Reflection 05: Tunes of the Tide—Ocean Songs

What is it about the ocean that singers and songwriters have found so inspiring?  Why is water a theme that songs return to again and again. Choose 2-3 songs from the list below (links are provided for some), then examine the ways in which the sea is represented. In your analysis, consider the ways in which the water is portrayed (e.g. romantically, tragically, otherworldly) via music and lyrics. What emotions, if any, does the song evoke? Does the song make you feel like you're at the sea? Why or why not?

• "Surfin' USA" by The Beach Boys
• "Let It Be Sung" by Jack Johnson
• "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin 
• "The Ocean" by The Velvet Underground
• "This is the Sea" by The Waterboys
• "Arctic Circle" by Royksopp
• "Ocean Breathes Softly" by Modest Mouse
• "Bali High" from South Pacific
• "Octopus's Garden" by The Beatles 
• "Atlantis" by Les Baxter
• "Under the Boardwalk" by the Drifters
• "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna
• "The Sea and the Rhythm" by Iron & Wine
• "Rosie's Lullaby" by Norah Jones
• "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid
• "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
• "Oceans" by Pearl Jam 
• "At the Beach" by The Avet Brothers
• "Petroc, Yelyena, and Me" by Flight of the Conchords
• "Blue Hawaii" by Elvis Presley
• "Sweet Leilani" by Chris Isaak
• "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
• "Summer Nights" from Grease
• "Island in the Sun" by Weezer
• "From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea)" by The Decemberists

To listen to songs, try Last.fm, SoundCloud, Pandora, Rhapsody, and Grooveshark. Lyrics can be found at Lyrics.com, A-Z Lyrics Universe, and LyricsFreak.

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length

Due: Th 10.27 (Sec. 6) / Fr 10.28 (Sec. 43)