Emotional songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters.

Marigoldaimyon

Aimyon – Marigold [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

It’s a masterpiece that fully showcases Aimyon’s exceptional songwriting, vividly conjuring a scene where wistfulness and warmth coexist—like a summer evening at dusk.

Featuring a memorable acoustic guitar tone, the song beautifully captures the brilliance of love along with the faint anxiety it carries and a nostalgia for time slipping away.

Released in August 2018 as her fifth single, it went on to become the first track by a domestic artist to surpass 100 million streams in 2019.

It’s the kind of song that sinks deep into your heart when you want to bathe in that indescribable melancholy at summer’s end or quietly reflect on your relationship with someone important.

sea glasssutoreitenaa

Straightener – Seaglass

For music listeners who love the poignant scenes at summer’s end, this song by Straightener carries a special resonance.

Using sea-glass—its edges rounded by the waves—as a motif, the lyrics overlay the passing of the seasons with a fleeting love, showcasing Atsushi Horie’s delicate sensibility.

The band’s sound is melodic yet powerful, further highlighting that bittersweet feeling.

Released as a single in April 2016, the track was also included on Straightener’s ninth original album, COLD DISC.

The album features Genshoku, which served as the theme song for the film U-31, and this track—one of the “Single Emotional Trilogy”—remains highly popular to this day.

It’s perfect for those moments when you want to immerse yourself in that tight-chested melancholy of late summer or quietly reflect on beautiful memories that have passed.

It’s also a staple of their live shows, making it a great recommendation for anyone who wants to experience Straightener’s passionate performance.

A Midsummer NightHatsukoi no Arashi

First Love Storm – A Midsummer Night’s Tale

On quiet summer nights, some of us may find ourselves suddenly awash in a tightening, melancholic feeling.

Perfectly suited to that sentimental scene is a gemlike ballad by Hatsukoi no Arashi.

The song, penned by vocalist Tatsuro Nishiyama, portrays the wavering heart of a protagonist who seems left behind on a midsummer night, and the fleeting nature of a love that feels like a blur between dream and reality—striking straight at the listener’s heart.

Evoking the sound of Neil Young, the rock foundation intertwines delicately with beautiful strings, while Nishiyama’s emotive vocals heighten the poignancy to stunning effect.

Released as a single in July 2002 and included the following month on the album “Hatsukoi ni Sasagu” (Dedicated to First Love), the work was completed with deep devotion by the band and staff after Nishiyama’s sudden passing.

It’s even said that tears wouldn’t stop during the recording of the more-than-ten-piece string section.

Highly recommended for those who want to savor not only summer’s lively side but also its quieter moments, and to linger in the sweet-and-sour memories of loves past.

Summer GhostI Don’t Like Mondays.

Summer Ghost (Lyric Video)

With a breezy exhilaration like wind rushing through and an irresistibly buoyant groove that gets your body moving, this track is the perfect pick to color a midsummer drive.

In the lyrics’ world, memories of a fleeting summer romance shimmer like a heat haze yet return vividly to mind.

Released by I Don’t Like Mondays.

in July 2023 as part of a series of digital singles, the song is also included on the album RUNWAY.

It was chosen as the campaign song for the women’s underwear brand sloggi, and its lyric video shot in Barcelona drew attention as well.

Whether it’s a sunny holiday drive, cruising along the coastline, or a twilight ride, it’s an ideal soundtrack for moments when you want to bask in summer memories.

GarnetOku Hanako

Garnet

This is the theme song of the animated film “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” a track where Hanako Oku’s vocals resonate deeply with the heart.

It captures the sparkle of days gone by and an unchanging feeling for someone precious—listening to it might just make your heart ache a little.

Released as a single in July 2006, it further heightened the film’s emotional impact.

Try listening to it on a summer evening when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood or when you’re remembering old friends.

It’s a song that will surely stay gently by your side.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number

back number – Takane no Hanako-san (full)

This signature number from back number is guaranteed to get everyone hyped during summer drives and karaoke—surely a staple summer song that resonates with many.

The track stands out for expressing the bittersweet feelings of an unrequited crush—yearning for someone who won’t look your way—set to a refreshing, fast-paced sound.

While the lyrics portray the woman he admires as someone out of reach, the charm lies in the protagonist’s comical side, drifting into fanciful daydreams and then snapping back to reality.

It captures the perfect interplay between the liberating feel of summer and the frustration of a distance that just won’t close.

Released as a single in June 2013, it was later included on the album “Love Story.” In 2019, it drew fresh attention when vocalist Iyori Shimizu performed a stripped-down version for Kirin Brewery’s Tanrei Green Label TV commercial.

If you want to relive the sweet-and-sour pangs of a one-sided crush, or you’re on your way to a summer event, this song will instantly lift your spirits.

And if you sing it with friends at karaoke, you’re guaranteed to get the whole room going in shared excitement!

Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya

Where Our Blue Is / Tatsuya Kitani

This is a song sung by Tatsuya Kitani that awakens the brilliance of youth—something many of us have experienced at least once—and the bittersweet memories that come with it.

The sense of loss when friendships that once felt like they would last forever change shape over time and become something you can never touch again.

Those complex feelings ride on a fresh yet faintly melancholic melody that is sure to sink deeply into listeners’ hearts.

This track is the title song of an EP released in July 2023 and was chosen as the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen, “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death.” It also received a Special Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards.

It’s a perfect song to hum along to with friends on a summer drive or to sing at karaoke while pouring in the emotions of those days.