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!

Playlist

Ballads to Listen to in Summer \| Exquisite Summer Songs That Embrace Bittersweet Longing
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars’ classic “Manatsu no Kajitsu” is a summer ballad.
2	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		A classic summer song that brings back memories
3	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A classic youth anthem singing of summer’s end
4	fireflyFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's heartrending summer ballad
5	Because of the summerRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s classic summer song, youthful vibes
6	Drunken Summermurasaki ima		A song that portrays an earnest love at the end of summer
7	A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru		A song of deep love and sorrow for someone dear
8	I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke		A song that lets you believe in yourself and feel hope for tomorrow
9	The Sea and the Boyanzenchitai		Nostalgic summer memories woven by Koji Tamaki’s singing voice
10	Summer-patterned catOfisharu Higedan Dism		Official HIGE DANDism’s bittersweet summer song
11	Point of No ReturnCHEMISTRY		A wistful coming-of-age ballad at the point of no return
12	fireworkskyanai		The Fleeting Nature of Life and Hope Painted by Summer Fireworks
13	fireworksSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		Summer love, a song of fleeting light
14	Just a Kiss feat. AimyonSuda Masaki		Sing of a bittersweet love at the end of summer.
15	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s renowned song, a deeply emotional anti-war ballad
16	Summer WindowYuga		Summer scenery and Yuga’s delicate singing voice
17	Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s film theme song, with a grand, expansive worldview
18	Sun No. 410-FEET		10-FEET’s heart-stirring ballad: the courage to look ahead
19	Tears of Tropical FishFlower		A bittersweet love song, like a fish in water
20	Song for…HY		A poignant song portraying a fateful encounter and the barrier of age
21	Fireworks of ShoesYorushika		Music that depicts the transience of fireworks and the tremors of the heart
22	The summer you gave meieiri reo		The theme song of the drama 'Koinaka,' Leo Ieiri’s heart-wrenching track.
23	A summer night in the citykinoko teikoku		A song by Kinoko Teikoku that paints a heartrending reminiscence
24	The Summer That Vanished Beyond the GlassŌsawa Yoshiyuki		A wistful love ballad at summer’s end
25	Goldfish FireworksOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s “Kingyo Hanabi” expresses a heartrending love.
26	SquallFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s moving love ballad “Squall”
27	The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell		The catchy song from the anime “Bakemonogatari”
28	Summer Days of 1993class		A Summer Day in 1993, an early hit song
29	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		A masterpiece that portrays the end of summer with a wistful song
30	Harmony at Summer’s EndInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai		A masterpiece that conveys the bond between Yosui Inoue and Anzenchitai
31	OCEANB’z		A powerful ballad that evokes the sea and love
32	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Bittersweet Memories of Ai Otsuka's 'Planetarium'
33	The End of Summeraibii karaa		A coming-of-age summer festival ballad that resonates with the heart
34	Magic of a Summer Nightindigo la End		Enon Kawatani’s summer ballad by indigo la End
35	Summer memories scented by the windAAA		A poignant mid-tempo ballad depicting a summer romance
36	Hello, my friendMatsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya, a poignant summer classic
37	To Those Who Know the Blue of the Skyaimyon		A song of blue skies where freshness and melancholy coexist
38	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		Yosui Inoue’s summer ballad, a bittersweet end to summer
39	fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi		Theme song of the film, the famous collaboration by DAOKO × Kenshi Yonezu
40	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s moving ballad “Himawari no Yakusoku”
41	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		Traces of love, a heart-stirring Southern masterpiece
42	Dawn and Firefliesnabuna		A song whose poignant acoustic guitar lyrics resonate with the heart.
43	tropical nightSHISHAMO		A bittersweet longing for the person I want to see on a summer night
44	The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children		Summer memories, a fleeting meeting and parting
45	The Summer Without YouDEEN		Detective Conan’s theme song, DEEN’s summer memory track
46	KizunaORANGE RANGE		A soul-stirring song by the summer-man band ORANGE RANGE
47	A Love Story Ten Years AheadTUBE		An unforgettable summer love, an eternal longing
48	Voice of the Seaurashima tarou		au CM 'Umi no Koe' becomes a summer staple song
49	NatsuneYuuri		Yuuri's heartrending summer story, a TV drama theme song
50	Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa’s summer song “Stop Time”
51	Summer HornsInagaki Junichi		Junichi Inagaki’s poignant summer classic that resonates with people’s hearts
52	Cold fireworksKami ga nokoshita yume o kuu.		At summer’s end, singing of a frustrating heartbreak
53	rememberUru		A voice that moves the heart, a refreshing song that sings of support
