As we all know, it is Summer in Japan now. SO SO SO, to celebrate this wonderful season, let's all listen to some great summer songs that have been released so far!!!
These songs are released from 1st week of May to 1st week of September. Though not EVERY song released during this period is a summer song. It really depends on the mood of the song.

Koda Kumi - Hashire!
This is a funky, upbeat rock song with a Promotional Video (PV) that absolutely portrays the Summer Spirit! It may take some time to get used to the slightly different arrangement but I personally find this song very fun and positive! And also to mention that Kumi is looking her best in this video. Hashire means Run.




Hamasaki Ayumi - fairyland
Boasting a production cost of US$6million, this PV had to be good. It's another great song with the summer love. It's a great song to enjoy with your friends and family too :P Hawaii looks amazing btw.




BoA - KEY OF HEART
This has to be BoA's last summer song before she went to eat you up...or was it LOVE LETTER (?). And tbh, I found a certain dance scene very very similar to MJ's Black or White MV. But then again, BoA IS a fan of him. Anyway, BoA's dancing makes this laid back summer song even better as it gives it some edginess. I really love this song.




YUI - SUMMER SONG
This was YUI's last song before her one year hiatus (and jumping back with FMA's new song). It would be so wrong if I don't put this song up, because the title speaks for the song itself. FYI, this song was sung in Guitar Ensem's concert. The PV has a very sweet love story AND AND AND...YUI's smile :)

SUMMER SONG - YUI @ Yahoo! Video

Ok let's move on to the MALE upbeat summer songs :P

NEWS - SUMMER TIME
I hope I got the number of 'e's correct. hahah. Anyway, NEWS is definitely one of my favourite boybands in the Jpop market. and since it is Summer, what other song than SUMMER TIME says it better. Enjoy!



DBSK - Sky
How can I leave out DBSK right? LOL. I think Sky is quite a...known song, considering that it has been released for about 3 years already! This song surely has that summer beat going on and Yoochun says it himself in the opening. I think this is a great PV too. See, summer PVs always have that very bright feeling.



(to my horror, I realized that I know very little upbeat male summer songs...Lol)

Ok nvm, but when there is Yang, there is always Yin. So...ever heard about SUMMER BALLADS? Actually, like Upbeat summer tracks, they don't really have a specific genre all to themselves because they are just ballads but yet, you really can feel something different in such ballads. Just to present a few.

Otsuka Ai - Kingyo Hanabi
I think it is really sad if you don't know this song. But maybe after hearing it, you might feel even sadder. Yes, somehow summer ballads have a slightly more painful and nostalgic feeling in them. Ai's shows the slightly more painful side of it beautifully in this famous song - Kingyo Hanabi (which literally means Goldfish Fireworks.



ARASHI - Aozora Pedal
Even though I don't listen to much of their songs, but this ballad does stand out. It carries with it a rather nostalgic feel...which you can only understand if you listen and watch the PV, depicting friends getting together and having fun. So yea...the end of summer is quite sad huh?



Yuna Ito - miss you
This has got to be the most authentic Summer ballad I have ever heard yet. It has the sound of oceans, accompanied with a piano melody and some other instruments with Yuna's bright voice. Another song filled with summer nostalgia.

Yuna Ito - miss you
Uploaded by utadalove. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Just to list a whole lot of other SUMMER SONGS for you...of course it's only limited to the songs I know:
summer ballads marked in *

Hamasaki Ayumi:
independent
HANABI*
Greatful Days
HANABI -episode II-*
INSPIRE
BLUE BIRD
glitter
fated*

Koda Kumi:
With your smile
girls
I'll be there*
Lick me (which is really a song about Ice cream)

Otsuka Ai:
PEACH
Neko ni Fuusen*
Kurage, Nagareboshi*
SMILY

BoA:
Shine we are!
Kissing you
Sparkling
LOVE LETTER*

NEWS:
TEPPEN
(I tot weeeek was a summer song..but no it isnt)
Akaku Moyuru Taiyou

ARASHI:
Kaze no Mukou e
Happiness
We can make it

DBSK:
SUMMER DREAM

Miho Fukuhara:
HANABI SKY
Himawari

EXILE:
Carry on
Summer time love

Ikimonogakari (these songs are super summer-rock):
BLUE BIRD
Natzusora Grafitti

.
.
.
and the list goes on...but just keep an eye for songs that will be coming up during this period if you love Summer and Summer songs :P

Labels: Music