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 (71–80)
Oceans AwayElton John
Oceans Away by Elton John, a legendary British singer-songwriter, is a song about a man reflecting on the soldiers he once fought alongside who now sleep across the sea.
It appears on the 2013 album The Diving Board and was produced by Grammy-winning T Bone Burnett.
The song’s lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s longtime lyricist since his debut, inspired by thoughts of his own father’s past.
Bernie’s father fought as a soldier in World War II.
The lyrics portray a man remembering his former comrades who fought far from home, lost their lives, and now rest in the lands where they fell.
It is a requiem that honors dear friends who found eternal rest beyond the ocean.
Lost SailorGrateful Dead
The Grateful Dead are known for a style that blends rock with country music.
When it comes to their songs about the sea, “Lost Sailor” comes to mind.
It’s a track from their 1980 album Go to Heaven, depicting a sailor who becomes adrift after being caught in a storm.
The lyrics are a bit frightening, but if you replace the storm or the sea with something else, you can enjoy the song from various perspectives.
I also hope you’ll pay attention to the gap between the terrifying imagery and the sailor’s state of mind.
Beach SideKings Of Leon
A gentle California-pop song featuring a 70s-style drum tone by Nathan Followill.
It’s included on Kings of Leon’s fifth album, Come Around Sundown, released in 2010.
The album reached No.
1 on the charts in countries such as Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
On The BeachChris Rea
The song received heavy rotation on VH1 in 1986 and became Chris Rea’s biggest hit in the United States.
It reached No.
57 on the UK chart in 1986, but was re-released two years later under the title “On the Beach (Summer ’88)” and peaked at No.
12.
The SeaHAEVN
Haevn is a Dutch ambient band.
Their song “The Sea” is included on their 2018 album Eyes Closed.
In the first half of the track, life is likened to a raging sea and the sea at night.
Hearing only that part, you might think it depicts the hardships of life.
However, in the latter half, life is compared to a calm sea and the sea at dawn.
This suggests that life also has its good moments.
It’s also recommended as a track where you can enjoy the mystical atmosphere of ambient music.
CalypsoJohn Denver
A song written as a tribute to Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his research vessel, the Calypso.
He was the first person to conduct studies on pollution and its effects on the ocean.
It was produced over the course of several months by John Denver.
The SeaMorcheeba
The British singer Morcheeba.
Since her debut in 1995, she has been a legendary presence leading the soul music scene.
Her song “The Sea” is, as the title suggests, themed around the ocean.
It meticulously depicts coastal scenes—flocks of seagulls, a cold wind—and shapes them into a piece that evokes a sense of emptiness in the heart.
Close your eyes and listen carefully, and let your imagination wander over the landscapes Morcheeba is singing about.