Recommended summer songs for people in their 70s: A collection of nostalgic summer tunes [2025]

Love VacationThe Peanuts

Love Vacation

“Love Vacation” is a classic song perfect for summer, released in 1963, that exudes nostalgia and a sweet, dreamy mood.

Composed by Yasushi Miyagawa, it reflects an era when leisure and vacations were becoming more accessible.

The lyrics depict the romantic, dreamy moments of two people in love—whispered promises, passionate kisses, sun-kissed skin—and they’re sure to capture listeners’ hearts.

Just listening to it brings back memories of youth and fills you with tender feelings.

It’s a number you’ll want to play while spending time with someone special under the summer sun.

For those in their seventies, it will surely revive bittersweet memories.

Sea, That LoveYuzo Kayama

Sea, That Love / Yuzo Kayama

This is a striking track with a grand melody that evokes the summer sea and lyrics that powerfully portray a man’s way of life.

Embraced by the great force of nature that is the ocean, it celebrates the importance of holding on to burning dreams, offering courage and hope to those who listen.

You can feel the strength and gentleness of a man who faces loneliness yet strives to move forward.

Included on the album “Umi Sono Ai” (The Sea, That Love), it has been cherished for many years since its 1976 release.

It’s an anthem of support that I hope all who struggle to weather life’s rough seas will listen to.

Summer GirlKosetsu Minami

Summer Girl (Single Version)

A classic imbued with bittersweet feelings tied to the end of summer.

With its gentle melody and lyrics that resonate deeply, it stands as one of Kōsetsu Minami’s signature works.

“Natsu no Shōjo” (Summer Girl) portrays a heartfelt farewell to a girl who departs with the changing seasons.

The image of her crying at summer’s end and the passing of the season through a burning heart are rendered through Minami’s delicate sensibilities.

Released as a single in June 1977, it reached No.

32 on the Oricon charts and was also included on the album “Ima Kokoro no Mama ni,” released the same year.

It’s a song recommended for adults who, feeling the loneliness of summer’s fading scenery, keep bygone memories tucked away in their hearts.

Crimson SunHibari Misora

Crimson Sun

Released on May 25, 1967, this is a classic by Hibari Misora that passionately sings of a love as intense as the midsummer sun.

Covered by many artists, it has long been cherished as a hallmark of Japanese summer.

Set against a seaside of scorching sun and crashing white waves, the bittersweet emotions of two lovers are conveyed through Misora’s uniquely expressive voice.

From the lyrics, you can sense themes like the fleeting nature of summer romance and the premonition of parting.

It’s also recommended to listen while linking it to unforgettable summer memories with a loved one.

If it comes on during an evening drive, it’s sure to make your heart swell.

The sun is crying.Ayumi Ishida

The sun is crying.

A heartbreaking love song that seeps into the listener’s heart.

Ayumi Ishida’s voice rings out beautifully in this nostalgic track.

Its lyrics vividly revive memories of youthful romance, inviting listeners to recall loves that have passed and sink into a gentle longing.

With a melody that superbly captures the feeling of the sun dimming and a heart steeped in sorrow, the song makes the sense of romantic loss feel strikingly real.

Released in June 1968 as her 24th single, it’s a classic that has been covered by many artists, including Judy Ongg and Keisuke Kuwata.

Brimming with the loneliness that comes with the end of summer, this song is perfect for spending a long, wistful night when you find yourself yearning for someone.

Mr. SummertimeCircus

Mr. Summertime – Circus

A circus mega-hit with a lively rhythm and catchy melody that feels great.

The lyrics are striking as they look back on a past where giving in to temptation led to the loss of a precious love, and they bask in memories of summer days.

Released in March 1978, it sold over one million copies right out of the gate, topped the Oricon charts, and earned a spot in the 29th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

It’s the perfect track to listen to on a hot summer day while reminiscing about your youth.

Give it a listen when you’re in the mood for a touch of nostalgia.

Sugarcane fieldLyrics and Music: Naohiko Terashima

Sugarcane Field (♪ zawawa zawawa~) by Himawari ×9 [Chorus] Full Version with Lyrics | 8/15 End of War Memorial Day

This is an anti-war song imbued with a deep wish for peace, overlaying memories of the Battle of Okinawa with the sound of sugarcane swaying in the wind.

It was conceived when Naohiko Terashima visited Okinawa in 1964 and was told about the remains of the war dead at Mabuni Hill.

Premiered in 1967, it became widely beloved after Naomi Chiaki sang it on NHK’s music program “Minna no Uta” in 1975.

Told from the perspective of a girl who lost her father in the war, the song features the symbolic sound “zawawa” repeated 66 times, resonating deeply with listeners.

It’s a recommended piece for those who have experienced war or for moments when you want to reflect on peace.