Classic “summer songs” you’ll want to listen to in summer. Timeless J-pop summertime anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls.
What kind of songs do you feel like listening to in the summer? I bet many of you want to turn up the energy with upbeat, summery tracks that get you hyped.
On the other hand, it’s also nice to enjoy songs with a calmer, chill vibe and immerse yourself in the world of the lyrics.
In this article, we’ve gathered a wide range of songs with different moods that are perfect for summer.
You’re sure to find something you want to listen to.
These are summer tunes we can recommend for any situation—beach trips, drives, barbecues, and more—so be sure to check them out to the end!
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Classic “summer song” hits you’ll want to listen to in summer: staple J-POP tracks perfect for summer guys and girls (71–80)
Ya! Hot! Hot!Janīzu WEST
Speaking of summer, it’s all about ice cream! This is “Ya! Hot! Hot!” by Johnny’s WEST, used as the 2017 commercial song for the ice cream classic Baskin-Robbins (31 Ice Cream).
The uptempo track is perfect for summer and just listening to it lifts your spirits.
It’s included on their fourth album, “WESTival,” released in 2018.
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
This is a song written specifically as the theme for the film Children of the Sea.
The fact that it’s a track by Kenshi Yonezu, a leading figure in the J-pop scene, is enough to draw attention on its own, and its content certainly lives up to the hype.
While it isn’t the kind of upbeat, “summery” tune that lifts your spirits, its grand atmosphere has a powerful depth that evokes the deep sea.
It’s a track you’ll want to hear with impactful, high-quality sound.
Summer, beer, and rock ’n’ rollKetsumeishi
It’s an irresistibly bright rock ’n’ roll number that feels like a herald of summer’s arrival.
You can just picture the feverish scene: soaking up the sun, working up a sweat, and reveling in beer and music from morning till night.
This track was included on the single “Danjo 6-nin Natsu Monogatari,” released in July 2006, and can also be heard on the album “Ketsunopolis 5.” At a summer festival or a barbecue with friends, dance the night away with a beer in hand, and you might just make the kind of unforgettable memories that blow the summer heat away.
tropical nightRIP SLYME
A seductive RIPP SLYME number that thrillingly portrays the push-and-pull between a man and a woman on a midsummer night.
It’s their 13th single, released in July 2007, following “Blow,” the first work after DJ FUMIYA’s return.
Since it was used in a Coca-Cola commercial, many listeners have likely heard its catchy melody.
The playful lyrics inspired by an “ero-dasai” (erotic-but-dorky) aesthetic and the addictive loop-based track create a groove that’s truly one of a kind.
Give it a listen and it’s sure to make any sultry night feel downright cinematic.
Samama Festival!Mrs. GREEN APPLE
It’s an energetic track that feels like a summer festival turned into music.
Released in June 2016, it was also used as the theme song for a Nihon Kogakuin College commercial.
The lyrics capture the excitement of summer vacation, inspiring you to break free from boring routines and have as much fun as you can.
Its bursting melodies and rhythms are perfect as background music for hanging out with friends or going on family outings.
It’s sure to color your best summer memories—so give it a listen.
Midsummer Sounds Good!AKB48
This is a summer tune by AKB48 that was also used as the theme song for NTT Docomo’s “Ouen Gakuwari” campaign.
Set on a sun-drenched beach, it portrays the sparkling feelings of a protagonist who, buoyed by the liberating spirit of summer, becomes a little bolder in love.
The upbeat, fast-paced sound perfectly matches the positive lyrics about wanting to take the next step in a romance.
Released in May 2012 as the group’s 26th single, the song won the 54th Japan Record Award that same year.
It’s guaranteed to boost the mood to the max when played at summer get-togethers with friends or on a drive.
Summer-patterned catOfisharu Higedan Dism
This is a song that conjures up the cool air of an early summer morning and a somehow nostalgic landscape.
It delicately portrays the protagonist—setting out for the sea with their beloved cat—caught between the anticipation of summer’s beginning and the bittersweet feeling for the season slipping away.
The track is a re-recorded version of a song from the band’s amateur days, included on the HELLO EP released in August 2020.
It’s the only song on the EP without a tie-in, which wonderfully reflects their commitment to honoring the roots of their music.
It’s a piece that gently stays with you when you want to sink into a nostalgic mood.