[Summer Classics] When it comes to summer, it’s got to be this song! A roundup from timeless staples to the latest hit tracks.

July 1stHamasaki Ayumi

Ayumi Hamasaki / July 1st [Live Lyric Video]

This is Ayumi Hamasaki’s summer anthem, distinguished by a sparkling, dazzling sound that seems to herald the arrival of summer.

Under the blue sky, the protagonist’s exhilaration as they set out to meet their beloved and their straightforward emotions brimming with hope for the future set listeners’ hearts free.

The song appears on the single “H,” released in July 2002, which became the only million-selling single of that year.

It was also widely known as the theme song for KOSÉ’s VISÉE commercial.

It’s a track you’ll want to play during summer drives or events when you want to boost your mood to the max.

rainbowFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Rainbow (Full ver.)

This is a refreshing pop-rock number by Masaharu Fukuyama that brightens the listener’s mood.

For the first time, he handled the arrangement himself and was meticulous about the performance, channeling the passions of youth and grand dreams for the future into the music.

Feelings he wanted to express but couldn’t put into words, and a strong will to overcome hardships and grasp hope, come through clearly in his soaring vocals and the lively sound.

The song was included on a single released in August 2003 and was loved by many as the theme song for the drama “WATER BOYS.” It’s truly one of the signature masterpieces that symbolize that summer.

Summer Days of 1993class

Summer Day of 1993 – class (Full) Lyrics: Hajime Matsumoto Music: Ken Sato cover

When it comes to “Natsu no Hi no 1993,” for those who spent their youth in the summer of 1993 or have deeply personal memories tied to that time, it must be an unforgettable song.

Despite being a debut single released in 1993, it became a major hit by the male duo class, selling 1.3 million copies.

The opening of the chorus is wonderful—romantic, and somehow evocative of the faint, fleeting memories of a summer love.

By all means, give it a listen again and let it take you back to your own summer of 1993.

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Murakami Shinpei

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ENDLESS SUMMER NUDEMagokoro Burazāzu

Magokoro Brothers 'ENDLESS SUMMER NUDE'

The beloved masterpiece by Magokoro Brothers, vividly capturing the summer of youth, was released in July 1997.

Its beautiful melody and lyrics, portraying the bittersweet end of summer and memories with a lover, moved countless listeners.

The song is included on the album “I will Survive” and was also used as an insert song in the Tokyo Theatres–distributed film “Osaka Monogatari.” The arrangement, which blends programming and live performance by CHOKKAKU, features accomplished musicians such as Toshio Araki and Yoichi Murata, with additional color added by Yoko Utsumi’s chorus.

It’s a heartwarming track we especially recommend to those who want to bask in summer memories or soothe a heart swayed by love.

You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi

[Official] Eiichi Ohtaki “Kimii wa Tennen-shoku” Music Video (40th Anniversary Version)

Eiichi Ohtaki, who debuted as the vocalist of Happy End—a pioneering band in the history of Japanese rock—and later thrived as a solo singer-songwriter with his stylish musicality.

His seventh single, “Kimi wa Tennen Shoku,” has been featured in numerous commercials even in recent years, including as the jingle for Rohto Pharmaceutical’s “New V Rohto.” Its ensemble, driven by a light, bouncy shuffle beat and a sense of speed in the piano, evokes the image of a bright summer sky.

A city pop sound that never fades with time, it’s a feel-good pop tune that’s indispensable in summer.

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Hoshino Takashi

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COCONUTNiziU

NiziU(니쥬) 2nd Album「COCONUT」M/V

Perfect for the season when the summer sun is dazzling, this is a summery track from NiziU’s album “COCONUT.” Just listening to it lifts your spirits, evoking a refreshing scene of blue skies and the sea.

Its vibrant sound makes summer memories with friends shine, and the nine members’ vocals convey the openness and positive energy of summer.

The album “COCONUT,” which includes this song, was released in July 2023 and debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon Albums Chart with 142,000 copies sold in its first week.

The album also features the movie theme song “Paradise” and the drama theme song “LOOK AT ME.” It’s a perfect pick to elevate karaoke, road trips, and all your summer outings—highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy the season.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number

back number – Takane no Hanako-san (full)

This signature number from back number is guaranteed to get everyone hyped during summer drives and karaoke—surely a staple summer song that resonates with many.

The track stands out for expressing the bittersweet feelings of an unrequited crush—yearning for someone who won’t look your way—set to a refreshing, fast-paced sound.

While the lyrics portray the woman he admires as someone out of reach, the charm lies in the protagonist’s comical side, drifting into fanciful daydreams and then snapping back to reality.

It captures the perfect interplay between the liberating feel of summer and the frustration of a distance that just won’t close.

Released as a single in June 2013, it was later included on the album “Love Story.” In 2019, it drew fresh attention when vocalist Iyori Shimizu performed a stripped-down version for Kirin Brewery’s Tanrei Green Label TV commercial.

If you want to relive the sweet-and-sour pangs of a one-sided crush, or you’re on your way to a summer event, this song will instantly lift your spirits.

And if you sing it with friends at karaoke, you’re guaranteed to get the whole room going in shared excitement!