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27 July 2022, 17:50
By Tom Eames
We can picture it now: lounging on a swish boat as it bobs along the water, sipping cocktails and improving our tan. Oh, and it's the 1980s.
There's only one style of music that goes with this image: Yacht rock.
Also known as the West Coast Sound or adult-oriented rock, it's a style of soft rock from between the late 1970s and early 1980s that featured elements of smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, funk, rock and disco.
Although its name has been used in a negative way, to us it's an amazing genre that makes us feel like we're in an episode of Miami Vice wearing shoulder pads and massive sunglasses.
Here are the very best songs that could be placed in this genre:
Player - Baby Come Back
Not the reggae classic of the same name, this 1977 track was Player's biggest hit.
After Player disbanded, singer Peter Beckett joined Australia's Little River Band, and he also wrote 'Twist of Fate' for Olivia Newton-John and 'After All This Time' for Kenny Rogers.
It's tough just choosing one Steely Dan song for this list, but we've gone for this banger.
Used as the theme tune for the 1978 movie of the same name, the song is jazz-rock track, though its lyrics took a disapproving look at the genre as a whole, which was in total contrast to the film's celebration of it. Still, sounds great guys!
Bobby Goldsboro - Summer (The First Time)
A bit of a questionable subject matter, this ballad was about a 17-year-old boy’s first sexual experience with a 31-year-old woman at the beach.
But using a repeating piano riff, 12-string guitar, and an orchestral string arrangement, this song just screams yacht rock and all that is great about it.
Kenny Loggins - Heart To Heart (Official Music Video)
If Michael McDonald is the king of yacht rock, then Kenny Loggins is his trusted advisor and heir to the throne.
This track was co-written with Michael, and also features him on backing vocals. The song is about how most relationships do not stand the test of time, yet some are able to do so.
Nothin' You Can Do About It
You might not remember US band Airplay, but they did have their moment on the yacht.
Consisting of David Foster (who also co-wrote the Kenny Loggins song above), Jay Graydon and the brilliantly-named Tommy Funderburk, this tune was a cover of a Manhattan Transfer song, and was a minor hit in 1981.
Boz Scaggs - Lowdown (Official Audio)
We've moved slightly into smooth jazz territory with this track, which is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
The song was co-written by David Paich, who would go on to form Toto along with the song's keyboardist David Paich, session bassist David Hungate, and drummer Jeff Porcaro.
Steve Winwood - Valerie (Official Video)
This song is probably as far as you can get into pop rock without totally leaving the yacht rock dock.
Legendary singer-songwriter Winwood recorded this gong about a man reminiscing about a lost love he hopes to find again someday.
Eric Prydz later sampled it in 2004 for the house number one track ‘Call on Me’, and presented it to Winwood, who was so impressed he re-recorded the vocals to better fit the track.
Toto - Rosanna (Official HD Video)
We almost picked 'Africa' , but we reckon this tune just about pips it in the yacht rock game.
Written by David Paich, he has said that the song is based on numerous girls he had known.
As a joke, the band members initially played along with the common assumption that the song was based on actress Rosanna Arquette, who was dating Toto keyboard player Steve Porcaro at the time and coincidentally had the same name.
Chicago - Hard To Say I'm Sorry (Official Music Video)
Chicago began moving away from their horn-driven soft rock sound with their early 1980s output, including this synthesizer-filled power ballad.
The album version segued into a more traditional Chicago upbeat track titled ‘Get Away’, but most radio stations at the time opted to fade out the song before it kicked in. Three members of Toto played on the track. Those guys are yacht rock kings!
Michael Jackson - Human Nature (Audio)
A few non-rock artists almost made this list ( George Michael 's 'Careless Whisper' and Spandau Ballet 's 'True' are almost examples, but not quite), yet a big chunk of Thriller heavily relied on the yacht rock sound.
Michael Jackson proved just how popular the genre could get with several songs on the album, but 'Human Nature' is the finest example.
The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes (Official Music Video)
Possibly THE ultimate yacht rock song on the rock end of the spectrum, and it's that man Michael McDonald.
Written by McDonald and Kenny Loggins, this was one of the few non-disco hits in America in the first eight months of 1979.
The song tells the story of a man who is reunited with an old love interest and attempts to rekindle a romantic relationship with her before discovering that one never really existed.
Michael Jackson once claimed he contributed at least one backing track to the original recording, but was not credited for having done so. This was later denied by the band.
Christopher Cross - Sailing (Official Audio)
We're not putting this in here just because it's called 'Sailing', it's also one of the ultimate examples of the genre.
Christopher Cross reached number one in the US in 1980, and VH1 later named it the most "softsational soft rock" song of all time.
The Boys Of Summer DON HENLEY(1984) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Mike Campbell wrote the music to this track while working on Tom Petty’s Southern Accents album, but later gave it to Eagles singer Don Henley, who wrote the lyrics.
The song is about the passing of youth and entering middle age, and of a past relationship. It was covered twice in the early 2000s: as a trance track by DJ Sammy in 2002, and as a pop punk hit by The Ataris in 2003.
England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love To See You Tonight.avi
A big hit for this duo in 1976, it showcases the very best of the sock rock/AOR/yacht rock sound that the 1970s could offer.
Dan Seals is the younger brother of Jim Seals of Seals and Crofts fame. Which leads to...
Summer Breeze - Seals & Croft #1 Hit(1972)
Before The Isley Brothers recorded a slick cover, 'Summer Breeze' was an irresistible folk pop song by Seals & Crofts.
While mostly a folk song, its summer vibes and gorgeous melody make for a perfect yacht rock number.
Ride Like The Wind Promo Video 1980 Christopher Cross
If Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins are in charge of the yacht rock ship, then Christopher Cross has to be captain, right? Cabin boy? Something anyway.
The singer was arguably the biggest success story of the relatively short-lived yacht rock era, and this one still sounds incredible.
The eagles - I can't tell you why (AUDIO VINYL)
Many Eagles tunes could be classed as yacht rock, but we reckon their finest example comes from this track from their The Long Run album in 1979.
Don Henley described the song as "straight Al Green", and that Glenn Frey, an R&B fan, was responsible for the R&B feel of the song. Frey said to co-writer Timothy B Schmit: "You could sing like Smokey Robinson . Let’s not do a Richie Furay, Poco-sounding song. Let’s do an R&B song."
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street (Official Video)
Gerry Rafferty probably didn't realise he was creating one of the greatest yacht rock songs of all time when he wrote this, but boy did he.
With the right blend of rock and pop and the use of the iconic saxophone solo, you can't not call this yacht rock at its finest.
Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom (1986)
If you wanted to name the king of yacht rock, you'd have to pick Michael McDonald . He could sing the phone book and it would sound silky smooth.
Possibly his greatest solo tune, it was used in the movie Running Scared , and its music video featured actors Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines.
Daryl Hall & John Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) (Official Video)
This duo knew how to make catchy hit after catchy hit. This R&B-tinged pop tune was co-written with Sara Allen (also the influence for their song 'Sara Smile').
John Oates has said that the song is actually about the music business. "That song is really about not being pushed around by big labels, managers, and agents and being told what to do, and being true to yourself creatively."
Not only was the song sampled in De La Soul's 'Say No Go' and Simply Red 's 'Home', but Michael Jackson also admitted that he lifted the bass line for 'Billie Jean'!
