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

When you think of summer, what kind of image comes to mind?

It’s a season that’s hot and liberating, with lots of fun events, right?

But alongside that glamorous image, don’t you sometimes feel a vague sense of wistfulness—something a bit emo?

In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of emo songs you’ll want to listen to in summer, the kind that resonate with those feelings.

From band tracks to singer-songwriter pieces, we’ve gathered many songs across eras and genres, so be sure to take your time listening while reading the lyrics.

Playlist

Emotional songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Magic of a Summer Nightindigo la End		A bittersweet song of memories at the end of summer
2	Summer IllusionOmoinotake		Summer memories, a bittersweet love song
3	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		Melancholy at summer’s end and a bittersweet state of heart
4	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		A ballad that gently accompanies Okuda Hanako’s heart
5	Blues in the Closetzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.		A poem of emotions imbued in jazzy piano
6	Because of the summerRADWIMPS		A masterpiece that evokes the freedom of summer and the spirit of youth
7	Emo-ish summerLucky Kilimanjaro		A summer tune depicting a summer romance
8	Chronostasiskinoko teikoku		Express the quietness and emotional vibe of a summer night
9	Night journeyYorushika		A soul-stirring song: Yorushika’s moving masterpiece
10	rememberUru		A song that sings of the bittersweet feelings at the end of summer
11	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		A wistful melody that paints memories of summer
12	The summer you gave meieiri reo		Summer romances: singing of a love with no regrets
13	Boy, the breeze is fragrantatarayo		A heart-touching song that delicately depicts the emotions of youth
14	fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi		An enchanting symphony woven by summer and fireworks
15	love hotelkuriipuhaipe		A song that portrays CreepHyp’s nighttime emotions
16	Drunken Summermurasaki ima		A song that portrays an earnest love at the end of summer
17	Summer Time MagicAme no Parēdo		The sweet music of love at the summer sea
18	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		Farewell at Summer’s End and a Vow to Meet Again
19	End of SummerShimizu Shota		A wistful singing voice that echoes at summer’s end
20	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		Heartbreak emotions swaying like waves
21	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		A song that gently reminisces about the end of summer
22	August Is My Namekururi		The warmth of universal rock at the end of summer
23	That summer is becoming an addiction.Jenīhai		A nostalgic song that depicts the end of summer
24	Drowning in summerBocchi		A bittersweet summer love song that's trending on social media
25	Youth and youth and youthaimyon		Aimyong, a classic song themed around youth
26	First NightYorushika		A bittersweet song that reminisces on a summer night
27	NatsumiAKASAKI		A poignant song that evokes the end of summer
28	End of the Summer RetreatWurtS		A WurtS song that depicts the poignant scenery of summer
29	cotton candyback number		The appeal of the summer song “Watagashi”
30	Trace that dreamYOASOBI		YOASOBI, a refreshing summer song
31	silver vineSato Chiaki		Chiahi Sato’s film theme song sings of summer memories
32	A Long, Short FestivalShiina Ringo		A passionate dance tune for a summer night
33	All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika		Suis’s cover song that brings back memories of summer fireworks
34	Baby BabyKami wa saikoro o furanai		A soulful singing voice and a bittersweet song of summer
35	Front Memory feat. ACA-ne (Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni.)Shinsei Kamattechan		A poignant coming-of-age song of the holy summer that resonates with the heart
36	sunflowerAge Factory		A poignant summer song by AgeFactory
37	Heat haze of Augustmakaroni enpitsu		Formed within Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Kanagawa Prefecture…
38	A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru		A profound summer song that reflects Ms. Utada’s life
39	Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu		Summer classic by Magokoro Brothers: “Summer Nude”
40	Rainy WednesdayOhtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki’s summer classic, a piece of music brimming with emotion.
41	SummertimeFIVE NEW OLD		An invigorating rock song that colors the memories of summer
42	Sunflower FireworksAile The Shot		A sentimental song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of summer love.
