11 Summery Songs Loosely Associated with The Beach | Playlist 🎧

1. Tove Lo, “Bikini Porn”

Bikini Porn – Single • Universal Music • 2020

“Uh-uh, I’m on bikini porn / Uh-uh, layin’ out in the sun / Oh, I got those marks on my body…” Say what? Tove Lo has a knack for naughty alternative pop music – understatement. “Bikini Porn” is yet another naughty, certified bop from the Swedish standout.  What makes “Bikini Porn” pretty sweet is the fact that she serves up a balance of being carefree and in a happy place with the naughty, risqué edge we’ve become accustomed to hearing from her.

The chorus is a prime example of the jubilation she exhibits, with some sexual references thrown in, of course:

“All I do is drink champagne all day, all day, all day
And I dance around my room naked, oh yeah, naked
Skinny dippin’ in the pool with me, with me, with me
Take a day from your life all day, one day, today.”

Sure, she ‘gets down and dirty,’ but at the same time, the last line is all about enjoying life without limitations.  That’s the bigger point, as opposed to bikini porn itself, even though one has to shake their head when Tove Lo sings, “Uh-uh, I’m on bikini porn / Uh-uh, now my bikini’s gone.”  Besides the edgy lyrics, another selling point is the production (A Strut, Jack & Coke, and FINNEAS).  The record begins minimalist, but eventually evolves to include pads, synths, and some cool vocal effects. Be like Tove Lo: be happy, and enjoy life without limitations, and take the bikini off!

2. Yung Pinch, “Beach Ballin’” (Ft. blackbear)

Back 2 the Beach • TWNSHP • 2020

“But I’m ballin’, yeah / I’m beach ballin’ (yeah, yeah, yeah) / And she fallin’ for me, for me.” In 2019, melodic rapper Yung Pinch dropped the summery record, “Over It”, to warm up the dead of winter. “Over It” served as the promo single from his 2020 album, Back 2 the Beach.  Similarly, “Beach Ballin’”, the song at hand and second single, featuring blackbear, also brought summer vibes in the middle of winter.

“Beach Ballin’” features an enjoyable, respectable backdrop courtesy of Cisco Adler, Josh Abraham, Jonah Abraham, and Oligee.  The beat is idiomatic of modern hip-hop with bass-heavy kick and clapping snares.  Yung Pinch is incredibly mellow with his pop-rap style, sounding youthful, confident, and carefree:

“Somethin’ ‘bout ridin’ through the city with yo’ hand in the breeze
Somethin’ ‘bout bein’ by myself, wish everybody would leave.”

Even though he is indeed confident, Pinch asserts on the third verse, “I should be more fuckin’ cocky but that’s now how I roll.” As for blackbear, on the second verse, he is both honest and true to self, referencing his come-up, drip, adversities with drugs and life in general.  The line that stands out the most:

“I should be dead, thank God for rehab, I don’t wanna OD
I died at 27 years, came back to life, OMG.”

3. Lykke Li, “Deep End”

So sad so sexy • RCA • 2018

Following a four-year hiatus, alternative singer/songwriter Lykke Li returned in 2018 with her fourth studio album, so sad so sexy. The crème de la crème comes by way of “deep end.” Produced by T-Minus, Malay, and Jeff Bhasker, it’s not surprising how hip, slick, and thoroughly modern the record sounds.

Beyond the killer, minor-key, the Swedish singer successfully performs this well-written number. The best moment comes by way of a feisty, infectious, ‘swim-referencing’ chorus.

“Swimming pool, swimming pool
Swimming pool, swimming pool
Indigo, deep blue, deep blue
Oh, baby I know where you’ve been
I know where you been, in the deep end.”

This isn’t really about the pool but rather, L-O-V-E. “Deep end” previously appeared on 11 Songs That Key in on the End, 13 Songs That Reference Water, Vol. 1, and Swimming…5ive Songs No. 22.

4. Max Frost, “Back in the Summer”

“Back in the Summer” • Atlantic • 2020

“You know that I got regrets / But I burn those shits like cigarettes / Because something’s out of place /… I wish we could just reset…” Hmm, “Burn those shits like cigarettes” – what a lyric. Max Frost is an ‘alternative’ musician from Austin, Texas. Musically, the incredibly talented artist incorporates numerous styles, carving out his own fresh, unique sound. Just like Yung Pinch did earlier (“Beach Ballin’”) “Back in the Summer” definitely ‘warmed up’ January 2020 with its reminiscent, summery vibes.

