Ballads to Listen to in Summer | Exquisite Summer Songs That Embrace Bittersweet Longing
Going to the pool or the beach, having barbecues, heading to music festivals… summer is full of fun things, isn’t it? Precisely because it’s such an open, joyful season, there are moments when you suddenly feel lonely or a touch of wistfulness.
In this article, we introduce mellow ballads that will stay close to those bittersweet summer feelings.
From songs that capture the sadness of summer’s end to tracks themed around love and heartbreak, these warm tunes will wrap you up whenever a sentimental mood unexpectedly arrives.
Give them a listen!
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Ballads to Listen to in Summer | Exquisite Summer Songs That Embrace Heartache (91–100)
NatsuneGLAY
Released as a single in 2006, it was selected as the theme song for TBS’s variety show “Koisuru Hanikami!” from July to September.
It’s a fan-favorite, grand-scale summer ballad that topped the Oricon chart.
A dramatic number perfect for listening to while walking along the summer coastline.
Sound of SummerGReeeeN
GReeeeN’s “Natsu no Oto” depicts a delicate yet bittersweet story set against the backdrop of a summer festival.
Written as a campaign song for Kirin Namacha, it was released as a digital-only advance single ahead of its inclusion on the 2015 album “C, D desu to!?” From the intro, the song already carries a tinge of sadness that tightens the chest as you listen.
“Natsu no Oto,” or “the sound of summer,” most likely refers to fireworks—the fleeting bursts of light mirroring the transience of the singer’s own love.
Blue SummerBlue Vintage
Blue Vintage was formed by J.Speaks, who was born in the Philippines and raised in Saipan and Hawaii, and guitarist Taiga.
Their 2023 release “Blue Summer” is a sentimental love song that portrays a romance unfolding on a summer stage.
Its fresh sound blends hip-hop-inspired beats with surf music, coloring the emotional lyrics.
Paired with warm vocals that wrap around feelings of anxiety and loneliness, it’s a ballad perfect for a chill time.
Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad
An emotional piece themed around summer memories.
It’s a song by the three-piece band from Niigata, My Hair is Bad, released in June 2024.
It was written as the theme song for the film “Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary.” The lyrics convey both the joy of days gone by and hope for the future.
The chorus’s powerful, resonant melody really makes your heart swell.
It’s a moving ballad I’d recommend to listeners of all ages.
Summer HydrangeasSexy Zone
Sexy Zone is an idol group with an adorable look—like princes on white horses come to life—and impressively high-level performances.
Their famous song “Natsu no Hydrangea” is a 2022 track themed around summer.
It features a bittersweet yet heartwarming melody that evokes the feeling of late summer or the calm after a festival.
Isn’t it rare to find a ballad like this among works with a summer theme? The melody is easy to listen to, so be sure to check it out.
Baby, I love youTEE
Singer-songwriter TEE, who was moved by the music he encountered while studying abroad and began his musical career, released a second single, “Baby I Love You,” chosen as the ending theme for the music show COUNT DOWN TV.
Its catchy phrases and passionate lyrics leave a strong impression.
The beautiful melody spun by his sweet voice is sure to color the sizzling summer vividly.
It’s a song almost everyone has heard at least once, making it a perfect number for everyone to sing along to while driving.
Finale.eill
The anime film The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye portrays a romance between students that unfolds over the summer.
Its opening theme is Finale.
Written specifically for the film by singer-songwriter eill, the song expresses the desire to stay forever with the one you love.
It’s wonderful on its own, but after watching the film, it will resonate even more deeply.
Highlights include eill’s high-toned voice and her distinctive singing style with rich vibrato.
