“Kokomo” – Single by the Beach Boys from the album Cocktail and Still Cruisin’
B-side: “Tutti Frutti” (performed by Little Richard)
Released: July 8, 1988
Recorded: March 22, April 5–6, 1988
Songwriters: John Phillips,Scott McKenzie, Mike Love, Terry Melcher
Producer: Terry Melcher
Charted: No.1 in US and No.25 in UK
The lyrics describe two lovers taking a trip to a relaxing place on Kokomo, a utopian island off the Florida Keys. In addition to the fictional Kokomo, the song also makes references to many real Caribbean islands, including Aruba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Martinique, and Montserrat.
This came together when the music producer Terry Melcher was hired to work on a song with The Beach Boys for the Tom Cruise movie Cocktail. The Beach Boys’ glory days were behind them, and they had been playing fairs and nostalgia shows. They were one of the most popular bands of the ’60s, and had a bunch of songs dealing with recreation and fun, which is why they were asked to record for the movie.
This was released in July 1988, but it went nowhere until the movie came out a few months later and made it a huge hit. When The Beach Boys played it live during concerts that summer, it got no response.
The single was released with the original version of Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” as the B-side.
The video for “Kokomo” was filmed at the then-recently opened Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World in Florida. Although they had not played these instruments on the recording, Mike Love is playing saxophone, Al Jardine is playing tambourine, Carl Wilson is playing guitar, and Bruce Johnston is playing bass, with touring drummer Mike Kowalski in his usual role, and actor and occasional Beach Boys live guest John Stamos is playing steel drum.
