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