The ocean has inspired art and poetry for ages. It is a metaphor for distance, depth, and loneliness but also reminds us to relax and go with the flow. This may be why so many songwriters take to it as their inspiration and use it as a metaphor throughout their melodies.
I have compiled for you a list of the 50 best songs about the ocean bound to make your heart sway! Whether you look at the ocean with a sense of loneliness or want to surf the waves, there’s something here for you.
Here are the 50 Best Songs About The Ocean
- I’m the Ocean – Neil Young
- The Ocean – Led Zeppelin
- Only the Ocean – Jack Johnson
- Oceans – Coldplay
- Cake by the Ocean – DNCE
- Ocean – Lou Reed
- Life’s an Ocean’ – Verve
- The Ocean – U2
- Under the Sea – Samuel E. Wright
- Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish
- Oceanic Feeling – Lorde
- Ocean Drive – Duke Dumont
- Astronaut In The Ocean – Masked Wolf
- An Ocean Between the Waves – War on Drugs
- Oceans Away – Elton John
- Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
- Grown Ocean – Fleet Foxes
- Blue Ocean Floor – Justin Timberlake
- Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys & Brian Wilson
- Oceans – Seafret
- How Far I’ll Go – Moana
- La Isla Bonita – Madonna
- Oceans Apart – The Coral
- Lake By the Ocean – Maxwell
- Under the boardwalk – The Drifters
- Ocean of Noise – Arcade Fire
- Wild Grey Ocean – Sam Fender
- Made Up English Oceans – Drive-By Truckers
- Ocean Rain – Echo and the Bunnymen
- Across Five Oceans – Madina Lake
- Broken Ocean – Bronze Radio Return
- Edge Of The Ocean – Ivy
- Blue Hawaii – Elvis Presley
- Ocean Blue – Willow Robinson
- At the Beach – The Avett Brothers
- Ocean Breathes Salty – Modest Mouse
- Oceania – Björk
- Come Sail Away – Styx
- God of Ocean Tide – Counting Crows
- How Deep is Ocean? – Billie Holiday
- Beyond the Sea — Bobby Darin
- 1000 Oceans – Tori Amos
- Octopus’s Garden – Beatles
- Live By The Ocean – The Hoosiers
- Sand and Sea — Frank Sinatra
- I Sat by the Ocean – Queens of the Stone Age
- Once Upon a Time There Was an Ocean – Paul Sim
- A Knife In The Ocean – Foals
- Rocks In The Ocean – Al Stewart
- Walk on the Ocean – Toad the Wet Sprocket
1. I’m the Ocean – Neil Young
We can always expect double Grammy Award winner Neil Young to come up with the best metaphors. Risk-taking, unpredictability, and the unknown – the song compares the narrator to the dangerous nature of the ocean.
“I’m the ocean” is the perfect listen for when you need a kick of motivation.
2. The Ocean – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin has always been dedicated to their fans and this song is no different. The lyrics slowly morph into something sweet as the narrator now talks ab singing to his daughter like he once did to an “ocean” of fans.
Released as a single in Germany, “The Ocean” reached number eight in the Offizielle Deutsche Charts.
3. Only the Ocean – Jack Johnson
The closing track from Johnson’s fifth album To The Sea is dedicated to the memory of his late father and how he goes to the ocean to forget about the worries of the world.
You will surely find comfort in the thought of wanting to let go into the ocean without any judgment or care in the world. We also recommend checking out the rest of the aquatic-themed album “To The Sea which debuted at number 1 in the United States in 2010, selling 243,000 copies in its first week.
4. Oceans – Coldplay
Coldplay does not need any introduction, with global hits like Yellow and Hymn for the weekend. This acoustic melody with its sparse lyrics will most definitely make you think of an ocean at night.
With lyrics contrasting the past and future, this song is perfect for when you need a soothing melody to introspect.
