About the song
George Strait’s “Ocean Front Property”. Now that’s a song that takes you on a lyrical journey, a journey that may seem straightforward on the surface, but beneath the calm Texas drawl lies a deeper current of heartache.
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Strait, the undisputed King of Country, released this song in 1986 as the title track for his seventh studio album. It marked a turning point not just for Strait’s career, but for country music itself. This was the era of the “Urban Cowboy” phase, where country music had leaned heavily towards pop sensibilities. Strait, with his signature brand of neotraditional country, brought the genre back to its roots. “Ocean Front Property” perfectly exemplifies this return.
The song itself is a delightful bit of wordplay. The title, of course, refers to that prime piece of real estate, a beachfront property with an envious view of the ocean. But as the song unfolds, we realize this “ocean front property” is merely a metaphor. Strait’s smooth vocals tell the tale of a love that’s gone sour, leaving the narrator adrift in a sea of loneliness.
The beauty of “Ocean Front Property” lies in its subtlety. There’s no dramatics, no histrionics. The pain of the narrator unfolds through understated details – empty promises whispered “like seashells in the sand,” a love that’s “washed out to sea,” and a heart that’s “just a piece of driftwood.” It’s a quiet desperation that resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever experienced the sting of a broken heart.
But “Ocean Front Property” isn’t all about sorrow. There’s a quiet resilience woven into the fabric of the song. The gentle rhythm of the steel guitar and the steady pulse of the drums evoke the image of the ocean itself, ever-changing yet enduring. The narrator, like the ocean, may be battered and bruised, but there’s a sense that he’ll weather the storm and find calmer waters eventually.
So, when you listen to “Ocean Front Property”, don’t just listen to the words. Listen to the spaces between the notes, the quiet ache in Strait’s voice. It’s a masterclass in storytelling, a song that reminds us that sometimes the simplest metaphors carry the most profound truths.