[2025] Recommended popular melancholic summer classics in Western music

Love It If We Made ItThe 1975

The 1975 – Love It If We Made It (Official Video)

With a sound that uniquely distills electropop and funk, The 1975 have become a defining force in contemporary UK rock.

This track, released in July 2018, is one of their signature songs.

Featured on the masterpiece A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, its lyrics rapidly hurl contradictions of modern society at the listener—truly breathtaking.

Matty Healy’s vocals, like a cry from the soul, overlap with that indescribable sense of restlessness you feel at summer’s end.

The shimmering synth tones seem to announce both the brilliance of days gone by and their passing, stirring an irresistible melancholy.

It’s the perfect song for those moments at the end of a lively season, when you gaze at the evening sky and sink into your thoughts.

Fast CarTracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (Official Music Video)

The acoustic guitar arpeggios, blending into the wistful air of dusk, are striking.

This is a gem of a ballad by singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, who has continued to sing powerful messages rooted in folk and blues.

The song portrays the story of a protagonist who pins their hopes on a fast car in an effort to escape a stifling reality.

Even as they dream that they “might be someone,” the aching emotions of confronting an unyielding reality are deeply moving.

Released in April 1988, the track appears on the classic album “Tracy Chapman” and reached No.

6 on the U.

S.

charts.

Its melancholy melody, which somehow overlaps with scenes of a fading summer, is perfect for moments of solitary reflection.

GreyWhy Don’t We

Why Don’t We – Grey [Official Live Music Video]

The vivid summer scenery suddenly fades, turning monochrome.

It’s a song by the pop group Why Don’t We that gently stays close to that wistful feeling at summer’s end.

The message—that even when the world looks gray with sadness, only a loved one can bring back color—quietly resonates.

The track is included on their album “The Good Times and the Bad Ones,” released in January 2021, which peaked at No.

3 on the U.

S.

charts.

Its gentle harmonies layered over a soft piano sound feel like listening to ripples on the shore at dusk.

It’s a beautiful ballad, perfect for a sentimental night spent cherishing the season that has passed.

CaramelConan Gray

Conan Gray – Caramel (Official Music Video)

In today’s pop scene, candid self-expression resonates widely, but his sentimental worldview truly stands out.

This is Conan Gray, a singer-songwriter with roots in Japan.

His forte is transforming the painful experiences of adolescence into deeply personal storytelling.

In this track, his appeal shines through in full: he turns the lingering sweet-and-bitter memories that remain after a breakup into a catchy pop number marked by an earworm guitar riff.

The song is included on his fourth album, Wishbone, released in August 2025, and the video unfolds a three-part story depicting his first queer summer romance.

It’s the perfect piece for nights when you want to sink into a bittersweet melody.

Shy GuyDiana King

Diana King – Shy Guy

Let me introduce a quintessential 90s summer anthem by Diana King, the Jamaican artist who took the world by storm.

This smash hit rides a smooth blend of reggae fusion and dancehall rhythms to express a woman’s passionate feelings for a shy man.

There’s even a story that she finished the lyrics in just ten minutes—a testament to her extraordinary talent.

Released in March 1995, the song remains a summer staple, featured on her debut album “Tougher Than Love” and included on the Bad Boys movie soundtrack, which propelled it to global fame.

It peaked at No.

13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Perfect for sun-soaked days at the beach or summer drives, it’s also a powerful track that can give you that extra push to take a step toward someone you’re interested in.

One More TryGeorge Michael

George Michael – One More Try

“One More Try” is a work by George Michael, formerly of the UK duo Wham!.

It was released as a single from the album Faith.

This ballad showcases George’s exceptional vocal ability and was released in 1988.

The lyrics convey a message to a lover with whom he has had a relationship that must be kept secret, saying he can no longer continue such a relationship.

SummertimeBeyoncé

Summertime

This collaborative track by American artists Beyoncé and P.

Diddy, which sings of the sweet exhilaration of summer romance, is a captivating piece where R&B and rap blend seamlessly.

The lyrics, filled with trust in a lover and promises for the future, beautifully capture the uniquely romantic mood of summer and deeply resonate with listeners.

Released in October 2003 as part of the soundtrack for the film “The Fighting Temptations,” the song peaked at No.

35 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and remained on the chart for an impressive 40 weeks.

It’s the perfect track for a seaside drive, a sunset date, or any special moments with someone you love.