The Beach Boys’ hit song “Kokomo” evokes images of a blissful island getaway, with lyrics painting a picture of tropical drinks and steel drum rhythms. Decades after its release in 1988, the song remains a popular tune, instantly transporting listeners to a carefree paradise. Visitors to the Florida Keys often find themselves humming the catchy melody, and a common question arises: Where Is Kokomo? Is it a real place in the Florida Keys, or somewhere else entirely?
The Kokomo Song Legacy
The enduring appeal of “Kokomo” is undeniable. As Judy Hull, executive director of the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, notes, the song still sparks curiosity. People inquire about its origins and the location it references. Its presence is felt everywhere from radio airwaves to karaoke nights, becoming a staple in vacation playlists for those seeking sunny vibes. “You hear it down here all the time,” Hull stated, highlighting the song’s continued relevance in the Florida Keys.
Kokomo and the Florida Keys Connection
The association between “Kokomo” and the Florida Keys is strong, largely thanks to clever marketing and the desire to capitalize on the song’s popularity. In Islamorada, the former Holiday Isle Resort (now Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina) embraced the Kokomo mystique wholeheartedly. During the song’s peak popularity, the resort established a poolside bar named “Kokomo.” Responding to tourist inquiries about the whereabouts of Kokomo, the resort’s owner created the bar, transforming a former birdhouse into a themed destination. Adding to the allure, a sign at the bar pointed out the distances to other exotic locales mentioned in the song – Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahama, Key Largo, Montego – reinforcing the tropical fantasy.
Even after rebranding, the Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina maintains the Kokomo connection with a reimagined pool bar still bearing the name. Guests can still enjoy cocktails and light fare at “Kokomo,” solidifying the link between the resort and the song’s idyllic imagery.
Further down the Keys, in Key West, the Casa Marina Resort also joined the Kokomo wave. They renamed their beach “Kokomo Beach,” aiming to further associate the destination with the song’s paradise setting. They even introduced a signature cocktail called “The Kokomo,” encouraging guests to sip and soak in the tropical atmosphere by the beach and pool. While the private beach is no longer officially called Kokomo, Maureen Holden, a spokeswoman for Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria resort, confirms the song’s lasting impact. “Definitely a song that will always have relevance and meaning for Key West and The Keys. Great state of mind,” she said, acknowledging the song’s power to evoke the spirit of the Keys.
The Real Kokomo Origin and Meaning
Despite the strong ties to the Florida Keys, the truth is that Kokomo isn’t a real place within the islands. The song’s creation was a collaborative effort, originating with John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, who conceived the name “Kokomo.” Beach Boys frontman Mike Love elaborated, stating, “Kokomo was a name that originated with John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas… Phillips wrote the melody and the verse, and I wrote the chorus, and our friend Terry Melcher produced the record, and he came up with the ‘Oooh I want to take you …’ and it was a true collaboration.” Phillips envisioned Kokomo as a fictional escape, a place “off the Florida Keys” in spirit, rather than a geographically accurate location.
Interestingly, while not in the Florida Keys, places named Kokomo do exist elsewhere. There’s Kokomo Charters in Sarasota, Kokomo, Indiana, a Kokomo in Fiji, and a community named Kokomo in Hawaii. These real-world Kokomos, however, are not the Kokomo of the Beach Boys’ song, which remains a figment of tropical imagination.
Filming Location and Pop Culture Impact
Adding to the song’s allure, the music video for “Kokomo” was indeed filmed in Florida, though not in the Keys themselves. The Beach Boys, accompanied by actor John Stamos on bongos, filmed the video at The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World, before the resort officially opened. This further solidified the Florida connection in the public’s mind.
Beyond the music video, “Kokomo” also gained further popularity by being featured in the 1988 film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise. The movie, set in Jamaica, reinforced the song’s association with tropical romance and escape, embedding it even deeper into popular culture.
Conclusion
So, where is Kokomo? While not a tangible location in the Florida Keys or anywhere else in the sense of the song, Kokomo exists as an idea, a state of mind, and a powerful symbol of tropical paradise. The Florida Keys have embraced the name and the feeling, creating real-world experiences that resonate with the song’s escapist spirit. Ultimately, Kokomo is wherever you want it to be – a testament to the enduring power of music to create places in our hearts and minds.