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Often dissed as slick, overly-produced music made by white men in the '70s, Yacht Rock actually resulted in some amazing pop music beyond Christopher Cross' "Sailing." Here are tracks that define the genre's rich, jazzy textures and irresistible melodies.
12 Songs, 1 hour, 1 minute
Featured artists, the doobie brothers, gerry rafferty, daryl hall & john oates, blues image, donald fagen, africa, middle east, and india.
Yacht rock songs top 100, yacht rock songs.
Check out the ultimate authority on smooth songs that really rock. Here’s the foremost Top 100 yacht rock songs of all time. In fact, here’s the real deal. More importantly, for you aficionados, these are the songs you’ve been looking for. Finally, we are posting the hilarious list that really helped turn us on to the best in the YR genre. Unbelievably, the commentary on these songs and the pure genius of which songs made the list energized our thirst for the genre. In fact, literally every song we play made the list and certainly some go to the level of yacht-adjacent but we highly recommend perusing this article. Speaking of articles, check out our Florida adventure here.
To top it off, this list provides some videos and the classic moments that go with the song. The comedy is real and the power of those songs is tangible. You won’t find another list of yacht rock songs like out there. The author certainly crafted it with care and accuracy and we really appreciate weaving the music and life together. Honestly, you can’t read through the list without complete amusement, excitement and laughter. It feels so good to walk through these smooth cuts and see the music’s influence on our culture and what interesting stories are told. It’s meaningful. These songs reverberate with the joy that we as a band play these classic vinyl cuts.
Furthermore, click on this link to find a website that rates the top 100 yacht rock songs of all time. In addition, the commentary is brilliant! Lastly, consider it Anchors AWEIGH and you can thank us later!!!!! In fact, I’m sure many of these amazing tunes will make your new yachty playlist. Interestingly, we discovered this article back in 2014 and clung to the magic of these tunes that make smooth music really tick. Once you begin reading the list, it’ll be hard to put it down. These guys are dead on and the comedy and facts and background make it priceless.
Do yourself a favor and sit down for a deep dive into the genre. Certainly, check out 70’s soft rock and 80’s soft rock as much as they are covered in the list as well. Inasmuch, even if you start at number 100, you’ll surely make it to 50 and 30 and more. Ultimately, you can click the big link or The Hello Loser website to get to numbers 21 through 30 on the TOP 100 SONG LIST.
Your playlist will seriously benefit from this read. In fact, we haven’t seen a comprehensive look at yacht rock songs like this! And now to get back to our Electronic Press Kit, click on the EPK/MEDIA tab on the website.
In fact, yacht rock has a distinct criteria that makes it float. In fact, they have a website you can check for the ultimate authority on what’s Yacht or Nyacht. Thus, it is aptly titled, YachtorNyacht.com. More importantly, there are elements that guide the selection of what makes the cut. The originators JD Ryznar, Hollywood Steve, Hunter Stair, and Dave Lyons generally say it’s polished jazzy, R&B music from 1976 to 1984. But let’s dive into the elements that the fellas use to vote on whether a song makes their list of authentic smooth songs.
Additionally, it’s that well produced complicated chord arrangement played by mainly the best session musicians of the time. Moreover, the songs contain crafty and intricate chord changes buoyed by lush harmonies and plenty of electric piano and saxophone. The yacht behind the rock derives from the ubiquitous nautical references in the lyrics and even the album covers. For example, Loggins and Messina at the helm of a sailboat for the album Full Sail. Or, simply the flamingo on the cover of Christopher Cross’ self titled album.
Now, in recent times, we’ve made much about the fact that as a live band, the music still has to groove. In fact, yacht rock songs can be quite mellow so the band does have to keep it poppin for our audiences. Ultimately, Yachty by Nature has found a great balance of those upbeat and mellow songs to keep the party rockin’. Of course, we’ve been so fortunate as a band to have so much with these songs and the great venues and crowds we play to! For your listening pleasure, we always recommend finding a great playlist on Spotify or some Yacht Rock Radio on Sirius/XM. Additionally, our friend Eddie Ganz at YR Radio brings the smooth like none other.
Yachty by Nature is always adding new tunes. In fact, it’s tough to pick the right song to put in the set, but we’re always experimenting. Additionally, we rely on our crowd to guide the choices and we LOVE to hear those thoughts. As you can see, we have a lot of music to cover and every shade of the rainbow within the genre of smooth music. Like captains going from port to port, we dabble into all kinds of waters.
Yachty songs occupy these certain elements but it certainly isn’t so linear. First, from soft rock to folk rock, the yacht genre encompasses some of those mellower hits. For example, the song Brandy is accepted by our followers but rejected by the Yacht Rock youtube series guys. But it represents something with yachty references and somewhere in the softer and folksy earlier 70’s. The line is drawn tight that Bread is too soft and Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft may be too early as well. But those songs are certainly adjacent and close to the heart of what we like to do. In fact, some of those artists emerge on the yacht like Jackson Browne, Carly Simon, and Rupert Holmes.
Now, there’s what we call Yacht Funk or R&B where we dip into some George Benson, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and even perform Warren G’s Regulate. The Yacht Prog can be seen in Toto, Ambrosia, Alan Parsons and even narrowly Crosby, Stills, and Nash. In fact, Yacht Country makes a splash from time to time. Certainly Islands in the Stream and the crossover country album of Lionel Richie gives you an idea of where it’s at. Jazz makes an appearance or two with George Benson’s Breezin’ and Smooth Operator by Sade which is one saxy mutha.
As you can see, there’s too much to say. One angle begets another and there’s simply a lot to cover. Perhaps we can dive into each of these levels of smooth rock sometime. But for now, check out the Top 100 website, listen to more tunes, and even check out new smooth! And, if you want to focus on the Top 8 yachty songs that Yachty by Nature plays, check out this article Captain Carl published. Until then, Keep it Yachty!
#songlist #yachtrock #top100 #softrock #yachtrocksongs #yachtrockband #yachtybynature #
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Published April 28, 2023
Yacht rock is a subgenre of soft rock. It became prevalent in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and while it’s no longer as popular now, it still continues to be loved by fans today.
It’s best known for the jazzy arrangements, sophisticated harmonies, and lyrics that would often encapsulate the laid-back lifestyle of yacht owners. Needless to say, yacht rock targets a specific niche, and even those outside of that niche can enjoy the songs the genre offers.
If that sounds like you, then you’re in luck. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best yacht rock songs of all time, from deep cuts to classics that came out from 1972 to 1990.
While yacht rock is often associated with the late 1970s and early 1980s, there have been some recent songs that were able to capture the yacht rock vibe or sound. They’re now quite popular among fans of this genre. Here’s a yacht rock songs list of these songs:
Yacht rock has proven to be a timeless genre that has, for decades, captured the hearts of not only yacht enjoyers and owners, but also music lovers in general. Whether you’re a newcomer to yacht rock or a long-time enthusiast of the genre, the top yacht rock songs in this list will offer a glimpse into the melodic, smooth sound that defines the yacht genre.
