In the Sun
Blondie Lyrics

Blondie's song "In the Sun" is a unique take on the classic beach anthem as it examines the cultural identities of the surfer community, which is based on finding adventure and freedom in the sun, surf, and sea. The song begins with the surf culture’s optimism by describing the waiting for the day in the hopes of having some fun on the warm coastline far away. The song emphasizes the power and beauty of water, both in daylight and moonlit nights, giving hope to those waiting in the city through vivid imagery of the coastline.

"In the Sun" pays homage to the deep cultural roots of surfing in Hawaii, and its influence on beach culture worldwide. References to "paka lola luau love" are hat-tips to the Polynesian origins of the sport, while the mention of "shooting the tube" is a reference to the adrenalized experience of catching a wave, coasting through an enclosed underwater tunnel, and emerging on the other side.

Similarly, the song highlights the contrast between the beach culture of Southern California and the urban environment of New York City. The lyrics of "concrete piles" and "blues play my way" emphasize the darkness, pollution, and claustrophobic atmosphere of the city, whereas "tropic haze" and "pineapple sky" emphasize the beauty of nature in Hawaii with its sunrise and sunset simplicity, and the feeling of paradise present in the environment.

Overall, "In the Sun" highlights the surfer community culture of finding freedom and liberation from their city, and its longing for the simplicity, beauty, and ferociousness of nature present in Hawaii, making the song a celebration of the connection between humanity and the natural world.