35 Best Songs About The Beach

Looking for top songs about the beach? Well you’re in the right place, as we’ve a number of great beach songs for you!

Each of them is a fun ode to the beach, hanging out, finding love, and soaking in the summertime.

With that said, here they are:

“Island in the Sun” by Weezer

Song Year: 2001

Weezer is one of the most iconic summertime bands of the 1990s, and “Island in the Sun” is no exception. This song invokes amazing images of long, lazy days on the beach, meeting new friends, and making the most out of summer.

Plus, it's a fun, poppy jam that's bound to get your feet tapping and a must-add to any summertime jam playlist.

“Surf City” by Jan & Dean

Song Year: 1963

As the name suggests, “Surf City” by Jan & Dean is one of those summertime classics that talks about the twin joys of chilling out on the beach with your friends and catching some incredible waves.

It also touches on some other essential summertime themes, like finding love at those fabulous post-surf summertime parties where you might meet the surfer boy or girl of your dreams. 

“At the Beach” by Avett Brothers

Song Year: 2004

This dreamy, romantic ode to the beach is one of the Avett Brothers' finest. It talks about that ethereal feeling you get from being close to the ocean and the feeling of the sand between your toes.

If you want a change from 60s-style surfer jams, put this one on your playlist. It's a good tune for chilling out on the boardwalk or walking down the beach with that special someone.

“Summer Nights” by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta

Song Year: 1978

This Grease classic might be the ultimate summertime jam, about a girl and boy who fall in love on a long romantic stretch of beach. Not only is it cute and flirty, but it's also super catchy, making it the perfect singalong beach song for you and your friends.

Although the whole Grease album is excellent, this song stands out as one of the best.

“Sea and Sand” by The Who

Song Year: 1973

While many summertime beachy songs are classic and romantic, The Who takes things in a different direction with “Sea and Sand,” a summertime ode to the unpredictable things in life. So if you're looking for a more existential jam to fuel your beach experience, tune into this one.

“Rockaway Beach” by The Ramones

Song Year: 1977

“Rockaway Beach” is the ultra-catchy, ultra-short ode to one of New York's favorite beaches. In true Ramone's style, the tune is upbeat and has a punk edge. It's a fantastic tune to listen to at the beginning of summer when all the beaches are just opening for the season, and anything can happen.

“Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett

Song Year: 1977

Jimmy Buffett is the undisputed king of beach music, and “Margaritaville” is one of his all-time classics. Although the lyrics are a little bit grim if you think about them, it's still a super catchy tune guaranteed to get you in the mood for a tall glass of citrusy margarita with a salt rim.

Plus, since everyone knows this song, it's the perfect sing-a-long tune for you and your friends.

“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys

Song Year: 1966

The catchy and cheeky stylings of “Good Vibrations,” plus the weird space-age effects at the song's beginning, make this tune one for the ages. Although plenty of amazing Beach Boys songs feature good times on the sand, this one has to be one of the best.

The lyrics specifically highlight how the summer sun looks as it's reflecting off Brian Wilson's love interest's hair, invoking long beachy days and plenty of romance.

“California Gurls” by Katy Perry

Song Year: 2010

Katy Perry's funky and poppy “California Gurls” is one of the singer's most famous songs, and there's a good reason. It's a fantastic rock-pop ode to the western coast of the United States and all of those glorious California beaches where you can sit a while and soak up the near-tropical sun.

While there is no shortage of songs celebrating California and the beautiful surfer girls who live there, Katy Perry's ode is in a class of its own.

“Kokomo” by The Beach Boys

Song Year: 1988

“Kokomo” is one of The Beach Boys' more recent songs. However, instead of highlighting the gorgeous coasts of the United States and their great surfing and partying, “Kokomo” takes listeners a little further south, inviting them on a tropical vacation near the equator.

It's super catchy and fun and manages to be just romantic enough without going overboard.

“Toes” by The Zac Brown Band

Song Year: 2006

Country-folk stars The Zac Brown Band hit fun, tropical notes with “Toes,” an ode to traveling down Mexico way to get out of the hustle and bustle and truly soak in the joys of beach life. The lyrics talk about sitting in the sand, worry-free, and sipping on a nice cold beer.

It's an endlessly singable song that resolves with a funny twist. The Zac Brown Band runs out of money and has to leave Mexico, but try to duplicate the experience with a kiddy pool in the backyard. Classic.

