Summer songs with great lyrics. Tracks that make your summer memories even more wonderful.
Great lyrics enhance the tone and add even more color to a song, don’t they? Works that take a literary approach as well as a musical one often become classics.
This time, I focused my research on summer songs with outstanding lyrics! Of course, “good lyrics” can mean many things: lines that move you to tears, words that tug at your heart with bittersweet emotion, or lyrics that sparkle with a touch of humor.
From masterpieces that artfully paint summer scenes with words to one-summer love songs, we’ve got them all.
Be sure to find your favorite lyrics!
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Summer songs with great lyrics. Summer tunes that make your memories even more special (141–150)
The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell
A song whose Tanabata-evoking lyrics heighten the ache of a love that ended without ever being confessed under the starry sky—supercell’s summer track used as the ending theme for the anime Bakemonogatari.
It precisely portrays a delicate crush: questioning whether to admit one’s feelings and confess, only to ultimately choose to leave things as they are and not risk breaking the relationship.
The carefree way she’s depicted, in contrast to the protagonist’s inner turmoil that rages like a storm, is enough to bring you to tears.
A masterpiece you’ll want to listen to while gazing up at the summer night sky.
summer hazeatarayo
Atarayo is a three-piece band gaining popularity with the tagline “a band that grows by feeding on sorrow.” They drew sudden attention after performing “October, I Forget Your Quietness” and “Natsugasumi” on the popular YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.
Among these, “Natsugasumi,” released in 2021, is an emotional number that conveys the bittersweet feeling of summer.
It’s especially recommended for moments when you want to sink into a bit of sentimentality, such as at the end of summer.
Spiralsutoreitenaa
If you’re looking to enjoy a tenor sound that captures the refreshing breeze of summer, we recommend Straightener’s “Spiral.” Released digitally in 2019, this song was written specifically for a live show held in Makuhari.
Its cool, breezy melody makes it perfect for a summer drive.
When you lose sight of where you are and what you want to do next—if someone important is by your side, it feels like you can stand in the future you once envisioned and keep going.
You can push yourself because there’s someone precious to you.
This is a song that brings out that feeling and gives you the courage to rise again.
Ca Va?Bikkeburanka
Is this Japanese? English? What language is it? First-time listeners might find lots of question marks popping up.
This delightfully puzzling song is Vickeblanka’s “Ca Va?”.
“Ca Va?” is French for “How are you?” and the lyrics are sprinkled with plenty of French.
Chosen for a Spotify commercial, it drew attention with words and a melody that stick after just one listen.
The lyrics—basically, “Don’t sweat the trivial stuff, just do what you want!”—are perfect for summer, when you feel like letting loose body and soul.
The irresistibly singable lines feel like playful word games, so have fun and sing along!
Ghost in the FlowersYorushika
A summer song filled with the feeling of wanting to see the one you can’t forget.
It was used as the theme song for the 2020 animated film “A Whisker Away.” Remembering the special times spent together, realizing they’re in the past yet not wanting to let them go… I want to see you, but maybe you’ve already forgotten.
The lyrics blend aching longing with resignation in a way that’s truly heartbreaking and deeply moving.
The simple arrangement at the start swells into raw emotion in the chorus, which is another thing that makes it so compelling.
NatsuneYuuri
Yuuri, a singer-songwriter whose 2020 release “Dry Flower” became a massive hit.
His 2021 track “Natsune” is a top pick as an emotional, heartrending summer song.
Starting with his gentle voice and a light, summery electric guitar sound, the piece instantly conjures up vivid scenes of summer as you listen.
By the way, this song was written specifically for the first episode of Hulu’s “Dry Flower — Shichigatsu no Heya —,” a drama based on the world of hits like “Dry Flower,” so if you’d like, be sure to check out the show as well.
Slow & EasyHirai Dai
Hirai Dai’s “Slow & Easy” is a perfect match for summer thanks to its ukulele tones.
True to Hirai, a leader in Japanese surf music, the relaxed, laid-back sound evokes the sea and feels so good.
It’s the title track from his 2015 album Slow & Easy, and the lyrics—urging people caught up in the rush of life to slow down and look around—leave a strong impression.
Just the intro puts you in a summer mood, so definitely consider adding it to your karaoke repertoire!
