Hot! Summer hit songs that boost the summer vibe

SUMMER SONGYUI

YUI　『Summer Song-short ver.-』

Singer-songwriter YUI made her major debut in 2005 with the single “feel my soul.” Released in 2008, “SUMMER SONG” is a perfect summer track where the light, acoustic guitar sound blends exquisitely with her gentle voice.

At the time, it was promoted with the tagline “YUI’s Summer Song,” and it must have been quite a challenging work for her.

Precisely because of that, it was created with a strong emphasis on summertime vibes—melody, accompaniment, and lyrics all come together to form a refreshing, truly top-tier summer song!

Water lily flowerShonan no Kaze

Shonan no Kaze “Suirenka” MUSIC VIDEO

This is a signature song by the reggae group Shonan no Kaze and a high-energy track that’s practically synonymous with summer and the beach.

Its sound is distinctive for incorporating soca, a genre that originated in Trinidad and Tobago, with MINMI—an artist known for soca—participating as producer.

While the song is striking for its heightened, full-body sense of summer exuberance, the opening is unexpectedly calm.

That quiet section seems to make the rising excitement come across even more strongly.

It’s a passionate track that feels like it would amplify the fun when listened to by the seaside in summer.

Flowing voiceMei-chan

Flowing Voice / Mei-chan

A song that captures the fleeting feeling of summer’s end and the brilliance of youth.

Mei-chan’s clear, transparent vocals are striking and resonate deeply with listeners.

It features fizzy, soda-like tones and sounds that evoke a sparkling blue ocean.

Released in August 2023, it was written as the theme song for the drama “Our School Broadcast.” This marks Mei-chan’s first theme song for a serialized drama.

The lyrics, which bridge beautiful memories of the past with hopes for the future, express the youth that couldn’t be experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s perfect for making summer memories, and is highly recommended as background music for beach or riverside outings and for driving.

summer festivalWhiteberry

Whiteberry “Summer Festival” MUSIC VIDEO

This song, emblematic of the girls’ band Whiteberry, portrays a bittersweet episode of young love tied to a summer festival.

The driving energy of the sound suggests a surge of emotion, yet the lyrics carry a certain poignancy.

It’s a song with a curious atmosphere, simultaneously depicting the joyful memories of the summer festival and the regret of not being able to convey one’s feelings.

Although it’s a cover of a song by JITTERIN’JINN, the way it expresses fun and momentum feels somewhat different from the original.

Music HourPorno Graffitti

Porno Graffitti “Music Hour” Music Video

Porno Graffitti is a rock band whose 1999 release “Apollo” became a huge hit.

At the time, the band had a strong association with the image of “Apollo” due to the song’s success, so they intentionally created the 2000 track “Music Hour” to break away from that image.

It features a cheerful melody that lifts your spirits and fits the vibe of summer, and its irresistibly bright, comedic lyrics—toned down on social messaging compared to “Apollo”—are really fun, too.

Heat haze of AugustMacaroni Enpitsu

Macaroni Enpitsu “August Heat Haze” MV

The Coppertone commercial song by Taisho Pharmaceutical, created by Macaroni Empitsu, is directed with a rich sense of youth.

The visuals are tailored to junior high and high school students who often use deodorant, and the song itself is catchy and really hits home.

The chorus is used in the ad, but from the intro up to the pre-chorus, it carries a calm, wistful mood.

That part is also emo, which further highlights the bright vibe of the chorus.

Released as a digital single in May 2021, the track stands out for its lyrics depicting the melancholy of summer’s end.

The inner conflict over not wanting to lose his girlfriend offers listeners an emotional experience.

With a refreshing feel that symbolizes summer and a sprinting sense of youth, it’s a perfect track for a summer drive playlist.

Season in the SunTUBE

Tube Season in the sun

It’s an iconic TUBE song that sings about sparkling summer love and the bittersweet feeling as it nears its end.

The moment you hear it, the refreshing melody brings to mind blue seas and bright sunshine, and you can’t help but feel your heart leap.

Released in April 1986 as their third single, it topped the weekly rankings on the music show “The Best Ten” and became the track that changed the band’s destiny.

It has also long been beloved as a commercial song for Kirin Beer and Suntory.

Play it on a summer drive or at the beach with friends, and you’re sure to make unforgettable memories! It’s the perfect number to color a page of your youth, don’t you think?