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!
Playlist
| Tear-jerking summer classics: recommended popular songs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | The summer you gave meieiri reo | play_arrow | Leo Ieiri’s summer song “The Summer You Gave Me” |
| 2 | summer hazeatarayo | play_arrow | A farewell song by a buzzed-about rock band |
| 3 | All of the YouthFujifaburikku | play_arrow | A classic song that sings of a bittersweet romance at a fireworks festival |
| 4 | All of the Youthsuis | play_arrow | A timeless song that captures the sparkle and bittersweetness of youth, touching the heart |
| 5 | Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu | play_arrow | The summer classic “Manatsu no Kajitsu” is heartbreaking. |
| 6 | GarnetOku Hanako | play_arrow | The poignant summer-and-youth classic 'Garnet' |
| 7 | Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad | play_arrow | An inspiring piece of music that paints memories of summer |
| 8 | First NightYorushika | play_arrow | A bittersweet song that reminisces on a summer night |
| 9 | Goldfish FireworksOtsuka Ai | play_arrow | Ai Otsuka’s classic song “Kingyo Hanabi,” a bittersweet summer tune |
| 10 | Every time summer comesatarayo | play_arrow | A poignant song depicting summer memories and lingering attachments |
| 11 | left-right confusionYorushika | play_arrow | Yorushika’s ballad for a movie theme song |
| 12 | Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE | play_arrow | A song that portrays pure feelings of love at the end of summer |
| 13 | Summer loverSHISHAMO | play_arrow | A moving song that poignantly sings of summer farewells |
| 14 | End of SummerShimizu Shota | play_arrow | A song that overlaps the end of summer with the end of a romance |
| 15 | summer rainPan no Mimimi | play_arrow | A poignant summer rain-and-love anthem of youth |
| 16 | WILLNakajima Mika | play_arrow | Mika Nakashima 'WILL': Summer Celestials and a Bittersweet Love |
| 17 | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE | play_arrow | ZONE “secret base” — a summer classic beloved across generations |
| 18 | fireworksAAA | play_arrow | A heart-stirring song that portrays summer emotions and a poignant sense of longing |
| 19 | rememberUru | play_arrow | A soothing summer ballad that resonates with the heart |
| 20 | planetariumOtsuka Ai | play_arrow | Ai Otsuka’s poignant summer ballad, the pain of heartbreak |
| 21 | Night journeyYorushika | play_arrow | The moving music and vocals of n-buna |
| 22 | To my dear youInoue Sonoko | play_arrow | Depicting a bittersweet love in the summer twilight |
| 23 | fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi | play_arrow | Theme song of a film, depicting fleeting summer memories |
| 24 | Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro | play_arrow | Hata Motohiro’s warm ballad resonates in the heart. |
| 25 | The Summer Without YouDEEN | play_arrow | A masterpiece that stays by your side at summer’s end |
| 26 | Crying Summermihimaru GT with SOFFet | play_arrow | A bittersweet love song at summer’s end |
| 27 | tear(s)Marushii | play_arrow | A heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet pain of heartbreak |
| 28 | Cold fireworksKami ga nokoshita yume o kuu. | play_arrow | At summer’s end, singing of a frustrating heartbreak |
| 29 | Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE | play_arrow | A poignant song depicting the end of summer |
| 30 | silver vineSato Chiaki | play_arrow | Chiahi Sato’s film theme song sings of summer memories |
| 31 | Fireworks in Augustmurasaki ima | play_arrow | A song that sings of the loneliness at the end of summer |
| 32 | Writing down the summerrokudenashi | play_arrow | A song that gently weaves together memories of summer |
| 33 | OathBEGIN | play_arrow | An anthem of encouragement for the courage to keep moving forward without giving up |
| 34 | Tears of Tropical FishFlower | play_arrow | Flower’s classic song about summer love |
| 35 | I’ve listened to so many heartbreak songs, and I’m done with being someone who just keeps crying.riria. | play_arrow | Lilia’s heartrending singing voice gently wraps the pain of heartbreak. |
| 36 | The End of Summerofukōsu | play_arrow | A classic by Off Course that makes you feel the passage of time |
| 37 | Harmony at the End of SummerInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai | play_arrow | A poignant song of late summer, a timeless masterpiece that resonates with the heart |
| 38 | Lamp starharuka nakamura + suis from Yorushika | play_arrow | A film theme song whose delicate music envelops the heart |
