Summer songs sung by idols: a roundup of classic hits about the sea and love

Reconciliation Cream Puff＝LOVE

=LOVE (Equal Love) / 17th Single c/w 'Make-Up Cream Puff' [MV full]

A song by =LOVE that portrays the aftermath of a lovers’ quarrel—wracked by regret, reflection, and self-reproach, and weighed down by anxiety.

Set to a melodious pop tune, it captures the wavering between “Is it their fault? Is it mine?” and a heartfelt wish to make up.

Released on July 31, 2024 as a coupling track to the single “Zettai Idol Yamenai de,” the lyrics were written by producer Rino Sashihara, with Hitomi Takamatsu and Iori Noguchi serving as double centers.

This sweet yet bittersweet story resonates with anyone struggling in a precious relationship where they can’t quite speak their true feelings to the one they love.

Roller Coaster RomanceKinKi Kids

KinKi Kids “Jet Coaster Romance” Music Video

An irresistibly cute love song that evokes a refreshing summer breeze.

The lyrics liken the thrills and bittersweetness of romance to a roller coaster, packed with the exhilaration of a tropical resort fling.

Created by hitmakers Takashi Matsumoto and Tatsuro Yamashita, the song follows the classic path of J-POP while brilliantly weaving in elements of doo-wop and city pop.

Released in April 1998, it was also featured as the CM song for ANA’s “’98 Paradise Okinawa” campaign.

With KinKi Kids’ characteristically fresh vocals and a thrilling progression, this track is perfect for anyone looking to fire up the crowd at karaoke.

Seishu WatchNGT48

NGT48 “Seishun Dokei” Music Video / NGT48 [Official]

This song portrays the pure first crush of a male student from afar, set along a school route bathed in the warmth of spring.

Throughout, a refreshing pop feel blends beautifully with a nostalgic kayōkyoku style, with soft, airy rap adding a memorable touch.

It gently captures the bittersweet emotion of watching from a distance and a fleeting moment of youth marked by the passage of time, resulting in a heartwarming piece.

Released in April 2017 as NGT48’s major-label debut, it topped the Oricon Weekly Singles chart.

It was also selected as the opening theme for TBS’s “COUNT DOWN TV” in April and May and used in the Ichimasa Kamaboko “Una Jirō” commercial.

The music video was filmed at well-known spots in their hometown of Niigata City and created together with about 1,000 fans.

Highly recommended for those who cherish tender first-love feelings and memories of their youth, this is a wonderful, unforgettable track.

Dreaming 15-year-oldSumairēji

S/mileage 'Yume Miru 15-sai' (Music Video)

S/mileage’s major-label debut captures the summer romances of 15-year-old girls, filled with gentle vocals and bittersweet feelings.

Eurobeat-style synths blend with a kayōkyoku-inspired melody, tenderly expressing the fluttery first loves unique to adolescence.

Depicting a girl’s heart swaying between idealized scenes—summer festivals, fireworks, seaside dates—and reality, the song was produced by Hello! Project’s renowned producer Tsunku♂.

Upon its May 2010 release, it reached No.

5 on the Oricon charts and went on to win the Best New Artist Award at the 52nd Japan Record Awards.

It’s a perfect track for those who want to relive the sweet-and-sour memories of youth or empathize with a down-to-earth teenage girl’s feelings of love.

Slow motionNakamori Akina

[Official] Akina Nakamori 'Slow Motion (from “Hajimemashite”)' [1st Single (Released May 1, 1982)] Akina Nakamori / Slow Motion

A debut work distinguished by its mellow melody and crystalline vocals that gently embrace a budding crush on someone met by the seaside.

With an expressiveness hard to believe for a 16-year-old, Akina Nakamori beautifully captures the fateful moment of encounter.

Released in May 1982 and included on the album “Prologue [Jomaku],” it debuted at No.

58 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, quietly winning listeners’ hearts.

The pure feelings of a girl captivated by the sight of a man walking along the sandy beach are sung with the freshness of a sea breeze.

Evoking the premonition of love that everyone experiences as if it were a scene from a film, this piece is one to enjoy on a tranquil spring afternoon.

LoveTreCUTIE STREET

【MV】CUTIE STREET 'Love Training'

A cute, heart-fluttering pop tune that charmingly captures the feelings of a girl in love.

It’s a track by CUTIE STREET, set to be released as their eighth single in February 2025.

The lyrics cleverly compare the progression of love to a train journey, perfectly matching the refreshing sound.

The members’ energetic vocals convey the pounding excitement and honest feelings toward someone they like.

Listen to it on your commute or school train ride, and it might feel like a love story is about to begin—sure to lift your spirits.

Mileage Love SummerNiji no Conquistador

[MV] Niji no Conquistador “Mileage Love Summer” / Niji no Conquistador – Mileage LOVE SUMMER (NijiCon)

Niji no Conquistador is an indoor, pop-oriented idol group formed in 2014.

Building on an idol-pop foundation, they’ve gained popularity with songs that span a wide range of genres, from electropop to anime tunes.

Since their major-label debut in 2015, they’ve excelled at refreshing, upbeat summer tracks and have released them consistently.

They’ve also had numerous tie-ins with anime and games, including the ending theme for the anime “Action Heroine Cheer Fruits” and a collaboration song with “Love Live! School Idol Festival ALL STARS.” Their live performances are notable for production that emphasizes a strong sense of unity with fans.

They’re a group we highly recommend for anyone who wants to enjoy the sparkle of youth and high-energy performances.