Tear-jerking summer classics: recommended popular songs
When you think of summer songs, many people might imagine upbeat, catchy tracks that everyone can sing and dance to together.
However, there are times in summer when you feel like listening to tearjerkers—like bittersweet love ballads or breakup songs.
So in this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of moving, cry-worthy songs with a summer theme, spanning different eras and genres!
We’ve picked not only heartbreak songs, but also tracks that express a variety of emotions and situations.
Be sure to read the lyrics and listen closely!
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Tear-Jerking Summer Classics: Recommended Popular Songs (71–80)
Ephemeral FireworksKami wa saikoro o furanai
The rock band Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai gained popularity after a video featuring their song “Yoru Naga Uta” went viral on TikTok.
Their track “Utakata Hanabi” portrays a bittersweet summer crush by likening it to fireworks.
The title uses unusual kanji, but it’s read “utakata hanabi.” Utakata refers to bubbles that vanish quickly, symbolizing a love that never comes to fruition and disappears in an instant.
I hope you can feel its poignant mood along with the seasonally rich music video.
sunflowerAdo
It takes courage to be honest with your feelings, doesn’t it? That’s why I’d like to introduce a song that gives you a gentle push forward: “Sunflower.” It’s a track by Ado, created as the theme song for the drama “18/40: Dreams and Love If We’re Together.” This warm ballad portrays a woman who thinks of herself as timid finding the courage to take a step forward.
The lyrics are sprinkled with summery words, which is another highlight—so listen for them as you enjoy the song.
Ephemeral Fireworkssupercell
The single Utakata Hanabi, released in 2010 by supercell—a unit made up of various creators—was used as the ending theme for the TV anime Naruto Shippuden.
The lyrics, which recall fireworks once watched with a former lover and convey the poignancy of watching them alone, really strike a chord.
It’s a perfect ballad for fireworks, which often evoke a fleeting image, so please give it a listen!
I miss youBEGIN
Known as the debut single of the rock band BEGIN, this song is a renowned ballad highlighted by Ei-sho Higa’s heartrending yet beautiful vocals.
In the lyrics, a man who has gone through a breakup pours out his lingering attachment and regrets toward his former partner.
Men who have experienced a heartbreak that still makes them think, “If only I’d done this back then…” will surely relate deeply—and might even be moved to tears.
Be sure to read the lyrics as you listen and overlay them with your own experiences and memories.
Summer with YouKetsumeishi
This is a heartbreak song that captures the bittersweet feelings at the end of summer.
The lyrics, which recall a summer romance from a few years ago, really put you in a sentimental mood, don’t they? Not just the beach—surely everyone has a place filled with memories of a former lover.
The moment you visit that spot after the breakup, all the feelings from back then and thoughts of that person come rushing back… I’m sure many of us have experienced that.
Released in August 2016 by Ketsumeishi, this track is perfect for when you want to look back on the wistful memories of summer.
It’s recommended for a drive to the ocean, a walk at dusk, or any time you want to sink into a slightly melancholic mood.
Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi
When it comes to Rimi Natsukawa’s signature songs that carry on the heart and melodies of Okinawa, many people probably think of this one.
Set to the gentle tones of the sanshin, the lyrics—expressing feelings for a lost loved one—resonate deeply.
Her clear, transparent voice conveys warmth even as it carries a touch of melancholy, and many listeners can’t help but hum along.
Released in March 2001, the song first gained popularity in Okinawa before becoming a nationwide hit.
It surpassed 1.2 million in total sales and spent a cumulative 157 weeks in the Oricon Weekly Singles Top 100.
It’s a soul-stirring ballad, perfect for savoring on a long summer night.
The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro
This work by Naotaro Moriyama poignantly sings of the end of summer.
Faint memories and the melancholy of parting seep into the heart, carried by a gentle melody.
Released in August 2003, the song became widely familiar as the ending theme for “Netto Koshien.” It’s recommended for anyone who looks back on days gone by during that special season when summer ends.
Though the lyrics evoke someone thinking of a distant lover, Moriyama has said that at its core the song carries an anti-war message—words that one can’t help but find deeply meaningful.