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 | A Nostalgic Look at Classic Summer Tunes! (41–50)
Naughty SunORANGE RANGE
This song, which was used as the opening theme for the hit drama “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e: Ikemen Paradise,” is one of ORANGE RANGE’s signature tracks.
Released in July 2007, it remains a popular summer anthem, and many people have probably been singing it at karaoke since back then.
Be sure to check it out as music that adds color to your summer memories.
Yeah! Super HolidayMatsuura Aya
Aya Matsuura, a former Hello! Project member who has captivated many fans under the nickname “Ayaya.” Her 2022 release, “Yeah! Meccha Holiday,” is irresistibly catchy—the kind of tune you’ll remember after just one listen.
It’s a great pick to hype up a summer karaoke session, so I highly recommend it.
The music video is also cute, with a poppy, colorful, summery vibe, so why not check it out at least once?
SUMMER TIME LOVEEXILE
EXILE made their debut in 2001 with the single “Your eyes only ~Aimai na boku no rinka ku~.” Released in 2007, “SUMMER TIME LOVE” is a dance-pop track highlighted by EXILE TAKAHIRO’s cool vocals—he had just joined the group in 2006.
Its irresistibly sing-along, catchy melody pairs perfectly with the crystal-clear synthesizer arrangements characteristic of early EXILE, making it a great fit for summer drives and more!
Squid SUMMERORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is a five-member rock band that made their major debut with the single Kirikirimai.
In the 2000s, a genre called mixture rock—rap blended with rock—was popular, and they were one of its representative bands.
Packed with the appeal of that mixture rock sound is 2007’s Ika SUMMER.
As the title—meaning “Killer, SUMMER”—suggests, its upbeat rap and exhilarating, summery vibe are simply irresistible!
Shanana☆MINMI
MINMI is a singer-songwriter known for her signature sound that blends reggae-based musicality with elements of R&B and soca.
Her 9th single, “Sha na na☆,” is a Japanese arrangement of “Sha na na ~Japanese wine~,” which was produced for the Soca Monarch competition.
Its swiftly unfolding ensemble rides on a heart-thumping beat that echoes the hectic pace of summer.
With its exhilarating melody and richly layered arrangement, it’s a passionate, high-energy tune you’ll want to play when summer rolls around.
Summer DreamTōhōshinki
It’s an exhilarating dance number that conjures up Okinawa’s dazzling sunshine and blue sea.
Just listening to it makes your heart skip, and its catchy melody makes you want to sing along! This track is the main A-side song included on TVXQ’s single “SUMMER ~Summer Dream / Song for you / Love in the Ice~,” released in August 2007.
It was also used in a Baskin-Robbins commercial, so many of you may have heard it.
It’s the perfect song for summer drives and lively times with friends.
tropical nightRIP SLYME
Released by RIP SLYME in July 2007, this track is a summer tune with a mature vibe that captures the passion of the season.
It features energetic beats and playful lyrics that are sure to lift your spirits just by listening.
Included on the album “FUNFAIR,” this song is guaranteed to heat up the dance floor! It’s also perfect as background music for summer drives or BBQs.
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
“Tentai Kansoku” (Stargazing) is BUMP OF CHICKEN’s third single, released in 2001.
It was used as an insert song for the drama of the same name, Tentai Kansoku, and reached No.
3 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
Thanks to the success of this track, BUMP OF CHICKEN joined the ranks of popular bands, and in 2021, the music video posted on YouTube surpassed 100 million views.
It’s the perfect song to listen to while heading out to observe the summer constellations!
CampioneORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is a five-piece rock band whose songs, built around three MCs with distinct vocal ranges, captivate fans with their wide expressive palette.
Their 13th single, Champion, used as the broadcast theme for NHK’s 2006 FIFA World Cup coverage, was created with the image of the “Tragedy of Doha” that soccer fans will never forget.
Its memorable choral work and pop-tinged rock ensemble deliver a breezy freshness that pairs perfectly with the summer air.
It’s a catchy, high-energy tune that makes you hum along the moment it comes on as background music.
All of the YouthFujifaburikku
Fujifabric is a three-piece rock band that made their major debut in 2004 with the album Alamode.
Their song Wakamos no Subete is captivating for its lyrics that poignantly capture the melancholy of summer’s end.
“Gazing at the last fireworks of the year, I find myself recalling those memories no matter how many years go by…”—such beautiful lines leave a lasting impression.
Songs like this, which express what young people feel in everyday life in down-to-earth words, were born in great numbers in the 2000s, which is why they feel so nostalgic.