54	Embracing SummerTUBE		TUBE's Summer Love Love Song
55	sunflowerAdo		Sunflower motif, Ado’s heartrending summer song
56	Goodbye, Summer DaysYamashita Tatsuro		A classic song by Tatsuro Yamashita that sings of youthful memories.
57	As long as summer lastsadieu		A song that depicts the end of summer and changes in emotions
58	Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A poignant song depicting the end of summer
59	cotton candyback number		The appeal of the summer song “Watagashi”
60	Crazy SummerKIRINJI		A late-summer classic, for a sentimental night
61	Song of PointillismInoue Sonoko		Sonoko Inoue’s youthful love ballad
62	I remember youYUI		YUI’s classic songs to listen to at the end of summer
63	bubble; foam; ephemeral (as in something short-lived)wanuka		Introducing poignant music for the end of summer
64	Summer loverSHISHAMO		A summer ballad with heart-trembling, heartrending lyrics
65	At the end of summerT-BOLAN		T-BOLAN's heartwarming classic about the end of summer
66	Summer EndKoresawa		The end of summer and my aching feelings for you
67	tear(s)Marushii		A heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet pain of heartbreak
68	silver vineSato Chiaki		Chiahi Sato’s film theme song sings of summer memories
69	summer vacationwacci		The scene of a summer festival, filled with nostalgia and memories of youth
70	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A poignant song that tells the story of a love at the end of summer
71	July 7, sunnyDREAMS COME TRUE		A wistful Tanabata love, a song yearning for a long-distance romance
72	Love Sky and the Sound of RainAAA		An autumnal melancholy love song that expresses a heart aching with unrequited love.
73	SUMMER ENDiri		A song that sings about the poignancy of summer’s end
74	All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika		Suis’s cover song that brings back memories of summer fireworks
75	Chasing summer againaratayo		A nostalgic song that mourns the end of summer
76	Liar MoonYorushika		A ballad of loneliness and wistfulness resounding on an autumn night
77	Late Summer (A Season for One)Arai Yumi		The end of love layered over the seasons’ scenery
78	Sparklers ~An August Promise~sonā poketto		Bittersweet memories of summer and a melodious song.
79	Evening Fireworksban banzai		A bittersweet summer breakup song by a YouTuber group
80	Summer Longing for LoveKobasoro feat. Harucha		Kobasolo’s summery ballad
81	summer rainPan no Mimimi		A ballad that portrays the bittersweet love of youth
82	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		Yorushika’s moving song that portrays summer nostalgia
83	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyong’s summer classic surpasses 100 million plays
84	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		A ballad that gently accompanies Okuda Hanako’s heart
85	horizonYahagi Moeka		An inspiring song about embracing your true self
86	Stand by me, Stand by you.Hirai Dai		A fateful encounter: a love song of two who support each other
87	First NightYorushika		A bittersweet song that reminisces on a summer night
88	Life is BeautifulHirai Dai		Conveying the beauty of life through a pleasant tone
89	NatsuneGLAY		A moving ballad that colors the summer coast
90	Sound of SummerGReeeeN		Summer Sounds: A Bittersweet Fireworks Love Story
91	Lamp starharuka nakamura + suis from Yorushika		A film theme song whose delicate music envelops the heart
92	Feel feat. IO, Tsubaki & Yo-SeaDJ CHARI & DJ TATSUKI		A pleasant song to listen to on a summer evening
93	LAST SUMMER SONGhyakuzoku		A bittersweet song of centipedes listened to at the end of summer
94	sea glassSaucy Dog		Like a summer youth, a bittersweet love, as if in a movie.
95	Blue SummerBlue Vintage		Blue Vintage's summer love song
96	Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu		A coming-of-age ballad that portrays the bittersweet feelings of summer
97	Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad		A moving ballad of summer memories and hope
98	Summer HydrangeasSexy Zone		A summer song by Sexy Zone like a prince on a white horse
99	Baby, I love youTEE		Moved to start activities after being inspired by the music encountered while studying abroad
100	Finale.eill		A summer romance anime with an emotional theme song
101	I’ve listened to so many heartbreak songs, and I’m done with being someone who just keeps crying.riria.		Riria’s classic song that portrays a summer heartbreak
102	as alwaysChatto Monchī		A wistful love song that longs for summer nights
103	left-right confusionYorushika		Changes in feelings from summer memories to heartbreak
104	HANABIHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s smash hit: The End of Love and Fireworks
105	Summer IllusionOmoinotake		An emotional ballad by Omoinotake depicting a summer romance
106	Dawn in Summeratarayo		A poignant, heart-wrenching song that depicts heartbreak and farewell.
107	Ephemeral FireworksKami wa saikoro o furanai		A bittersweet song about a fleeting summer romance
108	fireworksAAA		A poignant song that reflects the scenes and emotions of summer
109	HimawariBBY NABE		A sentimental song about someone dear to you
110	Sparklers feat. Lila IkutaSato Chiaki		A collaboration song of sparklers
111	Fireworks MagicAnsako		A love song with a fireworks theme
112	Layering summersImai Miki		Miki Imai’s summer classic—a song brimming with a resort vibe.
113	GarnetOku Hanako		Summer love ballad, singing the radiance of youth
114	End of SummerShimizu Shota		A bittersweet breakup song at the end of summer