29 Best Songs for Tweens: The Ultimate Playlist

Finding the perfect soundtrack for your tween years can be a total game-changer! That's why we've compiled this ultimate list of the best songs for tweens, a carefully curated selection designed to capture the energy, emotions, and experiences of this exciting life stage. Tweens are navigating a whirlwind of new friendships, burgeoning independence, and self-discovery, and music plays a vital role in processing these intense feelings. This isn't just about catchy tunes; it's about finding songs that resonate with their evolving identities, offering both upbeat anthems for carefree days and heartfelt ballads for quieter moments of reflection. From pop bangers to feel-good indie hits, we've got the perfect playlist to keep your tween dancing, singing, and feeling understood. Get ready to discover the songs that will define their middle school years and beyond!

29 Best Songs for Tweens: The Ultimate Playlist
SongArtistAlbumListens
1. Uptown Funk Mark Ronson
Bruno Mars
Uptown Special 5B+
2. Sugar Maroon 5 V 4B+
3. Counting Stars OneRepublic Native 4B+
4. Roar Katy Perry PRISM 4B+
5. Wake Me Up Avicii True 2B+
6. Just the Way You Are Bruno Mars Doo-Wops & Hooligans 2B+
7. CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! Justin Timberlake Come Into My Life (The Album) 2B+

1. Uptown Funk

Upbeat Tempo and Groove: Uptown Funk boasts an irresistible, funky rhythm that's perfect for dancing and getting energized—ideal for tweens who love to move!

Catchy Vocals and Lyrics: Bruno Mars's charismatic vocals and the song's memorable lyrics make it incredibly catchy and easy to sing along to, a must for any tween karaoke session.

Positive and Fun Vibe: The overall feeling is upbeat and celebratory, promoting positive energy and making it a great choice for boosting any tween's mood.

Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson,Bruno Mars

2. Sugar (2014)

Upbeat Tempo: Sugar boasts a catchy, upbeat tempo perfect for dancing and singing along, making it ideal for tween parties or just boosting a mood.

Relatable Lyrics: The lyrics explore the exciting, sometimes confusing feelings of early crushes and infatuation, something many tweens can connect with.

Positive Vibes: Overall, the song projects a fun, positive energy that's both infectious and appropriate for a young audience.

Sugar - Maroon 5

3. Counting Stars (OneRepublic)

Upbeat Tempo: Counting Stars boasts a driving, infectious beat that's perfect for dancing and singing along, making it ideal for tween parties or just boosting their mood.

Relatable Lyrics: The lyrics about chasing dreams and finding your place in the world resonate with the aspirations and anxieties many tweens experience.

Positive Vibes: The song’s overall optimistic tone and anthemic quality offer an uplifting and empowering listen for young people.

Counting Stars - OneRepublic

4. Roar (2013)

Catchy Melody: Roar boasts an instantly memorable melody that's both powerful and uplifting, perfect for singing along to with friends.

Empowering Lyrics: The lyrics are all about self-acceptance and embracing your inner strength, a message that resonates deeply with tweens navigating self-discovery.

High-Energy Vibe: Its driving beat and strong vocals create an energetic atmosphere ideal for dancing and boosting confidence – exactly what tweens need!

Roar - Katy Perry

5. Wake Me Up (True - 2025)

Upbeat Tempo: Wake Me Up boasts a relentlessly positive and catchy rhythm perfect for dancing and singing along, making it ideal for tween parties or getting ready in the morning.

Positive and Empowering Lyrics: The lyrics focus on themes of optimism and seizing the day, inspiring a feel-good vibe that resonates with a young audience.

Broad Appeal: Avicii's signature blend of electronic and acoustic elements makes this a crossover hit, appealing to a wide range of tween musical tastes.

Wake Me Up - Avicii

6. Just the Way You Are

Upbeat Melody: "Just the Way You Are" boasts a catchy, feel-good melody perfect for dancing and singing along, making it instantly relatable for tweens.

Relatable Lyrics: Bruno Mars' smooth vocals deliver lyrics about accepting and celebrating someone for who they are, a message of self-acceptance and positive relationships that resonates with young listeners.