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Yacht Rock Definitive Playlist | |
Jazz has Smooth Jazz. Rock and Roll has Yacht Rock. It’s nostalgic music, if you are of the right demographic, or like to pretend you are. The phrase was started by J.D. Ryznar, who created a series of Yacht Rock videos in 2005/6. A mix of 70s and 80s ‘Adult Contemporary’ pop, and some accidental grooves from the past, Yacht Rock is a mix of the expected, and unexpected. Add some soft and you’re ready to sail. #yuppiemusic #hipstermusic #noedge | |
1. | I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) – Hall and Oates |
2. | Ride Like The Wind – Christopher Cross |
3. | Africa – Toto |
4. | Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes – Jimmy Buffett |
5. | Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) – Looking Glass |
6. | Breezin – George Benson. |
7. | Yah Mo Be There – James Ingram & Michael McDonald |
8. | Summer Breeze – Seals and Crofts |
9. | Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes |
10. | All Night Long – Lionel Ritchie |
11. | Kokomo – The Beach Boys |
12. | Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet |
13. | What A Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers |
14. | Moondance – Van Morrison |
15. | Lido Shuffle – Boz Scaggs |
16. | Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince |
17. | Regulate – Warren G Featuring Nate Dogg |
18. | Maneater – Hally and Oates |
19. | Key Largo – Bertie Higgins |
20. | Lovely Day – Bill Withers |
21. | Baby Come Back – Player |
22. | Heart of Rock and Roll – Huey Lewis and The News |
23. | Human Nature – Michael Jackson |
24. | Rosanna – Toto |
25. | Boys of Summer – Don Henley |
26. | FM (No Static At All) – Steely Dan |
27. | Sweet Freedom – Michael McDonald |
28. | Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) – Billy Ocean |
29. | Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest |
30. | Let Your Love Flow – The Bellamy Brothers |
31. | Dreams – Fleetwood Mac |
32. | Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills & Nash |
33. | Give Me The Night – George Benson |
34. | So Into You – Atlanta Rhythm Section |
35. | Baby I’m-A Want You – Bread |
36. | Lowdown – Boz Scaggs |
37. | Dancing In The Moonlight – Thin Lizzie |
38. | I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Cash |
39. | Sentimental Lady – Bob Welch |
40. | Hold The Line – Toto |
41. | Sail On, Sailor – The Beach Boys |
42. | Hey Nineteen – Steely Dan |
43. | Steal Away – Robbie Dupree |
44. | Reminiscing – Little River Band |
45. | Time Passages – Al Stewart |
46. | Right On Down The Line – Gerry Rafferty |
47. | I Can’t Tell You Why – The Eagles |
48. | Something About You – Level 42 |
49. | Ride Captain Ride – Blues Image |
50. | Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) – Edison Lighthouse |
51. | It’s Too Late To Turn Back Now – Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose |
52. | Moonlight Feels Right – Starbuck |
53. | Groovin’ – The Young Rascals |
54. | Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty |
55. | JoJo – Boz Scaggs |
56. | How Long – Ace |
57. | Don’t You Know – Jan Hammer Group |
58. | I’m Not In Love – 10CC |
59. | Lost In Love – Air Supply |
60. | Do It Again – Steely Dan |
61. | Horse With No Name – America |
62. | White Bird – It’s a Beautiful Day |
63. | Lowdown – Boz Scaggs |
64. | Everytime You Go Away – Paul Young |
65. | Year of the Cat – Al Stewart |
66. | Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison |
67. | Guilty – Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb |
68. | Sexy Eyes – Dr. Hook |
69. | Kiss on My List – Hall and Oates |
70. | Eye In The Sky – Alan Parsons Project |
71. | On and On – Stephen Bishop |
72. | Deacon Blues – Steely Dan |
73. | Graceland – Paul Simon |
74. | This Is It – Kenny Loggins |
75. | Hypnotized – Fleetwood Mac |
76. | Thunder Island – Jay Ferguson |
77. | I Keep Forgettin’ – Michael McDonald |
78. | What You Won’t Do For Love – Bobby Caldwell |
79. | Cherish – Kool and the Gang |
80. | Hearts – Marty Balin |
81. | With Me – Orleans |
82. | Peg – Steely Dan |
83. | Diamond Girl – Seals and Crofts |
84. | Couldn’t Get It Right – Climax Blues Band |
85. | Heart To Heart – Kenny Loggins |
86. | Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Brown |
87. | Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin |
88. | Walkin’ in Memphis – Marc Cohn |
89. | If You Could Read My Mind – Gordon Lightfoot |
90. | Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac |
91. | Smoke From A Distant Fire – Sanford Townsend Band |
92. | – Olivia Newton-John |
93. | Biggest Part of Me – Ambrosia |
94. | Fooled Around And Fell In Love – Elvin Bishop |
95. | If – Bread |
96. | When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman – Dr. Hook |
97. | You’re The Only Woman – Ambrosia |
98. | This Time I’m In It For Love – Player |
99. | Make It With You – Bread |
100. | Cool Change – Little River Band |
Yacht Rock isn’t exactly a genre. It’s more a state of mind. It is the musical equivalent of a mid-afternoon mimosa nap in some nautical location—a cool breeze of lite-FM confection with the substance of a romance novel and the machismo of a Burt Reynolds mustache comb.
Yacht Rock is ‘70s soft schlock about boats, love affairs, and one-night stands.
Typified by artists like Christopher Cross, Rupert Holmes, and Pablo Cruise, Yacht Rock is not only easy to mock, but it’s also deserving of the abuse. There’s a sensitive 70s male brand of chauvinism that permeates this material—like somehow because you could schnarf an 8-ball of cocaine and sail a boat into the sunset, your indulgences and marital infidelity were actually kind of sexy. Cheap pickup lines and beardly come-ons abound.
And yet, this stuff is irresistible on a slow summer day. It reeks of sunshine and laziness, and couldn’t we all use a little of both?
These are the 25 Best Yacht Rock Songs, in order. Zero suspense. (Sorry if that’s less fun for you).
If you would like to learn more about Yacht Rock without getting a sailing license, read on…
So Yacht Rock refers to a type of soft rock, right? But there’s a ton of soft rock out there that doesn’t fit the bill. There’s no room on my boat for Barry Manilow. At the Copa? Sure. But not so much on my boat. So what makes a great yacht rock song exactly?
Ideally, one or more of these themes will be present:
These features pretty much capture everything that’s great about this milieu. But there’s also an important cheese factor at play here. While Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, CSN, and the Doobie Brothers all made songs that might qualify for inclusion here, the artists themselves are–let’s just say it–too good to be considered Yacht Rock.
We’ll make sure to include them in our deluxe playlist at the article’s conclusion.
But in order for a song to be considered for our list, it must be at least slightly embarrassing. Case in point, the top song on our list…
“The Pina Colada Song” is arguably the most perfect embodiment of yacht rock, fulfilling, as it does, all three of the qualifications cited above. Holmes sings about making love in the dunes, attempts to cheat on his wife, then ultimately, rediscovers that his “old lady” is actually the love he’s been searching for all along. That’s the holy trinity of Yacht Rock themes, all wrapped up in a breezy story of casual adultery. And at the turn of a new decade, listeners were feeling it. Released as a single in 1979, “Escape” stood at the top of the charts during the last week of the year. Falling to #2 in the new year, it returned to the top spot in the second week of 1980. This made it the first song to top the charts in two separate, consecutive decades. Fun fact: Rupert Holmes never drank a Pina Colada in his life. He just thought the lyric sounded right. Hard to argue that point.
