Did you know that several different genres of music have talked about islands and the beauty found within these sought-after destinations? If you’ve been trying to find some songs that make you feel like you’re there, read on to find our list of 25 best songs about islands.
1. Kokomo – The Beach Boys
The first song on our list is the iconic song by the Beach Boys, released in 1988, called Kokomo. This is the best song for relaxing and wishing you were on the island because you can just hear and feel every thought and emotion people have about living on an island in the song. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained one of the most popular Beach Boys songs of all time.
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2. Islands – John Denver
Islands by John Denver is a very peaceful, gentle, and soothing song about living on an island. It’s full of joy and talks about how tranquil life is on the island, and it’s the perfect song to relax to. This song can help you calm down after a hard day; his smooth voice only helps convey that peaceful feeling.
3. Islands In The Stream – Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Country superstars Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers were an iconic duo, and they released Islands In The Stream, one of the most romantic songs ever. The song was about how two people in love would rely on one another while on an island where it’s lonely and no one else is around. Interestingly, this song got its name from a novel written by Ernest Hemingway. The song reached number one on many Billboard charts, including the Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts.
4. Rock Island – Jethro Tull
Next up is Jethro Tull, who released Rock Island in 1989, which is all about using the island as a metaphor for being lonely. There is a lot more heavy rock in this song than in previous Jethro Tull songs, and the flute adds a relaxing and upbeat element to this rock tune.
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5. All We Need Is An Island – Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar released All We Need Is An Island in 2013, and this is all about giving up the hardworking life to go live on a beach. It’s the perfect anthem if you’re sitting there daydreaming about relaxing on a tropical island instead of going to work every day and being exhausted.
6. La Isla Bonita – Madonna
Next is Madonna with her hit song La Isla Bonita from her 1986 album True Blue. This is a wonderful song about living on an island, and it’s very upbeat, catchy, and fun. In Spanish, the song’s name means “beautiful island,” so you can imagine how relaxing and reflective the song is about living the tropical life.
7. San Tropez – Pink Floyd
Next is Pink Floyd with San Tropez, released in 1971, and it’s one of those peaceful and relaxing songs that envisions what a day visiting San Tropez will feel like. It was written after the band had visited the island with their families as a vacation getaway.
8. Coney Island – Taylor Swift Feat. The National
Attention all pop and Taylor Swift fans, the next song on our list is Coney Island, which was released in 2021 from the album Evermore by Taylor Swift. The National is also featured in the song, which is a great band. In the song, Taylor talks about Coney Island in New York and how wonderful it is to be there, but Coney Island is a metaphor for her past relationships she regrets. The song reached 12 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart and 18 on the Adult Alternative Songs chart, but it only reached 63 on the Hot 100.
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9. Island In The Sun – Harry Belafonte
In 1957 Harry Belafonte released the song Island In The Sun, a song about feeling pride for his hometown island, and talks about how he never wants to give up island life. This song has folk and indie elements, and it’s simply a fun and upbeat song about how you hope you can live on that island you love so much until the end of time. The song reached number 30 on the Billboard Best Sellers In Stores list and 32 on the Cash Box Top 100 list.
10. Christmas Island – Train
Next is Train with their 2015 song Christmas Island, which comes from their Christmas In Tahoe album. This rock group knows how to make you feel the Christmas spirit with this song, and it’s all about leaving the snow and sleigh bells behind for a tropical island full of coconut trees and sunshine. We all dream about warmer weather when it’s cold and snowing outside, so this is the perfect song to convey what we’re all thinking about around Christmas.
11. Island Of Love – Elvis Presley
In 1961 Elvis Presley released Island Of Love, one of his romantic songs about falling in love with someone in Hawaii on the Kauai islands. Just like many other Elvis songs, this song has a melody that is both soothing and soft, and of course, we get the crooning we’ve come to know from Elvis. It’s the best song to convey the romantic and emotional aspects of being on an island and falling in love.
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12. Island – The Starting Line
Next up is The Starting Line with their song Island from the 2007 album Direction, and this is all about trying to get your lover to travel with you to the islands, the one romantic getaway we all have had dreams about. The lyrics explain why moving to the island is better since it allows you to focus on your love instead of being distracted by the hustle and bustle of regular life.
13. Island Song – Zac Brown Band
Calling all country fans, the next song on our list is Island Song by Zac Brown Band which was released in 2012 off of the album Uncaged. This song talks about Bob Marley, and you can hear the influences of Jamaican music within the song. It’s the perfect island song because it talks about how you can drink and relax while on the island and how it’s so much better than traditional life in the city or elsewhere.
14. Island Song – Adventure Time
Adventure Time is a series on Cartoon Network, and Island Song is part of the show’s theme that’ll have you wishing you were on an island too. It goes into the island’s beauty, including seeing butterflies and other animals all over the island. It’s merry and very upbeat and a song that will make you feel good and put a smile on your face when you listen to it.
