Lovely summer song

[2025] Classic Western love songs to listen to on Tanabata: tracks about stars and the Milky Way

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Pop music writer/editorKEI
A style that keeps updating my favorites while loving mainstream and hit songs. I have experience writing articles for outlets like Utaten. Since I discovered music as a student, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. 2000s J-POP and 2010s K-POP were my youth, and I’m also loosely into jazz and R&B. I enjoy good music across genres with a “good is good” mindset. Thanks to my past work environment (and its influence), I listened to a lot of classic rock and kayōkyoku, which may have broadened my tastes. At RAG MUSIC, I mainly cover K-POP. I focus on reviews that emphasize feelings people can relate to, and on editing aligned with local pride and hit potential. Thank you!

When it comes to events in July, many people probably think of Tanabata first, but in fact, Tanabata is a Chinese festival that was introduced to Japan during the Nara period.

In the West, it’s said that there are also customs of celebrating Tanabata in places like the United States via Japan, and there are several songs themed around the Milky Way, which is indispensable to Tanabata.

So this time, under the theme of classic Western songs you’ll want to listen to on Tanabata, we’ll introduce tracks that sing about the Milky Way, the starry sky, and the stars.

We’ve also picked songs that mention the Milky Way in their lyrics, so you might make some unexpected discoveries.

[2025] Classic Western songs to listen to on Tanabata: love songs about stars and the Milky Way (21–30)

Come CleanDavid Correy

David Correy – Come Clean [Official Video]

Come CleanDavid Correy

For those who want to express their feelings on a once-a-year special day, “Come Clean” is highly recommended.

It was produced by Brazilian R&B singer David Correy.

The track boasts a cool sound that evokes mature romance, packed with exotic charm.

His vocals, which reveal a variety of expressions, are striking as they embody the accelerating passion of love.

It’s a groovy song perfect for listening on Tanabata, when a romantic mood fills the air.

It’ll give you the push you need to tell your partner the words of love you usually can’t say.

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Levitating Featuring DaBabyDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Levitating Featuring DaBaby (Official Music Video)

Levitating Featuring DaBabyDua Lipa

If you’re looking for a sing-and-dance-ready track for Tanabata night, “Levitating (Featuring DaBaby)” is a great pick.

It was created by Dua Lipa, the UK-born singer-songwriter known as a UK pop icon, and DaBaby, a rapper from the United States.

The song is a dazzling electro-pop piece built on a funky rhythm.

Its lyrics—about driving with a loved one all the way to the galaxy and dancing—are super cool.

Their rhythmic vocals will have your body swaying before you know it.

Give this danceable number a listen to light up your Tanabata evening.

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[2025] Classic Western songs to listen to on Tanabata: love songs related to stars and the Milky Way (31–40)

StarEarth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire – Star

StarEarth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is an American funk band that enjoyed great popularity in Japan during the disco boom.

Their 1979 single “Star” is a mid-tempo, mellow soul number.

The lyrics about a bright, shining star and the band’s signature falsetto vocals create a somewhat mystical and sacred atmosphere.

That mystical image is a perfect match for Tanabata, so it’s a song I really recommend listening to in July.

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PhotographEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Photograph (Official Music Video)

PhotographEd Sheeran

“Photograph” is a song by the hugely popular British artist Ed Sheeran, included on his 2014 album × and released as a single the following year.

It’s said to capture how Ed felt when he had to leave his then-girlfriend to go on tour.

The lyrics, which ask to “keep our love in a photograph,” are heartbreakingly poignant.

Perhaps Hikoboshi, who must part again once Tanabata ends, feels something similar.

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Can You SeeFifth Harmony

Fifth Harmony – Can You See (Lyric Video) – from The Star

Can You SeeFifth Harmony

Fifth Harmony, a girl group with an overwhelming presence, released the moving ballad “Can You See” in 2017.

Featured on the soundtrack for the film The Star, the song stands out for its star-themed lyrics.

The stars light the way, offering a glimmer of hope even in the darkness—an inspiring message woven throughout the piece.

With beautiful harmonies and powerful vocals, it’s a deeply affecting track that stirs the listener’s heart.

It’s a perfect song to listen to while gazing at the Tanabata night sky, and sharing it with a loved one might bring you even closer.

Open your heart and give it a listen!

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Falling Like The StarsJames Arthur

James Arthur – Falling Like The Stars

Falling Like The StarsJames Arthur

James Arthur is a British singer-songwriter who made a spectacular debut on the music scene after winning The X Factor in 2012.

Falling Like The Stars, released as a single in 2019, is a grand, cosmic-scale love song that likens a lover to the stars.

While depicting the small joys of everyday life—like the line about “four kids and sleepless nights”—it impressively conveys the depth and timelessness of love through expansive imagery.

Released as a lead single from the album YOU, it became a popular track that reached the UK Top 25.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to under the starry sky with someone special on the night of Tanabata.

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Sally RideJanelle Monáe

Sally Ride

Sally RideJanelle Monáe

Like the twinkling stars that color the Tanabata night sky, this song sets your heart aflutter.

It’s a track from Janelle Monáe’s second studio album, The Electric Lady, and it bears the name of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

Blending retro soul and funk elements with a modern R&B sound, it showcases Monáe’s energetic and emotionally rich vocals.

The lyrics are said to emphasize the importance of overcoming societal constraints and living true to oneself.

On a Tanabata night, listening to this song while gazing at the stars with someone special will surely become a cherished memory.

It’s a masterpiece that lets you sink into a romantic mood.

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