Next week, more than 300 fishing boats will compete over the seas of Ocean City to win some of the nearly $2 million dollars worth of prize money during the 40th Annual White Marlin Open. As we are a fishing town, this is easily one of the biggest events of the year; and for some people, the only reason to come to Ocean City during the summer. The big winner last year took home almost a $1.5 million purse, and anglers from all over the east coast are anxious to get in the water to reel in their prize winning fish. On that subject, here are my six favorite songs on the subject matter of oceans, bays, rivers or any body of water to get us pumped for this year’s White Marlin Open!

 

By: Neutral Milk Hotel

Off the album: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)

Be wary, people, this is a weird song. But if you’re a lover of low-fi folk-inspired music sung by a guy who sounds like a young Bob Dylan… only crazier… this is for you! While the song is about a couple who falls in love and stays together until their “ashes will fly from the aeroplane over the sea,” there isn’t any indication as to who the characters are in the song. Interestingly, fans have speculated that the album is about the life of Anne Frank, with hints sprinkled throughout the album along with frontman Jeff Magnum confirming her diary has been a big influence on his work. Listening to the lyrics with that in mind adds a new layer that makes the song even more mesmerizing.

 

By: Thrice

Off the album: The Alchemy Index Vol. II: Water (2007)

Part of a compilation of albums about the four elements – fire, water, air and earth – this song was designed to sound like you’re swimming in the open ocean. The emotional and mature sounding songs of The Alchemy Index were a major turning point for Thrice, who previously played pop-punk music. As you know, I have a soft spot for unplanned sounds in music that sound like they belong, and this song has a great little treat. If you play the song loudly, or listen with headphones, you can hear a soft sound that seems to be a drum beat at the eight second mark during the intro loop. That sound is actually someone closing the door to the studio, and the band thought it fit so well, they just decided to keep it in. 

 

By: Clutch

Off the album: From Beale Street to Oblivion (2007)

This one’s for the Marylanders on the other side of the bay! I’m sure a lot of you recognized the name, and you’re right, this is the White’s Ferry you’re thinking about. For those not in the know, White’s Ferry is a transport that travels across the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. Being that Clutch is from Germantown, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Clutch has traveled on every road in the state of Maryland. This rocking song is about a particular drive one band member took a year before the album’s release, and mentions the beautiful sights of the Potomac River. Maryland! My Maryland!

 

By: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Off the album: Green River (1969)

Now we move from the rivers of the Eastern Shore to the bayous of the south… well… kinda. Listening to this song, you definitely get the vibe of the southern swamps, just like pretty much every other CCR song (no hate mail, please; I don’t mean that as a jab. CCR is awesome). However, this song is actually about a place frontman John Fogerty used to stay as a child on Putah Creek in California. Fogerty used to call the creek Green River, named after his favorite soda pop flavor he would get while visiting. 

 

By: Led Zeppelin

Off the album: Led Zeppelin II (1969)

By now, I think you all have realized I like to cheat sometimes when doing these lists, and this is one of those times. While the song actually isn’t about a body of water (well, it really isn’t about anything, since it’s an instrumental), it is named after one of the most famous mythical creatures of the sea. This song became a staple at live shows, mostly because of drummer John Bonham’s virtuosity on the drum set. Bonham’s solo oftentimes lasted up to 30 minutes live, with the rest of the band members leaving the stage entirely to give the drummer his moment. During many performances, Bonham would either lose or break his sticks during the solo, and simply continue the solo with his hands, sometimes even drawing blood. That, ladies and gentlemen, is rock ‘n’ roll.

 

By: The Beatles

Off the album: Revolver (1966)

Ringo fans, rejoice! This song was written by Paul McCartney with the intent to have drummer Ringo Starr as the lead singer, and was the only Beatles number one hit in the UK that was sung by Starr. While recording the song, the band used many props such as chains, a ship’s bell, tap dancing mats, whistles, a tin bath tub and wind and thunderstorm machines to comically portray life out at sea. Also used was the same cash register that would be heard on Pink Floyd’s song “Money” from The Dark Side of the Moon. For diehard Ringo fans, yes, I know “Octopus’s Garden” – the only Beatles song written by Starr – would work here as well, but it doesn’t touch the zany adventure we’re taken on in “Yellow Submarine.”