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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!

Classic Western songs about the sea: Recommended popular tracks (81–90)

Lightning By The SeaBeshken

Lightning By The Sea sings of a unique sensibility toward the ocean with a minimal sound reminiscent of Radiohead.

It’s a track released in 2017 by New York–based artist Beshken, included on the album for time is the longest distance between two people.

Having originally worked as a jazz guitarist and DJed at clubs in Los Angeles, Beshken has crossed a variety of genres.

It’s precisely that background that enables him to blend different styles—like electronics and indie rock—to create a fresh sound, as he does on this track.

Yoimachi Jēn
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OceansColdplay

A sad, dazzling acoustic ballad about lost love.

It’s a track from their sixth album, Ghost Stories, released in 2013.

The album explores the impact of love on both the past and the future, and it drew attention for coinciding with the breakdown of lead singer Chris Martin’s relationship with his wife, Gwyneth Paltrow.

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PacificElectric Mantis

“Pacific” is a track released in 2015 by Portland-based producer Electric Mantis.

True to an EDM producer’s touch, intricate sounds like snaps and vocal chops dart around like refracted light.

The slightly wobbly synth tones make you feel as if you’re underwater.

It’s a song that lets you savor a pleasant kind of chaos—EDM crafted with a distinctive sonic character.

If that piques your interest, give it a listen.

Yoimachi Jēn
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Oceans AwayElton John

Oceans Away by Elton John, a legendary British singer-songwriter, is a song about a man reflecting on the soldiers he once fought alongside who now sleep across the sea.

It appears on the 2013 album The Diving Board and was produced by Grammy-winning T Bone Burnett.

The song’s lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s longtime lyricist since his debut, inspired by thoughts of his own father’s past.

Bernie’s father fought as a soldier in World War II.

The lyrics portray a man remembering his former comrades who fought far from home, lost their lives, and now rest in the lands where they fell.

It is a requiem that honors dear friends who found eternal rest beyond the ocean.

Yoimachi Jēn
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Beach BabyFirst Class

First Class – Beach Baby (1974) HQ 0815007
Beach BabyFirst Class

A song written by John Carter and his wife and collaborator, Gillian Shakespeare.

This track, the band’s only substantial hit, was released in 1974.

After success in the UK and the US, it also became a hit in Canada, reaching No.

1 on the charts.

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Sea CruiseFrankie Ford