43	Ms. SeptemberRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' summer song for September
44	Nagisaimase		imase's summer song that became a big hit on TikTok
45	Nagisasupittsu		A mystical song by Spitz that evokes the feeling of summer
46	astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN		A song of starlit skies and hope, the courage to move toward the future
47	sodasumika		sumika's bittersweet and exhilarating love song
48	Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu		Singing of summer feelings and defiance against fate
49	Let’s Go to the Sea (feat. PES)Lisa Halim		The pleasant rhythm of surf music
50	Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A poignant song that evokes the end of summer
51	You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO		SHISHAMO, a youthful summer-festival love song
52	Only for you, clear skiesYorushika		Yorushika’s smash-hit song “Just a Sunny Day for You.”
53	Summer nuisancebokula.		A rock song depicting love and scenes at a summer festival
54	Slow & EasyHirai Dai		Hirai Dai’s soothing classic with a laid-back vibe
55	SUMMER SONGYUI		YUI’s summer song “SUMMER SONG” is refreshing.
56	You’re 1000%1986OMEGATRIBE		A famous song by Omega Tribe, a summer youth anthem
57	WeakendsDef Tech		Expressing the feelings of a late-summer crush with a ukulele
58	Sound of SummerGReeeeN		Bittersweet love music of a summer festival
59	Tropical TherapyONE OK ROCK		A song that expresses a desire to escape to a tropical paradise and to free the heart
60	Good Luck in Summer and AutumnRA MU		RA MU’s classic song “Good Luck in Summer and Autumn”
61	Summer loverSHISHAMO		SHISHAMO’s Summer Lover depicts the story up to the breakup.
62	sea glassSaucy Dog		Saucy Dog’s bittersweet summer pop song
63	STAY TUNESuchmos		Suchmos captivates with an urban sound
64	Embracing SummerTUBE		TUBE's Summer Love Love Song
65	At the mercy of the seaYOASOBI		A song by YOASOBI, created based on a novel, that depicts summer scenes
66	Chasing summer againatarayo		A lyrical song that laments the end of summer and the end of a romance
67	summer hazeatarayo		The appeal of Atarayo, a three-piece band that sings about emotions
68	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		A classic by Eleka-shi (The Elephant Kashimashi), a masterpiece that depicts summer nights
69	Summer Speed feat. OkiishiNatsunose		Natsunose’s summer track “Natsusoku” is making waves.
70	Transparent, Far Too Transparent feat. Shoka MizutoNatsunose		Natsunose’s summer song, a blend of poignancy and freshness
71	August nightyangusukinii		A bittersweet summer love rock song by Young Skinny
72	left-right confusionYorushika		A song that depicts summer memories and heartbreak
73	Sparklers (feat. Lila Ikuta)Sato Chiaki		A legendary collaboration between Rira Ikuta and Chiaki Sato
74	NatsuneYuuri		Yuri’s summer song “Natsune” has a bittersweet charm.
75	Ramuneindigo la End		A poignant song that portrays the end of summer
76	Summer Vacationsloppy dim		A chill rap track that weaves summertime memories
77	The End of Summeraibii karaa		Fireworks watched with someone you love are unforgettable.
78	Harmony at the End of SummerInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai		A poignant love song by Yosui Inoue and Anzen Chitai
79	Fireworks MagicAnsako		An emotional song that portrays the feelings of summer love
80	Ephemeral FireworksKami wa saikoro o furanai		A classic song that sings of a bittersweet summer night’s love.
81	Crazy SummerKIRINJI		A late-summer classic, for a sentimental night
82	Blue SummerTRACK15		Singing of a frustrating love at summer’s end
83	melt summersatō moka		A fleeting love song that colors the end of summer
84	The Last Song of MidsummerAratani Shota		A bittersweet farewell song that feels like the end of summer
85	Writing down the summerrokudenashi		A song that gently weaves together memories of summer
86	I remember youYUI		YUI’s classic songs to listen to at the end of summer
87	Every time summer comesatarayo		A song that depicts Atarayo's summer memories
88	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s bittersweet summer planetarium
89	Live the summerRyokushokushakai		Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s moving song “Natsu wo Ikiru” is captivating.
90	Our DiaryME:I		A refreshing song that paints memories of summer.
91	ciderThe Birthday		Lyrics that uniquely capture everyday urban life
92	fireworksaiko		Aiko’s heartrending love echoing through the summer night sky
93	GarnetOku Hanako		The theme song of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, a track that resonates with the heart
