Songs for summer: Popular Artist Rankings [2026]

Trace that dreamYOASOBI43rank/position

YOASOBI “Tracing That Dream” Official Music Video

YOASOBI is a two-person music unit that has produced numerous hits with their project of turning novels into music.

Based on Sota Ishiki’s short story “Yume no Shizuku to Hoshi no Hana,” this track is a pop tune that portrays the bittersweet romance of a girl who sees prophetic dreams and her childhood friend at a fireworks festival.

Released in January 2020 as their second digital-only single, it was also included on their first EP, “THE BOOK,” released in January 2021.

It has been featured in numerous tie-ins, including as the theme for Daihatsu’s “Taft” commercial.

Its bright, fast-paced melody and heart-fluttering story perfectly match visuals of fireworks coloring the night sky—an emotional number that beautifully enhances Instagram-worthy summer memories.

water lily blossomShonan no Kaze44rank/position

Shonan no Kaze “Suirenka” MUSIC VIDEO

Shonan no Kaze, known as a leading act in Japanese reggae, captivates fans with their powerful live performances.

Their sixth single, released in June 2007, boldly incorporates soca, the traditional music of Trinidad and Tobago, making it a true anthem of summer.

What makes this track so compelling is not just its hype—it carries a powerful message of moving forward, like a water lily that blooms into a large flower from the mud, overcoming painful pasts and tears.

Produced by MINMI, this song instantly lifts your mood.

If you’re capturing summer drives or beach moments for your Instagram stories, this exhilarating, fast-paced sound will help create unforgettable memories.

Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke45rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – Surfin' Johnny (Short ver.)

Released in July 2001, this solo single by Keisuke Kuwata was also beloved as a theme song for a Japan Coca-Cola commercial.

It became his first million-selling release under his solo name and truly became a summer anthem.

The moment the piano in the intro rings out, it’s as if a sparkling ocean unfolds before your eyes—an exhilarating track.

Beyond its brightness, the song gains depth by portraying the fleeting pangs that surface in a passionate romance and the heartache of repeated meetings and farewells.

If you’ve ever had a bittersweet summer love, it’s sure to resonate with you.

Rollercoaster RomanceKinKi Kids46rank/position

KinKi Kids “Jet Coaster Romance” Music Video

Just hearing that sparkling intro instantly brings those Heisei-era summers back to life—many of us feel that way, I’m sure.

Released in April 1998 as KinKi Kids’ third single, this gem of summer pop captures the thrilling rush of a budding romance, carried by an exhilarating melody.

It was also featured in ANA’s Okinawa campaign commercials, conjuring vivid images of the island’s blue skies and sea.

There’s even an anecdote that it was once a candidate for their debut single.

With its buoyant, samba-infused sound, it’s perfect for summer drives or listening by the beach.

It’s a magical track that transports you straight back to your youth in an instant.

together; along with; bothWANIMA47rank/position

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

It’s a cheering song that lifts your spirits! Just listening to it gives you energy—the powerful sound so characteristic of WANIMA, along with lyrics that combine strength and warmth, are truly captivating.

Chosen in 2017 as the theme song for the project “Tomoni Susumu Kumamoto,” which focused on recovery from the Kumamoto earthquake, this piece carries the band members’ deep love for their hometown and a message of support.

It was included on their major first full-length album, “Everybody!!,” released in January 2018.

It’s a track that guides you to hold your ground together with your friends.

The Sound of WavesImai Miki48rank/position

Miki Imai “Shiosai (The Sound of Waves)” Music Video

Miki Imai, known for her translucent singing voice and her portrayals of sophisticated, urban women, delivers in this work a summer ballad that seeps into the heart, crafted entirely by her partner, Tomoyasu Hotei.

You can almost picture the protagonist on a beach at dusk, listening closely to the ebb and flow of the waves and quietly reflecting on a love from long ago.

Released ahead of the album AQUA in July 2001, the song also reached living rooms nationwide as the ending theme of the infotainment show The! Sekai Gyoten News.

Put it on during a late-summer drive, and sweet, bittersweet memories will resurface, enveloping you in a nostalgic mood.

Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko49rank/position

Blue Coral Reef

The famously soaring high notes in the intro make this an absolute classic that just screams “Seiko-chan.” Released in July 1980 as her second single, it’s surely one of the signature songs of early Seiko Matsuda.

The lyrics paint a straightforward picture of pure excitement: under the blue ocean stretching out before her, the protagonist can’t contain her overflowing feelings of love.

Beloved as the song for Glico’s “Yorell” commercial, it also topped The Best Ten for three consecutive weeks.

Put on this exhilarating summer tune and your mood will skyrocket—there’s no doubt it’ll make a seaside drive in summer many times more fun.