Classic Western songs about the sea: recommended popular tracks
The sea, so beloved that it’s often called the “mother ocean,” can at times be terrifying as well—it’s a vast presence in our lives.
From the cheerful image of summer vacations to the fierce waves that evoke the harshness of winter, the sea has long been a source of inspiration and a theme for many artists.
In this article, we’ve picked out famous hits, popular tracks, and hidden gems in Western music that center on the theme of the sea!
You’ll find not only songs that sing directly about the ocean, but also tracks about passionate seaside romances and songs that use the sea as a metaphor—we’ve researched from a wide range of angles, so you just might discover an unexpected classic.
Enjoy!
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Classic Western songs about the sea: Recommended popular tracks (81–90)
SeasideThe Kooks
Many of you have probably been on a date to the seaside.
That’s where “Seaside” comes in.
It’s a track by the British rock band The Kooks, included on their album Inside In/Inside Out.
The song portrays a man’s nervousness as he invites someone to the sea, along with the honest feelings beneath it.
The gentle guitar tones add a touch of loneliness and languor.
Give it a listen while recalling your own experiences or the sweltering heat of summer.
Bones in the OceanThe Longest Johns
Known as a sea shanty steeped in melancholy, this piece is both the first EP and the signature work of The Longest Johns.
Released in May 2013, its lyrics are striking for mirroring sailors’ inner struggles and sense of loss with the stillness of the deep sea.
The ocean is portrayed as the eternal resting place for fallen comrades, becoming a symbol of the boundary between the living and the dead.
The Longest Johns are known for giving traditional sea songs a modern twist, and this track exemplifies that hallmark.
Singing of the bones that sleep on the quiet seabed, this song is best enjoyed alone on a calm night.
Walk On The OceanToad The Wet Sprocket
A song composed by the band’s guitarist, Todd Nichols.
With a songwriting style reminiscent of Nirvana, the crafted lyrics’ “sea” is said to be a metaphor for heaven.
Released in 1992, the track was also used in the film Jobs.
Torna a SurrientoLuciano Pavarotti
A representative song of the canzone, “Torna a Surriento.” When you think of canzone, you imagine pieces composed long ago that are still being sung today, right? And indeed, many canzoni were written hundreds of years ago, just as that image suggests.
But this song is different.
Surprisingly, it was composed in 1902 for Giuseppe Zanardelli, the prime minister at the time, when he visited Sorrento—the very setting of the piece.
It’s relatively new, isn’t it? The lyrics depict a love story themed around the sea of Sorrento.
This time, I’ve chosen Luciano Pavarotti’s version!
Oceans AwayARIZONA
This song stands out for its dreamy sound and bittersweet melody.
The lyrics, which overlay the heartache of a long-distance relationship with the feelings of lovers separated by the sea, really resonate.
Through the phrase “beyond the open sea,” it skillfully conveys both the physical and emotional distance from a loved one.
It’s included on A R I Z O N A’s debut album, Gallery, released in May 2017, and is known as one of the band’s signature tracks.
Listening to it at the end of summer or the beginning of autumn can leave you feeling a little wistful.
It’s the perfect song for when you’re thinking of someone far away or longing to reunite with someone special.