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

Sparklers feat. Lila IkutaSato Chiaki

Chiaki Sato – Sparkler (Senko Hanabi) feat. Rira Ikuta (Music Video)

This is a song that brings back that special summertime-night exhilaration.

Released ahead of the June 2023 album “BUTTERFLY EFFECT,” it’s a poppy dance tune with a comfortably infectious rhythm.

The vocals by Chiahi Sato and Lila Ikuta hint at the beginning of a faint love story.

Words like “festival” and “ice cream that won’t melt” are brimming with summer sparkle, while the bittersweet wish for a night that you never want to end resonates in your heart.

Give it a listen when you want to feel the flutter of romance and the tenderness for a summer that’s slipping away!

summer squallarashi

ARASHI – Natsu Hayate [Official Music Video]

This uplifting and energetic cheer song by Arashi leaves a strong impression.

Written and composed by Yujin Kitagawa of the folk duo Yuzu, it delivers a powerful message of support to the high school baseball players who devote themselves wholeheartedly at the Summer Koshien.

When you hear this track, don’t you feel your heart swell with the players’ sweat, tears, and pure passion as they chase their dreams in the fleeting summer? Released in July 2018 as their 55th single, the song moved many as the official support song for that year’s 100th National High School Baseball Championship and the theme for the TV program “Netto Koshien.” It is also included in the best-of album “5×20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019.” It’s truly a hope-filled track that vividly colors the Summer Koshien.

End of the Summer RetreatWurtS

WurtS – Summer’s End (Official Audio)

This is a track by WurtS that feels like it captures that indescribable feeling at summer’s end in musical form.

Over a breezy city-pop sound, it sings of the restless anxiety lurking in everyday life in your mid-twenties and a sentimental longing for the passing summer.

The playful, rhyming word choices add a pleasing accent, making it a striking song where wistfulness and freshness coexist.

The track is included on the digital EP “MAGICAL SOUP,” released in June 2021, and—as the title suggests, which hints at the end of summer training—it also carries a sense of release.

While this particular song had no tie-in, “Wakattenai yo” from the same EP drew wide attention at the time.

It’s the kind of song that resonates even more when you listen during a sunset drive or when you want to be alone with your thoughts.

COCONUTNiziU

NiziU(니쥬) 2nd Album「COCONUT」M/V

Perfect for the season when the summer sun is dazzling, this is a summery track from NiziU’s album “COCONUT.” Just listening to it lifts your spirits, evoking a refreshing scene of blue skies and the sea.

Its vibrant sound makes summer memories with friends shine, and the nine members’ vocals convey the openness and positive energy of summer.

The album “COCONUT,” which includes this song, was released in July 2023 and debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon Albums Chart with 142,000 copies sold in its first week.

The album also features the movie theme song “Paradise” and the drama theme song “LOOK AT ME.” It’s a perfect pick to elevate karaoke, road trips, and all your summer outings—highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy the season.

Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY

PUFFY 'Et Cetera Related to the Beach' OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

PUFFY’s track remains hugely popular as a song that amps up the vibes of a teenage summer.

With lyrics by Yosui Inoue and music by Tamio Okuda, it’s a super fun song featuring a catchy, sing-along melody and unique lyrics that vividly conjure up scenes by the sea.

Just listening to it makes your heart race and puts you in a carefree summer mood.

Released as a single in April 1997, it topped the Oricon weekly charts and became a massive hit with total sales exceeding 1.1 million copies.

It was also used as the opening theme for Kirin Beverage’s “Tennen Sodachi,” making it familiar to many.

Put it on as BGM for a beach trip or a drive with friends, and it’s sure to help you create the best summer memories.

PUFFY’s sparkling vocals will energize you like the summer sun.

End of SummerShimizu Shota

Shota Shimizu “Natsunoowari” from SHOTA SHIMIZU LIVE TOUR 2023 “Insomnia” supported by Taica

This song is a lovely ballad that captures the unique loneliness everyone feels at least once at the end of summer.

Its bittersweet yet beautiful melody seeps deep into the heart, evoking memories of a summer romance that ended too soon and a nostalgia too delicate to put into words.

Shota Shimizu’s soulful, sometimes fragile vocals bring that scene to life with even greater clarity.

The track appears on Shota Shimizu’s fifth album, ENCORE, released in March 2014.

It’s perfect for listening alone on a late summer night.

Ephemeral FireworksKamisama wa saikoro o furanai

God Doesn't Play Dice “Ephemeral Fireworks” [Official Lyric Video]

God doesn’t roll dice—but He plays a tune.

This single, as fleeting as fireworks blooming and vanishing in the summer night sky, has captured the hearts of teenagers and won’t let go.

A story of a fragile, bittersweet summer romance rides on a beautiful melody by Shusaku Yanagida, striking listeners right in the heart.

You can almost see the lukewarm breeze and the shoreline in your mind’s eye, stirring a nostalgic, poignant feeling.

Released in July 2020 as their major-label debut single, the song also appears on the EP “Bunka-teki Tokuiten” released the same year and on the album “Jishō no Chiheisen,” which topped the Oricon Weekly ROCK Album Ranking in March 2022.

Perfect for summer twilights, moments when you want to get a little sentimental, or when you want to soak in a beautiful melody.

It’s sure to color a page of your summer memories.

Give it a listen.