Released in 1988 as part of the Cocktail soundtrack, the song became one of the band’s biggest commercial hits despite coming decades after their peak years.
It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced a new generation to the group’s signature sound.
The song is built around escapism, relaxation, and the fantasy of leaving everyday life behind for a tropical paradise.
Below, you will find the song’s details and the story behind who wrote it, which made it the band’s most unlikely comeback.
About the Song
Kokomo paints a picture of a dreamed-up Caribbean destination where the pressures of ordinary life simply do not exist.
The lyrics describe a series of real Caribbean locations, including Aruba, Jamaica, and Key Largo, before arriving at the fictional Kokomo, a place that exists purely in the imagination.
Its gentle, sun-soaked arrangement of steel drums, acoustic guitars, and layered harmonies creates exactly the atmosphere the lyrics describe.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Kokomo |
| Artist | The Beach Boys |
| Album | Cocktail Soundtrack |
| Release Year | 1988 |
| Genre | Pop, Soft Rock |
| Songwriter | Mike Love, Scott McKenzie, John Phillips, Terry Melcher |
| Producer | Terry Melcher |
| Label | Elektra Records |
Kokomo Lyrics by The Beach Boys
Below, you can read through the song’s lyrics and follow the dreamy journey The Beach Boys created through each verse and chorus.
[Intro]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
Jamaica
[Verse 1]
Off the Florida Keys
There’s a place called Kokomo
That’s where you wanna go
To get away from it all
Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
We’ll be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in Kokomo
[Chorus 1]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahamas, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, Ooh, baby, why don’t we go?
I wanna take you down to Kokomo
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
[Post-Chorus]
Martinique, that Montserrat mystique
[Verse 2]
We’ll put out to sea
And we’ll perfect our chemistry
By and by, we’ll defy
A little bit of gravity
Afternoon delight
Cocktails and moonlit nights
That dreamy look in your eye
Give me a tropical contact high
Way down in Kokomo
[Chorus]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahamas, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, Ooh baby, why don’t we go?
Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
[Post-Chorus]
Port-au-Prince, I want to catch a glimpse
[Sax Solo]
[Verse 3]
Everybody knows
A little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go
To get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo
[Outro]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
Ooh,I wanna take you down to Kokomo
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
I wanna take you down to Kokomo…
Kokomo Music Video and the Cocktail Connection
Kokomo was written for the 1988 film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise as a New York bartender who relocates to Jamaica.
The song plays over several key scenes and became the film’s most recognizable musical moment, even as Cocktail itself drew mixed reviews from critics.
The official music video was filmed poolside at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando, mixing footage of the band performing with clips pulled from the movie.
Full House actor John Stamos, a longtime friend and occasional touring member of the group, joined them on percussion for the shoot.
Songs Similar to Kokomo
If this song gave you that warm, sun-soaked feeling, the tracks below offer a similar sense of escape and relaxation:
- Margaritaville: Jimmy Buffett: The definitive escapist song about leaving responsibility behind for a beach somewhere warm.
- Island in the Sun: Weezer: A bright and breezy track about finding peace and warmth away from ordinary life.
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole: A ukulele-driven version of the classic that captures the same longing for an ideal place where troubles melt away.
- Beyond the Sea: Bobby Darin: A classic track about a lover waiting somewhere far away, carried by a warm orchestral arrangement.
- La Isla Bonita: Madonna: A pop track built around the romance and beauty of a tropical island, blending acoustic guitar with a melody.
Artists Similar to The Beach Boys
Fans of The Beach Boys’ layered harmonies and sun-soaked sound will find common ground with these artists:
- Jimmy Buffett
Genre: Tropical Rock
Top Album: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes - Jan and Dean
Genre: Surf Pop
Top Album: Surf City - The Mamas and the Papas
Genre: Folk Pop
Top Album: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears - Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Genre: Pop
Top Album: Jersey Beat - The Everly Brothers
Genre: Rock and Roll, Country
Top Album: Songs Our Daddy Taught Us
Conclusion
Kokomo has endured for decades because it taps into something most people feel at some point.
The desire to stop, breathe, and be somewhere warm and uncomplicated for a while.
The Beach Boys captured that feeling elegantly, and the track continues to find new listeners who connect with it.
What does “Kokomo” bring to mind for you: summer memories, a favorite trip, or simply the feeling of getting away? Share your thoughts and favorite part of the song.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Islands are Named in the Kokomo Lyrics?
About nine real Caribbean and Atlantic locations are mentioned, including Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego Bay, Martinique, Montserrat, and Port-au-Prince.
Did Brian Wilson Perform on Kokomo?
No. Brian Wilson did not participate in the Kokomo recording sessions because he was focused on completing his first solo album during that period instead.
What Was The B-Side to The Kokomo Single?
The B-side of the Kokomo single featured Little Richard performing a cover of “Tutti Frutti,” giving the release an energetic rock-and-roll companion track for fans.
Has Kokomo Been Covered by Anyone Else?
Yes. The Muppets recorded their own version, featuring Kermit praising Kokomo while Miss Piggy humorously questions whether the tropical destination could really beat home today.