5. Cake by the Ocean – DNCE
Joe Jonas’s rock band and this 2015 hit need no introduction. We’re sure you hoped to see this song as soon as you saw the list. With its catchy lyrics and upbeat melody, this ranked 44th on Billboard’s “100 Best Pop Songs of 2016”.
Full of euphemisms, this song was the life of every party back in the day. However, this song isn’t exactly about eating a slice of cake by the waterside, but you’re more than welcome to enjoy it with your interpretation.
6. Ocean – Lou Reed
Lou Reed, best known as the guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of the band The Velvet Underground, penned this song envisioning a darker twist to this life.
The piano with the rock music creates an unsettling sense of unease just like the lyrics. This song is bound to be a new listening experience if you’re unfamiliar with psychedelic rock.
7. Life’s an Ocean’ – Verve
At one point life and all these emotions get too much to the point where you grow numb to all of it. Relatable? Well, you’ve found the song- its guitar riffs and lyrics perfectly represent how loud and overwhelming life gets.
8. The Ocean – U2
The Ocean is one of the popular band’s lesser-known hits but contains their all-too-renowned vocals separated by their signature guitar compositions. The song draws inspiration from classical literature like “Dorian Gray” in their very first line to express the desire for freedom and cleansing the ocean represents.
9. Under the Sea – Samuel E. Wright
How can we talk about songs related to the ocean without including this classic from our childhoods? “The human world’s a mess”, says Sebastian the crab, so let this Academy Award-winning song take you deep underwater to where the grass is greener and life is sweeter.
The Little Mermaid is a childhood favorite, so whenever you want a nice little reminder of how good life was back in the day, let the song’s upbeat tune and playful lyrics transport you back to after-school Disney re-runs!
10. Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish
The song that threw the young singer into her thrall of fame! Ocean Eyes was worlds apart from mainstream music back in 2017, with Eilish’s unique vocals and the background melody becoming the runner for every edit and cafe playlist for months to come. The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 84 and received triple-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America
11. Oceanic Feeling – Lorde
We all remember Lorde from her grunge, teenage-rage-fueled hits like Ribs and Tennis Court right? Well, the singer seems to have matured and turned a new, tropical page with her latest album Solar Power.
The song peaked at number 17 on the Top 20 NZ Singles chart and number 46 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. This song is a perfect representation of her growth during her 4-year hiatus.
12. Ocean Drive – Duke Dumont
You think of the ocean and you think of beach-side drives and summer raves. Duke Dumont’s Ocean Drive is a 2015 summertime classic, charting at the thirteenth place on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2015, becoming one of the DJ’s most renowned songs.
You’ll find the song a perfect background to those late-night June drives with your friends by the pier.
13. Astronaut In The Ocean – Masked Wolf
We’re sure you’ve heard this song all social media. The rap song topped the charts and was even nominated for Song of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release, and Breakthrough Artist at the 2021 ARIA Music Awards, with Masked Wolf being nominated for Best Artist.
The song hits pretty deep with its message about battling depression and feeling alone in life- quite literally feeling like an astronaut in the ocean.
14. An Ocean Between the Waves – War on Drugs
This 2014 Indie Rock hit is an exploration of human relationships. It explores how there can be ‘an ocean’ between people and how understanding someone can be a struggle. But never fear – we find the song full of hope and a call to persevere and “Hold strong”!
15. Oceans Away – Elton John
This beautiful acoustic opening track to John’s 29th studio album, The Diving Board which debuted at No. 3 on the UK album chart contains a pretty sad story. The lyricist opened up about how this track is a tribute to his father who fought in WW2.
The song is a reminder to all of us about the generation slowly lost in time who once lived to fight “oceans away” and how we must never forget their sacrifice.
16. Yellow Submarine –The Beatles
There is no way a list containing songs about the ocean would be complete without this childhood melody. From music lessons to bedtime lullabies, Yellow Submarine has been a childhood staple. Written as a children’s song, the catchy melody and “the man who sailed to sea” remain an important part of our lives to this day.
