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!
- Songs you want to listen to at the end of summer: Late-summer classics to look back on the season
- [Masterpieces to Enjoy During Summer Vacation] A collection of summer songs bursting with summer vibes
- [Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]
- A collection of summer-like songs: tracks that go perfectly with summer, like the sea and the sky.
- Tear-jerking summer classics: recommended popular songs
- [2026] A summer song that tightens your chest with bittersweet feelings. A classic summer tune that touches the heart.
- Summer songs with great lyrics. Tracks that make your summer memories even more wonderful.
- Love songs you want to listen to in summer. Love songs that color the summer.
- Songs of Summer from the Showa Era: A comprehensive introduction, from nostalgic Japanese hits to timeless favorites still popular today
- [Summer Love Songs] Hot and Heart-wrenching! Carefully Selected Summer Tunes of Love That Set Your Heart Ablaze
- [Oldies] Summer Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s [2026]
- Emotional songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters.
- [Summer Classics] When it comes to summer, it’s got to be this song! A roundup from timeless staples to the latest hit tracks.
Ballads to Listen to in Summer | Exquisite Summer Songs That Embrace Heartache (91–100)
Feel feat. IO, Tsubaki & Yo-SeaDJ CHARI & DJ TATSUKI
A mellow track crafted by DJ CHARI and DJ TATSUKI, perfect for summer evenings.
IO’s smooth flow, Tsubaki’s deep voice, and Yo-Sea’s beautiful hook blend exquisitely, gently resonating with listeners.
The track feels both nostalgic and fresh, delivering an undeniably emotional experience.
Released in April 2018, it was also included on that year’s acclaimed album “THE FIRST.” It’s ideal as BGM for a summer drive date or for relaxing by the seaside, setting the perfect mood.
This summer, let yourself be carried by its soothing melodies and enjoy a wonderful time.
LAST SUMMER SONGhyakuzoku
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to at the end of summer, with a bittersweet yet beautiful melody that lingers in your heart.
The words spun by Mukade gently portray sentimental feelings for a season that has passed and important emotions that remained unspoken, resonating softly with the listener’s heart.
Released in September 2024, this song distills the charm of Mukade as a solo artist, created after he won the 15th BAZOOKA!!! High School RAP Championship in April 2019 and continued his energetic activities with works like the mini-album “Orange.” Give it a listen at a sunset beach or in those moments when memories suddenly come flooding back.
sea glassSaucy Dog
This work captivates with its emotional atmosphere that conjures vivid scenes of summer.
Listen by the seaside, and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a beautiful moment from a film.
The lyrics, delicately weaving tales of bittersweet love and the fleeting sparkle of youth, resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in July 2020, the song was also included on Saucy Dog’s mini-album “Take Me.” A music video produced in collaboration with a Honda project was also released, vividly portraying the radiance of youth.
It’s a highly recommended track to use as background music when you want to relax by the ocean or get lost in thought at dusk.
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.
Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu
A gem of a ballad themed around the anxiety and transience of summer.
Released by Macaroni Empitsu in April 2022, it was written as the opening theme for the TV anime Summertime Rendering.
Its poignant lyrics and refreshing sound leave a strong impression, making it a perfect song for times of heartbreak or parting with someone important.
Listening to this piece, anyone is sure to find it resonates with their own experiences.
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.
