Waves have long been a source of inspiration for musicians, with their power and beauty captured in countless songs over the years. From the Beach Boys’ classic “Catch a Wave” to Dean Lewis’ emotional ballad “Waves,” these 20 tracks showcase the diverse ways in which artists have approached the theme of waves in their music.
Contents
- 1. “Catch a Wave” by The Beach Boys
- 2. “Waves” by Dean Lewis
- 3. “The Last Wave of Summer” by Cold Chisel
- 4. “Wave” by Justin Timberlake
- 5. “Every Breaking Wave” by U2
- 6. “The Wave” by Blake Shelton
- 7. “Say Hello Wave Goodbye” by Soft Cell
- 8. “Waves” by Miguel
- 9. “Love Is the Seventh Wave” by Sting
- 10. “20 Wave Caps” by Earl Sweatshirt
- 11. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
- 12. “Wave Of You” by Surfaces
- 13. “Cherry Waves” by Deftones
- 14. “Waves” by Imagine Dragons
- 15. “In Waves” by Trivium
- 16. “Enjoy the wave” by blackwave
- 17. “No Waves” by Fidlar
- 18. “Breaking the Waves” by Marc Sway
- 19. “Black Wave” by The Shins
- 20. “Radio Waves” by Roger Waters
- Final Thoughts
1. “Catch a Wave” by The Beach Boys
“Catch a Wave” is a classic surf-rock track by The Beach Boys. This upbeat, surf-rock inspired track from The Beach Boys celebrates the joys of riding the waves on a surfboard.
2. “Waves” by Dean Lewis
This emotional ballad from Dean Lewis reflects on the ups and downs of a tumultuous relationship, comparing them to the ebb and flow of the ocean’s waves. The song’s powerful chorus and emotive vocals have helped it become a fan favorite and a staple of Lewis’ live performances.
3. “The Last Wave of Summer” by Cold Chisel
This nostalgic track from Australian rock band Cold Chisel reflects on the fleeting nature of summer and the passing of time, using the metaphor of the last wave of the season. You can listen to this track on all music platforms out there.
4. “Wave” by Justin Timberlake
“Wave” is an upbeat pop track by Justin Timberlake. In this popular song, Justin Timberlake sings about the feeling of being swept up and carried away by love, likening it to riding a wave.
5. “Every Breaking Wave” by U2
“Every Breaking Wave” by U2 is characterized by its atmospheric and emotionally charged sound, with a prominent piano melody and soaring vocals from Bono.
This emotional ballad from U2 explores the theme of love and loss, with the waves serving as a metaphor for the ups and downs of a relationship.
6. “The Wave” by Blake Shelton
“The Wave” is a song by American country music singer Blake Shelton. In this upbeat country track, Blake Shelton sings about the feeling of letting go and surrendering to the rhythm of life, likening it to riding a wave.
7. “Say Hello Wave Goodbye” by Soft Cell
This synth-pop classic from Soft Cell reflects on the end of a relationship, with the title referring to the final goodbye as one person walks away. The song was a commercial success, becoming one of Soft Cell’s most well-known and enduring hits.
8. “Waves” by Miguel
In this soulful track, Miguel sings about the feeling of being overwhelmed by emotions, likening them to waves crashing over him. It features a smooth and soulful sound, with a smooth guitar melody and falsetto vocals from Miguel.
9. “Love Is the Seventh Wave” by Sting
“Love Is the Seventh Wave” is a song by English musician Sting. This upbeat track from Sting explores the idea of love as a transformative force, likening it to the power of the ocean’s seventh wave.
10. “20 Wave Caps” by Earl Sweatshirt
“20 Wave Caps” by Earl Sweatshirt features a dark and experimental sound, with a slow and ominous beat and abrasive, unconventional production. This introspective hip hop track from Earl Sweatshirt reflects on the fleeting nature of fame and success, using the metaphor of a wave crashing to shore.
11. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
This upbeat indie pop track from Glass Animals celebrates the feeling of falling in love, using the metaphor of heat waves to represent the intensity of emotions. “Heat Waves” is a song by English indie rock band Glass Animals.
It was released in 2020 as the lead single from their third studio album, “Dreamland.”
12. “Wave Of You” by Surfaces
In this upbeat pop track, Surfaces sing about the feeling of being swept up in love, comparing the feeling to riding a wave. The song features a laid-back and upbeat sound, with a catchy guitar melody and smooth vocals from the band’s lead singers, Forrest Frank and Colin Padalecki.
13. “Cherry Waves” by Deftones
“Cherry Waves” is a song by American alternative metal band Deftones. This atmospheric rock track from Deftones uses the metaphor of cherry blossom petals floating on the surface of the water to explore themes of love and loss.
14. “Waves” by Imagine Dragons
“Waves” is a song by American rock band Imagine Dragons. This anthemic rock track from Imagine Dragons explores the theme of overcoming adversity, with the waves serving as a metaphor for the challenges that life throws our way.
15. “In Waves” by Trivium
This heavy metal track from Trivium uses the metaphor of waves crashing to shore to explore themes of strength and perseverance. The song was written and produced by the band and features a heavy and aggressive sound, with driving riffs and powerful vocals from lead singer Matt Heafy.
16. “Enjoy the wave” by blackwave
In this upbeat hip hop track, blackwave encourages listeners to embrace the ups and downs of life like surfing with the waves. The song has been praised for its uplifting message and has become a popular track on hip hop and R&B radio.
17. “No Waves” by Fidlar
This punk rock track from Fidlar reflects on the feeling of being stuck in a rut and longing for change, using the metaphor of a flat ocean with no waves to represent the monotony of daily life.
The song was written and produced by the band and features a fast-paced and energetic sound, with driving riffs and aggressive vocals from lead singer Zac Carper.
18. “Breaking the Waves” by Marc Sway
The lyrics of “Breaking the Waves” describe the feeling of falling in love and being swept up in the emotions that come with it, with Sway singing about how love can both lift us up and bring us down.
This upbeat pop track from Marc Sway celebrates the feeling of breaking free from limitations and embracing new opportunities, using the metaphor of breaking through waves to represent this idea.
19. “Black Wave” by The Shins
This indie rock track from The Shins uses the metaphor of a black wave to explore themes of loss and grief. The song has received widespread acclaim and is considered a standout track of the band.
20. “Radio Waves” by Roger Waters
This rock track from Roger Waters reflects on the power of communication and the way it can connect people, using the metaphor of radio waves to represent this idea. Musically, “Radio Waves” is an upbeat, catchy rock song with a driving beat and a catchy guitar hook.
Final Thoughts
These songs cover a wide range of themes, including the beauty and power of the ocean, the transformative nature of waves, and the way they can serve as a metaphor for life’s ups and downs.
From the joyous, sun-soaked pop tracks to the moody, introspective indie rock songs, these 20 songs about waves demonstrate the enduring appeal of this natural force and the many ways it has inspired music throughout the years.
