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!
- [Oldies] Summer Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s [2026]
- [Summer Classics] When it comes to summer, it’s got to be this song! A roundup from timeless staples to the latest hit tracks.
- 1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
- [Classics] Timeless Summer Hits Recommended for All Ages [Summer Songs]
- Songs of Summer from the Showa Era: A comprehensive introduction, from nostalgic Japanese hits to timeless favorites still popular today
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- Golden age of Western music! Recommended summer songs that were hits in the 80s
- Recommended Summer Songs for People in Their 60s: Classic and Popular J-Pop Hits [2026]
- Youthful songs to listen to in summer. Classic summer hits and recommended popular tracks.
- 80s commercial songs. A roundup of Japanese songs from the 80s that have been used in commercials.
- Recommended summer songs for people in their 90s: A collection of Showa-era summer tunes [2026]
- [August Songs] Carefully selected masterpieces, classics, and the latest hits you’ll want to listen to in midsummer!
- Classic “summer songs” you’ll want to listen to in summer. Timeless J-pop summertime anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls.
Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. Top summer songs (1–10)
Two People’s Summer Story: Never Ending SummerSugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe
The fifth single by Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe, released in 1985.
It became a massive hit—topping the Top Ten and marking the band’s best-selling single—and went on to become one of Japan’s quintessential summer songs.
The lyrics were written by Chinfa Kan and the music composed by Tetsuji Hayashi, both hugely popular hitmakers at the time.
The duo also worked on Anri’s “Kanashimi ga Tomaranai” (“I Can’t Stop the Loneliness”).
The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS
This was Princess Princess’s 2nd and 8th singles; the original version was released in July 1987, and the Heisei version came out in July 1989.
The band became something of a catalyst for the subsequent girls’ rock band boom, but I’ve actually been a fan since their debut, when they were still playing small live houses, and I experienced their rise in popularity in real time.
The first time I heard this song was even before its release, at a big outdoor event where they performed live, and from that moment I thought, “What an exciting song that really feels like summer,” and I couldn’t wait for the CD to come out (lol).
I imagine many people discovered the song through the Heisei version after they made it big, but I hope it brings back memories of that time—enjoy!
Harmony at the End of SummerInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai
A duet song by the rock band Anzenchitai, centered around Koji Tamaki, and singer-songwriter Yosui Inoue.
Despite having no commercial tie-ins and few TV performances, it’s likely a track everyone has heard at least once.
It has been widely covered by other artists in recordings and on music programs, and is a beloved number among fellow musicians.
With a poignant melody that conjures scenes of summer fading away, sung as a duet by two of Japan’s finest vocalists, it stands as a masterpiece in the history of Japanese music.
Chaco’s Seaside StorySazan Ōrusutāzu
This was Southern All Stars’ 14th single, released in January 1982.
Even at the time of its release, it was crafted with an awareness of Showa-era (late 1960s) kayōkyoku and Group Sounds.
I remember experiencing its release in real time and thinking, “This song feels kind of nostalgic,” as I listened.
Although it came out in winter, from the very first piano phrase in the intro it evokes a bittersweet summer twilight—an excellent song with vivid, cinematic imagery.
Season in the SunTUBE
This is TUBE’s third single, released in 1986, with a feel-good, comfortable rhythm.
For those who lived through the ’80s and ’90s, summer practically means TUBE, right? Rather than the piercing rush found in their later signature hits, this track shines with a slightly more mature, refreshing vibe.
You might even sense a stylish touch that connects to city pop.
It’s a wonderful number that captures youthful longing and a yearning for the sea.
Goodbye OceanSugiyama Kiyotaka
This is one of Kiyotaka Sugiyama’s signature songs, depicting a bittersweet love at summer’s end.
A summer romance that ebbs away with the receding tide—and the sorrow of parting—is expressed through a beautiful melody and his clear, transparent vocals.
The refined sound, reflecting Sugiyama’s musical roots in The Beatles and American rock, remains vibrant and continues to captivate many listeners.
Play it on a late-summer drive, and it’s sure to resonate in your heart.
It’s also a perfect song for those who want to turn a sad love into a memory and take a step forward.
A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR
A signature song by Rats & Star, which was also used as a Shiseido campaign song in the summer of 1983.
Its cheerful rhythm and the playful “Me!” pose just make your heart dance, don’t they? It funkily and hotly sings about that moment when love seems about to begin, and you can feel the sizzling summer vibes! What kind of romance do you want this summer? You might even want to experience a dangerous, spark-flying love like in “Megumi no Hito” at least once.
The version covered by Kumi Koda became a hit with younger generations in 2018 thanks to the music video SNS TikTok, proving that even across time, this is a song whose fun continues to capture people’s hearts.