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 (41–50)
Summer MelancholyL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
It’s a song by L’Arc~en~Ciel that seems to express the painful feeling of summer coming to an end.
Hyde’s vocals convey his anguish, and the strongly floating, airy sound leaves an impression, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
From the texture of the sound, it also feels like it captures the unstable emotions of a summer-night dream.
The lyrics depict the regret over what was lost as summer ends, while also expressing the pain of time continuing to pass regardless.
Another hallmark of this track is that there are various versions with different arrangements, so it might be interesting to compare them and listen for the differences in expression.
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
By the end of 2018, Kenshi Yonezu had even appeared on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, making him in both name and reality one of Japan’s most popular artists.
Among his songs, the one I especially want you to listen to at the end of summer is “Umi no Yuurei” (Spirits of the Sea).
Its heartrending, emotional melody matches a slightly eerie sound, creating a unique world of its own.
The dreamy, nostalgic atmosphere is perfect for the close of summer, isn’t it?
Summer FeverNatsunose
The track I find myself wanting to hear in that faintly wistful season when summer fades and autumn begins to stir is a song composed by Natsunose.
It sings of the loneliness of summer’s heat gradually turning transparent, and of memories that refuse to disappear.
The scene of cicadas’ frantic cries receding into the distance and the sudden pangs of loss are rendered with delicate clarity by vocalist Sumi’s refreshing voice—it really hits you in the chest.
Released in August 2023, the piece came about through a creator matching project sparked by Sumi’s 9th-place finish in the UtaKore 2022 Spring Top 100.
It’s perfect for a late-summer walk or drive—a number that gently keeps you company as you reminisce about days gone by.
Those summer fireworksDREAMS COME TRUE
When it comes to songs that capture the poignant feeling of late summer, DREAMS COME TRUE’s “Ano Natsu no Hanabi” is a surefire pick.
Its swing-style rhythm and glittering brass arrangements will have your body moving before you know it! And true to DCT’s signature sound, pay attention to the phrases where Miwa Yoshida and Masato Nakamura’s harmonies blend exquisitely.
Why not listen as you look back on your memories, savoring the last moments of summer in your own way? It’s also a great track for karaoke, so give it a try to make some end-of-summer memories!
Blue BenchSasuke
At the end of summer, you start craving those nostalgic songs, don’t you? For you, I recommend “Aoi Bench” by Sasuke.
Released in 2004, it became popular and is now a karaoke staple.
Even though it came out in 2004, it still has a timeless charm when you listen to it today.
Its nostalgic vibe feels just right for the end of summer.
Goldfish FireworksOtsuka Ai
Goldfish Fireworks is Ai Otsuka’s fifth single, released in 2004.
It reached No.
3 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was used as the theme song for Nippon TV’s information program Super TV: The Front Line of Information.
Many of us probably went to a summer festival for one last bit of fun before summer ended and brought home a goldfish we scooped there.
The lyrics, which depict a summer romance, are heartbreakingly bittersweet, so if you haven’t heard it yet, it’s a song I highly recommend.
The End of SummerAYANE
This is a song that portrays feelings that lean into the end of summer.
It was released in August 2023.
It’s striking for the way it opens with simple, memorable phrases that easily stick in your ear.
The lyrics, filled with summer memories—like fireworks fading into the night sky and kisses on the beach—are especially appealing.
True to AYANE, who ranges from piano ballads to rock, it’s an emotional yet upbeat track.
The song expresses a longing for summer not to end and a wish for a cherished relationship to stay the same.
It’s recommended for anyone looking back on summer memories while taking a step into a new season.