Recommended For You
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 |
Each week we’re featuring a playlist to get your mind going and help you assemble your favorites. This week we take a deep dive into the soft rock hits of the late ’70s and early ’80s, which have come to be known in some circles as Yacht Rock. The term Yacht Rock generally refers to music in the era where yuppies enjoyed sipping champaign on their yachts — a concept explored in the original web series Yacht Rock, which debuted in 2005 and has developed a cult following. Artists most commonly thought of in the Yacht Rock era include Michael McDonald, Ambrosia, 10cc, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Boz Scaggs, and Christopher Cross. Yacht Rock has become the muse of a great number of tribute bands, and is the current subject of a short-run channel on Sirius XM.
Here is a stab at the Top 100 Songs of Yacht Rock — not necessarily in rank order, with a few more added for honorable mention. We welcome your comments. What songs are ranked too high? What songs are ranked too low? What songs are missing? Make your case. Also, please let us know concepts for playlists you’d like to see — or share a favorite list of your own.
Artist | Title | |
---|---|---|
1 | Steely Dan | Hey Nineteen |
2 | Herb Alpert | Route 101 |
3 | Robbie Dupree | Steal Away |
4 | Jan Hammer Group | Don't You Know |
5 | Blues Image | Ride Captain Ride |
6 | Toto/Cheryl Lynn | Georgy Porgy |
7 | Gerry Rafferty | Right Down The Line |
8 | Paul Young | Every Time You Go Away |
9 | Boz Scaggs | Jojo |
10 | Johnny Nash | I Can See Clearly Now |
11 | Daryl Hall/John Oates | Sara Smile |
12 | Orleans | Dance With Me |
13 | Olivia Newton John | Magic |
14 | Seals & Crofts | Summer Breeze |
15 | Lionel Richie | All Night Long |
16 | Fleetwood Mac | You Make Loving Fun |
17 | Steely Dan | Deacon Blues |
18 | Christopher Cross | Ride Like The Wind |
19 | Little River Band | Cool Change |
20 | Jackson Browne | Somebody's Baby |
21 | 10cc | Dreadlock Holiday |
22 | Dr. Hook | When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman |
23 | Boz Scaggs | Lowdown |
24 | Player | This Time I'm In It For Love |
25 | Fleetwood Mac | Everywhere |
26 | Steely Dan | Peg |
27 | Todd Rundgren | I Saw The Light |
28 | Gerry Rafferty | Baker Street |
29 | Eagles | One Of These Nights |
30 | James Ingram | Yah-Mo Be There |
31 | 10cc | I'm Not In Love |
32 | Ambrosia | Biggest Part Of Me |
33 | Terri Gibbs | Somebody's Knockin' |
34 | Atlanta Rhythm Section | So In To You |
35 | Boz Scaggs | Lido Shuffle |
36 | Steve Miller Band | Wild Mountain Honey |
37 | Michael McDonald | I Gotta Try |
38 | Matthew Wilder | Break My Stride |
39 | England Dan & John Ford Coley | I'd Really Love To See You Tonight |
40 | Player | Baby Come Back |
41 | Kenny Loggins | This Is It |
42 | Michael McDonald | I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) |
43 | Toto | Rosanna |
44 | Daryl Hall/John Oates | Kiss On My List |
45 | The Doobie Brothers | What A Fool Believes |
46 | Christopher Cross | Sailing |
47 | Loggins & Messina | Watching The River Run |
48 | Eagles | The Long Run |
49 | Looking Glass | Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) |
50 | Bread | Everything I Own |
51 | Steely Dan | Reelin' in the Years |
52 | Joe Jackson | Steppin' Out |
53 | Jackson Browne | Doctor My Eyes |
54 | Sanford & Townsend | Smoke from a Distant Fire |
55 | Bobby Caldwell | What You Won't Do For Love |
56 | Fleetwood Mac | Rhiannon |
57 | Ace | How Long |
58 | Daryl Hall/John Oates | Rich Girl |
59 | Toto | Africa |
60 | Steely Dan | Do It Again |
61 | Bertie Higgins | Key Largo |
62 | Rupert Holmes | Escape (The Pina Colada Song) |
63 | Little River Band | Reminiscing |
64 | Jimmy Buffett | Margaritaville |
65 | Fleetwood Mac | Dreams |
66 | Firefall | Just Remember I Love You |
67 | Eagles | I Can't Tell You Why |
68 | Eagles | The Best Of My Love |
69 | Eagles | Take It To The Limit |
70 | Eagles | Tequila Sunrise |
71 | Chicago | Saturday In The Park |
72 | Bob Welch | Sentimental Lady |
73 | America | Sister Golden Hair |
74 | America | A Horse With No Name |
75 | Ambrosia | How Much I Feel |