Formed at Rutgers University in 1969, Looking Glass topped the charts in 1972 with the tale of a lovelorn barmaid in a harbor town haunted by lonely sailors. It would be the band’s only hit. Lead singer Elliot Lurie would go on to a brief solo career before becoming head of the music department for the 20th Century Fox movie studio in the ’80s and ’90s. That means he was the musical supervisor for the soundtrack to Night at the Roxbury . Do with that information what you will. And with respect to “Brandy,” see the film Guardians of the Galaxy 2 for Kurt Russell’s surprisingly detailed treatise on its lyrical genius.
The title track from the soft-rock duo’s breakout 1972 record, “Summer Breeze” is an incurable earworm, a bittersweet twilight dream that captures everything that’s right about Lite FM. From an album inhabited by Wrecking Crew vets and studio aces, “Summer Breeze” curls like smoke drifting lazily through an open window.
Toto singer David Paich had never been to Africa. The melody and refrain for this #1 hit from 1982 came to him fully formed as he watched a late night documentary about the plight of those living on the African continent. The lyrics touch on missionary work and describe the landscape as inspired by images from National Geographic , according to Paich’s own recollection. Putting aside its self-aware inauthenticity, “Africa” is an infectious, 8x platinum AOR monster.
Released in the summer of 1978 and reaching up to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Reminiscing” was guitarist Graeham Goble ‘s nostalgic take on the swing band era. Not only is it the only Australian song ever to reach five million radio plays in the U.S., but rumor is that it was among the late John Lennon’s favorite songs.
Recorded originally by a country-swamp rocker named Jeffrey Kurtz, Dobie’s 1973 cover became his biggest hit, reaching #5 on the charts. Though not explicitly nautical, “Drift Away” captures the distinct sensation of cruising at sunset.
Pablo Cruise may have the most “yachty” of all band names on our list. And “Love Will Find a Way” is sort of the musical equivalent of a ketch skipping along a glassy surface on a crisp summer dawn. Pablo Cruise was formed in San Francisco by expats from various mildly successful bands including Stoneground and It’s a Beautiful Day. And there is a certain slick professionalism to the proceedings here. Of course, Pablo Cruise was never a critic’s darling. Homer Simpson once accurately classified them as wuss rock. Still, they perfectly captured the white-folks-vacationing-in-the-Caribbean energy that was all the rage at the time. Love found a way to reach #6 on the Billboard charts, remaining in constant radio rotation during the red-hot summer of ’78.
Blues Image emerged from South Florida in the late ’60s and served as the house band for Miami’s vaunted Thee Image music venue upon its inception in 1968. This gave Blues Image the opportunity to open for ascendant headliners like Cream and the Grateful Dead. The association landed them a contract Atco Records. Their sophomore record Open yielded their one and only hit, a #4 in 1970 about a bunch of men who disappear into the mists of the San Francisco Bay in search of a hippie utopia.
This #3 hit from 1982 has nothing to do with sailing. But it’s infectiously smooth production sheen, layered synth, and dreamy vocals make it a perfect Lite FM gem–one cut from the stone that gave us yacht rock. The “Project” was actually a British duo–studio wizard Alan Parsons and singer Eric Woolfson. The title track from their sixth studio album is also their very best recording. It’s also often paired with the instrumental lead-in “Sirius,” a song famous in its own right for blaring over unnumbered sporting arena PA systems. If that tune doesn’t make you think of Michael Jordan, you probably didn’t live through the late 80s.
Marty Balin was a pioneer of the San Francisco scene, founding Jefferson Airplane in 1965 as the house band for his own legendary club–The Matrix. But in 1971, deeply shaken by the death of Janis Joplin, Balin quit his own band. Four years later, he was invited to rejoin his old mates on the already-launched Starship. He immediately contributed what would become the biggest hit by any Jeffersonian vessel. “Miracles” reached #3 in 1975. Gorgeous, elegant, and open, this is a complete anomaly in the Airplane-Starship catalogue. Listen closely for the NSFW lyrics that have often flown under the radar of some adorably innocent censors.
In 1972, Robert John had a #3 hit with his cover of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” And yet, just before recording “Sad Eyes”, the Brooklyn-born singer was employed as a construction worker in Long Branch, New Jersey. By the summer of ’79, he would have a #1 hit. In fact, the charting success of “Sad Eyes” was part of a cultural backlash against the reign of disco. A wave of pop hits swept on to the charts, including this slick soft rock throwback. With his sweet falsetto and doo wop sensibility, Robert John knocked The Knack’s “My Sharona” from its 6-week stand atop the charts.
Before launching headlong into his music career, Walter Egan was one of the very first students to earn a fine arts degree from Georgetown, where he studied sculpture. The subject would figure into his biggest hit, a #8 easy listening smash from 1978. Featured on his second solo record, “Magnet and Steel” enjoys the presence of some heavy friends. Lindsey Buckingham produced, played guitar and sang backup harmonies with Stevie Nicks. By most accounts, Nicks was also a primary source of inspiration for the song.
Of course, not all yacht rock songs are about sailing on boats. Some are about missing boats. Boz Scaggs looks dejected on the cover of 1977’s Silk Degrees , but things turned out pretty well for him. This bouncy #11 hit is a classic rock mainstay today. The band you hear backing Boz–David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, and David Hungate–would go on to form the nucleus of Toto that very same year. Toto, as it happens, is essentially a recurring theme of the genre. Before rising to massive success in their own right, the members of Toto absolutely permeated rock radio in the 70s, laying down studio tracks with Steely Dan, Seals and Crofts, Michael McDonald, and more.
This smooth-as-silk tune reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its 1978 release. It also reached #6 on the Hot Selling Soul Singles Chart. This is significant only because of Caldwell’s complexion. He was a white man signed to TK Records, a label most closely associated with disco acts like KC and the Sunshine Band. Catering to a largely Black audience, the label went to minor lengths to hide their new singer’s identity–dig the silhouetted figure on the cover of his own debut. Suffice it to say, once Caldwell hit the road, audiences discovered he was white. By then, they were already hooked on this perfect groove, which you might also recognize as a sample in 2Pac’s posthumous 1998 release, “Do For Love.”
Technically, Michael McDonald’s “I Keep Forgettin’” is an adaptation of an earlier tune by the same name. In fact, the original “I Keep Forgettin” was conceived by the legendary songwriting duo Leiber and Stoller–best known for iconic staples like “Hound Dog”, “Kansas City”, “Poison Ivy” and much much more. The original recording is by Chuck Jackson and dates to 1962. But McDonald’s 1982 take is definitive. If that wasn’t already true upon its release and #4 peak position on the charts, certainly Warren G. and Nate Dogg cemented its status when they sampled McDonald on “Regulate”. Get the whole history on that brilliant 1994 time capsule here .
Oh and by the way, this tune also features most of the guys from Toto. I know, right? These dudes were everywhere.
To the casual listener, Gerry Rafferty’s name may sound vaguely familiar. Indeed, you may remember hearing it uttered in passing in the film Reservoir Dogs . In a key scene, the DJ (deadpan comedian Steven Wright) mentions that Rafferty formed half the duo known as Stealers Wheel, which recorded a “Dylanesque, pop, bubble-gum favorite from April of 1974” called “Stuck in the Middle With You.” In the same scene, Mr. Blonde (portrayed with sadistic glee by Michael Madsen), slices off a policeman’s ear. At any rate, this is a totally different song, and is actually Rafferty’s biggest hit. “Baker Street” is a tune that reeks of late nights, cocaine, and regret. Peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Baker Street” soared on wings of the decade’s most memorable sax riff. Raphael Ravenscroft’s performance would, in fact, lead to a mainstream revitalization of interest in the saxophone writ large.