This classic went to number one on charts in the United Kingdom and several other European countries and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.
17. Grown Ocean – Fleet Foxes
The twelfth and final track from Fleet Foxes’ second album, Helplessness Blues continues the album’s themes of confusion and helplessness but with a voice of child-like wonder.
The song is a cult-favorite of Fleet Fox fans and we can’t recommend it enough as the most beautiful and cathartic end to the album.
18. Blue Ocean Floor – Justin Timberlake
No one is a better match to express infatuation for a lover than 90s heartthrob JT. One of his best romantic scores, the song talks about him finding his lover and being able to hear her, even if she’s way down on the blue ocean floor.
With sweet vocals and even sweeter lyrics, you might consider using this as a way to express your affection, especially if you do so with playlists. Even though it was never a single, it surprisingly peaked at number 43 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
19. Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys & Brian Wilson
The song is as simple as they come- if everyone had a surfboard, they would all be surfing away their summers like The Beach Boys in California! The song ranked “Surfin’ U.S.A.” the number 1 song of 1963 on Billboard. It has since become a representative of California Sound all around the globe.
20. Oceans – Seafret
You might have heard about the band from their hit “Atlantis”.This song is part of the same album, inspired by the band moving away from their hometown. Homesickness and feeling like “ there’s oceans between me and you once again” is a feeling a lot of you will relate to.
21. How Far I’ll Go – Moana
While the 90s had The Little Mermaid, kids watching Disney today think of the ocean and associate it with the 2016 hit feature Moana. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards and will remain a staple in Disney’s extensive musical catalog.
“How Far I’ll Go” is a powerful ballad about leaving behind your comfort zone to embrace the unknown. Whether you’re a child watching the film or an adult, the song will ignite a flame of determination and motivation within your heart.
22. La Isla Bonita – Madonna
Do you ever think of a small Spanish town, with music and a whirlwind romance? Look no further. San Pedro along the Pacific Ocean, where “ a girl loves a boy, and a boy loves a girl” is where Madonna’s classic 1987 hit is situated.
The song went on to become Madonna’s 11th top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the charts across several countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, where it became her fourth number one.
23. Oceans Apart – The Coral
The band describes the song as “The ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Queen would’ve written if, instead of touring the world, they stayed in watching cinecittà studios films and listening to Gene Clark”. The song also features a surprise vocal cameo from the fan-favorite Peaky Blinders star, Cillian Murphy towards the end.
24. Lake By The Ocean – Maxwell
We can’t recommend this song enough if you’re looking for some light soul R&B. The speaker uses the metaphor of a lake by the ocean to portray how you can be content in a relationship, within your bubble, even if you have an entire ocean near you. I personally love the metaphor and think of it as a work of art when it comes to expressing emotion.
25. Under the boardwalk – The Drifters
This ’60s classic had to make it to our list. Describing a secret love affair, the song isn’t all that outdated. Do you still not wish to meet a lover far away from the prying eyes of everyone around you? The song ranked number 487 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004 and is still an old-timey favorite for many.
26. Ocean of Noise – Arcade Fire
Though this song has nothing to do with the ocean, this Alternative Indie anthem has a sense of warning. The singer said in an interview the song is inspired by living on the seaside and visualizing the fog on dark nights. The song goes from a depressing picture to an ending on a hopeful note. I found the song an apt metaphor for drowning in the noise and bustle of life, but with hope to be found at the end of the day
27. Wild Grey Ocean – Sam Fender
We hate the thought of being stuck in one little town, with nothing to do and a dreary routine to follow. The singer reflects that in his song about his coastal town. You may think of the ocean as a wild, blue body of water, but for Sam Fender, it’s gray – where he reflects upon his teenage and long-lost love.
28. Made Up English Oceans – Drive-By Truckers
The song is from the band’s tenth studio album English Oceans released in March 2014, debuting at number 16 on Billboard 200 and number 4 on Top Rock Albums. The song is surprisingly a political anthem about Lee Atwater, a Reagan operative, and his cruel regime.
