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

ultra soulB’z

B’z / ultra soul

B’z’s 31st single, released in 2001.

Even more than 20 years later, it’s still frequently used as a theme song in various settings and is a hot, timeless track embraced by a wide range of generations.

It’s a rock tune that blends guitar-driven sound with techno and Latin flavors, carrying the driving energy that lives up to its title and radiates a fiery spirit.

It’s also a motivational anthem that gives a strong push to anyone striving forward—so sing it out and blow away the summer heat!

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Greatful daysHamasaki Ayumi

Ayumi Hamasaki / Greatful days

This work, which captures the feeling of summer and the beauty of everyday life, is included on Ayumi Hamasaki’s 29th single “&,” released in July 2003.

The lyrics—depicting a city coming to life with the long-awaited arrival of the season and the importance of small moments in daily life—leave a strong impression.

With Ayumi Hamasaki’s characteristically powerful vocals and an upbeat, positive message, the song gives listeners energy and hope.

The single “&” debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon chart and has sold a total of 591,000 copies.

It’s a track that will put you in a positive mood, recommended for anyone who wants to treasure summer memories and appreciate the everyday.

Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK

[Official] J-WALK “Speechless… Summer”

A signature song by J-WALK that paints a bittersweet summer love story.

Its transparent melody and sentimental lyrics really resonate.

The lyrics, which trace the pain of heartbreak, are something many people will likely relate to through their own experiences.

Released in July 1991, the song ranked 32nd on the Oricon year-end chart the following year.

It has been widely used as background music in dramas and variety shows, and is cherished as a staple summer tune.

An emotional summer track that stays close to those carrying a tender, aching love.

NatsuneGLAY

GLAY / Summer Sound

It’s a heart-stirring ballad where summer scenery intertwines with a past love.

The lyrics convey the narrator’s helpless feelings as every touch of the beautiful summer landscape brings back memories of an unforgettable lover.

This beautiful melody was released as a single in September 2006 and became widely beloved as the theme song for TBS’s “Koisuru Hanikami!” It debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon chart, marking the remarkable achievement of GLAY’s tenth consecutive year with a No.

1 single.

It’s the perfect song for those moments when you want to reminisce about a summer love that has slipped away.

HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzu

HOTEL PACIFIC

This number perfectly fuses passionate Latin rhythms with the familiar melodies of Japanese pop, conjuring images of a blazing sun and an endless blue sea.

It was written for a large-scale outdoor concert held in the summer of 2000 in Chigasaki, the hometown of Southern All Stars.

Released in July 2000 as their 45th single, it also brightened living rooms across Japan as the theme song for WOWOW’s “Summer Campaign” commercials.

It’s the perfect track to lift your spirits even higher when you’re heading out for a seaside drive or a barbecue with friends.

Live the summerRyokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai “Living the Summer” Music Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai

This is a song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai that portrays the brilliance of summer and the strength of the people who live within it.

It combines a cider-like freshness with the resilience to stand up even when covered in mud, and it just might give courage to those who listen.

Not only the sparkle of youth, but also the earnest effort and passion behind it, come through on a driving, exhilarating sound.

Released in July 2020, the track is widely known as the theme song for tvk’s “RIDE OF KANAGAWA 2020 High School Baseball.” A special edition centered around this song was also included in the album “SINGALONG,” released in September of the same year.

It’s an uplifting anthem that gives you a strong push forward when you’re taking on a challenge or feeling a bit worn out by the summer heat.

Emo-ish summerLucky Kilimanjaro

Emo-ish summer

An emotional number by Lucky Kilimanjaro that vividly brings summertime scenes to mind.

The shimmering tones of the synthesizer and the breezy rhythm paint a bright picture of the early thrills of romance and the unstoppable swell of emotion.

The lyrics capture a heart swaying in the special atmosphere of summer, wrapping listeners in a feeling that’s a little bittersweet yet warm.

Released as a single in July 2020, the track built anticipation as a follow-up to their major-label first album, “!magination.” Its exposure on NTV’s Sukkiri and as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s Netapare further raised its profile.

It also received extensive radio play, including three consecutive weeks in the TOP 5 on J-WAVE’s TOKIO HOT 100.

It’s a perfect song to listen to while relaxing by the seaside to the sound of waves, or in the sentimental mood of twilight.

Give it a listen in those kinds of moments.