There are several interesting things about Silver that have almost nothing to do with this song. First, bass guitarist and singer Tom Leadon was both the brother of Bernie Leadon from the Eagles and a member of Tom Petty’s pre-fame band, Mudcrutch. Second, the band’s keyboardist was Brent Mydland, who would go on to become the Grateful Dead’s longest tenured piano guy. Third, Silver put out their only record in 1976, and future Saturday Night Live standout Phil Harman designed the cover art. With all of that said, Arista executives felt that their first album lacked a single so they had country songwriter Rick Giles cook up this ridiculous, gooey concoction that I kind of love. Let’s say this one falls into the “so bad it’s good” category. Anyway, the song peaked at #16 on the charts. The band broke up in ’78, leading Mydland to accept the deadliest job in rock music. He defied the odds by playing with the Grateful Dead until an accidental drug overdose claimed his life in 1990.
I admit, I’m kind of hard-pressed to make Ambrosia interesting. In fact, they were extremely prolific, and earned high regard in early ’70s prog rock circles. And in the 1990s, lead singer David Pack would actually be the musical director for both of Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration concerts. But this Southern California combo is much better known to mainstream audiences for their top-down, hair-blowing-in-the-wind soft rock from the decade in between. Peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980, “Biggest Part of Me” is the group’s best-known tune–a seafoamy bit of blue-eyed soul served over a raw bar of smooth jazz and lite funk.
Player released their self-titled debut album in 1977 and immediately shot up to #1 with “Baby Come Back.” Bandmates Peter Beckett and J.C. Crowley had both recently broken up with their girlfriends. They channeled their shared angst into this composition, a self-sorry guilty pleasure featuring former Steppenwolf member Wayne Cook on keys. Granted, Steppenwolf’s edgy disposition is nowhere to be found on this record, but it is pretty infectious in a late-summer-night, slightly-buzzed, clenched-fist sort of way. Player endured various lineup changes, but never returned to the heights of their first hit.
Remember that scene in National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) where there’s this dude in a turtleneck singing a super cloying folks song before John Belushi mercifully snatches away his guitar and smashes it to smithereens? That guy was Stephen Bishop, who was actually in the middle of enjoying considerable success with his 1976 debut album, Careless . “On and On” was the album’s biggest hit, a vaguely Caribbean soft-rocker that reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in ’77. The gentle electric riffs you hear there are supplied by guitarist Andrew Gold–who wrote the theme song for the Golden Girls . (I freakin’ know you’re singing it right now).
The classic tale of boy-meets-girls, bangs-her-in-his-van, and brags-to-his-buds, all with backing from the world famous Wrecking Crew studio team. In 1975, a lot of people super related to it. It sold over a million copies and reach #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. I can’t tell you this song is good. But I also can’t tell you I don’t like it.
Firefall’s lead guitarist Jock Bartley perfectly captures this song’s impact, calling the band’s biggest hit “a singing version of [a] Hallmark card.” That feels right. The second single from Firefall’s 1976 self-titled debut was only a regional hit at first. But it was driven all the way to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the strength of radio requests. As Bartley explained, “Every female between the ages of 18 and 24 wanted to be the woman portrayed in the song, and that caused their boyfriends and spouses to call radio stations and subsequently flood the airwaves with dedications of the song and the sentiment.”
Arguably, “Sailing” is the single most emblematic song of the Yacht Rock genre. Its thematic relevance requires no explanation. But it’s worth noting that the song is inspired by true events. During a tough time in his youth, Cross was befriended by Al Glasscock. Serving as something of an older brother to Cross, Glasscock would take him sailing. He recalls in his biggest hit that this was a time of escape from the harsh realities of his real life. In 1979, Cross released his self-titled debut. In early 1980, “Sailing” became a #1 hit, landing Cross a hat-trick of Grammys–including recognition as best new artist. Though Cross and Glasscock would lose touch for more than 20 years, they were reunited during a 1995 episode of The Howard Stern Show . Cross subsequently mailed a copy of his platinum record to Glasscock.
Apparently, this song was perceived as so blatant a ripoff of Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins’ “What a Fool Believes” that legal action was actually threatened. It never formulated. Instead, Robbie Dupree landed a #6 Billboard Hot 100 hit with the lead single from his self-titled 1980 debut. Critics hated it, but it was a dominant presence in the summer of 1980. It even earned Dupree a Grammy nomination for best new artist. He ultimately lost to the man just above–Christopher Cross.
You didn’t think we’d get through this whole list without an actual Kenny Loggins tune. This song has the perfect pedigree, teaming Loggins and Michael McDonald on a 1979 composition that became the lead single off of Kenny Loggins’ Keep the Fire. Coming on the tail end of the ’70s, “This is It” felt positively omnipresent in the ’80s. I may be biased here. I grew up in Philadelphia, where a local television show by the same name adopted “This is It” as its theme song. But then, it did also reach #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
And in that spirit…this is it, the end of our list.
But as usual, here’s a bonus playlist–an expanded voyage through the breezy, AOR waters of the mid-’70s to early ’80s.
I’ve been wanting to put together a best of Yacht Rock list for quite sometime. Now that we’re into the month of May – I’m inspired to pull this list together and get ready to jam to these (and others) all summer long. As an added bonus, recording artist Carly Shea stopped by to talk about her favorite Yacht Rock songs. She listed her songs during the intermission or halftime on the video countdown below .
As I started writing down names to songs that I felt should be included on the list, I noticed that it was being dominated by Michael McDonald/Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross and America. So I decide to make some ground rules:
Only one song per band would be ranked with solo projects being treated separately. Of course that made for even more decisions. Choosing between the three or four America songs to include on the list was TOUGH. Same with Seals & Croft. Summer Breeze or Diamond Girl ? But then it hit me. A calmness of floating through a no wake zone, if you will. Just relax and make your selections and live with it. At the end of the day, when you are dealing with Yacht Rock – there really aren’t any bad choices.
Speaking of which. A couple of artists got left off of the list. I nearly expanded the list to 30 to make room for anyone. But I decided to keep the top 24. So Hall and Oates (I Can’t Go For That), Toto (Georgy Porgy), Fleetwood Mac (You Make Loving Fun), Kenny Loggins (This Is It), Dobie Gray (Drift Away) and Olvia Newton-John (Magic) – just missed. In fact, the first two names I wrote down initially were Hall & Oates and Toto. It’s a touch business – this Yacht Rock.
Without further ado. Here’s my Top 24 Yacht Rock Songs .
24. England Dan and John Ford Coley – I’d Really Love To See You Tonight
23. Herb Alpert – Route 101
22. Jay Ferguson – Thunder Island
21. Boz Scaggs – JoJo
20. Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do For Love
19. Looking Glass – Brandi (You’re A Fine Girl)
18. Player – Baby Come Back
17. Ambrosia – Biggest Part Of Me
16. Michael Martin Murphey – Wildfire
15. Todd Rundgren – I Saw The Light
14. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom
13. Ace – How Long
12. Lionel Richie – All Night Long
11. 10cc – I’m Not In Love
10. Rupert Homes – Escape (Pina Colada)
09. Donald Fagen – I.G.Y.
08. Robbie Dupree – Steal Away
07. Seals & Croft – Summer Breeze
06. America – Horse With No Name
05. Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
04. Christopher Cross – Ride Like The Wind
03. Steely Dan – Peg
02. Starbuck – Moonlight Feels Right
01. Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes
So there you go. The songs I consider the greatest Yacht Rock Songs ever. Of course, with the twist of only one song per act.
