Resonance of Twilight: Emo Western Songs Echoing at Summer’s End

HonestyBilly Joel

Billy Joel – Honesty (Official Video)

Billy Joel is an American singer-songwriter famous for hit songs like “Just the Way You Are” and “The Stranger.” This is a single taken from his 1978 album 52nd Street.

The title, “Honesty,” is a word that means “sincerity.” In this work, he earnestly conveys that while it’s hard to find sincerity, he still wants to remain sincere.

Just The Way You AreBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are (Official Music Video)

In April 2018, EXILE ATSUSHI covered Bruno Mars’s “Just the Way You Are” with Japanese lyrics, and it became a hot topic.

Billy Joel also has a hit song with the same title, and what both songs share is the attitude of “I love you for everything you are—your good parts and your flaws alike.” Whether that stands up objectively is another matter; love makes even pockmarks look like dimples.

That’s what romance is like.

Bruno’s original version was released as a single in 2011.

Cruel SummerBananarama

Bananarama – Cruel Summer (Official Video)

For those who came of age in the ’80s, the British girl group Bananarama needs no introduction.

Amid the disco boom of the time, they scored huge hits in Japan, and their quintessential summer song is surely “Cruel Summer,” also known by its Japanese title “Chigireta Heart.” Its sound is quintessentially ’80s new wave with a catchy melody, yet it isn’t a bright song—there’s a distinctive, lingering sense of melancholy.

A literal translation of the original title would be “Cruel Summer,” and indeed the lyrics tell the story of a woman who experiences a painful breakup in the summer.

The Japanese title likely follows the lyrics, and you could say it’s an excellent title that captures the essence of the track.

Perhaps some people make a point of listening to this song at the end of every summer, deliberately revisiting those bitter memories.

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Goodbye Yellow Brick RoadElton John

Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Lyrics

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a single released in 1973 by British singer-songwriter Elton John.

It is also included on the album of the same name.

A worldwide hit, the song is rich in lyricism and features the beautiful, characteristically Elton John piano sound.

Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For YouGeorge Benson

George Benson – Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You • TopPop

For those who spent their twenties or thirties in the ’80s, many probably listened to this song as the soundtrack to the end of summer.

Also known in Japan by the title “Unchanging Feeling,” the track originally appeared on popular fusion guitarist-vocalist George Benson’s 1984 album 20/20.

Written by the golden duo of Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser, it’s a sweet, mellow ballad whose wonderful melody continues to shine with an evergreen glow.

Later, Hawaiian singer Glenn Medeiros covered it and turned it into a hit.

Just imagine the scenes of summers gone by as you play this song while driving—it doesn’t get any better!

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