“Some Beach” by Blake Shelton

Song Year: 2004

Blake Shelton is another country singer who understands the importance of sun, sand, and surf. His hit “Some Beach” talks about an idyllic tropical getaway where he can reset and relax while staring out over the open ocean.

Shelton's lyrics are so powerful that you might find yourself mentally transported to his beautiful beach, even if you're stuck in the office.

“The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley

Song Year: 1984

While most of the songs on our list talk about partying and having fun on the beach, Don Henley's takes a little bit of a different path, lamenting the end of summer and how lonely the beach is.

It's a part love song, part summer jam, part wistful throwback.

“Beachin'” by Jake Owen

Song Year: 2013

Jake Owen paints the picture of a perfect summer day in this ultimate jam. “Beachin'” talks about miles of pristine white sand beaches, a cutie with blue eyes, and of course, an ice-cold beer. It's a great song to usher in the first few days of summer when anything seems possible.

Like Blake Shelton and The Zac Brown Band, Jake Owen proves that country boys can write some seriously cool beach tunes with this soon-to-be classic song.

“No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem” by Kenny Chesney

Song Year: 2003

Kenny Chesney is country music's answer to the ultimate talented beach bum, with most of his albums centered around making the most out of your beachy life, but “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem” is in a particular class of its own.

The song makes light of signs that say “no shirt, no shoes, no service” with a cute twist that celebrates the casual clothing of the beach. 

“Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters

Song Year: 1964

One of the summer's most classic jams, “Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters, is the ultimate summertime romance song, featuring that oh-so-intimate area of the beach; the boardwalk. The song talks about spending a little alone time with your sweetheart and falling in love at the shore.

Although originally by The Drifters, countless heavyweight artists have covered this classic tune.

“When the Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney

Song Year: 2004

This modern-day classic talks about everyone's favorite beach time: sunset. Kenny Chesney invokes a party vibe through upbeat lyrics and a fun, singable tune and tells you in no uncertain terms that things tend to heat up as the mercury drops.

Uncle Kracker joins Chesney in the chorus and even sings along on some of the verses. It's a fantastic song you will want to sing along with.

“Catch a Wave” by The Beach Boys

Song Year: 1990

As you might gather from the title, “Catch a Wave” by The Beach Boys is all about the joys of surfing. But, if you listen to the lyrics, you'll learn that there's no finer feeling than sitting atop a giant towering wave crashing into the shore.

This song stands out because although there's plenty of music about frolicking in the waves, there are very few songs about the pure joy of surfing itself.

“Escape” by Rupert Holmes

Song Year: 1979

You might know this song as the “pina colada song” instead of its proper name, but there's a good chance that you've jammed out to it once or twice. Although “Escape” isn't as much of an ode to the beach as some others on our list, it still references strolling by the ocean with your sweetheart.

At its heart, “Escape” is a song about cheating on your partner, but it's written in such a fun way that it's hard to criticize.

“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie” by Brian Hyland

Song Year: 1960

This cheeky ode to the skimpy bikini is a one-hit-wonder for Brian Hyland. Even if you've never heard of him, you've probably hummed along to this song at least once or twice in your life. The lyrics are simple, catchy, and pay perfect homage to everyone's favorite bit of swimwear.

“Only the Ocean” by Jack Johnson

Song Year: 2010

“Only the Ocean” is a lovely ode to how we have to protect our natural resources lest we lose them. Jack Johnson does a tremendous job talking about the wonders of the sea and why it's one of the most valuable things on the planet.

Many songs on our list are bonafide love songs, but this one is one of the only love songs to the ocean that we know of.

“California Girls” by The Beach Boys

Song Year: 1965

The Beach Boys' mega-hit, “California Girls,” is a sweet and sassy tribute to all the gorgeous American women out there, with a special nod to those from California. In the lyrics, The Beach Boys highlight what they like about women from across the country, then explain why California girls are in a league of their own.

“Soak Up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow

Song Year: 2002

Although “Soak Up the Sun” isn't specifically about a particular beach, it does have that fantastic beachy vibe to it, celebrating soaking in the sunshine on a great summer's day. Sheryl Crow's jam is the perfect beach song, designed to be cranked up loud and enjoyed under a nice beach umbrella on an August day.

“The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding

Song Year: 1967

Otis Redding's “The Dock of the Bay” takes a different approach than many other songs on our list, getting deep and reflective in its lyrics. It's one of the most iconic songs out there, covered endlessly at karaoke and by famous artists, and it's also a lovely ode to a calm bay where you can wait for your loved one to return to you.