I personally find the message very important- stop to think critically before blindly following the mob. The simple guitar chords cleverly disguise a message bound to make all of us think twice.
29. Ocean Rain – Echo and the Bunnymen
Ocean Rain is featured on the fourth studio album by the English post-punk band Echo & the Bunnymen by the same name. The song is mainly dominated by the lead’s vocals with faint music that slowly grows louder towards the end. It’s soft, it’s gloomy, it’s moody.
30. Across Five Oceans – Madina Lake
On the lookout for an angsty breakup song? Look no further! Musically, this is one of my favorite songs. It’s loud, it makes me want to scream and the lyrics will be relatable in one way or another.
31. Broken Ocean – Bronze Radio Return
An ocean? Broken? Don’t worry we find it weird too, but it makes sense when you think about it. Life goes on but there are times when you feel motionless and stuck, even as time passes. The 2011 song combines melancholy lyrics with an upbeat tune. Perhaps we can all find some hope in times of darkness, even if it’s in the form of a catchy tune.
32. Edge Of The Ocean – Ivy
Edge of the Ocean is from American band Ivy’s third album and famously featured in the 1997 Sci-Fi film “Roswell”. It became the singer’s only single to chart in the United Kingdom, reaching number 160 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song is a hip-hop ballad with sparse lyrics but soothing vocals. It has almost a dreamlike quality to it. Known as Ivy’s top hit, I can’t recommend this song enough, It’s like one of those moments at the beach where you kick back, close your eyes, and just listen to the sound of waves.
33. Blue Hawaii – Elvis Presley
Come on, You know we had to include a song from the king of King of Rock and Roll himself. Blue Hawaii is the title track to Presley’s movie of the same name. With some good old-fashioned rebellion, a job at the beach, and a waterside romance, the film has it all and the track certainly reflects it.
Musically, there’s nothing better than Elvis Presley crooning about being young and in love with the sea, thus on the US Top Pop Albums chart, Blue Hawaii is second only to the soundtrack of West Side Story as the most successful soundtrack album of the 1960s.
34. Ocean Blue – Willow Robinson
Though an emerging artist, Robinson’s powerful vocals and guitar composition remind us of those ’60s songs like “The Sound of Silence”. With a heavier composition and mystic lyrics full of dark references, this is the kind of music that we associate with the ocean. Strong, deep, and full of vigor.
35. At the Beach – The Avett Brothers
Sometimes life doesn’t need to be all that complex. Some good chords, a nice catchy beat, a nice whistle interlude and you’ve got yourself the perfect summer song. Whether it is a drive by the beach or a skip along the pier, this song is bound to put you in a good mood.
36. Ocean Breathes Salty – Modest Mouse
Okay, enough with the dark, broody songs and time for some lighthearted fun. This silly song is American rock band Modest Mouse’s second single from their fourth studio album. You’re sure to enjoy the catchy tune and the band members dressed as animals towards the end of the video. The song charted at number 6 on the US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)
37. Oceania – Björk
This song is certainly a unique one. If you’re a fan of the artist you know she doesn’t go down the conventional road. The lyrics make no sense, the music doesn’t sync, and it’s certainly a disconcerting song to listen to. Still, we can’t help but appreciate the experimental approach, especially considering the song is from the point of view of the ocean. Not everything has to make sense, does it? Specially nature.
The song was written and released for the 2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony and went on to receive a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
38. Come Sail Away – Styx
70s rock anthem? A happily ever after and a message of hope? This song is the way to go. It’s upbeat funky vibe reflects the band’s overall theme and makes for the perfect background music for a summer drive. The song peaked at number 8 in January 1978 on the Billboard Hot 100
39. God of Ocean Tide – Counting Crows
This was the band’s first original song after a long hiatus and reflects all the work they put in over the years. The song is full of mystic, almost Biblical references that reflect the brevity of human life. From water we come and to the water we go.