15. Island Lover – Shaggy
Next is Shaggy with his song Island Lover from his 1995 album Boombastic and it’s typically Shaggy with a lot of reggae and energetic beats. The woman in the song is going to an island for love after being heartbroken and searching for another lover. It’s playful and fun with catchy beats and lyrics, so you’ll find yourself singing this song to yourself more than once. If you’ve ever wanted to escape to an island to find that special someone, you’ll relate to this song.
16. Message In A Bottle – The Police
In 1979 The Police released Message In A Bottle which reached 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and it’s one of those rock songs that you’ll keep playing repeatedly. The story is about a person who is lonely on the island, so they try to send a message in a bottle in hopes of connecting with someone. Feeling isolated and alone is a big part of the lyrics, but it provides comfort since the song mentions that everyone feels that way sometimes.
17. Cracker Island – Gorillaz
If you’re a fan of weird, then you may like The Gorillaz because they are a little out there, and the song Cracker Island from 2022 is no different. In the song, a cult has lured people to an island that isn’t what was claimed, and it’s definitely weird and spooky. The upbeat nature of the song and the quick nature of it will hook you in right away. The song reached number two on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, five on the Rock Airplay chart, and 20 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
18. Island In The Sun – Weezer
Calling all fans of rock next on our list is Weezer with their 2001 hit song Island In The Sun, a cover of the Harry Belafonte song. While Harry released the song first, many people were more familiar with the Weezer version. It didn’t gain much traction when it was released, but people have been flocking to this Weezer song over the years. In fact, it’s the most licensed song from Weezer, and the entertaining lyrics and melody probably helped it become successful.
19. Thunder Island – Jay Ferguson
The song Thunder Island by Jay Ferguson was released in 1978 on the album of the same name. It ended up becoming his biggest hit. Jay Ferguson was the frontman for Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne, and this album was the second solo album that he had released.
The song reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured in movies and television shows, including Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Miracle, Breaking Bad, and Good Girls.
20. Island Of Lost Souls – Blondie
Next is Blondie with her song Island of Lost Souls, which was released in 1982 off the album The Hunter. The song is based on the movie called Island Of Lost Souls and follows a similar story as the movie. The woman’s husband is stranded on an island, and the woman is waiting for him and decides to try to find him, but the guy ends up meeting another woman while on the island.
21. On An Island – David Gilmour
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd released several solo albums, and a song on his third one was On An Island, also the name of the album. This very tranquil and peaceful song talks about the beauty and calmness of living on an island. One of the themes in the song is about how you may want to get away with your special someone on the island. The album reached number six in the United States, his first solo album to reach the charts in America.
22. I Wanna Take A Trip To The Islands – The Surfaris
Up next is the Surfaris with their 1964 hit I Wanna Take A Trip To The Islands, one of their popular songs about wanting to get away to the islands to go surfing. This is one of those songs that’ll make you want to book your vacation right now, even if you don’t know how to surf.
23. Tobacco Island – Flogging Molly
In 2004 Flogging Molly released Tobacco Island as part of the album Within A Mile Of Home. This song is all about events that happened during the mid-17th century. There were over 100,000 Irish Catholics that were kicked out of England by Parliament and moved to Barbados. When you listen to this song, you’ll hear multiple Irish instruments, which is part of Flogging Molly’s style, and a lot of punk is mixed into it.
24. Find An Island – Benee
Next on our list is Benee who is a New Zealand musician with the song Find an Island from the 2019 album Stella & Steve. The island in this song is being used as a metaphor to describe a couple that is going to split up and it’s inspired by a real story between BENEE and the guitar player. This song made it to number five on the New Zealand Artist Singles chart and number four on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.
25. Island Girl – Elton John
On his 1975 album Rock of The Westies, Elton John recorded Island girl. This song is great because it’s catchy and fun and talks about how alluring a woman from Jamaica is and how he wants to be with her. We all know how stunning island women are, and this song celebrates that in the most pop way possible.
From the time she was little, Florence loved listening to music and quickly learned how music can make you happy and feel fulfilled. One of her favorite memories is being in the garage with her dad working on classic cars with the local rock station blaring in the background. Ever since Florence was 3, she loved grunge music and spent hours listening to bands such as Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Soul Asylum, and Soundgarden.
She also enjoys classic rock, modern rock, nu metal, alternative rock, and old 90’s R&B. Her love of music grew as she got older, and used music to help her get through tough times in her life. More often than not, you’ll see Florence with earbuds in while she’s writing, cooking, cleaning, and doing other tasks. She also loves to debate music with her friends such as which lead singer is the best vocalist, the most iconic guitar solos in music, and what songs are really the best of the decade.
