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” perfect for listening in summer. Standard J-POP summer anthems best for summer guys and summer girls (21–30)
Xia XiaoWANIMA
WANIMA’s “Natsugyō” was chosen as the theme song for the anime GAMERA -Rebirth-, which was released worldwide on Netflix in September 2023.
The title means “summer dawn,” and it’s a powerful, fast-paced track that’s quintessentially WANIMA.
It’s also included on their October 2023 album Catch Up.
GAMERA -Rebirth- is the first anime installment in the series, and WANIMA also handles the ending theme, so be sure to check it out!
Sunny Day SundaySENTIMENTAL:BUS
“Sunny Day Sunday” is a 1999 single by Sentimental Bus.
It reached No.
4 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was featured in a commercial for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Pocari Sweat.
It’s an upbeat, bright, feel-good song that naturally lifts your spirits.
It’s also a staple cheer song in high school baseball, so you might hear it often at Koshien.
It’s a track I definitely recommend listening to on a sweltering day close to 40°C.
Classic summer songs perfect for listening in the summer: staple J-POP summer hits for summer guys and summer girls (31–40)
Island SongTHE BOOM
The scenery of Okinawa naturally evokes images of summer, doesn’t it? This song by THE BOOM was created as a requiem for the Battle of Okinawa in World War II and its victims.
In addition to the standard Japanese version, which is still widely listened to today, there is also a version in Okinawan dialect (Uchinaaguchi), and in fact, that one was released first.
Even the now beautifully sparkling seas of Okinawa once faced the flames of war.
Since summer includes the anniversary of the end of the war, why not listen to this song not only to feel the beauty of Okinawa’s sea, but also to reflect on and consider its history?
First NightYorushika
A song that delicately paints summer’s blue sky and clouds, and memories swaying in the wind.
Yorushika’s transparent vocals and poetic lyrics sink into the heart.
Included on the album “Gento,” released in April 2023, this track is said to be inspired by Natsume Soseki’s Ten Nights of Dreams.
It weaves bittersweet feelings for someone parted with at summer’s end together with beautiful scenes.
Best enjoyed on a calm summer evening, it’s perfect for moments when you want to recall summers gone by or reflect on memories with someone special.
BUBBLE GUM MAGICKEYTALK
When it comes to summer songs, you want to listen to something upbeat and popping, right? KEYTALK’s track “BUBBLE-GUM MAGIC,” just like its title suggests, is a number that makes you feel a slightly mature, mellow summer, with bubbles popping like a snap.
The song was released in May 2019 as KEYTALK’s 15th single.
It’s a track with a strong sense of groove that feels completely different from the KEYTALK you’ve known so far.
The summer you gave meieiri reo
Kimi ga Kureta Natsu, sung by Leo Ieiri, a singer-songwriter from Fukuoka Prefecture, is a bittersweet summer breakup song.
Released in 2015, it reached No.
6 on the Oricon singles chart.
It was also used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Koinaka and won the Best Drama Song award at the 86th The Television Drama Academy Awards.
The lyrics, which look back on joyful summer memories after a breakup, are heartbreakingly poignant.
If you’re in a reflective summer mood, be sure to give Kimi ga Kureta Natsu a listen!
Shaka Beach ~Laka Laka La~UVERworld
To get a summer live show really going, it’s gotta be this hot, right? This UVERworld track is guaranteed to hype up summer concerts, festivals, and all kinds of leisure activities.
Its melody, which incorporates a samba-style rhythm, creates a vibe that makes you feel the summer heat just by listening.
The live scenes in the music video—shot with 80 extras—let you fully feel the intensity of a summer live performance.
With lyrics that are quite sexy for UVERworld and carry an unusual vibe, the contrast with their other songs is thrilling and heart-pounding!