Lovely Western music

[Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western pop songs for concerts: timeless classics from every era

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

At concert band performances, unlike competitions, many groups choose to play pop music, don’t they?

Among them, Western pop songs pair well with a brass sound, and there are many popular tunes that have been performed for years.

Still, some of you might be thinking, “When it comes time to actually pick a piece, it’s hard to decide…”

So in this article, we’re carefully selecting and introducing Western pop songs we’d love to hear performed by wind ensembles, in order of recommendation!

Be sure to listen together, discuss your options, choose a piece, and put on a wonderful performance.

[Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western Pop Songs for Concerts: Timeless Classics from All Eras (21–30)

Irresistiblement (I'm Your Captive)Sylvie Vartan

Sylvie Vartan - I’m Addicted to You

Irresistiblement (Anata no Toriko) Sylvie Vartan

This is a song released in 1968 by the French singer Sylvie Vartan.

In Japan, it became popular after being used in commercials and as one of the performances in the film Waterboys.

It’s an upbeat, lively tune, so it’s often arranged for and performed by wind bands.

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The Girl From IpanemaAstrud Gilberto

The Girl from Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto

The Girl From IpanemaAstrud Gilberto

It’s a bossa nova piece composed in 1962 by Brazil’s Antônio Carlos Jobim, which became famous the following year when Astrud Gilberto released it with English lyrics.

The song has been covered widely around the world and is often used in wind ensembles as well.

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[Wind Band] Recommended Western Pop Songs for Concerts: Timeless Classics from Every Era (31–40)

You Raise Me UpSECRET GARDEN

You raise me up with Secret Garden

You Raise Me UpSECRET GARDEN

It’s a piece released in 2002 by a duo from Ireland and Norway.

It was originally an instrumental, but many artists have covered it and added lyrics.

In Japan, it became well-known after being used in a figure skating program and is also frequently performed by wind bands.

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All I Want For Chirstmas Is YouMariah Carey

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)

All I Want For Chirstmas Is YouMariah Carey

A signature song by the popular American female singer Mariah Carey, released in 1994.

During the Christmas season, you hear it everywhere, and there are countless covers and arrangements.

In wind ensembles as well, groups that hold concerts during the holiday season almost always perform it.

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let It BeThe Beatles

The Beatles – Let It Be

let It BeThe Beatles

Let It Be, released in 1970 by the Beatles, the ultra-famous British band known to everyone.

Many Beatles songs have been arranged not only for wind ensemble but also for piano and guitar, and among them I think this song has the most arrangements.

It’s a slow ballad with a relatively simple progression, making it easy to perform and popular even among junior-high and high-school students.

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Highway StarDeep Purple

Deep Purple – Highway Star 1972 Video HQ

Highway StarDeep Purple

One of the signature songs by Deep Purple, a rock band formed in the UK.

It’s still used as background music on TV and in commercials, so even people who don’t know the band or song name have likely heard it.

In concert band settings, it’s often performed as the “Deep Purple Medley,” a popular piece in concerts.

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YMCAVillage People

Y.M.C.A.

YMCAVillage People

Released in 1978 by the American six-member group Village People, this song became famous in Japan when Hideki Saijo sang it with Japanese lyrics.

Its choreography and upbeat sound are popular, and it’s also played as a cheering song at Koshien.

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