Western songs we want elementary school students to listen to: recommended classics and hit tracks
These days, elementary school students receive active English education, and thanks to the growth of the internet they can access music from around the world anytime.
It’s a time when many kids enjoy music without distinguishing between Western and Japanese songs.
In this article, we researched recommended Western music for elementary school students living in such a global era.
From that famous theme song used in an animated movie, to hit songs you’ve probably heard somewhere, to timeless classics that can even help with studying English—we’ve put together a diverse selection!
Western songs we want elementary school students to listen to: recommended classics and hit tracks (1–10)
Oh Happy DaySt. Francis Choir with Ryan Toby
The song that appears in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, starring Whoopi Goldberg, is based on an 18th-century hymn and was written in 1969 by Edwin Hawkins.
It’s a perfect fit for the film’s memorable scenes set in a convent.
I think it’s a lively yet bittersweet piece that makes you realize the joy and fun of singing.
It’s a classic that shows us how to connect with music—playing and singing together as one.
How about enjoying it along with the movie?
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-DaThe Beatles
The Beatles’ 1989 song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.” This striking phrase is a coined expression, and it’s best understood as a word that conveys a kind of “fun, carefree vibe.” Among the Beatles’ catalog, it’s especially poppy, cheerful, and has a feel of something everyone can enjoy together.
Above all, the lyrics are simple, so it could even be used in elementary school English education.
It might also work well as teaching material for piano or acoustic guitar accompaniment.
As part of the pop music tradition, why not let children start listening from their elementary years?
shape of youEd Sheeran
If you asked an elementary school child what Western pop song they like and they named this one, I’d think that’s really cool.
It’s “Shape of You,” a signature hit by the globally popular singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
Precisely because the arrangement is simple with few instruments, the coolness of the vocals really stands out.
True to the EDM-influenced Western pop of the 2010s, the mature lyrics are part of its appeal.
The melody is excellent, and it’s a song you can lightly sway to and enjoy.
I think it’s a great choice to play as a quintessential example of cool music.
Try everythingShakira
Shakira’s song “Try Everything,” used in the Disney film Zootopia.
In the animal-inhabited kingdom of Zootopia, a small rabbit girl pursues her dream of becoming a police officer, overcoming setbacks again and again.
This song perfectly matches that story, giving listeners the courage to take on challenges.
It’s a track with a four-on-the-floor dance beat and catchy lyrics, and even in the Japanese version there are memorable phrases.
I think it’s wonderful if you listen with the curiosity of wondering, “What does that phrase sound like in English?”
Hakuna MatataJason Weaver,Nathan Lane,Ernie Sabella
The Lion King, Disney’s feature-length animated film released in 1994.
The movie is filled with memorable music, and this song might be one of the most unforgettable.
Hakuna Matata, sung by Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog.
Though the phrase sounds unusual, it means “no problem” in Swahili.
Upbeat, fun, and cheerful, it’s a song that offers a hint on how to live—life may be full of worries, but you can embrace it with carefree joy.
Story of My LifeOne Direction
The British boy group One Direction.
They debuted in 2010 when they were around 16, and their success story became a worldwide phenomenon.
Their song “Story of My Life” was released in 2013, at the peak of their popularity.
The lyrics are beautiful, expressing passionate feelings for a single woman in a literary way—so I hope you’ll also enjoy the Japanese translation.
That said, it’s a track you can think is cool from the very first listen, so just enjoy the music!
Hello KittyAvril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne, who sparked a massive boom in Japan in the 2000s as a rock singer, has performed live here many times and is a musician with deep ties to Japan.
Are you familiar with her surprising 2014 release, aptly titled “Hello Kitty”? It blends a rock-EDM vibe with Japanese lyrics and takes as its theme Hello Kitty, the beloved character from the Japanese company Sanrio.
For girls who probably owned at least one Hello Kitty item, it might be a great gateway into listening to Western music.