What’s better and more effective than a reminiscent single about summer and love? On the chorus, Frost recollects:

“Back in the summer
When we were lovers
And we had real big dreams in our heads
We were together
Called it forever
Even though all good times have an end
Wish that I could go back again.”

Beyond the reminiscent lyrics, the music is pretty sweet. Best characterized as a ‘pop’ record, it features sleek electronic production work. The synths are striking, while the groove is hip; there’s an abundance of ear candy.  Adding to that ear candy is the performance by Frost himself, who delivers agile, rhythmic melodic lines with an awesome, lighthearted approach. Even with so many fast-paced, rhythmic melodic lines, there are some more legato, melodic lines that show off the colorful nature of his voice.  Listeners get the full complement. Yeah, Max ‘puts in work’ on this enjoyable, summery gem. “Back in the Summer” appeared as Day 3 in the 30-Day Challenge Playlist.

5. Davis Mallory, “Shirtless”

“Shirtless” • Lionboy • 2019

“So, like a tall glass of water / Got me thirsty / Can’t take my eyes off of ya / when you’re shirtless, when you’re shirtless…” As the saying goes, “If you got it, flaunt it.” No, I’m not a fan of cocky guys, let alone those godawful, hedonistic, fuckboys. That said, like Davis Mallory on “Shirtless,” I can appreciate legitimate eye candy that’s being served up.  In this case, that eye candy is quite decadent from Mallory’s perspective.  He appreciates the confidence of the hotties, definitely the view, and how that view makes him feel, if you catch my drift.  A proud member of the LGBTQ+, let me remind you that the singer, songwriter, and DJ previously appeared on The Real World: Denver and The Challenge.

As expected, “Shirtless” features slick production work, courtesy of Joakim Buddee, who writes alongside Mallory.  The sound of the record is fittingly bright, energetic, and enthusiastic. Regardless of sexual preference, think about how you feel when you see someone who’s fine as hell… That’s what “Shirtless” encapsulates.  The lyrics are ‘over the top’ and dramatic, yet, when you think about it, we’re all ‘over the top,’ dramatic, and extra when it comes to crushes, fantasies, and such.  Sure, it’s not the most poetic record, but there are some memorable moments lyrically including “All of your muscles and your veins / Oh, they’re driving me insane / Raise my hands and singing praise / Thanking God for what he made / And the sun’s out / And your guns out.” Jesus! “Shirtless” previously appeared on 20 Songs about Apparel: Clothes & Shoes Reloaded as well as Naked… 5ive Songs No. 1.

6. Lana Del Rey, “High by the Beach”

Honeymoon • Interscope • 2015

“All I wanna do is get high by the beach / Get high by the beach, get high…” Well, that seems pretty self-explanatory from the one-and-only, Grammy-nominated alt-pop artist Lana Del Rey. Those excerpted lyrics hail from the chorus of “High By the Beach,” among the singles and highlights from Del Rey’s 2015 LP, Honeymoon.

Clearly, “High By The Beach” is characteristic Lana Del Rey, though compared to the songs that precede it on Honeymoon, it does provide contrast.  Part of that contrast at the time of release was that the record was more commercial.  Del Rey still has some bite, evidenced by the remaining lyrics that appear on the centerpiece, the chorus:

“The truth is I never bought into your bullshit
When you would pay tribute to me ‘cause I know
“All I wanted to do was get high by the beach
Get high, baby, baby, bye bye.”

Of course, the verses, as well as the bridge, craft the narrative.  Lana Del Rey has no use for him, evidenced bluntly on the second verse:

“You could be a bad motherfucker
But that don’t make you a man
Now you’re just another one of my problems.”

Hmm, no wonder Del Rey only wants to get “high by the beach.” As usual, this is quite the miserable record. “High by the Beach” previously appeared on the playlist, 14 Songs Sure to Lift You Higher.

7. Death from Above, “Never Swim Alone”

Outrage! Is Now • Warner • 2017

Canadian punk-rock duo Death from Above – Jesse F. Keeler and Sebastien Grainger – returned in 2017 with its third studio album, Outrage! Is Now. The duo keeps things short and sweet on standout, “Never Swim Alone”. The title alone is intriguing, wouldn’t you say?  Furthermore, an aggressive, energetic sound is a major selling point.

Chocked-full of energy, there are gritty, distorted, whiny vocals.  Fittingly, we get a characteristic f-bomb:

“Backseat conceive, so unclean
Plug it in like USB
18 years, fuck being free…”

Yeah – “Fuck being free” indeed Sebastien! Also, worth mentioning, is sick guitar work. Ultimately, “Never Swim Alone” is simply delicious, especially the catchy, ‘discouraging’ chorus that tell us to, “NEVER. SWIM. ALONE!” “Never Swim Alone” previously appeared on Swimming…5ive Songs No. 22.

