Summer Songs That Hit in the 2000s | A Look Back at Nostalgic Summer Tunes!
Summer might just be the most exciting season of the year! When you think of summer, you think of outdoor fun like music festivals, the beach, fireworks, barbecues, and road trips.
For students, there’s also the long summer break—there’s no shortage of fun.
And no summer memories are complete without music to lift your spirits even higher.
In this article, we’re focusing on summer songs released in the 2000s and introducing a selection of hit tracks.
Whether you remember those days or aren’t very familiar with music from the 2000s, we hope you enjoy these sparkling summer tunes.
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Summer Songs That Hit in the 2000s | Nostalgic Summer Tunes! (61–70)
Summer Sky Graffitiikimonogakari
It’s a song with an invigorating melody and the charmingly clear, transparent vocals of Kiyoe Yoshioka.
It paints sparkling summer memories, tender first love, and a touch of bittersweet emotion that tickles the listener’s heart.
Released in August 2007 as one of the tracks on a double A-side single, it also became well known as a soft drink commercial song.
When summer’s heat feels overwhelming, listening to this track might bring back those glittering days of youth and give you a boost of energy.
Summer FestivalWhiteberry
In 2000, the girl band Whiteberry scored a huge hit with Natsu Matsuri, a cover of a JITTERIN’JINN song.
It’s a pop number that blends a rocking band sound with cute vocals.
Even though it’s a first-ever, just-the-two-of-us date at a summer festival, the bittersweet ache of not being able to say the two characters of “suki” (I like you) is irresistible—a perfect slice of youthful sweet-and-sour.
It’s a song you’ll want to sing again as an adult, reminiscing about that awkward summer.
Oh Yeah!arashi
Arashi is a five-member idol group that paused group activities in 2020, yet each member has continued to thrive at the forefront of the industry.
Oh Yeah!, the opening track of their seventh studio album Time, was used as the commercial song for House Foods’ C1000 Lemon Water, in which the members also appeared.
The opening, marked by a memorable guitar riff with delay, evokes the refreshing feeling of summer.
With its exhilarating, fast-paced beat that creates a pleasant atmosphere, it’s a hidden gem among Arashi’s many well-known songs.
Giri-Giri SurfriderHALCALI
Giri Giri Surfrider is a song by HALCALI, a duo consisting of HALCA and YUCALI.
Released in 2003, it reached No.
10 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The pair’s delightfully laid-back vocals and rap create a relaxed vibe throughout the track.
Rather than overhyping summer, we recommend kicking back and taking it easy while listening to Giri Giri Surfrider!
Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is a five-piece rock band that’s won popularity with its diverse sound, blending various styles like melodic hardcore, electropop, and funk with music from their home of Okinawa.
Their second single, Shanghai Honey, which brought the band widespread recognition, amps up the energy with rapid-fire melodies delivered by three MCs and a tight rock ensemble.
The lyrics evoke images of summer by the sea, and the catchy arrangement makes vacations under the shining sun even more fun.
It’s also a karaoke staple, making it a party tune that can get people of all ages excited.
BANG! BANG! Vacation!SMAP
When it comes to SMAP’s quintessential summer song from the Heisei era, it has to be “BANG! BANG! Vacation!” Released in 2005 as their 37th single, it topped the Oricon Singles Chart.
It was used as a theme song for sports broadcasts like the World Aquatics Championships, so it also has a strong association with sports.
In concerts, it’s sometimes performed with a samba rhythm, and there have even been samba teams dancing on stage.
It’s an undeniable crowd-pleaser and a perfect track for summer leisure!
When the Sunflowers Bloomyuzu
This Yuzu song expresses the brilliance and hope of summer.
The warm tones of the acoustic guitar and the harmonies resonate deeply with listeners.
Using sunflowers as a motif, the lyrics strikingly portray the bond with a loved one and the beauty of life.
It was included on the album “Yuzuman no Natsu” and released in July 2000.
The summer-themed album is said to have cemented Yuzu’s popularity.
It’s a perfect track for when you want to look back on memories with someone special or feel the beginning of a new season.
Wrapped in heartfelt, warm vocals, why not immerse yourself in your own summer memories?