“Knee Deep” by The Zac Brown Band

Song Year: 2010

Knee Deep is a Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffet collaboration, highlighting the joys of sitting in shallow water and enjoying summertime to the max. The song talks about a cool breeze blowing by, a warm tide coming in, and absolutely no cares in the world.

The Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett are a match made in summertime heaven, and you should get this one on your beach playlist.

“I Want To Go to the Beach” by Iggy Pop

Song Year: 2009

The name says it all. Iggy Pop's “I Want To Go to the Beach” highlights precisely what we all want to do once the mercury starts climbing. It's a cute, unapologetic song about taking the day off to have some fun. Since that's what summer's all about, it's one of the beachy best.

“Wipe Out” by Surfaris

Song Year: 1963

Surfaris, an iconic 1960s surf-rock band, rolled out Wipe Out as an ode to surfers and their woes. It's also an excellent anthem for the beach, with a toe-tapping rhythm and lyrics that talk about the joys of catching a wave and then losing it.

This catchy song is one-of-a-kind, perfect for any weekend trip to the beach.

“Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin

Song Year: 1959

Is there anything that screams “summer” more than songs about love and loss by the shore? This classic Bobby Darin tune talks about searching for your love “beyond the sea” and knowing that she's out there somewhere.

It's part hopeful but mostly nostalgic, making it all the more romantic and catchy. You might find yourself singing along, lounge style, while you're relaxing on the shore.

“All Summer Long” by Kid Rock

Song Year: 2007

Kid Rock's ultimate summer anthem is a fun mix of rock and country that talks about childhood love and the beauty of summer romances against the backdrop of a fantastic beach. The lyrics are simple and totally relatable, and you might even feel inclined to sing along as Kid Rock takes you on a trip down memory lane.

“New Light” by John Mayer

Song Year: 2021

John Mayer is famous for his excellent ballads, and “New Light” is yet another example of his staggering talent. This song is a story in several parts, detailing the journey of a person who goes to Malibu to see beaches and the city. It's a lovely ode to Malibu and a beautiful story of self-discovery to boot.

“Surfin' USA” by The Beach Boys

Song Year: 1963

The Beach Boys do not mince words when it comes to their love of surfing or the beach, and “Surfin' USA” is an excellent example of their style. This song is simple, catchy, and has one singular point; to wax poetic about how amazing it is to catch those monster waves.

The Beach Boys speculate what it would be like to surf all over the United States, leading to some interesting lyrics and an endlessly catchy tune.

“Surf Wax America” by Weezer

Song Year: 1994

Weezer pokes fun at corporate America in “Surf Wax,” a song that mocks the nine to five by telling listeners that they will be out surfing while others are toiling away at boring office jobs.

It's a great song to listen to if you're playing hooky from work or if you're enjoying a long weekend with friends. Like most Weezer songs, it's short and catchy, and the lyrics are easy to understand and sing along to.

“Somewhere on a Beach” by Dierks Bentley

Song Year: 2016

Another legend of beach music and country, Dierks Bentley, talks about the importance of getting out to see the water in this song that reminisces about summer, parties, and of course, lots of warm sand.

Throughout the song, we get a glimpse into Dierks Bentleys' mind as he talks about mind-blowing sunsets, how great the weather feels, and the ocean itself.

“Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE

Song Year: 2015

There's only one phrase to describe “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE: super catchy. This ultra poppy song celebrates partying and chilling out on the beach. But, it also talks about loosening up once you hit the sand, enjoying some cake, and taking in some great views.

It's a clever song. While most music on our list celebrates the beach itself, surfing, or finding love, DNCE has another focus; cake. We're here for it.

“In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry

Song Year: 1970

This classic tune celebrates summer to the fullest and speculates about the possibility of finding true love through catchy lyrics and a fun melody. But, of course, there's also plenty of love for the beach, as Mungo Jerry details swimming and diving in the warm water.

Like many of the top songs on our list, this one works simply because it is so catchy. So grab some friends, crank it up, and see how quickly everyone is having a good time and singing along. It's summertime magic.

Top Songs About The Beach, Final Thoughts

If you want to have a ball this summer, try one of these popular songs about the beach. Our top picks span decades and are the best of the best.

There's something for every taste and style in the mix. We hope you’ve found your favorite tune in this universal playlist of summertime jams!