[2026 Edition] Moving Western Songs to Listen to in Summer: Tear-Jerking Masterpieces

SunflowerPost Malone, Swae Lee

Post Malone, Swae Lee – Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)

With its light rhythm and catchy pop sound, the collaboration “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee is perfect for the blazing summer sun.

Released as a single in 2018, it was chosen as the theme song for the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which premiered the same year.

It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for several awards, including Record of the Year at the 62nd Grammy Awards.

The lyrics, which depict a deteriorating relationship with his girlfriend, are heartrending when you listen closely.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hamada Takuya

Report a problem

CalifornicationRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication (Official Music Video) [HD UPGRADE]

The somewhat languid vibe of the sound might suit a sweltering summer drive scene.

It’s one of the signature songs by the globally popular mixture rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the title track from their seventh album released in 1999.

That dry sonic texture is one of their charms, isn’t it? The lyrics, which sketch out the two sides of the same coin—dreams and reality—are deeply affecting.

When you’re feeling down and on the verge of tears, this cool number might be just the fit.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Araki Jakkan

Report a problem

Our Last SummerABBA

Our Last Summer

A gem-like ballad that captures the beauty and bittersweetness of a youthful summer romance.

Crafted by ABBA, the world-renowned group from Sweden, and inspired by a love experience set in Paris, the song carefully portrays romantic scenes such as strolls along the Seine and conversations in cafés.

Frida’s emotionally rich vocals beautifully convey the brilliance of youth and a poignant longing for the passage of time, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in November 1980 as a track on the album “Super Trouper,” it was also featured in a key scene of the musical “Mamma Mia!” Highly recommended for those wishing to reflect on memories of love or to indulge in gentle melancholy on a quiet night.

Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey – Summertime Sadness (Official Music Video)

This song, which sings of the bittersweet yet beautiful feelings etched into the heart at summer’s end, remains beloved by many as one of American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey’s signature works.

Released in June 2012 as a single from the album Born to Die, it is a ballad that weaves elements of dream pop and trip hop, poetically portraying a breakup with a lover and the fading of summer.

Its gentle 125 BPM tempo and wistful melody in C-sharp minor beautifully capture the sense of loss that arrives alongside sweet summer memories.

The remix by French DJ Cédric Gervais became a major hit, reaching No.

6 in the U.S., and won a Grammy Award in 2014.

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license (Official Video)

A gem of a ballad by American artist Olivia Rodrigo, layering the pain of heartbreak over the driver’s license—a symbol of youth.

Released in January 2021, her debut single portrays the protagonist’s inability to let go of feelings for an ex, expressed through the imagery of a solitary drive.

The piano-driven track’s emotional swells vividly convey the sense of loss when a promised future is suddenly severed, as well as the complex jealousy toward a new partner.

As the lead single from the album SOUR, it topped the charts in 25 countries worldwide.

This masterpiece offers deep comfort to those facing the end of a first love or feeling isolated at a turning point in life.