Unfortunately, being the introductory track of The Kooks 2006 album Inside In/Inside Out makes ‘Seaside’ one of those songs that you just wish was a few minutes longer. Luke Pritchard’s incredibly endearing interrogative “Do you want to go to the seaside?”, has made many a fangirl melt over the years. In fact, the acoustic simplicity of the whole thing makes it perfect for a festival sing-a-long. Scratch that: this jam is perfect for any kind of sing-a-long.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd8hzmQezSo?rel=0]
In fact, the lyrics are perfectly constructed to wash over the listener, allowing the lovely guitar melody to take centre stage. It’s not a Kooks song that one would instinctively jump to, but it’s definitely a hidden gem. It conjures up imagery of holding hands on slightly chilly but lovely British beaches, your tongue stinging under vinegary fish and chips. By the end of the song, I think we’re all wishing that we had “fallen in love on the seaside” too.
Words by Beth Chaplow