[2025] Ballad Songs in Western Music That Suit the Sea

Salt And The SeaThe Lumineers

The Lumineers – Salt And The Sea (Part 10 Of 10)

An affecting ballad by the Denver, Colorado–based indie-folk band The Lumineers.

The lyrics tackle heavy themes, portraying family bonds and the struggle with addiction.

Originally written for the end credits of the film “Glass,” the song was reworked as a core piece and included as the final track on their 2019 album III.

Its deeply melancholic sound, centered on piano and acoustic guitar, invites listeners to reflect on the importance of human relationships while following a melody with timeless appeal.

Behind the SeaPanic! At The Disco

Behind the Sea (Alternate Version)

Emerging during the emo boom of the 2000s and now continuing as Brendon Urie’s solo project, Panic! At The Disco released this track on their 2008 album Pretty.

Odd.

Unusually, instead of the usual vocalist, guitarist Ryan Ross takes the lead vocals on this song.

Blending a folk-pop sound with a psychedelic atmosphere, it shows strong influences from The Beatles and The Beach Boys, and features abstract, ocean-themed lyrics that leave a lasting impression.

Portraying the sea as a symbol of creativity, its poetic expression makes it a deeply resonant ballad—perfect for quietly listening by the seaside at dusk.

Walk AwayXavier Rudd

Xavier Rudd – Walk Away [Official Video]

A heartfelt ballad by Australian multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd.

Rudd is a singer-songwriter who plays a wide range of instruments, including the didgeridoo and slide guitar, and is known for infusing his music with social messages about environmental issues and Indigenous rights.

This track opens his 2018 album Storm Boy and sings of finding the courage to let go of past attachments and pain and to walk one’s own path.

Produced by UK producer Chris Bond, its polished sound beautifully blends elements of folk, reggae, and blues, making it a perfect song for relaxing by the seaside.

Slow Down SummerThomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett – Slow Down Summer (Official Music Video)

This is a moving ballad that portrays the feelings of a young couple spending their last high school summer together.

Co-written by American country singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett and his father, songwriter Rhett Akins, the song captures the bittersweet desire to cherish the moment as two lovers, headed to different colleges, sense a looming farewell with the changing seasons.

A beautiful arrangement of a 14-piece string section and piano vividly evokes a nostalgic mood.

Released in November 2021, it served as the lead single from the album “Where We Started.” It’s a masterpiece that conveys the precious passage of time—highly recommended for those facing the end of summer or a milestone in life.

Song of the SeaLisa Hannigan

Song of the Sea

A beautiful ballad by Irish singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan, known for her crystalline voice.

Written in 2014 as the theme song for the animated film “Song of the Sea,” the piece masterfully fuses the traditional sounds of Celtic music with modern arrangements—a true classic that sings of the sea’s mysteries.

Reflecting the film’s world, which is based on the Irish folktale of the Selkie legend, the lyrics convey love for family and reverence for nature, while Hannigan’s gentle, emotionally rich vocals deepen the story’s resonance.

The film received international acclaim, including a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to by the seaside at dusk, thinking of someone dear.

A Little More SummertimeJason Aldean

Jason Aldean – A Little More Summertime (Official Video)

This is a gem of a ballad by Jason Aldean, a heavyweight of the country scene from Georgia, that sings of the bittersweet end of summer.

Released in July 2016 as the second single from the album “They Don’t Know,” the song delicately portrays a love lost with the close of summer, with lyrics that resonate by overlaying the end of a romance with the changing seasons.

Marking a shift from his usual country-rock sound, the track showcases a more melodic and emotional approach that reveals a new side of Aldean, and it became a major hit, reaching No.

1 on the Billboard country chart.

It’s a perfect classic for those slow moments by the seaside at summer dusk.

A Pirate Looks at FortyJimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffett – A Pirate Looks At Forty (Audio)

This is a signature ballad by Jimmy Buffett, a pioneer of tropical rock, that intertwines the feelings of standing at a crossroads in life with seaside scenery.

Included on the 1974 album A1A, the song was inspired by the true story of a former drug smuggler Buffett met in Key West, Florida, and it’s portrayed as the tale of a man turning 40 and reflecting on his life.

Its reggae-tinged rhythm and slide guitar, infused with elements of Caribbean music, create a sound that is wistfully beautiful while vividly expressing the loneliness of being left behind by the times.

The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the film The Beach Bum, in which Buffett himself appeared, further deepening the song’s world.

It’s a classic that’s perfect for moments when you’re at a turning point in life or when you want to quietly look back on the past by the sea.