76 | Alan Parsons | Eye In The Sky |
77 | Air Supply | Lost In Love |
78 | Steely Dan | Dirty Work |
79 | Steely Dan | Only A Fool Would Say That |
80 | Orleans | Still The One |
81 | Stephen Bishop | Sinking In An Ocean Of Tears |
82 | 10cc | The Things We Do For Love |
83 | America | Ventura Highway |
84 | Al Stewart | Year Of The Cat |
85 | Bread | Baby I'm A Want You |
86 | Firefall | You Are The Woman |
87 | George Benson | Gimme The Night |
88 | Barbara Streisand/Barry Gibb | Guilty |
89 | Christopher Cross | Arthur's Theme |
90 | Marty Balin | Hearts |
91 | Poco | Barbados |
92 | Daryl Hall/John Oates | I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) |
93 | Al Stewart | Time Passages |
94 | Jay Ferguson | Thunder Island |
95 | Dr. Hook | Sexy Eyes |
96 | Donald Fagen | I.G.Y. |
97 | Michael McDonald | Gotta Try |
98 | Bread | Make It With You |
99 | Pablo Cruise | Whatcha Gonna Do |
100 | Doobie Brothers | Dependin' On You |
101 | Ozark Mountain Daredevils | Jackie Blue |
102 | Pablo Cruise | Love Will Find A Way |
103 | Starbuck | Moonlight Feels Right |
104 | Billy Ocean | Caribbean Queen |
105 | Linda Ronstadt | Ooh Baby Baby |
106 | Hues Corporation | Rock The Boat |
107 | Loggins & Messina | Danny's Song |
108 | Rupert Holmes | Answering Machine |
109 | Stephen Bishop | On And On |
110 | Bread | The Guitar Man |
111 | Seals & Crofts | Diamond Girl |
112 | Air Supply | Even The Nights Are Better |
113 | Ambrosia | You're The Only Woman |
114 | George Benson | Breezin' |
115 | Daryl Hall/John Oates | She's Gone |
116 | Dave Loggins | Please Come To Boston |
117 | Rickie Lee Jones | Chuck E.'s In Love |
118 | Captain/Tennille | Love Will Keep Us Together |
119 | Dr. Hook | Better Love Next Time |
120 | Chilliwack | I Believe |
121 | Crosby, Stills & Nash | Southern Cross |
122 | Climax Blues Band | Couldn't Get It Right |
123 | Gilbert O'Sullivan | Alone Again (Naturally) |
124 | America | Daisy Jane |
125 | Beach Boys | Sail On, Sailor |
Please join our FREE Newsletter
Related articles more from author, everything new coming to max in september 2024, miranda lambert to receive country icon award at 2024 people’s choice country awards, see photos of new wsm radio station, close to home news, don’t miss the last weekend of wilson county fair/ tn state..., southwest airlines to add two nonstop international flights, one domestic flight..., cash reward offered in franklin bridge vandalism, spring hill’s city administrator pam caskie announces retirement plans, close to home events, miranda lambert to receive country icon award at 2024 people’s choice..., williamson weekend: 5 happenings this weekend, save the date for college and industry fair, see the documentary ‘when patsy cline was crazy’ in franklin, tickets are available to brentwood bruins under the lights event, them dirty roses to perform at the cannery hall, get ready for the rhea lana’s of franklin consignment sale, tickets go on sale next month for nashville zoo’s zoolumination, franklin author will hold book release at landmark booksellers, nashville nightmare sets dates for halloween season.
Yacht rock, soft rock – call it what you will. Here are five brilliant albums that define the genre in all its bearded, Hawaiian shirted glory
Was there really ever a genre called yacht rock ? Prior to the 2005 online comedy series of the same name, what we now know of as yacht rock was simply soft rock, largely of the 1970s variety, but occasionally dipping into the 80s as well. It was music that was smooth, slick and did little to challenge the listener in the way that heavy metal or punk rock would. Yet sold in the multi-millions, made superstars of its creators, and was beloved by industry professionals for the stellar musicianship and high production values. And above all, it was detested by the critics.
Today, yacht rock is the ultimate guilty pleasure genre. Its patron saints - almost exclusively men, generally bearded – never appeared on posters that graced adolescents’ walls. Yet bands and artists such as The Doobie Brothers , Loggins & Messina and Christopher Cross made sweet, soulful music featuring some of the finest musicians of the era and sounding so, so perfect in the process.
