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 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?
Butterflied flying fishChatto Monchī
“Flying Fish Butterfly,” sung by Chatmonchy, the popular girls’ band formed in 2000, is their fifth single, released in 2007.
It reached No.
9 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was used as a theme song on NHK and TV Kanagawa programs.
The single also includes “Sekai ga Owaru Yoru ni,” which served as the theme song for the film “Show Me the Love of Sorrow.” The sound produced by Chatmonchy’s simple lineup—one of their greatest charms—is straightforward and bright, and it always lifts your spirits when you listen.
Be sure to play “Flying Fish Butterfly” to boost the mood for your summer outings!
Catch The WaveDef Tech
This is one of Def Tech’s signature songs.
They’re a duo strongly associated with summery seaside vibes, with other hits like “My Way.” As they themselves describe their style as Jawaiian reggae, you can feel the gentle rhythm of reggae combined with the refreshing feel of Hawaiian music.
The track was produced as the theme song for the film “Catch a Wave,” and it evokes the calm ocean scenery where the story is set.
Drawing from the title’s idea of “catching a wave,” the lyrics include expressions that evoke surfing, depicting riding the waves and sensing the energy of nature.
That day, over thirty degreesGRAPEVINE
GRAPEVINE’s “That Day, Over Thirty Degrees” is a B-side included on their 2000 single “Furete Itai.” The lyrics and music were written by vocalist-guitarist Kazumasa Tanaka, and the track reflects the post-rock and roots rock influences of artists like Wilco and Battles that inspired him.
Its raw, gritty sound is seriously cool—definitely a song you’ll want to play on a scorching midsummer day when the sun is blazing and the temperature tops thirty degrees!
Lucky PoolJUDY AND MARY
JUDY AND MARY, the rock band that disbanded in 2001 to much regret, left a lasting impact.
Their vocalist YUKI has continued to thrive as a solo artist and enjoys a charismatic following.
Lucky Pool, released in 2001 just before the band split, is a perfect summer track with its bursting pop rhythm.
The chorus, where YUKI’s high notes ring out so pleasantly, is sure to lift your spirits before you know it.
The band has plenty of other upbeat songs that suit the summer vibe as well, so why not give those a listen too?
