Songs you want to listen to at the end of summer: Late-summer classics to look back on the season
Doesn’t the end of summer make you feel strangely sentimental? It’s the season when the dazzling sunlight softens bit by bit and dusk comes earlier.
You feel like lingering over summer memories or spending unhurried time with someone special, don’t you? And at the farewell of summer, the music you want to hear is somehow wistful and nostalgic.
In this article, we’ll introduce lovely songs that are perfect for the end of summer—gems that seep into the heart as the seasons change.
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Songs to listen to at the end of summer: Late-summer classics to look back on the season (21–30)
The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children
Believe it or not, this song has been around since Mr.Children’s amateur days.
Its current title is “Kimi ga Ita Natsu” (“The Summer You Were There”), but back then it was apparently called “Natsu ga Owaru” (“Summer Ends”)! It portrays a fleeting summer romance that will feel familiar to anyone who used to visit their parents’ hometown during summer vacation as a child.
He grows close to a girl he likes, yet in the end never manages to confess his feelings and leaves the place where she is…
It’s a heartbreak song, but a perfect love song for the end of summer.
The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro
If you’re a baseball fan, you might know this one.
It’s a song by Naotaro Moriyama that was chosen as the ending theme for “Netto Koshien” in 2003.
It’s a poignant ballad that expresses the longing to see someone, a feeling that resurfaces as summer draws to a close.
If you went through a breakup in the summer, you might find yourself identifying with the lyrics, as if they were addressed to a former lover.
In fact, as the artist himself has confessed, the song also has an anti-war aspect.
It’s a very beautiful summer classic that resonates with many people’s desire to see someone they miss.
TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu
When it comes to Southern All Stars’ summer songs, it has to be “TSUNAMI,” right? This track won the 42nd Japan Record Award and is a masterpiece recognized by everyone.
It’s a love song that captures a heat that still hasn’t cooled, as the singer recalls an unforgettable woman he met in the summer.
Its lyrics are both heartrending and passionate, resonating deeply regardless of gender.
If you have an unforgettable summer memory, or if you’re currently nursing a crush, this is the perfect song for you—highly recommended for the end of summer.
You are the seaMy Hair is Bad
If you want to bask in a nostalgic end-of-summer mood, I recommend “Kimi ga Umi” by My Hair is Bad.
Its heartrending melody will bring back memories of one unforgettable summer from your youth, and the love-themed lyrics are sure to resonate with anyone.
Also pay attention to the literary word choice, reminiscent of a novel that gently portrays youth and romance.
Why not listen while looking back on your summer memories, accompanied by the band’s sense of speed and refreshing sound?
secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE
Thanks to being chosen as the theme song for the drama “Kids War” starring Mao Inoue, it’s now become an essential summer classic! The song was also covered as the ending theme for the 2011 anime “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day,” so many anime fans know it as well.
Its powerful lyrics—about moving forward while holding close summer memories with someone important and a promise to meet again—have surely encouraged many listeners.
The words can evoke a wide range of people, from a lover to friends, so try listening while thinking of someone special to you!
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko
It’s no exaggeration to call “Kabutomushi” one of aiko’s signature songs.
With its delicate, beautiful melody and heartrending lyrics, it’s a work that captures the unique feelings that come with the end of summer.
Pay attention to the lovely Japanese lyrics that compare the self in love to a rhinoceros beetle.
Wrapped in aiko’s expansive, heartwarming voice, you’ll find yourself immersed in summer memories.
It’s also a karaoke classic, so enjoy singing it while savoring the quiet melancholy of summer’s end!
fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi
An emotional song that you’ll want to listen to at the end of summer is “Uchiage Hanabi,” a collaboration between DAOKO and Kenshi Yonezu.
DAOKO’s delicate vocals and Yonezu’s powerful voice match perfectly.
It conveys both poignancy and beauty at the same time, making it ideal for scenes of watching fireworks as summer draws to a close.
As the theme song for the film “Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?” it also carries a melancholy atmosphere that ties in with the story and lingers in your heart.
It’s a song that really shines as a karaoke duet, so definitely give it a try!