About the song
The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” – a song that has become synonymous with the carefree spirit of summer and the allure of a tropical paradise. Released in 1988, this catchy tune was a departure from the Beach Boys’ earlier surf rock sound, but it’s a testament to their ability to evolve and adapt to changing musical trends.
Written by Mike Love, Terry Melcher, and John Phillips, “Kokomo” is a song that captures the essence of a tropical getaway, with its lush harmonies, laid-back rhythms, and lyrics that evoke the sense of a sun-kissed beach. The song’s opening lines, “Lost that loving feeling, and it’s gone, gone, gone,” set the tone for a song that is both nostalgic and escapist.
The Beach Boys’ signature harmonies are, of course, a highlight of the song, with Mike Love’s distinctive vocals taking center stage. The song’s chorus, “Kokomo, Kokomo, Kokomo, Kokomo, Kokomo,” is an infectious earworm that has become one of the most recognizable in pop music.
But “Kokomo” is more than just a catchy tune – it’s a song that captures the Beach Boys’ unique ability to evoke a sense of place and mood. The song’s lyrics, which explore the theme of escaping the stresses of everyday life and finding solace in a tropical paradise, are a perfect reflection of the Beach Boys’ fascination with the California coast and the laid-back lifestyle that came with it.
The song’s production is also noteworthy, with a lush arrangement that features a range of instruments, from guitars and keyboards to horns and percussion. The song’s use of synthesizers and drum machines gives it a distinctly 80s feel, but it’s a testament to the Beach Boys’ ability to adapt to changing musical trends and still produce music that is both timeless and timely.
So, as you listen to “Kokomo”, take a moment to appreciate the Beach Boys’ ability to create music that is both nostalgic and escapist. Let the song’s catchy rhythms and harmonies transport you to a tropical paradise, and remember the power of music to take us on a journey of self-discovery and escape. And who knows – you might just find yourself feeling like you’re Kokomo-bound, too.
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Lyrics
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego
Baby, why don’t we go?
Jamaica
Off the Florida Keys
There’s a place called Kokomo
That’s where you wanna go
To get away from it all
Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
We’ll be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you to
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego
Baby, why don’t we go? (Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo)
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
Martinique, that Montserrat mystique
We’ll put out to sea
And we’ll perfect our chemistry
By and by we’ll defy
A little bit of gravity
Afternoon delight
Cocktails and moonlit nights
That dreamy look in your eye
Give me a tropical contact high
Way down in Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you to
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego
Baby, why don’t we go? (Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo)
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
Port au Prince, I wanna catch a glimpse
Everybody knows a little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go to get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you to
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego
Baby, why don’t we go? (Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo)
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you to
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego
Baby, why don’t we go? (Ooh, I wanna take you down to)