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

Fish’s LoveSuper VHS

Fish's Love

It’s a number whose lyrics resonate with the heart, conjuring bittersweet scenes of summer.

This track by the electro-pop/new wave band Super VHS, featuring Mei Ehara, rides an urban sound to sing of a fleeting love.

Released as a 7-inch single in April 2019, it had previously been included on the September 2016 compilation album “Young Folks in Metropolis.” The cool vocals seem to accentuate the protagonist’s hidden passion and sadness.

Give it a listen on a night when you’re in the mood for a touch of sentimentality.

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.

love hotelkuriipuhaipe

CreepHyp – Love Hotel

Creephype’s “Love Hotel” is themed around common stories between men and women.

Released in 2013 as the lead track from the album “Buki Koboreru Hodo no I, Ai, Ai,” the album reached No.

6 on the Oricon charts.

A fleeting, surface-level summer romance feels heartbreaking when you step into the protagonist’s shoes.

Even if you later think, “What was I doing back then?”, in the moment you’re serious and throw yourself into it completely.

It’s a pop tune that’s become a staple at the band’s live shows and festivals, so definitely give it a listen!

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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.

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.

Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro

Motohiro Hata – “Himawari no Yakusoku” Music Video

This is a song whose beautiful vocals by Motohiro Hata resonate deeply in the heart.

Carried by a warm yet somehow bittersweet melody, it sings of an unbreakable bond with someone dear and the hope that even if you’re apart, your hearts remain connected.

It evokes the feeling of an emotional movie scene, conveying profound love and friendship.

Released in August 2014 as Motohiro Hata’s 17th single, it captured many hearts as the theme song for the 3DCG animated film STAND BY ME Doraemon.

It reached No.

10 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and is also included on the album Blue.

Give it a listen when you want to share your gratitude with friends or family along with your summer memories—it’s sure to be perfect for teens who want to reaffirm their bonds with the people they cherish.