[2025] Recommended popular melancholic summer classics in Western music

Wake Me Up When September EndsGreen Day

Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends [Official Music Video] [4K Upgrade]

A deeply resonant ballad by the American punk rock band Green Day, perfect for the waning days of summer.

Featured on their 2004 album American Idiot and released as a single the following year, the song is based on Billie Joe Armstrong’s real-life experience of losing his father at the age of ten.

Lyrics like “seven years have gone so fast” and “twenty years have gone so fast” convey the passage of time and an unhealed sense of loss.

Starting with acoustic guitar and gradually building in weight, the arrangement beautifully traces the emotional journey of trying to recover from grief.

It’s a masterpiece that quietly accompanies moments when you want to spend twilight alone, or for those who have experienced the loss of someone dear.

GOOD OLD DAYSMACKLEMORE FEAT KESHA

MACKLEMORE FEAT KESHA – GOOD OLD DAYS (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

A nostalgia-laden pop ballad that sinks into the heart at summer dusk.

This collaborative track by American rapper Macklemore and singer-songwriter Kesha is a classic, layering bittersweet longing for the past over a warm, piano-driven sound.

Now that success has been achieved, the youthful struggles and cherished moments of years gone by come into focus, beautifully conveyed through Macklemore’s introspective rap and Kesha’s soulful vocals.

Released in September 2017, it performed well on the U.

S.

charts as a single from the album Gemini.

It’s a recommended listen for those at a turning point in life or anyone who wants to spend unhurried time immersed in music.

Talking to the MoonBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Talking To The Moon (Official Lyric Video)

This gem of a piano ballad by Hawaiian singer-songwriter Bruno Mars portrays the pain of heartbreak and longing for a loved one through a romantic theme of speaking to the moon.

Released in 2010 on the album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, it features a serene sound in the key of C minor at 73 BPM, with a poignant melody woven by his rich falsetto.

It was used as an insert song in the Brazilian TV drama Insensato Coração and topped the local charts for 22 consecutive weeks.

It’s a perfect track for solitary moments at dusk or quiet nights spent thinking of someone special.

Boo’d UpElla Mai

Ella Mai – Boo’d Up

A gem of a love song that wraps the sweet emotions of falling in love in a contemporary R&B sound.

Crafted by UK artist Ella Mai, the track takes its title from a slang term for intimate relationships between lovers and delicately voices the fluttering heart of a woman in love.

Released in 2017 as part of the EP “Ready,” it gradually gained popularity through social media and clubs, ultimately achieving the remarkable feat of winning Best R&B Song at the 2019 Grammy Awards.

Its sound—an exquisite fusion of classic ’90s R&B essence and modern beats—perfectly suits those wistful twilight moments.

It’s a recommended listen for anyone thrilled by a new romance or in the mood to bask in sweet, romantic vibes.

Firestone ft. Conrad SewellKygo

Kygo – Firestone ft. Conrad Sewell (Official Video)

A poignant tropical house masterpiece that resonates deep within the heart at dusk was created by Norwegian producer Kygo and Australian singer Conrad Sewell.

Released in December 2014, the track has garnered over 900 million streams worldwide.

The light, breezy beat woven from steel drums and marimba, paired with deeply emotive vocals, captures a perfect balance of yearning and bittersweet love.

Reaching No.

1 in Norway and entering the top 10 in many countries, this song is ideal for solitary quiet nights or relaxed, laid-back moments.

Please Please PleaseSabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please

This song by American artist Sabrina Carpenter, packed with the complexities of love, brings a gentle, aching melancholy that resonates in the summer twilight.

Sung with a touch of humor, it portrays the inner turmoil of loving a partner with a bad reputation while worrying about others’ opinions, deftly capturing the contradictions of modern romance.

Released in June 2024 as the second single from the album “Short n’ Sweet,” it became a massive hit, reaching number one on the UK charts.

It’s a track that will deeply strike anyone who has struggled between reason and emotion, or who finds themselves in a complicated relationship.

Summer RainZimmer90

Zimmer90 – Summer Rain (Official Music Video)

Steeped in the tranquil hush of a summer evening rain, this track by Zimmer90 weaves a delicate sonic world that fuses indie pop with electronic elements.

The lyrics, centered on self-reflection and letting go of fear—likening summer rain to a force that washes anxieties away—resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in July 2023, the song is included on the EP “Lake Diaries,” unveiled that September.

It’s a piece that vividly showcases the musical identity of the Stuttgart-based trio.

Perfect for late summer moments when you want to quietly face yourself.

Let yourself be carried by its poignant melodies and words.