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 hear in summer. Essential J‑POP summer anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls (41–50)
Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is definitely one of those bands you can’t go without in the summer, right? This track from ORANGE RANGE is perfect for livening up all kinds of summer events like leisure outings, music festivals, and summer festivals.
The slightly sexy, dangerous vibe in the lyrics gives it that uniquely summer feel—it’s enough to raise the temperature all by itself.
According to the members, it’s also a song for guys who have a hard time hitting on someone, and it’s sure to boost the spirits of anyone who’s thinking, “I want to let loose, but I just can’t work up the courage.”
The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro
A song I want you to listen to at the end of August is Naotaro Moriyama’s “Natsu no Owari” (“End of Summer”).
It was released as a single in 2003 and peaked at No.
6 on the Oricon singles chart.
Moriyama’s voice, carrying a wistful, heartrending melody, evokes the days of summer slipping away.
In 2003, it was also used as the ending theme for Asahi Broadcasting/TV Asahi’s “Netto Koshien.” According to Moriyama, “Natsu no Owari” is an anti-war song, making it a track he hopes people will listen to on the anniversary of the end of the war as well.
A Long, Short FestivalShiina Ringo
It’s a cool dance tune suffused with the sultry heat of a summer night and a fleeting, ephemeral vibe.
The track is a duet featuring Ukigumo, the guitarist from the band Tokyo Jihen, on vocals.
The rhythm incorporates elements of Brazilian music, and the interplay of the two Auto-Tuned voices is irresistibly captivating.
The lyrics portray a man and woman’s cat-and-mouse game set during a festival night, along with a sense of urgency toward a season that slips away in an instant—evoking Shiina Ringo’s distinctly mature worldview to the fullest.
Released in August 2015 as part of a double A-side single, it was used in Coca-Cola’s summer campaign commercial, making it a familiar tune in many households.
It’s a number you’ll want to listen to on a slightly muggy summer night, soaking in a sentimental mood.
NatsuneYuuri
Singer-songwriter Yuuri, whose 2020 release “Dry Flower” became a massive hit.
His 2021 track “Natsune” is a top recommendation as an emotional, heartrending summer song.
Beginning with his gentle voice and a breezy, summer-like electric guitar sound, the piece alone conjures vivid scenes of summer as you listen.
By the way, the song was specially written for the first episode of Hulu’s “Dry Flower – Shichigatsu no Heya -,” a drama based on the worlds of hit songs like “Dry Flower,” so if you’re interested, be sure to watch the series as well.
White BeachHY
This is a summer song by HY from Okinawa.
It’s a refreshing track that makes you feel as if you’re sensing the sea breeze on a white sandy beach.
Written during their high school days, the song also symbolizes the members’ commitment to music.
Although it was released in August 2018, it holds a special place in HY’s musical career.
Loved by many fans through live performances, it also has guitar chord sheets available, so you can enjoy playing and singing it at home.
It’s perfect for seaside summer days or road trips, and ideal for anyone who wants to feel the end of youth and the beginning of something new.
Mermaid RhapsodySEKAI NO OWARI
From the very beginning, SEKAI NO OWARI’s unique atmosphere is in full bloom.
Even the title conveys a song that brings a refreshing coolness to this hot summer.
The band’s distinctive sound lets you feel their signature summertime vibe.
tropical nightSPEED
When people think of popular summer songs, they often imagine up-tempo tracks or refreshing tunes that evoke the ocean, but there are actually quite a few mellow summer songs as well.
SPEED’s song “Nettaiya” (Tropical Night) doesn’t include many explicitly summery phrases in its lyrics, but it portrays the feelings of a woman who senses loneliness on a drooping, stifling tropical night.
Even though she’s devoted herself to the one she loves, his affection has faded, leaving her with a dark mood as if her heart were shrouded in a gloomy fog.
While SPEED is known for catchy, smile-filled dance numbers, their mature ballads are also very popular.