Unlike prog, hair metal or krautrock, the boundaries of what constitutes yacht rock are blurred. There’s little to link the jazzy noodlings of Steely Dan , Boz Scaggs’ smooth pop and the later, 80s pop-rock of Hall & Oates beyond the fact that the various members of Toto appeared on many of these albums, making them kind of a yacht rock mafia.
Yacht rock, soft rock, call it what you will: the men who made it are laughing all the way to the bank in their Hawaiian shirts and well-sculpted facial hair while the rest of us celebrate their music in all its frictionless glory. Critics be damned, these are the five essential yacht rock albums for those who want to plunge into the genre.
Kenny Loggins was a boyish-looking yet handsomely bearded fellow with a penchant for country-esque ballads. Jim Messina had been in Buffalo Springfield and country rockers Poco . The pair teamed up to record some of Loggins’ material and ended up becoming an unlikely success story, notching up hits with 1971 single The House At Pooh Corner and the following year’s Your Mama Don’t Dance , later covered by hair metallers Poison.
But 1973’s Full Sail was their apex. Featuring the ultimate yacht rock album cover (two men, one yacht), the album itself contains everything from the calypso frivolity of Lahaina , and the smooth jazz of Travellin’ Blues to the joyously upbeat My Music and hit ballad Watching The River Run . This is yacht rock’s ground zero. Boys, what did you unleash?
An early member of the Steve Miller Band , guitarist and vocalist Boz Scaggs’ solo career had begun 1969. But nothing had clicked with the record buying public until he hooked up with David Paich, Jeff Porcaro and David Hungate, all of whom were on the verge of forming Toto , and recorded his seventh solo album, Silk Degrees . A masterful mix of smooth pop and slick ballads, it spawned hits in the shape of It’s Over , Lowdown , We’re All Alone (made famous by Rita Coolidge) and the pulsating Lido Shuffle , a bona fide dancefloor filler.
Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!
Arguments rage as to whether these protagonists of achingly cool and clever jazz rock belong in the yacht rock genre, but hey, if the people who made the Yacht Rock online series say the are, who are we to argue?
Their sixth album, Aja , saw Walter Becker and Donald Fagan stretching out into longer form pieces of music that were funkier and jazzier than they’d ever been before, capping it off with one of the most pristine production jobs ever – such were their levels of perfectionism that six crack session guitarists tried and failed to lay down the guitar solo on Peg to their satisfaction (it was the seventh, Jay Graydon, who nailed it). Bonus yacht rock points: auxiliary Dan backing vocalist/keyboard player Michael McDonald was also a member of The Doobie Brothers.
In 1974, Steely Dan guitarist Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter moved across to hugely successful blues rockers The Doobie Brothers on a free transfer. The following year, he suggested recruiting Dan backing singer/pianist Michael McDonald as a replacement for the Doobies’ ailing guitarist/vocalist Tom Johnstone.
With his blue-eyed soul croon and knack for writing uptempo R&B-infused songs, McDonald helped nudge the band towards smoother waters. By 1978’s Minute By Minute , they had fully transformed from moustachioed chooglers into yacht rock kingpins. The album’s blend of soft rock and R&B reached its apotheosis on the majestic What A Fool Believes – co-written with Kenny Loggins, naturally – which ultimately helped turn McDonald into a bigger star than the band. For the record, the singer’s 1986 Sweet Freedom compilation is also yacht rock gold.
When Christopher Cross released his self-titled debut album in December 1979, no-one knew who he was. A year later, he’d racked up four Top 20 hits and swept the boards at the Grammy Awards.
It’s not hard to see why: Cross’ spectacular voice was matched by the brilliance of his songs. Everyone knows Ride Like The Wind , featuring that Michael McDonald fella on backing vocals, but it was the mellower Sailing that hit the No. 1 spot ( Ride… only managed No. 2). A year later Cross’ theme to the movie Arthur won him and co-writer Burt Bacharach an Oscar.
Cross was no slouch as a musician either: Steely Dan had asked him to play on their albums and he even filled in for a sick Ritchie Blackmore at a Deep Purple US show back in 1970.
Writer and broadcaster Jerry Ewing is the Editor of Prog Magazine which he founded for Future Publishing in 2009. He grew up in Sydney and began his writing career in London for Metal Forces magazine in 1989. He has since written for Metal Hammer, Maxim, Vox, Stuff and Bizarre magazines, among others. He created and edited Classic Rock Magazine for Dennis Publishing in 1998 and is the author of a variety of books on both music and sport, including Wonderous Stories; A Journey Through The Landscape Of Progressive Rock.
