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 (51–60)
sunflowerFukuyama Masaharu
Himawari is Masaharu Fukuyama’s 18th single, released in 2003.
The song was originally written by Fukuyama for Kiyoshi Maekawa in 2002, and his self-cover version topped the Oricon Singles Chart for five consecutive weeks.
The lyrics, which recall the days spent with you upon seeing sunflowers at the end of summer, make your chest ache just by listening.
The self-cover version features mostly piano accompaniment, which makes Fukuyama’s vocals sound even more heartrending, and it’s a beloved classic among fans.
Summer loverSHISHAMO
When you think of SHISHAMO, many people probably imagine bright, refreshing songs.
However, the one I’m introducing today is a heart-wrenching love ballad.
It’s unclear whether they’re on different paths or simply won’t be able to meet after summer, but the woman decides to part ways with the man, saying, “I can’t be a child anymore.” Since women often mature emotionally faster, she may have pictured their future and felt they shouldn’t stay together like this.
Her feelings, swaying between her love and what lies ahead, are deeply heartrending.
Magic of a Summer Nightindigo la End
It captures that special feeling—almost like being under a spell—that you can only sense on a single summer night.
Even as the passing of time is keenly felt, the protagonist surrenders to the glow and the bittersweetness of that fleeting moment, something many of us might find relatable.
The song appears on the single “Before It Gets Sad,” released by indigo la End in June 2015, and its gentle, band-driven sound is a major draw.
The music video, which portrays nostalgic summer-night scenes, features actors Yuki Sakurai and Maya Kimijima—another highlight.
Why not give it a listen during a summer night drive, as a mellow BBQ backdrop, or when you want to quietly bask in the lingering afterglow of a summer evening?
rosemarykimi to bando
A standout track that showcases the unique sensibilities of Kimi to Band, a girls’ band formed in Ehime Prefecture.
Its bittersweet, coming-of-age melody colors the end of summer, filling the song with a nostalgic atmosphere.
The lyrics paint scenes of a school bathed in sunset light and the feelings of someone unable to take a step forward in love, evoking a longing for days gone by.
This work is a fan favorite with a strong reputation.
It really hits home when you want to look back on summer memories or during the change of seasons.
It’s also perfect for listening to while driving.
Songs to listen to at the end of summer: Late-summer classics to look back on the season (61–70)
Magic hourRyokushokushakai
This song, which was also selected as an insert track for the drama “Midsummer Cinderella,” is a summer love song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai that overlays fireworks with the feeling of being in love.
It has an atmosphere that evokes the bittersweetness of summer’s end, doesn’t it? In the lyrics, they write with straightforward sincerity: “I’ll accept you in any form, like the water’s surface reflecting fireworks.” There are many other evocative expressions that intertwine love and fireworks, so please take your time listening while reading the lyrics.
The Whereabouts on August 31furenzu
Marked by a crystal-clear melody that evokes the bittersweet air of late summer.
This track by the five-member co-ed band Friends was released as a digital single in August 2020.
It candidly portrays wavering feelings of love—being utterly smitten yet still unsure if it’s the real thing.
The modern scenes of romance are skillfully expressed, making it highly relatable.
If you want to immerse yourself in the feeling of thinking deeply about someone, this piece might be a perfect fit.
Summer EndKoresawa
Summer End, sung by singer-songwriter Koresawa, whose airy vocals have won her many fans.
A summer romance that didn’t go as planned—will it end along with summer itself? The melody and lyrics, which evoke that sentimental mood, are especially memorable.
The bright, poppy piano and crisp guitar in the background amplify the bittersweet feeling of summer’s end.
As the lingering heat of late summer hangs on, why not cool down by listening to this track? Alongside all your summer memories, it’s sure to gently stay close to your heart.