Do you have a favorite? Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram below and let me know which song is your top choice.
-Tommy Marz
You can follow Tommy on Twitter and Instagram let him know what you think.
How does one describe yacht rock? The folks at MasterClass did a pretty good job. Essentially, it's a component of soft rock, adult contemporary, and Album-oriented rock (AOR) all rolled into one. Popular in the late 1970s and into the '80s, there are some notable tunes of the ilk (smooth rhythms, light or "breezy" vocals, well-polished and produced) from earlier in the '70s that fall into this category.
In the spirit of easy listening fare, here is our ranking of 22 great yacht rock tunes.
The Southern Californian's biggest hit, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Yacht rock tracks often tell stories, and "Lonely Boy" is one of the great story songs. Whether it's autobiographical in nature has always been ripe for a casual argument. Though Gold, who passed away in 2011 at age 59, repeatedly claimed this song about a boy who felt left out following the birth of his sister was not depicting his life. The 1970s were ripe for one-hit wonders in the United States, and Gold is not still forgotten.
"I Love You" is a sweet, endearing ballad. The kind of song that probably sounded great via that portable 8-track cassette player on a catamaran during an early '80s' summer. From England, Climax Blues Band scored a top-15 hit with "I Love You." Love was a dependable and generally successful topic for artists within the soft/yacht rock genre. In fact, the song is still quite popular on lite rock and adult contemporary radio stations on your FM dial for those who still like to hear their music that way.
Toto rightfully has a place in the yacht rock world, but the band also broke into the top-40, FM radio, and MTV mainstream with the release of 1982's Toto IV . "Rosanna" was a big reason for the album's success, peaking at No. 2 on Billboard 's Hot 100 and winning the Record of the Year Grammy Award. Sure, it's not typical yacht rock fare, per se. It's certainly heavier than other popular tracks on this list, but it's certainly a product of AOR and still routinely played in dentist offices throughout America.
There are those historians who believe the first true example of yacht rock came with this popular '70s staple from the "Captain" Daryl Dragon and his wife Toni Tennille. Now, Neil Sedaka wrote "Love Will Keep Us Together" and originally recorded the song two years earlier. Still, the duo's version was more poppy, with a carefree vibe that's ideal for FM radio. While Captain & Tennille's cover won a Record of the Year Grammy Award, Sedaka has noted that the Beach Boys were one of the inspirations for the tune. This makes sense since many music critics, professionals, historians, etc.. have credited the yacht rock genre as somewhat of an offshoot from the Beach Boys' collective sound.
This No.1 Billboard Hot 100 hit for England's Rupert Holmes has achieved a steady cult following over the years. Perhaps, because of the unique title and conjured images of some warm, beach-laden paradise. Yacht rock's association with summer, water, and care-free living, as a backdrop to a romantic story, is one of its appealing aspects. This song is about a couple who ultimately patch up a rough relationship through personal ads . Any time somebody of a certain age sips one of these drinks, ideally at some Caribbean resort with the warm winds off the ocean blowing, "The Pina Colada Song" should come to mind.
Formed in Australia, the soft/pop rock and often yacht rock stylings of LRB were a hit in the United States. " Reminiscing " was the band's biggest hit in America, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Like many songs of this genre, "Reminiscing" is paced by the electric piano. Which also happened to be a staple of the Little River Band. Sure, it's not "breezy" like other yacht rock tunes, but Will Ferrell's Det. Allen Gamble is a big fan in The Other Guys (2010).
Yes, more from Toto. If there's one popular Toto hit that whole-heartedly falls under the yacht rock moniker, it's " Africa ." The group's only song to top the Billboard Hot 100, and made a resurgence with Weezer's popular cover in recent years , "Africa," is the proper combination of mellow and poppy. It continues the Toto tradition of shared vocals, while the consistent synthesizer and keyboard presence, though more pronounced than the typical soft rock/adult contemporary vibe.
L.A.'s Ambrosia, co-founded by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter David Pack and bassist Joe Puerta was all about the soft rock sound that surfaced in Southern California during the early 1970s. "How Much I Feel," from the group's third album Life Beyond L.A. , might have more of an adult contemporary vibe but certainly falls into the yacht rock category. It was one of the band's biggest hits, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It's remained popular over the years, even being sampled by Kanye West.
Steely Dan was, in its prime, under the direction of celebrated songwriters Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, many things regarding a collective sound. Rock, pop, jazz, blues. Usually melodic, well within the soft-rock category. Songs like "Peg," from the 1977 masterpiece Aja , certainly has a yacht rock vibe, too. Perhaps most notably is that the great Michael McDonald, longtime frontman of the Doobie Brothers and driving singer-songwriter in the soft/yacht rock circles, provides backing vocals on the track.
It really does get more yacht rock than this—smooth , with a flowing rhythm, precise, but not overbearing, harmonies . Not to mention the subtly stellar keyboard work from David C. Lewis. Throw in sessionist Ernie Watts' sax solo, and we have one great soft/yacht offering. It was the second of Ambrosia's two top-5 hits, reaching No. 3 on Billboard 's Hot 100. The version from the 1980s One Eighty album runs about 5 1/2 minutes long. Talk about pure easy-listening joy.
Long considered one of the great "summer songs" ever recorded. And summer-themed tunes from the 1970s tend to lend themselves to the yacht rock moniker. That said, Seals & Crofts were definitely a soft rock outfit, but with elements of folk and pop. "Summer Breeze" peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the 1970s and, again, is notable for being one of the earliest yacht rock offerings. Several other prominent artists, such as Ray Conniff, the Isley Brothers, and a stellar metal version from Type O Negative.
It's safe to say that Christopher Cross is the king of yacht rock. A brilliant songwriter and above-average guitar player, Cross could rock, but it's his definitive soft rock numbers that made him a star with lite-FM, adult contemporary and yacht rock fans. "Ride Like the Wind" is the first single from Cross' stellar five-time Grammy-Award-winning self-titled debut from 1979. A more upbeat number about an outlaw running from the authorities, the track is less uplifting than other yacht rock tunes, but the vibe is the same. Of note, Michael McDonald provided backing vocals.
From John Friesen's steady drum intro to that durably underlaid bass line via Ron Moss to J.C. Crowley's keyboard presence begins the soft-rock brilliance of "Baby Come Back." With lyrics describing the yearning to reacquire a lost love and full-band harmonies, "Baby Come Back" just might be the quintessential offering of the yacht rock genre. It was the biggest hit for Player , the L.A.-based group that featured vocalist and song co-writer Peter Beckett, who was born in England. The tune topped the Billboard Hot 100 and still has a presence with its inclusion in films such as Transformers and Black Adam. Plus, various versions in popular TV shows like The Simpsons. American Dad and King of the Hill.
