[2026] Western ballad songs that suit the sea

Sailor SongGigi Perez

Gigi Perez – Sailor Song (Official Music Video)

Released independently in July 2024 by Florida-born singer-songwriter Gigi Perez, this work is an acoustic ballad that portrays a passionate love for a woman who resembles Anne Hathaway.

Set to a beautiful melody, it expresses a yearning for fierce, sailor-like love, and features strikingly candid lyrics that place love for a partner above religious faith.

The song went viral on TikTok and achieved international success, reaching No.

1 in the UK and No.

22 on the U.S.

Billboard Hot 100.

Told from an LGBTQ+ perspective, it resonated with many listeners as a love story and has become a symbolic work celebrating the diverse forms of love in the modern era.

It is a deeply moving masterpiece, perfect for summer twilights or quiet moments by the sea.

Like A StarCorinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae – Like A Star (New Version)

For a theme like this, you could say it’s one of the songs that would inevitably be chosen.

It’s a signature track by Corinne Bailey Rae, who has a diverse background that includes church hymns, performing as part of a rock band, and appearances at jazz clubs, and who enjoys worldwide popularity for her gentle vocal tone and organic sound.

As her memorable debut single and the opening track of her 2006 album “Corinne Bailey Rae,” this song is a true classic, with a soothing vocal delivery and the soft resonance of her own acoustic guitar that feel wonderfully comforting.

On a summer night under the stars, be sure to listen to it—or try singing it yourself with just voice and guitar.

Summertime’s CloseZach Bryan

Zach Bryan – Summertime’s Close

Zach Bryan, a singer-songwriter from Oklahoma, began making music while serving in the Navy and, after receiving an honorable discharge in 2021, devoted himself to music full-time, becoming one of the standout artists in today’s country-folk scene.

Blending elements of country, folk, and Americana, his sound is marked by understated acoustic guitar and poetic lyrics.

Featured on his self-titled album “Zach Bryan,” released in August 2023, this song is a superb ballad that delicately captures nostalgia for summers past and a longing for lost love.

True to an artist known for songs expressing deep love for his mother, the track beautifully conveys nuanced emotions rooted in personal experience, making it a perfect choice for spending a quiet moment alone by the seaside at summer’s end.

AliveDonavon Frankenreiter

Donavon Frankenreiter – Alive (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter Donovan Frankenreiter, a native of Downey, California, is also known as a professional surfer.

Released in June 2024, this track features his signature warm sound, beautifully blending elements of surf rock and folk.

The lyrics, which celebrate gratitude and joy in life, reflect a natural, unforced outlook shaped by his years spent with the waves, gently moving the listener.

Also included on the album “Get Outta Your Mind,” this song is perfect for relaxing by the ocean or for moments when you want to break free from the rush of everyday life.

7 SummersMorgan Wallen

Morgan Wallen – 7 Summers

This song, released in August 2020 by Tennessee-born singer-songwriter Morgan Wallen, is a beautiful ballad that evokes nostalgia for summers past.

Blending elements of country, pop rock, and soft rock, its sweet and wistful melody resonates deeply.

The lyrics, which reflect on his youth in East Tennessee and memories with a former lover, are nostalgic yet emotionally authentic, striking a chord with many listeners.

It set the record for the biggest first-day streams for a country song on Apple Music, reached No.

6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became Wallen’s first entry into the Top 10—a milestone work.

It’s a poignant track you’ll want to listen to by the seaside as summer draws to a close.