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)
The Summer Without YouDEEN
A single by DEEN released in 1997.
It was also used as a theme song for the anime Detective Conan, so some of you might remember hearing it often back then.
It’s a mid-tempo ballad featuring DEEN’s signature rock sound.
The lyrics look back on summer memories with a former lover who has now gone far away, striking deep in the heart.
Rather than dwelling on lingering attachment, the song’s evocative imagery leans more toward nostalgia, keeping it from feeling overly sentimental—that’s a key point of this track.
It’s a great pick when you’re in the mood for a refreshing ballad.
Summer memories scented by the windAAA
It’s a mid-tempo ballad with the kind of danceable beat you’d expect from AAA, centered on a romance that begins in summer.
The lyrics are filled with quintessential summer scenes—yukata, summer festivals, the sea and sandy beaches—so some listeners might find themselves linking it to their own summer memories.
While painting these summery moments, the song conveys a straightforward, heartfelt love for someone special.
However, at the very end, there’s a hint that the couple has already parted ways, leaving a lingering sense of bittersweetness.
Cold fireworksKami ga nokoshita yume o kuu.
This song is a heartbreaking breakup ballad that overlays the dazzling burst of fireworks with a love coming to an end.
Though they stand side by side, their hearts no longer connect.
That frustrating relationship is portrayed against the backdrop of a late summer night.
The emotional vocals convey the painfully raw feeling of wanting to cling to memories while knowing there’s no going back.
It resonates deeply with anyone carrying an unforgettable love.
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)
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.
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.
