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)
Full driveKANA-BOON
This track features a four-on-the-floor beat around 180 BPM and a melody full of exhilarating drive.
Released in May 2014, it’s also included on KANA-BOON’s second album, TIME.
Created with the idea of crafting a song with a powerful first impact that would be embraced by more listeners, as envisioned by Maguro Taniguchi, it reached as high as No.
6 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Bursting with energetic rock sound, it’s perfect for drives or anyone looking to amp up their summer.
The high-speed melody delivers a rush like stepping on the accelerator, so give it a listen whenever you want to boost your mood!
Raindrops and FireworksKobukuro
Kobukuro’s new song is a ballad that perfectly captures the bittersweet feelings of love for the fireworks festival season.
Inspired by the Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival held in the rain, it delicately portrays the emotions of a protagonist waiting for their lover.
Included on the album “QUARTER CENTURY,” it was released digitally in advance in July 2024.
The song is notable for its lyrics depicting a fragile romance and a dreamlike world where raindrops and fireworks overlap.
It’s a track you’ll want to hear when summer draws to a close, especially if you’re struggling with love.
As you gaze up at the fireworks, it might be nice to think of someone special.
Nagisasupittsu
Spitz’s “Nagisa” sparkles with a brisk, refreshing feel—Masamune Kusano’s vocals capture the breeziness of summer.
Released in 1996, the song was featured in commercials for Pocky and Subaru.
Portraying the shoreline as something mystical, the lyrics express a wish for a relationship not to fade away like a dream or an illusion.
It can be heard as a lament for parting from someone dear, and also as a hope that summer itself won’t end.
Think of a fleeting summer romance, a summer vacation you’re reluctant to leave behind, or a summer scene you never want to lose, and give it a listen.
Classic “summer anthem” hits you’ll want to listen to in summer. Essential J-POP staple summer songs perfect for summer guys and summer girls (81–90)
Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu
Summer Nude by Magokoro Brothers conveys the feeling of forgetting everything and just enjoying a summer romance.
Released in 1995, the song later became the motif for the 2013 TV drama SUMMER NUDE.
For the drama, Tomohisa Yamashita, who starred in it, covered the song as the theme.
The two protagonists fall into a passionate love that won’t be beaten by the summer heat, yet it seems someone other than the narrator still lives in the other’s heart.
Even so, without touching on that fact, the song depicts their love growing ever more intense.
If you’re longing for a scorching romance that’s fine even if it only lasts one summer, this is a must-listen track.
Let’s go look for stardust againfukumimi
This is a song where Kyoko’s husky voice pairs perfectly with the sweet lyrics.
The words evoke a pensive mood fit for a summer night, and Kyoko’s husky vocals make it resonate even more deeply in the heart.
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.
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.