@113mckinley: Released on July 18, 1988, "Kokomo" became a massive, unexpected hit, climbing all the way to Number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. This achievement was particularly notable because it was the band's first number-one single in 22 years, following "Good Vibrations" in 1966. Its success was fueled by its prominent placement in the Tom Cruise movie "Cocktail," and it was later included on The Beach Boys' album, Still Cruisin'. Songwriting and Meaning The track was a collaborative effort, co-written by a notable group of musicians: Beach Boy Mike Love, John Phillips (from The Mamas & the Papas), Scott McKenzie ("San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)"), and producer Terry Melcher. The lyrics describe a romantic tropical getaway to a place called Kokomo, which is described as being "off the Florida Keys." However, the location is fictional. The name was chosen by the writers because they felt it sounded lyrical and mysterious, though real places named Kokomo exist in Indiana and elsewhere. The song's memorable chorus is a list of real Caribbean and Atlantic destinations, including Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, and Key Largo, intended to evoke a feeling of pure island escape. Controversy and Reception Despite its chart-topping status, "Kokomo" is often polarizing. Critics and some long-time fans view the song negatively for several reasons. Primarily, it was recorded and released during a period when The Beach Boys' main creative force, Brian Wilson, had very little involvement with the group due to personal and health struggles, which led many to feel the song lacked the depth and complexity of the band's golden-era material. The song's polished, breezy 1980s soft-rock production style is also often seen as generic or "cheesy" when compared to their earlier, genre-defining music. Nevertheless, it remains one of their most popular and widely recognized songs, successfully introducing the band to a new generation of listeners.

MicK

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Thursday 23 October 2025 09:54:42 GMT