Late Night Music College Football Bowl Season Edition Part 118.........."No Lifeguard On Duty- Swim At Your Own Risk!"

It's the middle of winter, I'm thinking of a beach, and for some reason thought it would be cool to be out on the ocean right now. Tonight's list talks about those songs where artists thought the same thing.

In order to receive votes in this category, the SONG TITLE had to have the word OCEAN or SEA in the title. We'll worry about rivers later- that's a whole other entry. Also receiving votes in this category were "An Olive Grove Facing The Sea" by Snow Patrol, "Children Of The Sea" by Black Sabbath, and "The Iron Sea" by Keane.

"You're An Ocean"- Fastball. In 2000, Fastball picked up right where they left off after 1998's platinum album "All The Pain Money Can Buy" with their much anticipated follow up album "The Harsh Light Of Day", with this lead off single and hilarious video as well. I love how all of Fastball's song could wind up being a TV theme song to pretty much any kind of show, except maybe "20/20". For some reason, I watch this video and think "man this song should be the theme to "The Drew Carey Show". While this song never made it to the theme song of any show, it did have an appearance on an episode of "Charmed" in 2000. While this song got airplay due to the video, it made hardly a ripple on the charts, as it peaked at #8 on the Billboard Alternative Charts, and Fastball has been kinda stuck there ever since.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTAfx-Jx8tI

"Ocean Wide"- The Afters. Let me say this first. The Afters are one of my favorite bands and are quite possibly the best Christian band out there right now. Their album "Never Going Back to OK" is nothing short of a masterpiece and if you don't have it, get it on iTunes. That being said, this is quite possibly the largest gap of song awesomeness and video suckage I have ever seen in my life. This incredible song hit #23 on the Billboard Christian Charts, but gave us probably the dumbest video I've ever seen on this blog. Sometimes you're left scratching your head. Rest assured though, The Afters are one of the best bands you don't know about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1nNQ6uVTmY

"Ocean Avenue"- Yellowcard. After having the song "Way Away" included on the soundtrack for "Madden NFL 2004" and releasing the critically acclaimed album "Ocean Avenue" Yellowcard released this title track in 2004 from what is still their best album ever. This totally awesome video which takes a page from the Bill Murray movie "Groundhog Day" brought the band even more mainstream attention, hitting the coveted #1 spot on MTV's "Total Request Live". "Ocean Avenue" is one of my favorite albums. I'd love to see Yellowcard come out with another album this comprehensive. I know I say it all the time, but it's just super cool how Yellowcard can find a violin part in every song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9fLbfzCqWw

"The Ocean"- Mae. In 2005, Norfolk, Virginia Christian band Mae released their critically acclaimed sophomore album "The Everglow", which peaked #51 on the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart, but hit #1 on the Christian Album Charts. Included on this album was this great song written by lead singer Dave Elkins. Mae would go only to record one more album, 2007's "Singularity", before breaking up in 2009. I'm still sick that I missed a chance to see them live in Nashville. Mae will always be one of my favorite bands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvW9ctkWd88

"Into The Ocean"- Blue October. This song from Blue October's 2005 album "Foiled" peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, but fueled by this cool video, it climbed to #1 on VH1's "V Spot" countdown. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like lead singer Justin Furstenfeld was separated from Adam Levine at birth, but then again that's probably just me. This song was written about Furstenfeld's own depression issues and is an amazingly written song from a lyrical standpoint.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZES3nJQYJok

"Swimming In Your Ocean"- Crash Test Dummies. This follow up single to Crash Test Dummies worldwide top 10 hit "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" climbed to #6 on the Canadian Singles Chart. This song stays with the surreal theme of their 1993 album "God Shuffled His Feet", which is that you have no idea what's going on. This video of an apparent old lady lounge singing band does nothing but confuse me more. Brad Roberts will forever have the most peculiar lead singer voice of any lead singer out there, but he gives hope to all the baritones and basses who think they can't be a lead singer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBvr5hlXALg

"Ocean Floor"- Audio Adrenaline. Man what a great band- I saw these guys live in 2000 in Jackson. Without a doubt one of the greatest Christian bands of all time. This single from their 2001 was critically acclaimed and received airplay from mainstream music stations, which helped the album climb to #169 on the Billboard Hot 200 albums. This awesome video really doesn't do this song justice. Audio Adrenaline always had great lyrics, but this emotional offering is one of their best songs ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y281553XUAA

"By The Sea"- Kat Gang. What a hidden gem by New York Jazz singer Kat Gang. This song was a part of her 2008 album "Copycats and Wannabees". For more info on Kat Gang, check out her website www.katgang.net.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytnJ4GxL71o

"Sea Of Sorrow"- Alice In Chains. Beavis and Butt-head would be proud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiE9VEkmOSc

"All At Sea"- Jamie Cullum. This song was included on Jamie Cullum's third album "Twentysomething", and was his second single ever released. While the song only charted in the Netherlands, it got his sound out to an international audience, in particular his native UK, where he is one of the hottest up and coming artists. I like Jamie Cullum's voice, I'd really like to see this guy get bigger in the USA. He kinda reminds me of Gavin DeGraw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLOglnjC6iY

"To The Sea"- Jack Johnson. This title track from Jack Johnson's latest album is featured in this great live performance from the Santa Barabara Bowl. I'm shocked to see JJ wearing shoes and playing an electric guitar- I didn't think he had it in him. Jack Johnson is one of those guys I'd love to see live just to say I did. This guy is an absolutely amazing performer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJbPdz3Peow

BONUS VIDEOS- "Beautiful Love"- The Afters. The theme song to MTV's "8th and Ocean". Much better video. And, you might know this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX9h4PPx41I

"Octupus's Garden"- The Beatles. I almost counted it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-BdGchS0yk

"I'm On A Boat"- The Lonely Island featuring T Pain. I'm on a boat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avaSdC0QOUM

Audio Adrenaline

Blue October

The Afters