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 (21–30)
Only the OceanJack Johnson
Jack Johnson, known for his relaxed, laid-back style, is also popular in Japan.
In “Only the Ocean,” the vibe is chill yet tinged with a bit of blue.
The lyrics are beautifully crafted, as if personifying the ocean.
It’s seaside music overflowing with organic vibrations: soft guitar tones that melt into natural landscapes of sea, mountains, earth, and sky, and a gentle, natural melody like a hummed tune.
It’s a song you’ll want to escape the cluttered city for and listen to slowly in the relaxed countryside.
The OceanLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin, a rock band that represents the UK.
They were a band that enjoyed immense support in the 1970s and have influenced many rock bands.
Their song “The Ocean” is famous as a piece themed around the sea, released in 1973 and achieving international success.
Though abstract, the lyrics are highly energetic, singing out to the ocean and reveling in its joy.
The melody is exhilarating as well, making it a must-listen for rock fans!
Blue Ocean FloorJustin Timberlake
Blue Ocean Floor features uniquely floating lyrics and sound that feel like drifting in the sea.
It’s included on American singer Justin Timberlake’s third album, The 20/20 Experience, released in 2013.
The album was a hit not only in the U.S.
and the U.K.
but also in Japan.
It’s the perfect track when you want to sink into a calm mood, as if you were in the dark ocean.
The WaveR3HAB x Lia Marie Johnson
This is a track produced by R3hab, released in 2018 and featuring Lea Marie Johnson from Hawaii.
He originally specialized in hard-hitting EDM and was a pioneer of bounce, known for its up-and-down energy and roots in Melbourne, but he incorporated the 2018 trend of mid-tempo bass music.
The sound, which creates a big build-up and showcases the vocals and lead synth, is also widely used in dance-pop that charts on the US rankings.
Orinoco FlowEnya
The 1988 smash hit that propelled Irish singer Enya to global fame was “Orinoco Flow.” The title means “the flow of the Orinoco,” and “Orinoco” is both the name of the studio where the track was recorded and a river in South America.
Just like the lyrics that venture out to sail the world’s oceans, her popularity also spread across the globe.
Surfin’ U.S.A.The Beach Boys
The American rock band The Beach Boys released Surfin’ U.S.A.
in 1963, and its lyrics mention many famous surfing spots.
The song was originally by Chuck Berry, but Brian Wilson added his own arrangement, turning it into the band’s first hit.
With its bright, summery melody and the Beach Boys’ signature beautiful harmonies, this track might make you want to head to the beach right away!
Sail On, SailorThe Beach Boys
A positive message that says “No matter what you go through, you must not stop moving forward,” likened to a sailor in Sail On, Sailor.
It’s a hidden gem by The Beach Boys, and among their songs it carries a strong, serious rock element.
It’s included on the 1973 album Holland.
The lyrics center on a certain sailor as the protagonist, singing about how life at sea is anything but easy.
Living on unstable waves made him want to quit many times, yet he can’t.
The protagonist’s resolve—deciding, “All I can do now is keep moving forward”—is striking.
The instability of the waves is a metaphor for life.
It’s a song where the sea teaches you how to live.
