On This Day in 1988: The Beach Boys Returned to No. 1 With a Song Written for a Major Hollywood Film
Photo by Capitol Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
A Comeback on the Charts
On November 5 1988, the American rock group The Beach Boys scored a U.S. No. 1 single with Kokomo, featured in the film Cocktail. The song climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, ending a 22-year gap since their last U.S. chart topper.
The track reached number 25 in the UK, reflecting its global reach. Before “Kokomo,” the band’s only other Top Ten U.S. hit since the 1960s had been “Rock and Roll Music” in 1976.
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A Song Made for the Movies
“Kokomo” was written by Mike Love, John Phillips, Scott McKenzie and Terry Melcher, and released as a single on July 8 1988. The tune was crafted specifically for the film Cocktail, where it appears on the soundtrack.
The film, starring Tom Cruise, was released on July 29, 1988, and featured the track during a scene set in Jamaica. The single was described as tropical-themed and heralded the band’s late-career chart resurgence.
A New Era for The Beach Boys
“Kokomo” became The Beach Boys’ fourth single to reach No. 1 in the U.S., following hits like “I Get Around” and “Help Me Rhonda.” At the time of its release, the song’s success reminded many listeners that the band still had the power to reach mainstream audiences.
The single also marked a shift in the band’s sound—embracing a modern production style while still drawing on their harmonies and melodic sensibility. According to reports, the combo of familiar vocal styles and fresh instrumentation helped bring the group into a new generation of listeners.
The Legacy of a Final Peak
Even as “Kokomo” topped the charts, it also served as the band’s last U.S. No. 1 hit. Over time, it became a symbol of how a band can reclaim success decades after their heyday. It also illustrated the power of aligning a strong song with a major film moment—something that reignited their standing in popular culture.
For The Beach Boys, this date stands out not just as a chart milestone, but as proof that influence and artistry can endure—even when musical trends change.
