Unravelling the Story Behind Cake by the Ocean by DNCE

24th January, 2024

When it comes to music that gets you tapping your feet, one band that undoubtedly comes to mind is DNCE. The American pop-rock band, led by vocalist Joe Jonas, took the music world by storm with their debut single, Cake by the Ocean. With its infectious beat and playful lyrics, the song quickly climbed the charts and became a global sensation.

The Birth of Cake by the Ocean

Cake by the Ocean was first premiered on New York radio station Z100 and on Complex on September 14, 2015. It was a breakthrough for DNCE and set the stage for their future success.

The idea behind Cake by the Ocean came about during a songwriting session with the Swedish producers, Mattman and Robin. The producers, trying to say “Sex on the Beach,” ended up saying “Cake by the Ocean” instead. This amusing mix-up sparked the inspiration for the song.

The song is the result of a collaborative effort between Joe Jonas, Justin Tranter, and the Swedish duo Mattman & Robin. The lyrics were penned down by Jonas and Tranter, while the production was handled by Mattman and Robin.

Cake by the Ocean is a delectable mix of pop, dance, disco, and funk, creating an irresistible rhythm that is hard not to groove to.

Breaking Down the Lyrics of Cake by the Ocean

The lyrics of Cake by the Ocean are an intriguing blend of playful innuendos and metaphoric expressions. This, combined with the band’s unique pop and funk style, gives the song an irresistible allure. The song’s title, a miscommunication between the band and its Swedish producers, Mattman & Robin, when trying to say Sex on the Beach, a popular cocktail, adds further to its appeal.

The song opens with the line, “Talk to me, baby, I’m going blind from this sweet-sweet craving.” This opening line sets the tone for the song’s theme: a craving for something sweet and irresistible, much like a cake by the ocean. The song continues with Jonas crooning about a wild and carefree romantic relationship, using cake-related metaphors to depict the intensity and passion of the relationship.

Cake by the Ocean is a clever double entendre. While on the surface, it might sound like a fun song about enjoying cake on the beach, it’s also sprinkled with subtle sexually charged undertones. This duality adds to the song’s charm and intrigue.

The song is marked by catchy guitar riffs, groovy bass lines, upbeat drums, and infectious keyboard melodies. These elements, combined with Jonas’s distinctive vocals, create a dance-pop and funk-pop style that’s characteristic of DNCE’s music.

The Chart-Topping Success of Cake by the Ocean

Cake by the Ocean achieved significant commercial success, reaching the top 10 in various countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK, and the US. It notably topped the US Billboard Adult Pop Songs airplay chart. The song debuted at number 79 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 2015 and rose to number 10 by March 2016, marking Joe Jonas’s fourth top-10 entry in his career. It reached its peak position at number nine in its 19th week and remained on the chart for a total of 46 weeks. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the song a 5× Platinum certification, indicating over five million units in sales and track-equivalent on-demand streams. Additionally, Cake by the Ocean received multiple platinum certifications in other countries, including Canada, the UK, Italy, and Australia.

The Iconic Music Video of Cake by the Ocean

The music video for “Cake by the Ocean” is as fun and playful as the song itself. Directed by Black Coffee and Jonas’s then-girlfriend, Gigi Hadid, the video features the band performing on a beach alongside a massive cake, which eventually turns into a cake-throwing battle.

The video starts with DNCE performing in front of a giant piece of cake on the beach. As the song progresses, a cake-throwing battle ensues between “The Fat Jew” and a group of women, who are “Team DNCE.” The scene eventually turns into one giant beach party, perfectly embodying the lively and carefree spirit of the song.

The music video, released on October 16, 2015, was a massive hit and has garnered more than 500 million views on YouTube as of January 2024.

Memorable TV Performances

Some of DNCE’s notable TV performances of Cake by the Ocean include their appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Graham Norton Show.” The band also delivered an electrifying performance of the song at the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards, the 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards, and the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.

