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Recommended Western music for college students: world classics and popular songs

What Western music is popular among college students right now?

As expected, there are a lot of recent songs.

I feel like many of them are built on a dance music foundation.

If there are any songs you don’t know, definitely check them out!

Try introducing them to your college friends, too.

Recommended Western songs for college students: World classics and popular tracks (61–70)

Little ThingsOne Direction

This song by the five-member group One Direction, who sadly went on hiatus in 2016, was written by Ed Sheeran.

It’s a straightforward love song with a message along the lines of “I love you just the way you are,” so direct it’s almost embarrassing.

We Found LoveRihanna

Rihanna – We Found Love ft. Calvin Harris
We Found LoveRihanna

Despite sounding bright, this song actually doesn’t have a happy ending.

The lyrics are bittersweet, yet relatable once you understand them.

It portrays a girl who becomes so consumed by love that she loses sight of everything around her.

Still, it makes you think you might want to experience this kind of addictive love, too (lol).

We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor Swift

This song by the global songstress Taylor was also the theme song for Terrace House.

It’s about a boyfriend who’s always quick to break up.

She’s fed up with him and sings about her resolve to never get back together.

College students might relate to it…

Something Just Like ThisThe Chainsmokers & Coldplay

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This (Official Lyric Video)
Something Just Like ThisThe Chainsmokers & Coldplay

This song, a collaboration between the popular DJs The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, is a love song that expresses a woman’s feelings of romance.

It conveys the sentiment that she doesn’t want a superhero, but rather the person she has fallen for.

Once In a WhileTimeflies

It’s a popular song by Timeflies, a music group from Boston.

It’s a summery, up-tempo, catchy dance tune; while the lyrics don’t look like a love song at first glance, the self-questioning phrases can be read as subtly bittersweet.

StayZedd, Alessia Cara

Zedd, Alessia Cara – Stay (Lyric Video)
StayZedd, Alessia Cara

This song by the popular DJ Zedd is a heartrending love song.

Sensing that the two of them don’t have much time left, it pleads for him to stay a little longer.

The chorus even features the sound of a ticking clock—listen closely to appreciate the subtle details.

Into YouAriana Grande

Ariana Grande – Into You (Official Video)
Into YouAriana Grande

A dance-pop track released in 2016 by American singer Ariana Grande.

It became a hit worldwide and was certified platinum in seven countries.

The desert-set music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis.