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 songs you’ll want to listen to in summer. Essential J-pop summer anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls (161–170).
sea glassSaucy Dog
Saucy Dog, a three-piece rock band that drew attention when their 2021 release Cinderella Boy became a massive hit.
Their sixth major digital single, Seaglass, opens with a poignant vocal line over transparent guitar arpeggios.
The liberating chorus melody and ensemble blend summertime exhilaration with a sentimental atmosphere.
It’s a pop tune with aching lyrics that tighten the chest—one you’ll want to hear at summer’s end.
Season in the SunTUBE
TUBE is a band that could be called the embodiment of summer, and among their many summer-themed songs, this track is often cited as one of their signature pieces.
Its refreshing sound evokes images of a calm summer sea and a clear blue sky, making you picture someone feeling the summer breeze with their whole body.
Layered over the gentle instrumentation, the soaring, resonant vocals are another highlight, conveying the excitement of summer and the joy of savoring it.
It’s a song filled with positive emotion, expressing the idea of enjoying the limited time of summer to the fullest and spreading that sense of fun to everyone around.
Classic “summer songs” you’ll want to listen to in summer: staple J‑POP summer tracks perfect for summer guys and summer girls (171–180)
Trace that dreamYOASOBI
YOASOBI is a duo that creates one-of-a-kind music with a poetic, deeply immersive worldview.
Their 2022 release, “Tracing That Dream,” is an upbeat track with a straightforward, powerful melody that lifts the summer mood.
Right after the first chorus, there’s an unusually long guitar solo for a YOASOBI song, which cranks the energy even higher.
Also pay attention to ikura’s clear, translucent vocals—a different vibe from the wistful feel of their 2019 hit “Racing into the Night.”
cotton candyback number
Back number, who have released numerous classic ballads, wrote Watagashi with the theme of a summer festival.
It’s a highly dramatic song: the first half captures the thrill of a man visiting a summer festival with someone he has feelings for, while the second half expresses the frustration of being unable to confess.
Try listening while imagining what kind of ending awaits the two.
Combined with vocalist Iyori Shimizu’s passionate voice, it’s truly heart-wrenching.
Another highlight is the abundance of summer-themed words like fireworks, which really brings out the seasonal feel.
Finale.eill
Female singer-songwriter eill.
Her song “Finale” is a great pick when you want to keep it stylish with a distinctive rhythm.
It was also used as the theme song for the film “The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes,” which helps its recognition.
Since there aren’t any big, sustained belt notes, even those who aren’t confident in their vocal skills can sing it with ease.
There is a short sustained note in the middle, but it’s in head voice, so no need to worry.
Relax and enjoy this song at karaoke!
The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell
Supercell’s “The Story You Don’t Know” expresses an unrequited love through the summer night sky.
Released in 2009 as their debut single, it was used as the ending theme for the anime Bakemonogatari and reached No.
5 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The memory of going to stargaze with the person you have feelings for makes the unfulfilled love all the more poignant and heartrending.
In contrast, the song itself is a pop tune with a driving beat and a refreshing chord progression that feels great to listen to.
I recommend listening to it while gazing at the summer night sky!
Every time summer comesatarayo
Atarayo, a three-piece band that captivates fans with its lyrical worldview under the tagline “a band that feeds on sorrow.” The track Natsu ga Kuru Tabi from their concept album Kioku no Hako features a brisk, translucent ensemble that feels wonderfully refreshing.
Its lyrics, which depict bittersweet memories that resurface with the arrival of summer, are likely to resonate with many listeners who see their own experiences reflected in them.
It’s a refreshing yet sentimental number that showcases the expressive range of their male–female twin vocals.