Regret isn’t always the best feeling but we recommend some nice background music like this to accompany you whenever you’re in the mood.
40. How Deep is Ocean? – Billie Holiday
This song is a classic 1930s hit and for good reason. What better way to express the extent of your affection than to compare it to the depth of the ocean? With Billie Holiday’s timelessly elegant vocals, this song goes down as a wonderful addition to the best love songs of all time.
41. Beyond the Sea — Bobby Darin
Yet another old-timey hit, this ‘50s song is the English version of the renowned French jazz hit “La Mer” by Charles Trenet. This jazzy tune has many versions but Bobby Darin’s version released in late 1959 is the best known by many, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 15 on the US R&B Chart, and number 8 on the UK Singles Chart in the early 1960s
42. 1000 Oceans – Tori Amos
People have used music as a way of processing grief for ages. What would we not do to bring back the people we love or help them along the way? Crying a thousand oceans seems a hyperbole but aptly reflects the mindset of someone trying to process their grief.
43. Octopus’s Garden – Beatles
Yet another beautiful children’s song by The Beatles. You either grew up listening to your mum sing this to you or practicing it in your music lessons. Personally, I used to love the idea of hiding away under the waves and exploring all the caves and trenches where the little animals rest.
44. Live By The Ocean – The Hoosiers
A little underground but one of our favorite bands, The Hoosiers never disappoints when it comes to bops. This funky song is a classic pop-rock fusion that sounds like the theme of an 80s coming-of-age film.
45. Sand and Sea — Frank Sinatra
Another Jazzy number about summer nights at the beach. You will want to jump to your feet and sway around the minute the introductory notes start to play. Sinatra is an all-time classic, covering a variety of themes in his songs, so, naturally, he’d have one about the beach for us to dance to!
46. I Sat by the Ocean – Queens of the Stone Age
The song is the second single by the American rock band’s sixth studio album, …Like Clockwork (2013). With dark gothic lyrics, the song sets a certain kind of atmosphere for sure. We personally prefer the band’s live performance of the song on the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!
47. Once Upon a Time There Was an Ocean – Paul Sim
Being stuck in a 9-5 and punching the same clock for years is never an appealing option. Don’t you long for a way out, perhaps to drive away and never look back or win the lottery? The singer clearly feels the same in this acoustic melody.
48. A Knife In The Ocean – Foals
This alternative rock ballad is a question of loss of faith and carrying on a legacy. Sometimes it’s essential to realize all we have left are memories and this song aptly puts that feeling to words.
49. Rocks In The Ocean – Al Stewart
This 80s guitar ballad is a rendition of the classic song “The Bold Fisherman” with a message that is very simple – love should never be taken for granted. Though the song is over 5 minutes long, you’ll find yourself enjoying every second; that we guarantee.
50. Walk on the Ocean – Toad the Wet Sprocket
Wrapping up the list with this 90s hit, the song reached number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 40 in Canada, New Zealand, and Norway. The song is a classic summer anthem and the perfect way to wrap up a long day- and this list.
FAQs
What are the most famous songs about the ocean?
The most commercially renowned of these would be La Isla Bonita by Madonna, charting at number 1 in the UK, Yellow Submarine by The Beatles charting at number 2 in the U.S. and Astronaut In The Ocean by Masked Wolf which went viral all over social media.
Are all of these songs about the ocean?
These songs use the ocean as a metaphor – whether it be its rough nature or bright blue waves to play along with. You have songs like Ocean Eyes (Billie Eilish) that use the ocean as a metaphor for beauty and then Oceans (Seafret) that use it to portray distance.
Where can I stream these songs?
While most of these songs are easily available on Spotify and Apple Music, we’ve included links to YouTube for each one of them. Fear not, even if you can’t find the song or it doesn’t stream in your country, you can always head to YouTube for music in the gold old 2000s manner.