85 Free BGM Tracks You Keep Hearing on YouTube

Ever watched a video and thought you had heard the music somewhere before? Out of the enormous pool of royalty-free music, only a small set gets used over and over.

This article tallies seven third-party roundups about the background music used on YouTube, and lists the 85 tracks they name. Press play next to any title and it starts without leaving the page.

Every entry lists its source and composer, so you can go straight to the library and download anything you like.

85 tracksUpdated

How this list was chosen

  • The track appears in a third-party roundup specifically about the background music used on YouTube. We did not infer this from download charts on the libraries' own sites
  • The source and composer are identified, with a link to the library so you can check the current terms yourself
  • Tags are never guessed. Genre and mood come from the classification each library publishes on its own site
  • No vocal tracks. These are meant to sit under narration and dialogue, so the list is instrumental only
  • There is a video on the distributor's or the composer's own official channel. Videos re-uploaded by third parties were not used

Daily life and vlogs

For everyday footage. These sit under narration without crowding the voice.

  1. shuffle shuffle

    kk2:11

    An everyday-life staple by kk. The library files it under bright, fun, comedy and daily. 2:11.

    Use it forVlog, Daily life, Talking head

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 5 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunWarm

    Close matches from arcalune

  2. とある日常

    kk4:28

    By kk. An unusual mix in the library's own tags: curious, comedy, suspicious and daily. A long 4:28.

    Use it forDaily life, Talking head, Variety

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 4 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingComedyGentleMysterious

    Close matches from arcalune

  3. パステルハウス

    かずち2:45

    By Kazuchi. Over 520,000 downloads on DOVA-SYNDROME. Filed as fantasy with bright, warm and cute.

    Use it forDaily life, Kids content, Explainer

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 4 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunWarm

    Close matches from arcalune

  4. ちょっと楽しい

    天野 七祈1:06

    By Nanaki Amano. String-led, filed as bright, calm and daily. Just 1:06.

    Use it forDaily life, Bumper, Explainer

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunGentle

    Close matches from arcalune

  5. ほんわかぷっぷー

    もっぴーさうんど1:18

    By Moppy Sound. Filed under bright, warm, cute and modest. 1:18.

    Use it forDaily life, Kids content, Explainer

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunPositive

    Close matches from arcalune

  6. うさぎのカフェテリア

    もっぴーさうんど1:38

    By Moppy Sound. Filed under bright, warm, stylish, cute and daily. 1:38.

    Use it forCafe/cooking, Daily life, Explainer

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunWarm

    Close matches from arcalune

  7. アトリエと電脳世界

    しゃろう2:44

    By Sharou. A waltz filed as bright, warm, refreshing, cute and daily. 2:44.

    Use it forProcess shots, Vlog, Explainer

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightPositiveWarm

    Close matches from arcalune

  8. Bubble Bath

    The Green Orbs2:55

    By The Green Orbs. 2:55, via the YouTube Audio Library.

    Use it forDaily life, Kids content, Explainer

    YouTube Audio LibraryView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  9. バルーン

    カワサキヤスヒロ3:02

    By Yasuhiro Kawasaki, distributed on DOVA-SYNDROME. 3:02.

    Use it forVlog, Explainer, Opening

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming

Openers and bumpers

For intros and transitions — short tracks that hit their stride immediately.

  1. Morning

    しゃろう2:47

    By Sharou. Over 640,000 downloads on DOVA-SYNDROME. Filed as pop/country with bright, refreshing and hopeful.

    Use it forVlog, Morning footage, Opening

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 5 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunPositive

    Close matches from arcalune

  2. おどれグロッケンシュピール

    しゃろう3:15

    By Sharou. Filed as pop, rock and funk at once, with bright, refreshing and light-footed.

    Use it forOpening, Variety, Highlights

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingPopRockBrightFunPositive

    Close matches from arcalune

  3. 夏はsummer!!

    Keyta3:20

    By Keyta. Filed as funk with bright, fun and passionate. Organ and electric guitar lead.

    Use it forSummer, Opening, Highlights

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingFunkBrightFun

    Close matches from arcalune

  4. 極東の羊、テレキャスターと踊る

    しゃろう1:48

    By Sharou. DOVA-SYNDROME files it as both rock and funk, with electric guitar, bass and drums listed. At 1:48 it fits a single beat of a video.

    Use it forOpening, Process shots, Highlights

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingRockFunkStylishPowerful

    Close matches from arcalune

  5. BT GIRLS

    watson1:28

    From MusMus. 1:28.

    Use it forOpening, Highlights, Gameplay

    MusMusView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  6. Burning Heart

    森田交一5:17

    From Maou Damashii. 5:17.

    Use it forHighlights, Opening, Sports

    魔王魂View sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  7. Pops up the mind wings

    watson0:43

    From MusMus. At 0:43 it is strictly for short inserts.

    Use it forBumper, Opening, Gags

    MusMusView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  8. プラスチックアドベンチャー

    watson3:07

    From MusMus. 3:07 — one of the label's most-played tracks.

