Lovely Western music

[2025] Learn English with Western Music! A roundup of the best Western songs for studying English

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Even among Western music fans, not everyone necessarily understands English, and many people probably wonder, “I want to study English by listening to Western songs, but can I really use them for studying?” To get straight to the point, learning English through Western music is effective, and it’s a great study method that lets you pick up many expressions unique to native speakers! Of course, just listening passively won’t help you study.

Start by singing along while looking at the lyrics—this also trains pronunciation and linking.

Repeating songs will also help with listening practice.

This article compiles classic Western songs suitable for English-learning beginners, so please use it as a reference!

[2025] Learn English with Western Music! Recommended Western Songs for Studying English (21–30)

PerfectEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Perfect (Official Music Video)

PerfectEd Sheeran

The globally popular singer-songwriter from the UK, Ed Sheeran, is behind the famous ballad “Perfect.” This song is an ideal choice for pronunciation practice for English learners.

Its romantic melody has a slow tempo, making it easy to clearly catch each word in the lyrics.

The story told in the lyrics conveys the beauty of love, and by listening repeatedly, listeners can naturally pick up English phrases and expressions.

In particular, Ed Sheeran’s gentle vocals are perfect for learning pronunciation, so if you want to study English while singing, be sure to hum along to this track!

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HappyPharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams – Happy (Video)

HappyPharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” is a great song for anyone who wants to learn English.

Since its release in 2013, this song has continued to be loved around the world.

It features a catchy melody and a rhythmic beat, and its lyrics are full of positive messages.

You can enjoy practicing English phrases as you listen, making it easy for beginners to remember and helping you naturally pick up the rhythm and intonation of the language.

Its fast tempo of 160 BPM helps improve listening skills, and by listening repeatedly, you’ll naturally memorize the phrases.

The song also sparked a global social phenomenon, inspiring tribute videos worldwide, and it’s sure to make learning English feel fun.

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[2025] Learn English with Western Music! A roundup of recommended Western songs for studying English (31–40)

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license (Official Video)

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo

Since its release in January 2021, Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license” has captivated music fans around the world, especially on social media.

Her lyrics center on romance, making them easy to relate to, and her emotive vocals are also ideal for pronunciation practice.

In addition, the dynamic ebb and flow of the melody enhances listening skills and helps you grasp stress and rhythm in the language.

Why not refine your sense of English while listening to her clear, translucent singing voice?

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In conclusion

As I mentioned at the beginning, simply listening to Western music in the background won’t help you learn English.

Not every Western music fan understands English, and in fact, many people have lots of “I don’t get the lyrics, but I love this song” favorites.

Using this article as a reference, try reading the lyrics of your favorite songs and making your own translation—that’s a fantastic way to study!