"Marina del Rey" is the title of a song recorded by country music

Country music

Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...

 artist George Strait

George Strait

George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...

. It was released in September 1982 as the second single from his successful 1982 album Strait from the Heart

Strait from the Heart

Strait From the Heart is the second studio album from American country music artist George Strait. It is certified platinum by the RIAA. The album includes George's first Number One single, "Fool Hearted Memory", as well as the singles "Marina del Rey", "Amarillo by Morning" and "A Fire I Can't Put...

, which went on to be certified platinum by the RIAA. . It peaked at #6 in the United States, and #2 in Canada. The song is set in Marina del Rey, California

Marina del Rey, California

-Demographics:-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Marina del Rey had a population of 8,866. The population density was 6,094.6 people per square mile...

, and it is structured as a slow romantic ballad

Ballad

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...

. Longtime country songwriters Marion Franklin Dycus and Dean Dillon

Dean Dillon

Dean Dillon is an American country music artist. Between 1982 and 1993, Dillon recorded six studio albums on various labels, and charted several singles on the Billboard country charts. Although he has not charted since 1993, Dillon has continued to write several hit songs for other artists, most...

composed the tune.

Content

The song is about a love affair on the beach. Two people get together and have a good time during a vacation. They create many memories and then head their separate ways – back to their normal lives.

Critical reception

Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song a B grade, saying that the lyrics are "appropriately longing and sentimental for times gone by, but Strait hasn’t yet developed enough as a vocalist to pull off the mature performance required."

Chart positions

Chart (1982)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs	6
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	2