About The Song
Forget romantic sunset strolls on sandy beaches – George Strait’s “Ocean Front Property” offers a hilariously cynical twist on coastal living. Released in 1986 as the title track of his seventh studio album, the song became an instant hit, showcasing Strait’s witty songwriting and ability to blend humor with heartbreak.
Hailing from Texas, Strait found inspiration in the unexpected. “Ocean Front Property” wasn’t penned by him, but by the songwriting trio Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran, and Royce Porter. The lyrics tell a seemingly sweet story of a man reminiscing about a beachfront property where he fell in love. However, the twist comes with the revelation: the landlocked Arizona desert landscape surrounding him now, mocking his memories.
Part of the song’s magic lies in Strait’s vocal performance. His smooth baritone and signature phrasing deliver the ironic lyrics with a deadpan humor that perfectly accentuates the absurdity of the situation. The melody, a laid-back country shuffle, provides a perfect platform for Strait’s storytelling, making the listener both laugh and empathize with the protagonist’s bittersweet predicament.
“Ocean Front Property” reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, proving that audiences appreciated Strait’s playful take on lost love and unfulfilled dreams. The song became a staple of his live shows, with fans eagerly reciting the chorus: “I’m gonna buy myself some ocean front property / Way out in the middle of the Arizona desert.”
While the song is undeniably funny, it also resonates with a deeper theme of longing for something unattainable. The “ocean front property” serves as a metaphor for any lost dream or idealized past, reminding us that life often falls short of our expectations. But with Strait’s witty delivery, the song offers a cathartic release, allowing us to laugh at our own misfortune and find solace in the absurdity of it all.
So, put on your cowboy hat, embrace the desert heat, and let George Strait guide you through the humorous heartbreak of “Ocean Front Property.” Remember, sometimes the best way to deal with disappointment is to find the humor in it, and what better guide than the King of Country himself, with a wink and a twang?