The Doobie Brothers were a rather hard-rocking outfit before Michael McDonald joined up in the mid-1970s. The band was in need of an established songwriter, and McDonald delivered. However, with a more mellow, synthesizer/electric piano-driven sound that produced soft-rock gems like this one. Co-written by Kenny Loggins, who put out a version for himself, "What a Fool Believes" hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 in April 1979. Several critics have cited this as the best song in the vast Doobie Brothers catalog.
If you're going to be a one-hit wonder, why not make it count? More than 30 years since its release, " Steal Away " can still be heard in elevators and office buildings throughout the United States -- or in the third season of Better Call Saul . Undeniably yacht rock, Dupree, born in Brooklyn, enjoyed success with the song during the summer of 1980 -- always a perfect time to enjoy the smooth, soothing sounds of a piece within this genre that peaked at No. 6 on Billboar d's Hot 100.
Here's a case where middle-aged and baby-boomer music fans probably remember the song but perhaps not the group who performed the track. That's OK. Atlanta's Starbuck is essentially a one-hit wonder thanks to "Moonlight Feels Right," which topped out at No. 3 on Billboard 's Hot 100. For those who remember this track for its lite-flowing beat, with lyrical references to the ocean, "Baltimore," and 'Ole Miss," and band member Bo Wagner marimba solo, it might take them back to a simpler, more laidback time in their lives.
Perhaps more so than the previously mentioned "This Is It," "Heart to Heart" truly has all the requirements of a great yacht rock/soft rock tune. It was co-written by Michael McDonald, who also played the electric piano and provided backing vocals. David Foster, of Chicago songwriting and '80s ballad fame, also helped compose the tune, which features David Sanborn on saxophone. The track is one of Loggins' best-known hits, cracking the top 20 of the Hot 100.
Co-written by David Paich and featuring Jeff Porcaro on drums -- both of whom who go on to form the aforementioned Toto. One of Scaggs most well-known hits, "Lowdown" has a bluesy and almost disco vibe. And a number we can imagine being played at some swanky yacht club party where the dance floor is filled, and more than a few people are sporting captain's hats. The song reached No. 3 on Billboard 's Hot 100 and also topped the Billboard Cash Box chart in the United States.
Yacht rock and one-hit wonders seem to go hand-in-hand. Higgins scored one in the early 1980s with this number that reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Florida native was inspired to write this song about trying to avoid a romantic breakup by the 1948 movie of the same name, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, who are referenced in the tune. Though Higgins never enjoyed the same individual success as a musician, the song has had a solid shelf life and remains a definitive moment in the yacht rock genre.
Sure, "Ride Like the Wind" is a gem, but the undisputed star of Cross' aforementioned debut album is the Hot 100-chart-topper "Sailing." It might be the definitive yacht rock song, capturing what Cross described, at the time, the "West Coast sound," which was long being composed, produced and performed, but maybe didn't have an appropriate moniker. The song won Grammys for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Arrangement of the Year, and was a big reason Cross earned the same award for Best New Artist.
A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University
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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone joined OutKick's brand new ‘T he Ricky Cobb Show ’ to talk about all things, but it was his love of a particular type of music style that has the people talking and will anger a certain fanbase as well.
Forget the balls and strikes of baseball, we're talking about Yacht Rock this morning, as Boone's eyes immediately opened wide when Cobb showed him a list of the top yacht rock artists and asked him to rank them.
Hell, I haven't seen this much excitement from Boone since he was thrown out for the 39th time in his career - just one behind the all-time managerial toss record! As a frustrated Yankees fan whose favorite sports moment ever was being a Fordham student at a bar on 161st Street in the Bronx when Boone hit that home run against the Red Sox in the 2003 ALDS, I commend you for showing emotion, Aaron. Just please manage the bullpen better.
"My go-to, without a question, absolutely No. 1 is Hall and Oates ," the Yankees manager began. "If I'm on a deserted island and I have on playlist to go with they are who I'd take. There's just so many songs that go together, give me Hall and Oates all day long."
Could aaron boone reconcile hall and oates.
Like putting Gerrit Cole as the Yankees ace, Boone is spot on with Hall and Oates being the GOAT of the aycht rock. Sixteen Top 10 hits isn't too shabby - hell, it may be the equivalent of Cole's multiple Cy Young Awards. Unfortunately though, Darryl Hall and John Oates absolutely despise each other and the drama has gotten pretty ugly. Maybe they need a manager like Boone to bring them together and remind them about their love for the game… of music. Some sports beat reporters would even say that Boone may have some availabilities in the near future if the Yankees don't go all the way this year.
Cobb and Boone continued with their list of favorite yacht rock artists with all the expected names.
"Number 2, I'm going to go with Michael McDonald; he's sneaky, he falls into that Bob Segar category a little bit, just sneaky with a lot of great songs. He runs together with the Doobie Brothers a little bit, and sometimes I get that about where it ends, where it begins," Boone continued before adding that "Kenny Loggins, the father of the movie anthems, I mean you can't go wrong there."
Boone then followed up his favorite yacht rock list with Toto - a fair choice simply because of ‘Africa,’ am I right, people?!
The Yankees manager's yacht rock rankings continued with Christopher Cross, Doobie Brothers before blasting Steely Dan and making sure everyone knew that they were last on his list - saying it twice! Damn, Aaron - giving Mr. Dan the Toronto Blue Jays AL East worst comparison, you feisty man!
Overall, not a bad ranking by Boone, although he should have added that Orleans - Still The One is not only the best yacht song, but a top song of all time contender. I mean that song is an absolute classic!
You can watch The Ricky Cobb Show's full interview with Aaron Boone here and make sure to tune in live every day at 11am Eastern!
And hopefully, Aaron Boone is Still The One when it comes to Yankees manager at the end of the season!
Melanie Davis
Updated:
The last half of August typically ushers in the hottest, sultriest part of the year, and we’ve rounded up five rock songs that are perfect for listening to during these dog days of summer. This particular period of time carries a different feel than the earliest months of the season—a time when heat waves vibrate off the pavement, the sun turns the sky a pale, almost white shade of blue, and life seems to slow down, saving its energy under the oppressive heat.
These rock classics personify this distinct time of year with lazy shuffle grooves, nostalgic themes, and fuzz tones that seem to mirror the thick heat and humidity in the air.
“new speedway boogie” by grateful dead.
West Coast legends Grateful Dead knew what they were doing when they released Workingman’s Dead in June 1970. The early summer release offered ample time for the tracks to marinate in the heat, including the iconic “New Speedway Boogie.”
Featuring a lumbering groove and droning chord progression, the song is the perfect musical representation of how it feels wading through the especially toasty dog days of summer.
Summer technically lasts until the autumn equinox in September, but late July and August can often feel like the official end of the season. Shannon Shaw’s “Goodbye Summer” is an appropriate farewell to the mid-year season.
Shaw tucks the track in the middle of her 2018 release, Shannon in Nashville , showcasing her distinct retro flair with airtight background harmonies, surf rock flair, and husky voice.
Link Wray’s 1958 instrumental “Rumble” was one of the first rock and roll tracks to lean into distortion and tremolo. Wray’s warbling guitar tone seems to imitate the heat waves rising off the pavement, buildings, and cars in the thick of summer heat.
Philip Everly (of Everly Brothers fame) helped name the track, saying it sounded like a street fight. But let’s be honest—in the dog days of summer, no one is energetic enough to fight.
