Lovely summer song

[2026] A Roundup of Classic Western Songs and Popular Summer Anthems to Listen to in August

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
With the motto “Learn the basics and enjoy putting them into practice,” I worked as a vocal coach specializing in Western music. As a teen, I questioned the idea that “Western music equals English,” and started listening to songs from around the world. Today, I devour music from over 80 countries and run a personal blog introducing tracks. I often listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. I’ll keep updating articles daily to find the one perfect song you’re looking for!

In recent years, Japan has seen record-breaking heat waves every summer, and August in particular is packed with parties, leisure activities, and music festivals—events where people get pumped up listening to music.

Creating a driving playlist to color your summer memories is one of the season’s pleasures—there must be plenty of music fans who do it every year.

In this article, we’re showcasing a slew of Western summer anthems perfect for August, focusing on the latest hits and popular tracks.

From uptempo numbers to mellow tunes that suit a summer sunset, enjoy these classics that fit a variety of moments.

[2026] A roundup of classic Western hits and popular summer anthems to listen to in August (151–160)

Baby, I Love Your WayBig Mountain

Big Mountain – Baby I Love Your Way(1994)

Baby, I Love Your WayBig Mountain

Reggae really is the sound of summer.

This song is performed by Big Mountain, an American reggae band, but it’s originally a cover of a track by the British guitarist Peter Frampton.

He has a pretty impressive career as a guitarist, but I’ll skip the details here.

Big Mountain had a huge hit with this song, and they’ve done some interesting work, like covering a certain classic by Southern All Stars as “A WAVE OF LOVE.”

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SummerCalvin Harris

Calvin Harris – Summer (Official Video)

SummerCalvin Harris

This is the song “Summer,” released in 2014 by Scottish music producer Calvin Harris.

It’s also one of the rare tracks where Calvin Harris showcases his own vocals.

The exhilarating synthesizers combined with his slightly understated, sultry voice create a perfect vibe.

It’s a must-add to any midsummer driving playlist!

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Beautiful Mistakes ft. Megan Thee StallionMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – Beautiful Mistakes ft. Megan Thee Stallion (Official Music Video)

Beautiful Mistakes ft. Megan Thee StallionMaroon 5

Maroon 5’s long-awaited studio album Jordi marks their first in four years since 2017.

From this album, the pre-released track Beautiful Mistakes ft.

Megan Thee Stallion stands out with its chill beat and laid-back vocals.

Featuring female rapper Megan Thee Stallion, the latter half showcases her rap.

Though the melody evokes summertime, it avoids any heaviness, resulting in a cool, soothing vibe.

Be sure to check it out.

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Jalebi BabyTesher x Jason Derulo

Tesher x Jason Derulo – Jalebi Baby (Official Video)

Jalebi BabyTesher x Jason Derulo

Indian-Canadian rapper Tesher, who released the TikTok smash hit “Jalebi Baby,” put out a new version of the song with singer-songwriter Jason Derulo, who is also hugely influential on TikTok.

It’s a cool track featuring salsa-style piano and Latin rhythms, with an appealing melody line that evokes a hint of India.

Released as a single in 2021, it has racked up over 100 million streams worldwide.

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In conclusion

This time I put together a selection mainly of up-tempo numbers, but unlike in the past, today’s dance music tends to be simpler.

Up through the 2010s, the mainstream way to hype things up was with tempo, but since the 2020s it’s become more about building excitement through groove.

If you were able to enjoy that shift across eras as well, I’m delighted!