94	Summer MemoriesKetsumeishi		A moving classic that colors summer memories
95	ReunionVaundy		Vaundy's theme song for the anime “The Summer Hikaru Died”
96	Coastline CiderKetsumeishi		A soothing rap that colors the memories of summer
97	Summer of UniformsMayo Okamoto		A classic song that sweetly and bittersweetly colors the memories of youth
98	Lamp starharuka nakamura + suis from Yorushika		A film theme song whose delicate music envelops the heart
99	summer shelterŌgami Mio		A bittersweet song of parting at summer’s end
100	sparklerInoue Sonoko		Sonoko Inoue's youth anthem resonates with the heart.
101	Quiet seamakaroni enpitsu		A track that harbors powerful strength within its tranquility
102	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		A nostalgic melody echoing at the end of summer
103	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s warm ballad resonates in the heart.
104	Fish’s LoveSuper VHS		A bittersweet summer romance, urban electropop
105	sunflowerAdo		A song that sings of warmth and delicate emotions
106	NatsuneGLAY		A moving ballad where summer romance and scenery intertwine
107	Words Bubble Up Like Soda Popnever young beach		A refreshing song that suits the summer sunshine
108	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyong’s masterpiece: the bittersweet feelings of summer
109	sea glasssutoreitenaa		Melancholic music at the end of summer
110	A Midsummer NightHatsukoi no Arashi		A bittersweet summer-night ballad of first love
111	Summer GhostI Don’t Like Mondays.		A perfect track for a refreshing summer drive
112	Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number		A refreshing cheer song about a summer crush
113	Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya		A moving song that portrays the sense of lost youth and friendship
114	Mahoro in SummerHarukamirai		A song of summer youth, a nostalgic memory
115	Our Summer DreamYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s moving summer classic
116	mixMarushii		Google Pixel CM song, Marcy's heart-touching track
117	Blue JeanGLAY		GLAY classic: a poem of summer youth and a bittersweet love
118	fragrant oliveorenji supainikurabu		A classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of youth
119	Chilled Soba with Green OnionsCody Rī (Ri)		A song where memories of summer intersect with the city
120	The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children		A refreshing classic that colors the memories of youth
121	You’re not here.Saucy Dog		A summer dusk, memories of a bittersweet love
122	sparklermoon drop		Summer magic, a bittersweet story of love
123	Stand by me, Stand by you.Hirai Dai		A fateful encounter: a love song of two who support each other
124	Ambiguous SongShonan no Kaze		A poignant love-themed medium-tempo ballad by Shonan no Kaze
125	A Phantom on the Shoreindigo la End		A sentimental ballad that sings of memories by the seaside
126	Summer WindowYuga		Summer scenery and Yuga’s delicate singing voice
127	Just a Kiss feat. AimyonSuda Masaki		Sing of a bittersweet love at the end of summer.
128	rainbowAqua Timez		A moving song woven from hope and bonds
129	You, the Sheep, and the BlueRADWIMPS		A song brimming with passion that empowers challenges
130	Beautiful finsupittsu		An ocean-inspired worldview, a Detective Conan theme song, and a classic by Spitz
131	Rainy Driverimase		Bittersweet love painted on a rainy drive
132	NEW ERANulbarich		A wave-like bass and a light, lively sound
133	Paradise BabyRIP SLYME		A free-spirited love felt on a summer beach
134	Life is wonderfulRickie-G		Heartwarming reggae, hope and happiness in life
135	DRAMATENDRE		Shonan afternoons, the sophisticated music of TENDRE
136	Summer Colorsyuzu		A moving summer youth anthem about racing down hills on a bicycle
137	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A positive rock song about summer youth
138	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		A heartbreak love ballad at summer’s end
139	voiceHitsuji Bungaku		Moeka Shiotsuka’s musical style and achievements
140	Let’s meet at the beach.Laura day romance		Guitar pop that evokes the bittersweet feeling of summer
141	Everywhere I GoNovelbright × Eric Nam		A song that portrays a summer farewell and feelings of love
142	Dawn in Summeratarayo		A heartfelt farewell ballad
143	Foam Maidenmisekai		A song that depicts the bittersweetness of youth at the end of summer.
144	cheat dayNogizaka 46		A song that sings of the bittersweetness and sense of freedom of summer
145	August 5840th.Rinu		A classic that bittersweetly colors summer memories
146	Words I Love -Summer Children-kānēshon		A melodious song filled with the bittersweetness of summer