Songs for summer: Popular Artist Rankings [2026]

summer skyGalileo Galilei78rank/position

Galileo Galilei 'Summer Sky'

A summer song by the hugely popular rock band Galileo Galilei that captures the glow of youth.

Yuki Ozaki’s plain-spoken, earnest vocals beautifully express the bittersweetness of summer’s end and the anticipation of new beginnings.

Released in June 2010, the track was also used as the opening theme for the anime Big Windup! The Summer Tournament Arc.

With its dreamy guitar sound and pulsing bassline, it’s perfect as background music for summer drives and outdoor trips—and it’s guaranteed to get everyone hyped when you’re hanging out with friends of the same generation.

Over DriveJUDY AND MARY79rank/position

Over Drive

When it comes to quintessential summer anthems of the ’90s with an exhilarating, piercing sense of freshness, it has to be this one by JUDY AND MARY.

YUKI’s free-spirited lyrics—like something leaping out of a fairy tale—blend seamlessly with TAKUYA’s sprightly guitar riffs to whisk listeners into the ultimate summer mood.

Released in 1995, the song also aired in a Toyota commercial and peaked at No.

4 on the Oricon charts.

Packed with the band’s condensed energy, it’s perfect for a drive—brimming with a charm that makes you want to keep on cruising under the summer blue sky.

sea glassSaucy Dog80rank/position

Saucy Dog “Sea Glass” Music Video <4th Mini Album “Take Me” Released on 2020.9.2>

It’s a song by Saucy Dog that evokes sparkling summer scenes and the sweet-and-sour memories of young love.

Sung over a driving, exhilarating sound, it captures the charm and fragility of a wonderful romance, and the fleeting brilliance of youth that will never return.

It’s sure to deliver a bittersweet yet heartwarming emotion to listeners.

Released as a digital single in July 2020, the track was also included on the mini-album “Take Me” in September of the same year.

The music video, produced in collaboration with Honda’s youth support project “Honda×Music: Wanna Ride a Bike? MUSIC FES.,” expresses the dynamism of youth racing forward on a motorcycle.

Whether you’re feeling the wind on a summer drive or suddenly reminiscing about your school days, listening to this song may bring back the flutter of those moments.

Glaring Summernaniwa danshi81rank/position

Naniwa Danshi – Gira Gira Summer [Official Music Video]

A summery tune with popping beats and the members’ energetic vocals that’ll make your body start dancing before you know it! In this track, Naniwa Danshi play the role of the charismatic “Glittering Gira-Gira-sama” who spices up summer, filling the song with a fun that makes you forget the dull routine of everyday life.

It was also featured in a ROUND1 commercial and included on their fourth album, “BON BON VOYAGE,” released in July 2025.

The sound fuses disco and pop, and the lyrics paint a world where you can practically see the members letting loose and dancing—another big draw.

With this as your BGM, your summer drives and camping trips are sure to become unforgettable memories!

Seaside StoryMAZZEL82rank/position

MAZZEL / Seaside Story -Music Video-

Evoking the refreshing vibe of a summer seaside, this is a summer song packed with a new side of MAZZEL.

Produced by Taku Takahashi and SKY-HI, it strikes a perfect balance between a medium-tempo chill atmosphere and a wistful melody.

Released as a digital single on July 5, 2024, a teaser for the music video dropped the same day.

It blends the openness of summer with elements of breezy, paradise-style dance—making it a perfect track for the season.

The choreography, which incorporates summery motifs like the sea, waves, and ships, is another highlight.

It’s the kind of exhilarating song you’ll want to play while driving on a hot summer day.

ImaginationSPYAIR83rank/position

SPYAIR “Imagination” TV anime “Haikyu!!” opening theme

When it comes to energetic tracks that blow away the sweltering summer heat, “Imagination” tops the list.

Released in 2014 by the rock band SPYAIR, known for handling numerous anime theme songs, it was used as the opening theme for the anime Haikyu!!, so some of you may already know it.

Its straightforward lyrics, which depict the courage to push forward toward dreams and goals, are truly moving.

The driving, fast-paced band sound is sure to amp up the summer vibes.

Be sure to check out this rock number that will hype up kids right before summer!

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A Perfect SkyBONNIE PINK84rank/position

BONNIE PINK – A Perfect Sky

Singer-songwriter BONNIE PINK, highly acclaimed for her genre-blending musicality.

Released in June 2006, this song became a major hit as the CM track for Shiseido’s ANESSA.

Set to a breezy sound that feels like an endlessly expanding blue sky, the lyrics beautifully portray the summer romance of an independent woman.

The lyrics balance summer sparkle with a touch of wistfulness in a stylish way, making it perfect as a driving soundtrack for an exhilarating sense of freedom.