Swimming pools have long been used in music as symbols of luxury, freedom, escape, and sometimes melancholy. From pop to rock to alternative genres, artists have explored the themes surrounding swimming pools in many creative ways. This article presents 16 songs that reference swimming pools either literally or metaphorically. Each entry provides background information, lyrical themes, and artist context. These songs span different decades and styles, but they all dip into the powerful imagery associated with pools.
The Ultimate List of 16 Songs About Swimming Pools
1. “Swimming Pools (Drank)” – Kendrick Lamar
Genre: Hip Hop
This 2012 track is one of Kendrick Lamar’s breakout hits. The title directly references swimming pools, but the pool here symbolizes alcohol and excess. The song critiques peer pressure and alcoholism. Kendrick uses layered vocals to depict inner conflict. The track is part of his acclaimed album “good kid, m.A.A.d city.”
2. “Swimming Pool” – Emmy the Great
Genre: Indie Pop
Emmy the Great released this poetic and soft track in 2015. The swimming pool becomes a metaphor for reflection and possibility. Gentle synths and introspective lyrics define the song. The song is both melancholic and beautiful. It explores personal change and memory.
3. “Night Swimming” – R.E.M.
Genre: Alternative Rock
This haunting ballad from 1992 explores nostalgia and innocence. R.E.M. uses a minimalist arrangement. Michael Stipe’s vocals and a simple piano line anchor the track. The song recounts youthful adventures and emotional vulnerability. It’s a fan favorite and critically praised.
4. “Pool” – Paramore
Genre: Pop Rock
From the 2017 album “After Laughter,” “Pool” explores emotional pain in a relationship. Hayley Williams uses the image of a pool to describe diving back into love despite knowing it might hurt. Synth-driven and catchy, the song blends pop with raw emotion. The track shows the band’s evolved sound.
5. “Team” – Lorde
Genre: Electropop
Lorde’s 2013 anthem references swimming pools with the lyric, “I’m kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air / So there.” The song critiques mainstream pop culture. The swimming pool image suggests wealth and social status. Lorde instead celebrates individuality and realness.
6. “Come In From the Rain” – Captain & Tennille
Genre: Soft Rock
While not explicitly about pools, the water imagery in this 1977 song contributes to its emotional pull. The swimming pool becomes implied within the broader metaphor of emotional safety and comfort. The title urges someone to leave the storm and seek shelter—perhaps by a poolside retreat.
7. “It’s Oh So Quiet” – Björk
Genre: Jazz-Pop
This quirky and explosive track from 1995 features a dramatic build. One verse uses pool imagery: “You blow a fuse / Zing boom / The devil cuts loose.” While not centered on swimming pools, the video’s surreal pool scene became iconic. The pool here symbolizes unleashed emotion and spontaneity.
8. “Cool” – Gwen Stefani
Genre: Pop
This 2004 song references old memories and relationships. The music video features scenes by a swimming pool, enhancing its nostalgic tone. Gwen reflects on a past love that has matured into friendship. The pool represents a calm, reflective emotional state. The visuals amplify the song’s message.
9. “Midnight City” – M83
Genre: Synthpop
Though not directly about pools, the urban atmosphere and dreamlike quality of this 2011 hit evoke late-night summer swims. The mood suggests freedom and escape. The song’s synth layers wash over the listener like waves. Many fans associate it with aquatic, youthful memories.
10. “Ocean Eyes” – Billie Eilish
Genre: Electro Pop
While more ocean than pool, Billie’s 2015 viral hit uses aquatic imagery heavily. Lines like “burning cities and napalm skies / Fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes” feel fluid and immersive. Pools and oceans often blend in pop lyrics. Her song created a new wave of moody, youthful pop.
11. “Style” – Taylor Swift
Genre: Synthpop
In this hit from “1989,” Swift includes visuals of a swimming pool in the music video. The shimmering aesthetics match the clean synth lines. Pools represent mystery, desire, and a stylized memory of romance. The song paints an impressionistic love story, full of symbols.
12. “Electric Feel” – MGMT
Genre: Psychedelic Pop
This 2007 track delivers rich imagery and surreal lyrics. The music video features poolside scenes, enhancing the hedonistic vibe. Pools serve as symbols of pleasure, sensuality, and electric attraction. The song became a festival favorite and cultural staple.
13. “Pool Shark” – Sublime
Genre: Ska Punk
This short but powerful song from Sublime deals with addiction. The “pool” in the title is metaphorical. It suggests a trap or danger. The tone is bleak, raw, and reflective. The track is under two minutes long but deeply affecting. It provides insight into the struggles of frontman Bradley Nowell.
14. “Summerboy” – Lady Gaga
Genre: Pop Rock
Though not overtly about pools, the summer-themed lyrics suggest poolside flings and freedom. From her debut album “The Fame,” this track captures carefree romance. The beat is light and breezy. It’s ideal for hot days by the pool.
15. “Feel It All Around” – Washed Out
Genre: Chillwave
With its slow tempo and dreamy atmosphere, this track evokes floating in a pool. The genre itself—chillwave—is often linked to nostalgic pool scenes. Used as the theme for the show “Portlandia,” the song is synonymous with laid-back vibes. It captures the essence of a lazy swim on a hot day.
16. “Pool Party” – Julia Jacklin
Genre: Indie Folk
This 2016 song contrasts upbeat images with emotional struggle. The “pool party” is a backdrop for feelings of detachment and observation. Julia Jacklin’s vocals are haunting. The pool becomes a metaphor for societal expectations and anxiety. The instrumentation is minimalist but affecting.
SEE ALSO: 12 Songs About Killing Yourself in the Depth of Darkness
Conclusion
These 16 songs reflect how swimming pools serve as rich emotional and visual symbols in music. Whether referencing luxury, nostalgia, desire, or danger, the pool is a space where emotions surface. From Kendrick Lamar’s intense critique to R.E.M.’s gentle reflection, the pool represents more than water—it represents the human experience. Across decades and genres, these songs show the power of aquatic metaphors in songwriting. As artists continue to explore this theme, the swimming pool remains a lyrical setting for stories both joyful and tragic.
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