[Summer Songs] Summer tracks recommended for teens: A roundup of the latest and classic hits

Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE Shanghai Honey @ Makuhari Messe LIVE

The second single by ORANGE RANGE, a five-member rock band from Okinawa.

Shanghai Honey was the band’s breakout hit; despite having no tie-in, it sold over 200,000 copies and won Best New Artist Video at the 3rd MTV Video Music Awards Japan in 2004.

It’s a summer-ready track that fuses hyped-up rap with an aggressive sound.

While it has a reputation for being a flashy, carefree song, if you look closely at the lyrics, you could also call it a pure love song about a guy who can’t even work up the nerve to flirt.

It still sounds fresh and catchy today, so it’s recommended for teens too!

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ONE DAYRYUJI IMAICHI

RYUJI IMAICHI / ONE DAY (Music Video)

This is a solo song by RYUJI IMAICHI.

It has a mature vibe, and I’d love for you to listen to it while sipping a tropical juice with someone you love.

The sweet vocals and mood-setting arrangement will color a hot summer day.

Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu

Midsummer Fruit / Southern All Stars. cover collabo by taka & makigon

The 28th single by Southern All Stars, released on July 25, 1990.

Chosen as the theme song for the film Inamura Jane, it became a massive hit.

Sales continued to grow afterward, and according to Oricon, it has recorded a cumulative total of over 540,000 copies.

It’s a hugely popular summer song that was also voted No.

1 in official fan polls for live performance requests.

sparklermoon drop

moon drop [Sparkler] Music Video

You know that moment when the thrill of summer’s beginning mixes with a faint sense of melancholy? moon drop has a love song that feels exactly like falling under that kind of summer spell—heart-racing and magical.

The track paints a bittersweet story of two people drawn to each other but unable to take that final step, until the season itself gives them a gentle push into love.

The sparkle of youth and the fierce desire not to let the moment slip away ride on a driving melody that hits straight to the heart.

Released as a single in June 2024, it was first unveiled as a surprise at the tour finale that May, sending the venue into a wave of excitement.

It was later included on the album “Sweetest,” and has become a fan favorite.

It’s the perfect courage-giving number for feeling the wind on a summer drive, or for those moments under a sky lit with fireworks when you hope the distance between you and someone special will grow just a little smaller.

Summer has come.≠ME

≠ME (Not Equal Me) / 9th Single 'Because Summer Has Come' [MV full]

Isn’t this the one ≠ME track whose sound seems to symbolize a Japanese summer, perfectly suited to dazzling sunshine and blue skies? Showcasing producer Rino Sashihara’s deft touch, the song beautifully captures the flutter of summer crushes, the bittersweetness of youth, and a soaring sense of excitement.

The smiles from center Nanaka Tomita and the others at Cape Ashizuri are truly captivating! The phrase “Natsu ga natsu ga natsu ga kita kara” is incredibly catchy, too.

Released in August 2024 as their ninth single, it was first unveiled as a surprise at the Yokohama Arena tour finale in July of the same year, sending fans into a frenzy.

Ideal for summer drives, lively times with friends, or those sentimental twilight moments, this track sets the perfect mood.

It’s a must-have burst of summer energy that’s sure to lift anyone’s spirits!

AuroraBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN「Aurora」

Beloved across generations, BUMP OF CHICKEN’s 12th digital-only single was released on March 15, 2019.

It was also used as the theme song for the TBS drama “The Good Wife.” Written specifically for the show, the song’s lyrics—linked to the story of facing hardships—leave a strong impression by giving people courage and hope.

It’s a track where you can savor BUMP’s characteristically light, driving band sound and Motoo Fujiwara’s lyrics that blend fantasy with reality.

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Daylight saving timecinnamons × evening cinema

cinnamons × evening cinema – summertime (Official Music Video)

“Summertime” by cinnamons × evening cinema paints a love story of a summer that’s both frustrating and heart-fluttering.

This collaboration between two bands from the same label was released in 2017.

It caught fire on TikTok and became a huge hit not only in Japan but also across Southeast Asia.

Its catchy, cute pop melody makes the bittersweet feelings in the lyrics stand out even more.

It’s a song that makes you want to experience the kind of love where you fall head over heels for someone.

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