    Use it forOpening, Gameplay, Highlights

    MusMusView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  9. 桜スキップ

    watson1:10

    From MusMus. Just 1:10, with a title naming cherry-blossom season.

    Use it forSpring, Opening, Bumper

    MusMusView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming

Variety and comedy

For bloopers and reactions — mostly tracks the libraries themselves file as comedy.

  1. 追いかけっこキャッハー

    今川彰人オーケストラ2:17

    By Akihito Imagawa Orchestra. Filed as noisy, intense, comedy and fast, scored for strings and woodwinds.

    Use it forChase scene, Variety, Blooper

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 4 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingComedyBrightFun

    Close matches from arcalune

  2. If I Had a Chicken

    Kevin MacLeod2:31

    By Kevin MacLeod, distributed through the YouTube Audio Library. 2:31.

    Use it forComedy, Variety, Gags

    YouTube Audio LibraryView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  3. かえるのピアノ

    こおろぎ1:41

    By Koorogi. Filed as nursery-rhyme with bright, nostalgic, cute and comedy. 1:41.

    Use it forKids content, Daily life, Gags

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingCuteComedyBright

    Close matches from arcalune

  4. ゆりかご

    もっぴーさうんど0:47

    By Moppy Sound. A waltz filed as nursery-rhyme and acoustic, warm and cute.

    Use it forKids content, Daily life, Ending

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingAcousticCutePositiveWarm
  5. おもしろすぎてどっかん

    ハヤシユウ1:09

    By Yu Hayashi. Filed under bright, warm, cute and daily, with woodwinds and keyboards listed.

    Use it forVariety, Gags, Kids content

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunWarm

    Close matches from arcalune

  6. どたばたハプニング!

    MATSU0:34

    By MATSU. Filed as noisy, angry and comedy. At 0:34 it is strictly an insert.

    Use it forBlooper, Bumper, Gags

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingComedyBrightFun

    Close matches from arcalune

  7. はりきっちゃう時のテーマ

    こおろぎ1:52

    By Koorogi. Filed as pop and rock, with comedy, hopeful and fast.

    Use it forMotivation, Variety, Opening

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingPopRockComedyBrightFun

    Close matches from arcalune

Cooking and cafe

For close-up handwork. Light arrangements that leave room for the sounds of the work itself.

  1. わくわくクッキングタイム的なBGM

    鷹尾まさき2:06

    By Masaki Takao. Filed as swing and jazz. The title names its intended scene: cooking.

    Use it forCooking, Process shots, Variety

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 4 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingJazzAcousticBrightFunStylish

    Close matches from arcalune

  2. 春のキッチン

    もっぴーさうんど1:58

    By Moppy Sound. Filed under bright, warm, refreshing and modest. The title names both season and setting.

    Use it forCooking, Spring, Vlog

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 4 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunPositive

    Close matches from arcalune

  3. Jazz Me Blues

    E's Jammy Jams2:42

    A jazz standard performed by E's Jammy Jams, offered through the YouTube Audio Library. 2:42.

    Use it forCafe/cooking, Retro themes, Variety

    YouTube Audio LibraryView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  4. いちごホイップ

    yuki1:06

    By yuki. Acoustic guitar and keys, filed as bright, stylish, cute and daily. 1:06.

    Use it forCafe/cooking, Daily life, Bumper

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunPositive

    Close matches from arcalune

Work, streams and explainers

For long unbroken takes — even-keeled tracks that hold up over time.

  1. 10℃

    しゃろう3:39

    By Sharou. The library's tags span warm, refreshing, nostalgic, lonely and wistful. Over 390,000 downloads.

    Use it forVlog, Winter, Study/work

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 4 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingPositiveWarmGentle

    Close matches from arcalune

  2. Trick style

    まんぼう二等兵7:14

    By Manbou Nitouhei. A long 7:14, suited to standby screens and long process videos.

    Use it forLive stream, Study/work, Standby screen

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingPopFunkFunStylishPowerful

    Close matches from arcalune

  3. the opening of a book

    まつもとたくや / ioni3:13

    By Takuya Matsumoto / ioni. Filed as pop and piano, bright, stylish and daily. 3:13.

    Use it forOpening, Explainer, Vlog

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingPopPianoBrightFunPositive

    Close matches from arcalune

Gameplay and tension

For battles and close calls — filed by their libraries as battle, tense or fearsome.

  1. 8-bit Aggressive1

    もっぴーさうんど2:03

    By Moppy Sound. Filed as digital and game, with powerful, tense, intense and fast.

    Use it forGameplay, Battle, Retro themes

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingElectronicGame SoundPowerful

    Close matches from arcalune

  2. 報いの始まり

    watson1:19

    From MusMus, filed by the label under its dark category. 1:19.

