Released September 18, 2015 Recorded 2015 Length 3:38 | Format Digital download Genre Disco-funk Label Republic | |
"Cake by the Ocean" is the debut single by American band DNCE, released for sale on September 18, 2015 and to radio on September 29, 2015 through Republic Records. It serves as the lead single from their debut EP, Swaay (2015) and is also included on their debut studio album, DNCE (2016).
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The song reached the top 10 on multiple national record charts including Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It has also topped the US Billboard Adult Pop Songs airplay chart and been certified Gold or higher by a number of recording industry associations.
Billboard ranked "Cake by the Ocean" at number 44 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list. Nielsen Music named "Cake by the Ocean" the second most-played song in Canada for 2016, behind only Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself".
Composition
"Cake by the Ocean" was co-written by Joe Jonas, Justin Tranter and the Swedish duo Mattman & Robin, who also produced the song. Lyrically, the song is about sex, but is also often interpreted to be referring to the cocktail Sex on the Beach. The song's title originated from the Swedish producers repeatedly confusing the phrase "sex on the beach" for "cake by the ocean." The song is composed in E minor, with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.
Music video
A music video for "Cake by the Ocean", directed by Black Coffee and Gigi Hadid (Joe Jonas' then girlfriend), was released on 16 October, 2015. Christina Garibaldi of MTV wrote "DNCE— Joe, Joo Lee, Cole Whittle and Jack Lawless— perform their song in front of a giant piece of cake on the beach. Soon, a bunch of women wearing bikinis join 'Team DNCE' lather up and get their cake fighting faces on as they meet their competition: The Fat Jew."
Live performances
On January 31, 2016, DNCE performed a 1950s rock and roll-inspired version of "Cake by the Ocean" as part of Fox's television musical Grease: Live as Johnny Casino and The Gamblers. On February 12, 2016, the band performed the song live on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. On March 12, 2016, the band performed the song at the 2016 Kids' Choice Awards. On April 22, 2016, the band performed the song, in the UK, on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show. On April 30, 2016, the band performed the song at the Radio Disney Music Awards. Cake by the Ocean was performed by DNCE at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Usage in media
The song is featured in the films Bad Moms and Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life. It's also featured in the television shows Telenovela, South Park, No Tomorrow, The Real O'Neals and Mary + Jane. The trailer for the film Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates also features the track. The song is also featured in the video game Just Dance 2017. In August 2016, the track was featured in an Indonesian Mizone commercial.