From the first moments you hear the melody, accompanied by a voice singing, “If you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain…” you know it’s time to hit the sand, grab a cold beverage, and catch some sun—the summery vibe is just imminent.
For that reason, it’s no surprise that Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” made Billboard‘s list of the best beach songs of all time, which includes 10 of the all-time greatest summer songs about, well, going to the beach.
The famed music publication rounded up “10 best songs the past century of music has to offer on the topic, featuring contemporary pop stars such as Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry to visionary groups like The Drifters and, of course, the Beach Boys. Some of them are exactly as fun and free as they seem on the surface, while others were written with deeper metaphors inspired by the ocean’s many mysteries in mind.”
Originally released on Sept. 17, 1979, “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” was written and performed by the British‑American singer‑songwriter himself, and featured as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Partners in Crime. It instantly became a defining moment of late‑’70s pop culture.
Related: 1997 Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’ Became the Ultimate Breakup Anthem
Chart‑Topping Success: The Last Big Hit of the ’70s
The song’s success was remarkable, considering it came from a soft rock artist who hadn’t had a major pop hit before. From the moment it hit the airwaves in October 1979, it climbed steadily, notching a few standout achievements:
- It became the final No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 of the 1970s.
- After being briefly dethroned, it returned to No. 1 in January 1980, making it one of the first songs ever to top the chart in two different decades.
- It also reached the top spot in Canada and scored high positions internationally, including Top 10 placement in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
In total, the song spent weeks on the Billboard charts and then kept new audiences discovering it through film and television for decades—from Shrek to Guardians of the Galaxy.
Related: 1977 Hot 100 Hit Released 49 Years Ago Became a Timeless Classic
A Story That Sounds Like Vacation
Unlike straightforward summer songs that celebrate sun and surf, Holmes’ track stands out because of its cinematic narrative. It tells the story of a bored lover reading newspaper personal ads, only to serendipitously answer his partner’s ad for a tropical‑loving match—“piña coladas” included—without realizing it’s her.
That twist, paired with laid‑back rhythms that evoke gentle breezes and carefree vibes, made the song feel tailor‑made for warm‑weather playlists—even though Holmes later admitted he’d never even tasted a piña colada when he wrote it (his loss, though a good strawberry daiquiri is preferred instead).
Best Beach Songs, According to Billboard
Check out Billboard‘s complete roundup of Top 10 summery songs (published in 2024) about hitting the beach below.
10. Rupert Holmes, “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” – 1979
9. Social House feat. Lil Yachty, “Magic in the Hamptons” – 2018
8. Miley Cyrus, “Malibu” – 2017
7. Jimmy Buffett, “Oldest Surfer on the Beach” – 2013
6. Lorde, “Solar Power” – 2021
5. Weezer, “Island In the Sun” – 2001
4. Ziggy Marley, “Beach in Hawaii” – 2006
3. Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg, “California Gurls” – 2010
2. The Drifters, “Under the Boardwalk” – 1964
1. The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” – 1963
Related: 1956 Classic Hit Ranked Among ‘Best Spring Songs’ of All Time Became a Beloved Romance Anthem