While it might seem cliché, there’s a reason Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” captures the essence of the late summer season so well. Nostalgia permeates each verse, painting a picture of a town left empty and quiet after the bustle of summer dies down.
Nostalgia is a recurring theme in Henley’s music. When Tom Petty’s guitarist, Mike Campbell, first presented the song to Henley after Petty turned it down , he said it reminded him of summer, nostalgia, and a little bit of baseball.
Jim Morrison’s slurry, sultry stage persona is the perfect vehicle for late summer vibes, and no track exemplifies this quite like a live version of “Light My Fire” from Boston in 1970 when Morrison combines the band’s hit track with a Gershwin classic.
The unexpected mash-up of the Doors’ hit single and the jazz standard “Summertime” makes an ideal backdrop for the dog days of summer when fish are jumping and the cotton is high .
Photo by MediaPunch/Shutterstock
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Vote for your favorites from a list of songs and hear them counted down on The Beatles Channel.
Here on The Beatles Channel (Ch. 18) , we ain’t got nothing but love for our listeners, eight days a week. That’s why we’ve created a show where your votes determine the playlist.
Welcome to “8 Songs A Week”! Each week, listeners can vote for their favorites from a list of songs by John, Paul, George, and Ringo — sometimes by the band, sometimes it’s their solo work. Every Friday, after the votes are tallied, we’ll air the top eight vote-getters from that list.
Check back weekly at siriusxm.com/8songs for the next poll! You can also stream previous episodes of “8 Songs A Week” on the SiriusXM app .
This week, we count down your favorite Beatles and solo Beatles songs with “day” in the title.
Directions: Select 3 songs from the list below. You may vote once between 08/16/2024 and 08/30/2024 at 2pm ET.
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Sammy hagar wants to open van halen’s music vault, listen to an exclusive ‘deadpool & wolverine’ town hall on the film’s own channel, cast away your worries with smooth-sailing yacht rock, music, sports, news and more.
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Furthermore, Aja, the album that houses Peg, is one of the most impressive American albums of all time, beyond its Yacht Rock appeal. 3. Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass. Released in 1972, the one-hit wonder by Looking Glass, Brandy, established a much bigger name for itself than the band ever managed to achieve on its own.
20. "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)," Looking Glass (1972) Like "Summer Breeze" (found later in our list of Top 50 Yacht Rock Songs), Looking Glass' tale of an alluring barmaid in a busy harbor town ...
A playlist of soft rock hits from the late '70s and early '80s, featuring artists like Steely Dan, Toto, Boz Scaggs, and more. See the full list of 126 songs and join the discussion on the web page.
Putting aside its self-aware inauthenticity, "Africa" is an infectious, 8x platinum AOR monster. 5. "Reminiscing" by Little River Band. Released in the summer of 1978 and reaching up to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Reminiscing" was guitarist Graeham Goble 's nostalgic take on the swing band era.
Playlist · Yacht Rock - 100 Best Ever - Top Yacht Rock Songs · 113 songs · 2.1K likes.
A list of pop-rock songs from the late 1970's/early 1980's that would sound great on a yacht as you sip your pina coladas and get caught in the rain. Find out the Yacht Rock classics by Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan and more.
A list of the best songs from the soft rock genre that dominated the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring smooth soul, jazz, R&B, funk and disco influences. Find out which artists and tracks made the cut, from Player to Toto, from Michael Jackson to Christopher Cross.
YACHT ROCK | TOP 100 SONGS. Filtr. Preview. 70s + 80s Soft Rock for a day on the boat. Island tunes, chill summer hits + nothing but smooth sailing while jamming to hits from TOTO, Looking Glass, Billy Joel, Hall & Oates + more. 101 Songs, 6 hours, 52 minutes. More By Filtr .
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Listen to the The Best Yacht Rock Songs (That Don't Suck) playlist by Rolling Stone on Apple Music. 12 Songs. Duration: 1 hour, 1 minute. ... Yacht Rock actually resulted in some amazing pop music beyond Christopher Cross' "Sailing." Here are tracks that define the genre's rich, jazzy textures and irresistible melodies. 12 Songs, 1 hour, 1 ...
Sailing: The Best Of Yacht Rock is the ultimate #YachtRock playlist of the smoothest classic rock songs ever written.
Yacht rock Songs subgenre. Now, there's what we call Yacht Funk or R&B where we dip into some George Benson, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and even perform Warren G's Regulate. The Yacht Prog can be seen in Toto, Ambrosia, Alan Parsons and even narrowly Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
A comprehensive list of yacht rock songs from 1972 to 1990, featuring artists like Hall & Oates, Toto, Christopher Cross, and more. Also includes some yacht rock-inspired songs from the 2010s and beyond.
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes. The hit song 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song)' is a must for any yacht rock playlist. Rupert Holmes originally titled the tune 'People Need Other People,' and if you listen closely to the lyrics, they paint the picture of a couple in turmoil despite its cheery melody.
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Yacht Rock Definitive PlaylistJazz has Smooth Jazz. Rock and Roll has Yacht Rock. It's nostalgic music, if you are of the right demographic, or like to pretend you are. The phrase was started by J.D. Ryznar, who created a series of Yacht Rock videos in 2005/6. A mix of 70s and 80s 'Adult Contemporary' pop,… Read More
If you don't love songs about boats, one-night stands, and breezy California nights, you've come to the wrong place. Yacht Rock embodies the singer-songwriter soft rock that dominated FM radio playlists in the '70s. Combine slick L.A. production, earnest singing, and a touch of lite-country songwriting, and chances are, you had a Top 40 hit. These are the best of them.
Yacht Rock Extravaganza - The Top 24 Greatest Yacht Rock Songs. I've been wanting to put together a best of Yacht Rock list for quite sometime. Now that we're into the month of May - I'm inspired to pull this list together and get ready to jam to these (and others) all summer long.
Best Yacht Rock Songs - Ultimate Yacht Rock Music (Playlist Updated in 2024) If you liked this playlist, we recommend you also listen to these music lists: 1...
There are many different schools of thought on what "Yacht Rock" really is. Many different artists and songs fall under the wide range of the term. To me, it is what used to be called "soft rock". The term came in to play around 2005. Artists like Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Toto and even some of Billy Joel's music got slapped with this label.
Playlist · YACHT ROCK | TOP 100 SONGS · 153 songs · 52.9K likes
In the spirit of easy listening fare, here is our ranking of 22 great yacht rock tunes. 20. "Lonely Boy" (1977), Andrew Gold. The Southern Californian's biggest hit, reaching No. 7 on the ...
Cobb and Boone continued with their list of favorite yacht rock artists with all the expected names. "Number 2, I'm going to go with Michael McDonald; he's sneaky, he falls into that Bob Segar category a little bit, just sneaky with a lot of great songs.
Link Wray's 1958 instrumental "Rumble" was one of the first rock and roll tracks to lean into distortion and tremolo. Wray's warbling guitar tone seems to imitate the heat waves rising off ...
Playlist · Yacht Rock · 130 songs · 1.6M likes
Each week, listeners can vote for their favorites from a list of songs by John, Paul, George, and Ringo — sometimes by the band, sometimes it's their solo work. Every Friday, after the votes are tallied, we'll air the top eight vote-getters from that list. ... Cast Away Your Worries with Smooth-Sailing Yacht Rock. Music, Sports, News and ...