Yesterday morning I listened to Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding. It got me thinking about why so many songs are about water or sitting near the water, surfing on water, or floating out to sea. It got me thinking about a top 10 list.
This led me to think about the greatest songs ever about water. I often think about Sloop John B. by the Beach Boys because it’s a simple story: A bunch of guys go out on a boat, drink too much, and feeling awful, want to go home. The song’s killer lyric: “This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on.”
Water and music go together like peanut butter and jelly. Music is calming as is water. Music makes us contemplative and so does water. Music makes us think. Water does too.
And so I thought it would be worth the time to research and compile the definitive list of the greatest songs ever about water. You can read them here. And note, the number one song deserves to be on this top 10 list, but maybe not the best of all these. But when you watch the video, you’ll see why it has to be Number One.
Ten: Surf City, Jan, and Dean
This barely made the top 10 because it’s kind of Beach Boysie but not as spot-on. But it’s catchy and I wanted to show I know who Jan and Dean were to all you musical elitists out there who think I don’t know nearly as much about music as you do.
Nine: Splish Splash, Bobby Darin
This one makes the cut because it has that feel of taking that shower before you pick up your date for the senior prom. You want to get all clean but at the same time you’re eager to get going, so you splish splash while you’re takin’ a bath. You’re frenetic. You’re excited. And you love the date you’re chosen to take. She’s a babe.
Eight: Smoke on the Water, Deep Purple
When I was in fourth grade I went to my friend’s house who had been learning to play the guitar. He cranked out the opening riff to Smoke on the Water. To this day there are few songs with a more memorable opening riff. This is remarkable and this song came out 100 years ago. The rest of the song, especially the singer’s voice, is pedestrian. But the killer riff gets this one a slot on our all-time ranking.
Seven: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding
On this top 10 list, there’s not a simple song with a more easy-to-digest message than this one. Sometimes simple art is the best art. This song proves that. The guy leaves Georgia for some reason (probably a failed relationship) and skips town for the Frisco Bay in San Fran. He then sits on the dock and wastes time. Any song that celebrates wasting time on a San Fran Bay dock automatically soars to the top of the storyline category. Then the song itself soothes our souls, making us realize it’s OK to waste time sometime sitting doing nothing but staring at the water.
Six: Sloop John B, Beach Boys
For decades I had heard plenty of Beach Boys songs but for some reason, this one slipped through the cracks. It wasn’t until a few years ago I heard this one and fell in love with it. We can all relate to going out on a boat with friends, drinking too much, feeling sick, and wanting to go home. Great storytelling, and moody music.
Five: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel
I put this one on here in part to prove to the musical elitists I know who Simon & Garfunkel are. Also to show I do my research before compiling these lists. But this is also a touching tune with emotional lyrics and a sound like no other on this list. Almost spiritual, it’s about human beings helping each other and preventing the disaster of falling into troubled waters.
Four: Sailing, Christopher Cross
This may be the most controversial pick on the list. Macho guys will tell you they hate this song because it’s too sappy and sentimental. But deep down, behind closed doors, they’d admit to themselves this is, indeed, one of the top 10 songs about water ever made. A masterpiece in terms of emotionally connecting with the listener about the importance of sailing and water and this being the greatest joy in life.
Three: The River, Bruce Springsteen
Another strong with a powerful and sad story, The River tears at your heart. Two high school sweethearts drive to a river, the girl gets pregnant, and the lives of both of them are never the same. They get married and live tough lives finding it hard to get a job. What a disastrous trip to the river. The song’s beauty is in telling this sad story in a straightforward way that rips your guts out.
Two: Shannon, Henry Gross
None of us who know about this song can erase the image in our minds of a poor helpless dog trying to stay afloat in the rough and merciless ocean waters. The dog, Shannon, is alone. People can’t get to her. A horrible story made in a first-rate song.
One: Catch a Wave, Beach Boys
Sure this is one of the greatest songs about water of all time. But the video attached will show you exactly why it’s the undisputed number one on the list. Check it out.
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Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
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