Eyed Peas's...
60	Somewhere Only We KnowKeane		Piano rock that blends nostalgia with freshness...
61	Whenever, WhereverShakira		Shakira’s worldwide hit song
62	ComplicatedAvril Lavigne		Among Avril’s songs, this one is especially famous for making people cry...
63	Try EverythingShakira		The main… of Disney’s animated film Zootopia
64	Hey Ya!OutKast		OutKast wins awards for their hit songs and diverse musicality
65	CirclesPost Malone		Foreign song lyrics are difficult, but they have unexpected depth too.
66	Say SomethingA Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera		A heartrending masterpiece, a moving movie insert song
67	Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey		A sad masterpiece that sings of the sense of loss in summer
68	Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey		Lana Del Rey’s wistful vocals and aesthetics
69	When We Were YoungAdele		Looking at the profile of the person I once loved, I remembered when I was young...
70	22Taylor Swift		A masterpiece that sings of the anxieties and brilliance of youth
71	CupsAnna Kendrick		A song with a clear, transparent singing voice and rhythm
72	GirlfriendAvril Lavigne		Western songs that liven up weddings and receptions, in blue...
73	Dear Future HusbandMeghan Trainor		With the title “Dear Future Husband,” and...
74	IrisGoo Goo Dolls		An angel with eternal life chooses love for a human woman...
75	Let It GoDemi Lovato		Disney’s animated film “Frozen”...
76	#SelfieThe Chainsmokers		Expressing young people's SNS addiction through EDM
77	Livin’ La Vida LocaRicky Martin		Hit song by the Lehman Brothers
78	Cry Me A RiverJustin Timberlake		Super popular artist “Justin Tim…”
79	When your goneAvril Lavigne		A song of sorrow and resolve for a cherished person
80	Bye Bye Bye*NSYNC		A hit song from the 2000s album, rhythmically catchy and memorable.
81	MalibuMiley Cyrus		Miley Cyrus’s 2017 release…
82	Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne		A song by Avril Lavigne that resonates with the heart
83	Lose You To Love MeSelena Gomez		A timeless song that heals the emotions of high school life, Selena Gomez
84	So WhatP!nk		Songs from Pink’s fifth album
85	For YouLiam Payne, Rita Ora		The final installment of the trilogy, the romantic film “Fifty Sh…”
86	Boom ClapCharli XCX		A youthful love song that everyone can clap along to and get excited about...
87	A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton		To meet the one I have strong feelings for, what kind of...
88	Rain On MeLady Gaga, Ariana Grande		A hugely popular dance track featuring a duet of divas
89	Happier Than EverBillie Eilish		A moving work that sings of growth and independence after heartbreak.
90	Watermelon SugarHarry Styles		Harry Styles' hit song 'Watermelon Sugar'
91	ShiversEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s popular song “Shivers”
92	ForeverChris Brown		R&B singer Chris Brown, influenced by Michael
93	Basket CaseGreen Day		A masterpiece born from the experience of panic disorder
94	Need to KnowDoja Cat		A female rapper blending pop and hip-hop
95	Don’t You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds		Theme song of an 80s teen movie
96	Love AgainDua Lipa		A deep-voiced songstress who is also a model
97	One Sweet DayMariah Carey		Mariah Carey's signature song tops the chart
98	Teenage DreamKaty Perry		Katy Perry’s youth-empowerment anthem
99	CryinAerosmith		A bittersweet song about parting with someone dear
100	Blow Your Mind (Mwah)Dua Lipa		The gorgeous singer’s du… released in 2016