The Impact of Cake by the Ocean on Popular Culture

Cake by the Ocean has made a significant impact on popular culture. The song has been featured in several films and TV shows and has even made its way into a video game.

The song has been used in films like “Pitch Perfect 3,” “Bad Moms,” “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life,” “Malibu Rescue,” “The King of Staten Island,” and “Sing 2.” It has also been featured in TV series like “Telenovela,” “South Park,” “No Tomorrow,” “The Real O’Neals,” “The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30,” “Mary + Jane,” and “The Wilds.”.

Cake by the Ocean is also a playable track in the popular video game “Just Dance 2017,” allowing players to groove to the song’s infectious beat.

The Legacy of Cake by the Ocean

Cake by the Ocean was a breakthrough for DNCE, propelling them into the limelight and setting the stage for their future success, which was instrumental in shaping DNCE’s musical journey.

Even years after its release, Cake by the Ocean continues to be a popular choice on playlists around the world. The song’s catchy tune and playful lyrics have ensured its enduring popularity among music lovers of all ages.

The Significance of Cake by the Ocean

Cake by the Ocean will always be remembered as a milestone in DNCE’s career. The song marked the band’s arrival on the global music scene and established them as one of the most exciting new acts in pop music.

With its infectious rhythm, playful lyrics, and universal appeal, Cake by the Ocean is a song for the ages. So, the next time you find yourself humming along to the catchy tune of Cake by the Ocean, take a moment to appreciate the story behind the lyrics and the talent that went into creating this unforgettable pop anthem.

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DNCE Cake by the Ocean Lyrics

Intro
Nah, nah, nah
Cake by the ocean

Verse 1
Oh, no
See you walkin’ ’round like it’s a funeral
Not so serious, girl, why those feet cold?
We just gettin’ started, don’t you tiptoe, tiptoe, ah

Pre-Chorus
Waste time with a masterpiece, don’t waste time with a masterpiece (Huh)
You should be rollin’ with me, you should be rollin’ with me (Ah-ah-ah)
You’re a real-life fantasy, you’re a real-life fantasy (Huh)
But you’re movin’ so carefully, let’s start livin’ dangerously

Chorus
Talk to me, baby
I’m goin’ blind from this sweet, sweet cravin’, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go fuckin’ crazy
I-I-I-I-I, I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh
Walk for me, baby
I’ll be Diddy, you’ll be Naomi, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go fucking crazy
I-I-I-I-I, I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh

Verse 2
Goddamn
See you lickin’ frostin’ from your own hands
Want another taste, I’m beggin’, “Yes, ma’am”
I’m tired of all this candy on the dry land, dry land, oh (Uh, ah)

Chorus
Talk to me, baby
I’m goin’ blind from this sweet, sweet cravin’, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go fuckin’ crazy
I-I-I-I-I, I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh
Walk for me, baby (Walk for me now)
I’ll be Diddy, you’ll be Naomi, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go fucking crazy
I-I-I-I-I, I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh

Bridge
Ooh, ah, ah
I-I-I-I-I, I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh
Ooh, ah, ah
I-I-I-I-I, I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh (Oh, hey)
[Refrain]
You’re fuckin’ delicious, haha
Talk to me, girl (Hey)

Chorus
Talk to me, baby (Talk to me, baby, hey)
I’m goin’ blind from this sweet, sweet cravin’, whoa-oh (Whoa-oh)
Let’s lose our minds and go fuckin’ crazy (Crazy)
I-I-I-I-I (Ah), I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh (Hey)
Walk for me, baby (Walk for me now)
I’ll be Diddy, you’ll be Naomi, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go (And go what?) fucking crazy (That’s right)
I-I-I-I-I, I keep on hopin’ (Alright), we’ll eat cake by the ocean, uh (Aw, yeah)

Outro
Red velvet, vanilla, chocolate in my life
Funfetti (Oh), I’m ready (Oh), I need it every night (Hey)
Red velvet, vanilla, chocolate in my life (Oh)
I-I-I-I-I keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean