“Cake by the Ocean” is the debut single by DNCE. The song appears on two projects: it serves as the lead single from the band’s debut extended play, SWAAY, which was released in October 2015, and also appears on their self-titled debut studio album, which was released in November 2016.

The track was first premiered on New York radio station Z100 and on Complex on September 14, 2015.

Jonas told Complex the track was “a total breakthrough” for the band, propelling the “offbeat pop project,” while Complex called it “one part swagging 70’s, one part buttery R&B.” The track’s title was a quote said by producers Mattman & Robin, who were actually referring to the drink “Sex on the Beach”.

The song includes playful lyrics from DNCE’s lead singer, Joe Jonas, who sings about getting wild in a romantic relationship by making cake-related references, as “cake” could be used as slang for the sexually-charged lyrics that he croons. The other members of the band include JinJoo Lee on the guitar, Cole Whittle on the bass and keyboards, and Jack Lawless on the drums, who are involved alongside Mattman & Robin in providing Joe with a dance-pop and funk-pop style.