| 39 | Marigoldaimyon | play_arrow | Aimyong’s masterpiece: the bittersweet feelings of summer |
| 40 | Only for you, clear skiesYorushika | play_arrow | Depicting the brilliance of youth and a sense of loss |
| 41 | NatsuneYuuri | play_arrow | Yuuri’s masterpiece that sings of the end of summer |
| 42 | A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | Utada’s ballads stir the emotions. |
| 43 | Our Summer DreamYamashita Tatsuro | play_arrow | Tatsuro Yamashita’s moving summer classic |
| 44 | NatsumiAKASAKI | play_arrow | A wistful song that colors the end of summer |
| 45 | Summer memories scented by the windAAA | play_arrow | A song that poignantly colors the memories of summer |
| 46 | You’re not here.Saucy Dog | play_arrow | A summer dusk, memories of a bittersweet love |
| 47 | TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu | play_arrow | Heartbreak emotions swaying like waves |
| 48 | Goodbye, Summer DaysYamashita Tatsuro | play_arrow | A masterpiece by Tatsuro Yamashita that expresses summer memories and the changing of the seasons |
| 49 | fireworksSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu | play_arrow | Summer love, a song of fleeting light |
| 50 | sparklerInoue Sonoko | play_arrow | A coming-of-age song that poignantly sings of summer’s end |
| 51 | Magic of a Summer Nightindigo la End | play_arrow | A fleeting moment of summer-night love |
| 52 | ENDLESS SUMMER NUDEMagokoro Burazāzu | play_arrow | Magokoro Brothers’ summer love song from 1997 |
| 53 | Liar MoonYorushika | play_arrow | A ballad that delicately portrays a sense of loss through piano and vocals |
| 54 | Evening Fireworksban banzai | play_arrow | A trio of YouTubers popular for their songs and concept videos |
| 55 | Lovers’ Fireworks feat. enumatsu | play_arrow | A moving song that depicts the poignant scene of fireworks |
| 56 | Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu | play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays the sense of loss and hope of summer |
| 57 | Ghost in the FlowersYorushika | play_arrow | A wistful song that paints memories of summer |
| 58 | Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako | play_arrow | A song by Hanako Oku from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time that resonates with the heart |
| 59 | NatsuneGLAY | play_arrow | GLAY’s classic song that captures the poignancy of summer |
| 60 | The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children | play_arrow | Mr.Children's summer song, 'The Summer You Were There' |
| 61 | Summer IllusionOmoinotake | play_arrow | A song that sings about the bittersweet feelings of summer. |
| 62 | H.A.N.A.B.I ~The Summer When You Were There~ZONE | play_arrow | A bittersweet summer memory, a classic hit by ZONE. |
| 63 | cotton candyback number | play_arrow | A song that portrays bittersweet memories of a summer festival |
| 64 | fireworkskyanai | play_arrow | This song is based on experiences from performing live on the street... |
| 65 | Sentimental Sorrow Flowerkohanaramu | play_arrow | Express the end of summer with a bittersweet song |
| 66 | sparklergagaga supi | play_arrow | Gagaga SP’s classic youth punk anthem |
| 67 | Foam Maidenmisekai | play_arrow | A sentimental song that portrays the transience of summer and the bittersweetness of youth. |
| 68 | Fireworks of ShoesYorushika | play_arrow | A poignant Yorushika masterpiece themed around summer |
| 69 | Fireworks MagicAnsako | play_arrow | A popular song that depicts Asako’s summer love, “The Magic of Fireworks.” |
| 70 | Sugarcane fieldMoriyama Ryoko | play_arrow | A classic that sings of the tragedy of the Battle of Okinawa and the wish for peace |
| 71 | Ephemeral FireworksKami wa saikoro o furanai | play_arrow | The TikTok-hit “Utakata Hanabi” is a bittersweet love story. |
| 72 | sunflowerAdo | play_arrow | An anthem that gives you the courage to follow your feelings |
| 73 | Ephemeral Fireworkssupercell | play_arrow | Supercell’s “Utakata Hanabi” is a bittersweet love song. |
| 74 | I miss youBEGIN | play_arrow | BEGIN's debut song sings of lingering feelings after a broken heart |
| 75 | Summer with YouKetsumeishi | play_arrow | A bittersweet breakup song at the end of summer |
| 76 | Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi | play_arrow | Rimi Natsukawa’s classic that sings of the heart of Okinawa |
| 77 | The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro | play_arrow | A classic song that poignantly sings of summer’s end |
| 78 | Summer HornsInagaki Junichi | play_arrow | Junichi Inagaki’s poignant summer classic that resonates with people’s hearts |


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