    Use it forSuspense, Tension, Horror

    MusMusView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingDark
  3. HOW TO PLAY

    ハヤシユウ1:21

    By Yu Hayashi. Filed as funk with stylish, powerful and noisy. Electric guitar and bass lead.

    Use it forExplainer, Gameplay, Opening

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingFunkFunStylishPowerful

    Close matches from arcalune

  4. コールドフィッシュ

    かずち1:36

    By Kazuchi. Filed under delicate, curious, mellow, serious, tense and cold. 1:36.

    Use it forSuspense, Explainer, Tension

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingCoolMysteriousLonely

    Close matches from arcalune

Seasons, travel and scenery

For seasonal and travel footage. Many of these name their subject in the title.

  1. Splashing Around

    The Green Orbs2:36

    By The Green Orbs. 2:36. The title names its scene: splashing about in water.

    Use it forSummer, Kids content, Vlog

    YouTube Audio LibraryView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  2. サンタは中央線でやってくる

    しゃろう3:52

    By Sharou. Filed as bright, warm and cute, at a slow tempo. Its 3:52 runtime can carry a whole winter segment.

    Use it forWinter, Vlog, Feature segment

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingPopBrightFunWarm

    Close matches from arcalune

  3. Cassette Tape Dream

    しゃろう2:57

    By Sharou. Filed as pop and funk with stylish, nostalgic and mellow. Over 175,000 downloads.

    Use it forRetro themes, City walk, Opening

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingPopFunkStylishCoolNostalgic

    Close matches from arcalune

  4. Cumberland Gap

    Nat Keefe with The Bow Ties2:45

    By Nat Keefe with The Bow Ties, from the YouTube Audio Library. 2:45.

    Use it forTravel, Variety, Opening

    YouTube Audio LibraryView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  5. Dixie Outlandish

    John Deley and the 41 Players2:35

    By John Deley and the 41 Players, from the YouTube Audio Library. 2:35.

    Use it forVariety, Travel, Opening

    YouTube Audio LibraryView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  6. Sunshine!

    カワサキヤスヒロ5:35

    By Yasuhiro Kawasaki. At 5:35 it can carry a long unbroken take.

    Use it forVlog, Study/work, Scenery

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming
  7. The Entertainer

    E's Jammy Jams2:34

    Scott Joplin's ragtime standard, performed by E's Jammy Jams and offered via the YouTube Audio Library.

    Use it forVariety, Retro themes, Opening

    YouTube Audio LibraryView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming

Endings and looking back

For closers and retrospectives — wistful, moving and nostalgic in the libraries' own words.

  1. 情動カタルシス

    まんぼう二等兵5:12

    By Manbou Nitouhei. 5:12, distributed on DOVA-SYNDROME.

    Use it forHighlights, Emotional moment, Ending

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 3 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingRockPianoPowerful

    Close matches from arcalune

  2. 春よ、強く美しく

    龍崎一2:14

    By Hajime Ryuzaki. The library notes triplets, with bright, powerful, wistful and hopeful. 2:14.

    Use it forSpring, Emotional moment, Ending

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingBrightFunPositive

    Close matches from arcalune

  3. 木漏れ日

    もっぴーさうんど3:15

    By Moppy Sound. Filed under warm, delicate, nostalgic, modest and wistful. 3:15.

    Use it forFlashback, Scenery, Ending

    DOVA-SYNDROMEView sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsIn 2 roundupsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streamingWarmGentleNostalgic
  4. ハルジオン

    森田交一5:07

    From Maou Damashii. 5:07.

    Use it forEnding, Emotional moment, Flashback

    魔王魂View sourceLicence: Per the source library's termsOpen on YouTube
    Video & streaming

Always check the current terms on the source page before using a track. Royalty-free licences do get revised.

If a particular mood is what you are after, the arcalune tracks listed under each entry are free for commercial use with no attribution required.

FAQ

Are these tracks free to use?

It depends on the track. Many are free for commercial use, but some require attribution or restrict certain uses. Read the current terms on the source page listed with each track before you publish.

Do I have to credit the composer?

It depends on the library and the track. Anything under Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) requires crediting the artist and the licence. Other libraries waive attribution entirely. Check the source page.

Where do I download the audio?

Every entry links to its source. The player here uses the official YouTube embed, so grab the actual file from the library itself.

Can royalty-free music still trigger a YouTube copyright claim?

Yes. Plenty of royalty-free tracks are registered with Content ID, so an automated claim can appear even when your use is allowed. Most libraries publish a clearance process for exactly this. Read their FAQ before you upload.

How was this list of 100 chosen?

We tallied seven third-party roundups about the background music actually used on YouTube, and considered only the tracks they name. Where several roundups agreed, the count is shown on the track. Download counts on a library's own site, and view counts on a library's own channel, do not prove a track was used in someone's video — so we did not use them as the basis for selection.

How is arcalune different from these libraries?

Everything in this list comes from other libraries. arcalune tracks are written by us and are free for commercial use with no attribution required. We list a couple of close matches under each entry so you can compare directly.

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