The Beach Boys – “Kokomo”: A Tropical Resurgence
“Kokomo” is a song by the American rock band The Beach Boys, released in July 1988 by Elektra Records. It was issued as a single with Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” on the B-side and prominently featured on the soundtrack of the film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise. The track was later included on the band’s twenty-sixth studio album, Still Cruisin’ (1989), marking a notable late-career success.
Written by John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, Mike Love, and Terry Melcher, the song was produced by Melcher and recorded in spring 1988. It was the first Beach Boys single in over two decades to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and their final Top 40 hit to date.
Sound and Style
“Kokomo” is a tropical-themed pop song, characterized by its laid-back rhythm, smooth vocal harmonies, and Caribbean-inspired instrumentation. Steel drums, gentle percussion, and breezy guitar lines evoke the atmosphere of an island paradise, blending the band’s signature harmonies with a mellow, easy-listening aesthetic.
The lyrics describe a fictional island called Kokomo, imagined as a romantic escape “off the Florida Keys.” The narrator dreams of traveling there with a loved one, listing idyllic destinations such as Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. The refrain—“We’ll get there fast, and then we’ll take it slow”—captures the essence of carefree, sun-soaked relaxation.
Music Video and Visuals
The official music video was filmed at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World in Florida, shortly before the resort opened to the public. The band performs on a beach set, joined by actor John Stamos on steel drums. Footage from Cocktail is interspersed throughout, reinforcing the song’s cinematic connection.
Chart Performance
Kokomo” proved to be a major commercial triumph for The Beach Boys. In November 1988, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, marking their first chart-topper since “Good Vibrations” in 1966 and their final Top 40 hit to date. Internationally, it also soared to No. 1 in Australia and Iceland, while charting within the top 10 in Canada, France, New Zealand, Germany, and other countries. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 25 on the singles chart. The song achieved Platinum certification in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Despite mixed critical reception, “Kokomo” remains one of The Beach Boys’ most recognizable hits of the 1980s. It reintroduced the band to a younger audience and helped re-establish their presence in mainstream pop culture. The song’s tropical imagery and feel-good vibe made it a summer anthem, frequently featured in films, commercials, and vacation playlists.
Though some critics viewed it as overly commercial compared to the band’s more innovative 1960s work, its enduring popularity speaks to its broad appeal. “Kokomo” continues to be associated with beach vacations, tropical destinations, and the timeless fantasy of escape.