8. Alt-J, “In Cold Blood”

Relaxer • Atlantic • 2017

Alt-J outdo themselves on “In Cold Blood,” a standout from their 2017 album, Relaxer. “In Cold Blood” features a sharp, gritty sound palette. Furthermore, the record features the use of binary code, and more notably, clever word play.  An incredibly fun record, it’s also a deadly, murderous one. Essentially, a fun, summer pool party turns into a killer one.

“Lifeless back slaps the surface of the pool
Pool killer, killer pool, pool killer…
Pool, summer, summer, pool, pool, summer vibes killed
In cold blood.”

The identity of the murderer is never revealed, but the quirky, sometimes ridiculous lyrics do suggest there’s a pool killer. Alt-J themselves admit the lyrics aren’t “massively deep”. “In Cold Blood” has appeared on multiple lists including 10 MORE Songs Where the Ten Commandments Were Broken, 11 Songs by Male Artists Centered on Blood, 12 Songs That Are Truly COLD, and Swimming…5ive Songs No. 22.

9. The Chainsmokers, “Beach House”

Sick Boy • Disruptor / Columbia • 2018

“Beach House”, the second track from The Chainsmokers’ 2018 album, Sick Boy, is literally named after the indie-pop duo Beach House.  There’s even a shout out on the first verse: “Woke up on the west side / Listening to Beach House, taking my time.” So, this song mostly makes this list by title alone then… whatever! Drew Taggart handles vocal duties all by himself (folks are mixed on the sound of his voice, of course).

Lyrically and thematically, the record finds The Chainsmokers exploring familiar territory: relationships, sex, etc. Despite the predictability, “Beach House” has some notable moments, including the use of acoustic guitar on the pre-chorus section. The following chorus serves up a timbral contrast, incorporating electronic instruments – a more dance-oriented palette. Eliminating some predictability is the harmonic contrast during the bridge (or third verse). The melodic line is much more rhythmic, though not quite as smooth flowing as the preceding verses. Also, worth noting is an ambitious sustained note by Taggart towards the end of “Beach House” – we definitely haven’t heard that from him previously. 

10. Dierks Bentley, “Somewhere on a Beach”

Black • Capitol Nashville • 2016

“Bet you think I’m sitting at home, naw / Bet you think that I’m all alone, naw / I bet you think I’m missing you and wishing you would call my phone / HELL NAW…” One doesn’t typically associate a country artist with swagger but sometimes, well, a country artist exhibits some swagger. Arizona’s own Dierks Bentley has that moment on “Somewhere on a Beach,” which appears on his 2016 album, Black. When reviewing Black when it arrived, I wrote, “Has Dierks Bentley ever show as much swag as he does here? To quote Bentley, ‘Hell naw.’” I still agree to this day!

Obviously, there’s a love element in play here, which always ‘ups the ante.’ Bentley is definitely ‘cool’ (and clearly unbothered by her BS) on “Somewhere on a Beach.” He sings:

“Somewhere on a beach
Sipping something strong
Got a new girl, she got it going on
We drink all day, and party all night
I’m way too gone to have you on my mind.”

Besides the love angle, “Somewhere on a Beach” ticks off every country music box, right? That main box is getting drunk, of course – just saying!

11. Kendrick Lamar, “Swimming Pools (Drank)”

Good Kid M.A.A.D. City • Aftermath / Interscope • 2012

“Pour up (Drank), head shoot (Drank) / Sit down (Drank), stand up (Drank) / Pass out (Drank), wake up (Drank) / Faded (Drank), faded (Drank).” Man, I’m drunk just listening and reading those lyrics on the intro! “Swimming Pools (Drank)” is among the many attractions from Good Kid M.A.A.D. City, the massively successful, Grammy-nominated 2012 album by Kendrick Lamar. Here, T-Minus delivers exceptional production work. As for K-Dot, well, he manages to tie swimming pools and alcohol together in an incredible and cohesive manner.

The best moment of “Swimming Pools (Drank)” is undoubtedly the chorus, which goes a little something like this:

“Nigga why you babysittin’ only two or three shots?
I’mma show you how to turn it up a notch
First you get a swimming pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
Pool full of liquor, then you dive in it…”

One of rap’s best singles of 2012 remains a gem in 2020. Call it what it is, a certified classic.  “Swimming Pools (Drank)” previously appeared on Swimming…5ive Songs No. 22.