Classic Western songs about the sea: recommended popular tracks

Surf CityJan & Dean

Jan & Dean – Surf City – 1963

Jan & Dean were a duo who produced many hit songs between 1963 and 1965.

This song was written by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys in collaboration with Jan Berry of Jan & Dean.

Initially, it was developed under the working title “Goody Connie Won’t You Come Back Home.”

Octopus’s GardenThe Beatles

Octopus’s Garden (Remastered 2009)

Octopus’s Garden, a Beatles track from the classic album Abbey Road.

The real charm of this song lies, above all, in the fact that Ringo Starr—the band’s drummer—wrote it and sings it, don’t you think? When it comes to “the sea” and the Beatles, Yellow Submarine also comes to mind, and that’s another very famous piece.

Its comical lyrics, inspired by an octopus living in the ocean, are especially striking! The pastoral, pleasantly soothing melody brings a sense of peace to the heart.

With playful sounds like fuzz guitar and bubbly deep-sea noises woven in, it’s a song you can enjoy almost like a children’s tune!

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Murakami Shinpei

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The Sea Is CallingThe Temper Trap

The Temper Trap – The Sea Is Calling [Official Audio]

I’d like to introduce “The Sea Is Calling” as a song that celebrates the grandeur of the ocean.

It’s a release by the Australian rock band The Temper Trap.

The lyrics take a broad, planetary perspective, expressing that Mother Sea is always watching over us.

Its gentle, country-tinged sound also conveys the ocean’s majesty.

It’s the kind of track that can help you reset when you’re worn out or feeling broken.

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Edge of the OceanStick Figure

Stick Figure – “Edge of the Ocean” (Official Music Video)

Stick Figure, a reggae-dub band from the United States, was formed in 2005 by Scott Woodruff.

With a DIY spirit and an inventive sound, they have secured a solid place in today’s reggae scene.

The ballad featured on their 2022 album “Wisdom” carries themes of fresh starts and hope, marked by a gentle rhythm, soothing melodies, and lyrics that symbolize new beginnings.

The music video, filmed in April 2023 on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, visually conveys the song’s theme of harmony with nature through stunning views of the Nā Pali Coast.

Fusing reggae, dub, and electronica in a distinctly Stick Figure style, this track is perfect for relaxing by the ocean or for anyone embarking on a new chapter in life.

Surf Wax AmericaWeezer

Surf Wax America By: Weezer

Nicknamed “crybaby rock,” Surf Wax America is a song by the American power pop band Weezer.

Its lyrics capture a pumped-up vibe—wax up your surfboard and hit the waves! While the guitars are incredibly powerful, the vocals and overall performance are poppy.

That imbalance earned high praise from musicians.

The track is also said to have influenced later genres like alternative rock and emo.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Redondo BeachPatti Smith

Redondo Beach

A song Patti Smith wrote in the early 1970s after an argument with her sister Linda.

On stage, Patti would introduce it by saying, “Redondo Beach is a beach where women love other women,” before performing it.

Many people interpret it as a lament for a lesbian who died by suicide.

Some BeachBlake Shelton

Blake Shelton – Some Beach (Official Music Video)

A song written by Rory Feek and Paul Overstreet.

It became an unexpected hit for country music artist Blake Shelton, reaching No.

1 on the Country chart.

The track was released as a single in 2004.