Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. A roundup of summer songs.
80s songs—nostalgic for those who lived through the era in real time, and increasingly popular among younger listeners as a fresh sound.
Many people have become captivated by their vividness that triggers instant flashbacks and their glittering production, haven’t they?
In this article, we’re focusing on “summer songs” from the 80s!
We’ve gathered popular tracks with rich soundscapes that are loved across generations.
Enjoy a wonderful summer with timeless classics that never lose their shine, no matter how times change!
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Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. Summer songs roundup (71–80)
Lovers in Marine BlueKojima Misan
It’s a track with a breezy, invigorating sound—light rhythms and interwoven guitars that feel like a sea breeze.
With Mishio Kojima’s fresh, crystalline vocals, the song vividly conjures a bittersweet yet slightly wistful scene: a girl dashing barefoot along a shimmering late-summer beach, reflected in the listener’s heart.
This captivating piece—lyrics by Yoshihiko Ando, music by Kazuhito Murata, and arrangement by Ichizo Seo, all emblematic of city pop—was included on her second album “MICHILLE,” released in September 1986.
The album’s “100 no Heart ga ‘I love you’” also served as a TV program ending theme.
Whether on a summer drive or during a slightly sentimental dusk, it’s sure to set the stage for a wonderful moment.
Ever-Summer GirlKoizumi Kyoko
A girl’s shyness in her first swimsuit, and the boy’s gaze fixed on her.
Capturing that flutter of summer—sung, remarkably, from a male perspective with a hint of mysterious allure—is Kyoko Koizumi’s song.
Released as a single in April 1985, it features lyrics by Midori Hifumi, music by Kohei Sai, and an arrangement by Tatsumi Yano that evokes a Beach Boys-like pop sound.
It topped the Oricon Weekly Chart and sold about 267,000 copies, conveying the fervor of the time.
You can enjoy a different arrangement on the album “Flapper,” and it was even used in a commercial in 2021.
Put it on during a summer drive or event, and it’s sure to lift your spirits!
Summer RadioTokunaga Hideaki
Hideaki Tokunaga’s clear, translucent voice vividly captures the sadness of summer’s end and the faint memories of young love.
The lyrics paint scenes like a kiss in an inlet and the sound of a radio heard from a boat in a sudden evening shower.
It brings to mind a bittersweet page of youth, like a scene from a short film.
Released in July 1986 as his second single, the song was also included on his album “radio” in August of the same year.
It’s perfect for moments of quiet reflection on a summer evening or as a companion on a drive.
Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. Summer songs roundup (’81–’90)
Cinderella SummerIshikawa Yuko
When the dazzling sun beats down, there’s a melody that you just can’t help but hum, isn’t there? Written and composed by Yuko Ishikawa herself and reflecting her own image of “a scene from summer,” this piece is precisely one of those songs.
Set to sounds that evoke a tropical resort, it portrays a protagonist whose heart flutters with a fleeting summer romance, like a Cinderella under a spell.
Just listening to it vividly brings back those sparkling, bittersweet days.
Released as a single in March 1981, this classic brightened the season as the JAL Okinawa campaign song.
It peaked at No.
10 on the Oricon charts, making waves in the music scene of the time.
It’s perfect for boosting your anticipation for summer or as a companion on a drive—you’ll feel as if you’ve slipped back in time to those wonderful days.
Ocean SideKikuchi Momoko
That urban, sophisticated sound that makes your heart leap—some listeners might feel exactly that.
The opening track of Momoko Kikuchi’s debut album, OCEAN SIDE, released in September 1984, is precisely such a song.
Composed and arranged by Tetsuji Hayashi, its sparkling horn section and groovy rhythm feel delightful, instantly whisking the listener into a carefree summer mood.
The lyrics depict the scenery and rising excitement seen from the window of a plane bound for a southern island, beautifully blending a refreshing clarity with a mellow atmosphere.
While no clear tie-in information can be found, the album as a whole is highly regarded as a city pop masterpiece, and this track shines brightly within it.
It’s a timeless classic—perfect for a summer drive or whenever you want to slip into a resort state of mind.
Summer in Shangri-LaKawai Sonoko
This number, with a dazzling yet faintly wistful melody that conjures scenes of the South of France, is a track from the July 1987 album “Rouge et Bleu,” released as Sonoko Kawai was expanding her expressive range from idol to artist.
In the lyrical world crafted by Yasushi Akimoto, nostalgic scenes—longing for an ideal place and the tender summer crush spent with a cousin—are depicted in a way that grips the listener’s heart.
The feelings of childhood—acting out of pure intentions and crying when unable to understand the other person’s response—recall a sweet-and-sour page from youth.
Another highlight is Tsugutoshi Goto’s meticulous sound production, making this a classic perfectly suited for moments of reflection at summer’s end.
The Sea and the Boyanzenchitai
A work that conjures nostalgic scenes through Koji Tamaki’s deeply emotive vocals intertwined with the delicate performance of Anzenchitai.
It’s a song that gently depicts, as if painting a distant summer memory, the glittering surface of the water and a boy standing by it—awakening a tender longing for the past.
Released as a single in December 1986, it was also included on the masterpiece Anzenchitai V, released the same year.
When a quiet moment brings on a wave of sentimentality, this warm melody will surely wrap around you.
If you feel like immersing yourself in those faint memories of long ago, why not give it a listen?