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 (31–40)
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.
To Those Who Know the Blue of the Skyaimyon
Aimyong, a singer-songwriter popular across generations, had this song chosen as the theme for a film of the same name, so many of you probably heard it often when the movie was first released.
When we think of summer, we tend to picture a vividly clear blue sky, but this song carries not only that refreshing brightness; it also holds a certain wistfulness.
The gently subdued mid-tempo arrangement pairs perfectly with her calm vocals, lending the piece a deeper emotional texture.
For those who have seen the film, the lyrics will resonate even more strongly.
BoyhoodInoue Yosui
Released in 1990, this is one of Yosui Inoue’s signature songs and a quintessential summer ballad.
The piano and string accompaniment, along with Inoue’s gentle, airy high notes, are especially striking, and some listeners may feel a nostalgic sense of having returned to their hometown when they hear it.
The lyrics depict scenes from the late summer, carrying that uniquely bittersweet summer mood.
It’s a perfect song for the end of the season, when you want to look back on what’s happened or sink into quiet reflection.
fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi
A song produced as the theme for the film “Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?” It’s a collaboration between the female singer DAOKO and Kenshi Yonezu, who, in addition to his own music, is actively involved in songwriting and production for others.
Your ears are first drawn to the song’s high level of polish, approached from various angles—the wistful piano in the intro, the strings that play a striking role in the chorus, and the stylish beat.
And of course, we can’t help but talk about DAOKO’s vocals! Her breathy, translucent voice is exquisitely beautiful, evoking the fleeting beauty and fragility of fireworks.
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
“Himawari no Yakusoku” by Motohiro Hata, widely known across generations as the theme song for the film STAND BY ME Doraemon, is also very popular as a wedding song and has become a staple summer tune.
Released in 2014, this song—perhaps thanks to Hata’s vocals—has moved many listeners to tears.
Its lyrics, which evoke feelings of love for someone special and the bonds we share, make your heart swell and gently soothe you.
It’s a classic ballad and a true masterpiece.
Ballads to Listen to in Summer | Exquisite Summer Songs That Embrace Heartache (41–50)
TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu
TSUNAMI, a masterpiece by Southern All Stars, portrays a poignant yet beautiful love.
While the band is known for many fresh, fiery summer tunes, this song takes the form of a gentle, tender ballad.
It has been featured in many contexts, such as the theme song for the variety show Ucchan Nanchan’s Honto Koi! segment “Mirai Nikki III,” and as an insert song in the drama Motokare.
Depending on the listener, it can be heard as a heartbreak song or as a reflection on past love—its meaning shifts with each person’s experience.
Summer is often called the season of love, so you might enjoy interpreting the lyrics through the lens of your own summer romance.
With a melody that grows ever more grand, it’s a classic that grips your heart more deeply with every listen.
Dawn and Firefliesnabuna
This song, with its striking acoustic guitar accompaniment, is a track released by n-buna—now active as a member of Yorushika—during his days as a Vocaloid producer.
The lyrics, written as if laying bare inward, negative emotions, are rich in metaphor, inviting each listener to find their own personal interpretation.
Even so, a sense of wistfulness and transience spills out from every corner of the piece, and each of those feelings stands out all the more in contrast to the dazzling season of summer.