The infectious pop anthem “Cake By The Ocean” by DNCE has been stuck in our heads since its release. Its funky rhythm and playful lyrics make it an instant mood booster. Recently, while enjoying a piece of cake, the song popped into my head, and it struck me – what does “cake by the ocean” actually mean? It turns out I wasn’t alone in my curiosity. Digging into the sugary sweet sounding phrase reveals a meaning that’s a little less about dessert and a lot more about… well, let’s dive in.
Talk to me, baby
I’m going to miss this sweet craving, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go crazy
I-I-I-I-I-I keep on hoping we’ll eat cake by the ocean
Walk for me, baby
I’ll be Didd and you’ll be Naomi, whoa-oh
Let’s lose our minds and go crazy
I-I-I-I-I-I keep on hoping we’ll eat cake by the ocean.
First impressions of the lyrics might leave you wondering about the seemingly random references. “Didd” and “Naomi,” for instance, aren’t just names thrown in for rhyme. “Didd” is hip-hop mogul P. Diddy, and Naomi is none other than supermodel Naomi Campbell. DNCE frontman Joe Jonas shed some light on this quirky line, explaining to ABC Radio:
In the studio we were telling stories and there was this amazing story someone was telling about how Diddy and Naomi have this fascination with each other,” Joe tells ABC Radio. “And every time they see each other, apparently Naomi does a catwalk for Diddy. And I was like, ‘We gotta put that in the song!’
So, the “Didd and Naomi” reference is a fun, specific image of playful admiration and performance. But what about the core phrase, “cake by the ocean”? Is it a literal desire for seaside pastries? Not quite. As Jonas revealed in an MTV interview, the true inspiration behind “cake by the ocean” is a hilarious linguistic mishap:
‘Working on the record, these Swedish producers that we were working with, they kept confusing ’sex on the beach’ with ’cake by the ocean,’ so that’s how the song started,” Joe explained. “Then, it became this kind of lyrically wacky song, and it kind of embodies the band. It’s funky, it’s fresh, I think it’s something that people can dance to.’
There you have it. “Cake by the ocean” is essentially a funny, slightly absurd, and definitely more radio-friendly way of saying “sex on the beach.” The Swedish producers’ innocent misinterpretation sparked the entire song, giving it its catchy title and carefree vibe. While “sex on the beach” is a well-known cocktail and a suggestive phrase, “cake by the ocean” is delightfully ambiguous and open to interpretation, perfectly fitting the playful spirit of DNCE. It’s a testament to how a simple misunderstanding can turn into pop music gold.
Did you initially guess the meaning of “cake by the ocean” or were you picturing actual cake by the sea? Let us know!