Positive Vibes: The song's overall optimistic and encouraging tone creates a happy and uplifting atmosphere, ideal for parties or just chilling with friends.

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

7. CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! (Justin Timberlake)

Upbeat and Catchy Melody: CAN'T STOP THE FEELING!'s infectious rhythm and melody are incredibly easy to sing along to, making it perfect for dancing and boosting any tween's mood.

Positive and Empowering Lyrics: The song's message of joy and positivity resonates strongly with young listeners, offering an uplifting and feel-good vibe.

Relatable Theme: The simple yet powerful theme of happiness and letting loose is something tweens can easily connect with, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any party or gathering.

CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! - Justin Timberlake

8. Call Me Maybe

Call Me Maybe

Catchy Melody: Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" boasts an undeniably catchy melody that's easy to sing along to, perfect for tween singalongs and dance parties.

Upbeat Tempo: The upbeat tempo and positive lyrics create a fun and energetic vibe that's infectious and uplifting, ideal for boosting moods.

Relatable Theme: The song's theme of a crush and playful flirting is relatable to many tweens, making it a fun and familiar anthem for this age group.

Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

9. What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction)

Upbeat Pop Sound: "What Makes You Beautiful" boasts a bright, infectious pop sound perfect for dancing and singing along, making it instantly relatable for tweens.

Relatable Lyrics: The lyrics focus on the excitement and nervousness of young love, a theme that resonates deeply with a tween audience.

Nostalgic Appeal: This One Direction classic evokes a sense of fun and carefree energy, tapping into the nostalgia many tweens feel for early 2010s pop culture.

What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction

10. Firework (2011)

Upbeat Tempo and Catchy Melody: Firework boasts a relentlessly positive and energetic rhythm perfect for dancing and singing along, making it an ideal anthem for tween get-togethers.

Empowering Lyrics: Katy Perry's vocals deliver a message of self-belief and inner strength, resonating with tweens navigating self-discovery and embracing their individuality.

Relatable Themes: The song's themes of overcoming challenges and believing in yourself are universally appealing to young people, offering a feel-good message that boosts confidence.

Firework - Katy Perry
  • Happy
    11

    Happy

    Pharrell Williams

    2013

    G I R L

  • We Are Young
    12

    We Are Young

    fun.,Janelle Monáe

    2011

    Some Nights

  • Party In The U.S.A
    13

    Party In The U.S.A

    Miley Cyrus

    2009

    The Time Of Our Lives (International Version)

  • Pompeii
    14

    Pompeii

    Bastille

    2013

    Bad Blood

  • Me Too
    15

    Me Too

    Meghan Trainor

    2016

    Thank You (Deluxe Version)

  • I Gotta Feeling
    16

    I Gotta Feeling

    Black Eyed Peas

    2009

    THE E.N.D. (THE ENERGY NEVER DIES)

  • Love Story
    17

    Love Story

    Taylor Swift

    2009

    Barton Hollow

  • Stronger
    18

    Stronger

    Kelly Clarkson

    2011

    Stronger (Deluxe Version)

  • Good Time
    19

    Good Time

    Owl City,Carly Rae Jepsen

    2012

    The Midsummer Station

  • Teenage Dream
    20

    Teenage Dream

    Katy Perry

    2010

    Teenage Dream

  • On Top Of The World
    21

    On Top Of The World

    Imagine Dragons

    2012

    Night Visions (Deluxe)

  • Let It Go
    22

    Let It Go

    Idina Menzel

    2013

  • Best Day Of My Life
    23

    Best Day Of My Life

    American Authors

    2014

    Oh, What A Life

  • Sk8er Boi
    24

    Sk8er Boi

    Avril Lavigne

    2002

    Let Go

  • Brave
    25

    Brave

    Sara Bareilles

    2013

  • Dynamite
    26

    Dynamite

    Taio Cruz

    2010

    Rokstarr

  • Shake It
    27

    Shake It

    Metro Station

    2007

    Metro Station

  • Since U Been Gone
    28

    Since U Been Gone

    Kelly Clarkson

    2004

    Breakaway

  • Shake It Off
    29

    Shake It Off

    Taylor Swift

    2014

    1989