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 Hear in Summer | Exquisite Summer Songs that Embrace Heartache (21–30)
The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro
Singer-songwriter Naotaro Moriyama has made full use of his distinctive voice and exceptional vocal ability to release numerous masterpieces.
The moment I heard this song, what struck me was the beauty of its Japanese sensibility and poetic lyrics.
At first glance, the lyrics seem to depict a heartrending love story.
However, Moriyama himself has said he created this piece as an anti-war song.
Of course, it can be appreciated as a love ballad, but once you read the lyrics again with “anti-war song” in mind, you can’t help but think, “Indeed,” while also sighing anew at the beauty of the words.
The distinctly Japanese emotional tone I felt upon first listen surely stems from this as well.
It’s a highly recommended piece—an exquisitely beautiful song to hear in summer.
The summer you gave meieiri reo
Many of you might recognize this song, which was the theme for the drama “Koinaka.” It’s a track by singer-songwriter Leo Ieiri, whose clear, resonant voice adds vivid color to the music.
The drama itself portrays a complex love story that kept many viewers’ hearts racing with its bittersweet emotions, and this song captures that same aching, helpless feeling of love that echoes the show’s narrative.
If you want to experience a poignant summer romance, be sure to give this song a listen.
Hello, my friendMatsutōya Yumi
As a singer-songwriter, Yumi Matsutoya enjoys overwhelming popularity in the J‑POP scene.
The song even became the theme for the drama “A Summer with You.” Her signature vocals—somehow relaxed yet clear—create a calm impression that evokes a gentle stillness contrasting with the bustle of summer, as well as the bittersweetness of parting from someone dear.
I’ve heard she wrote this song when her close friend Ayrton Senna passed away, and it portrays a cherished friendship.
It’s also a great recommendation as background music for a leisurely, laid-back drive.
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
It has a melody that evokes a mysterious and grand worldview.
It’s a song by Kenshi Yonezu, the singer-songwriter also known for his work as a Vocaloid producer under the name HACHI.
It was released in 2019 as his second digital single.
The track was written as the theme song for the film Children of the Sea.
Yonezu has said he originally loved the manga and had hoped that if it were ever adapted, he would be the one to create the theme song.
SquallFukuyama Masaharu
This song was originally written for Eiko Matsumoto, so some people may associate it more strongly with her.
Masaharu Fukuyama’s first song he provided to another artist and his first self-cover, “Squall.” It’s a love ballad highly regarded among fans as a masterpiece, even having topped live request polls.
The lyrics are from a woman’s perspective, depicting a summer romance and the moment she realizes her feelings for the one she loves.
From the instant she becomes aware of her emotions come the ache, the pain, and the joy.
It’s such a gentle song that it can bring you to tears just by listening.
Summer Days of 1993class
Summer Days of 1993, which was also class’s debut single, was a smash hit at the time, selling over 1.7 million copies.
If you’re a guy, you’ve probably experienced that heart-stopping moment in summer at the beach when you see a female friend or acquaintance in a swimsuit, right? In this song too, a woman the man already knows turns into someone special, and it depicts how he becomes completely captivated by her.
It’s what you might call the charm of contrast—gap moe, so to speak (lol).
The melody is incredibly refreshing, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a classic summer ballad.
The End of Summeraibii karaa
If we’re talking about ballad songs set at the end of summer, there’s no way I can skip this one! It’s a rock ballad with a memorable piano sound, and if you don’t usually listen to rock, you might not know it.
But please give it a listen! It’s a story of a man and woman who gradually grow closer beneath fireworks at a summer festival—so heart-pounding it almost hurts.
It’s a superb ballad that evokes deep nostalgia not only for those who’ve had such experiences in their youth, but even for those who haven’t.