"Arguably the greatest singer of his generation": Mark Lanegan rarely sounded as soulful as he did on Bubblegum
"I was 23 years old and my first boyfriend was John Lennon": 10 things you need to know about May Pang
"The sound of a man pushing his own boundaries and having an absolute ball": Ian Anderson's solo years, now in a handy box
Follow us online to find out when we launch., spotify gives you instant access to millions of songs – from old favorites to the latest hits. just hit play to stream anything you like..
Spotify works on your computer, mobile, tablet and TV.
No ads. No interruptions. Just music.
Keep playing, even when you don't have a connection.
Get ready for incredible sound quality.
Jacob Uitti
Yacht rock is one of those genres of music that you know when you hear it. It’s a combination of a lot of styles, from rock to jazz to blue-eyed soul to disco, but in the end what it constitutes is smooth music that gives you a jolt and a reason to start moving your feet. Even if those feet are in deck shoes planted firmly on a giant boat in the middle of the ocean.
Here below, we wanted to, ahem, dive into three songs from the genre that still get the boat a-rocking. A trio of tracks that boast the appeal of the genre as well as legitimate staying power. Indeed, these are three eternal yacht rock songs that continue to inspire the boatside dance moves.
[RELATED: Yacht Rock Essentials: “Time Passages,” the Smash Hit Al Stewart Wrote and Performed but Never Much Liked]
Believed by many to be the quintessential yacht rock song, this track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, has it all: a sharp-yet-mellow singing voice, drifting musical melodies, and a poignant delivery. Couple that with the title and this song becomes the top track to put on your yacht rock playlists. It’s like melding into an ocean breeze and finding yourself traveling from shore to island and back again. Not only was this track a success on the charts but it won Cross Grammys for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Arrangement of the Year. He also garnered the Best New Artist award, too. On the floating single, he sings,
Well, it’s not far down to paradise At least it’s not for me And if the wind is right you can sail away And find tranquility Oh, the canvas can do miracles Just you wait and see, believe me
It’s not far to never never land No reason to pretend And if the wind is right you can find the joy Of innocence again Oh, the canvas can do miracles Just you wait and see, believe me
If we’re talking yacht rock, why not offer a song that gives listeners a far-off destination to think of. And for those listening in the Western world, the continent of Africa is just that. This track from Toto is one of those that music listeners love to sing along to, especially when it comes to the chorus. Its synthesizers and vocal harmonies are catnip to yacht rock fans—and, really, music fans of any kind. On the compelling track, David Paich sings,
I hear the drums echoing tonight But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation She’s coming in, 12:30 flight The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies He turned to me as if to say, “Hurry boy, it’s waiting there for you”
When it comes to blending rock with disco and soul, perhaps no group did it better than Hall & Oates and this track is one of the prime examples of that. A toe-tapper and easy-listener, this song is driven by pianos and percussion but is accentuated by Daryl Hall’s bright, soaring voice. If you’re ever on a boat and in charge of the music, if you put this song on the playlist, just sit back and watch your fellow travelers begin to sing and get down with big smiles on their faces as this tune plays. It’s the perfect balance of pop stickiness and yacht rock flavor. On the track, Hall sings,
(Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life (Because your kiss) your kiss is on my list (Because your kiss) your kiss I can’t resist (Because your kiss) is what I miss when I turn out the lights
I go crazy wondering what there is to really see Did the night just take up your time, ’cause it means more to me Sometimes I forget what I’m doing I don’t forget what I want, what I want Regret what I’ve done, regret you, I couldn’t go on
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Photo by Monday Jr./ Mad Ink PR
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.
You may also like.
Yacht Rock has made a big splash in the music world.
Here in Asbury Park, fans set sail quite a few years ago for Yacht Rock. Five years ago, to be exact, when DJ Atom Worth started hosting his multimedia Yacht Rock Night at the then-named Asbury Park Yacht Club.
It's now called Low Dive and DJ Atom Worth and Yacht Rock return Friday, Aug. 25.
Yacht Rock is the term, first used in a 2005 online music parody, for the Southern California soft rock of the late ‘70 and early ‘80s. Call it a grand repackaging with polyester shirts and bell bottom jeans. Dance, hang or watch the Yacht Rock videos at Low Dive on Friday.
It's a night of soft rock and hard partying.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
“Seventies sleaziness (in dress) is encouraged,” said Worth previously to the USA Today Network NJ. “We usually get a few people who show up in captain’s hats.”
In honor of the event, we present the Top 6 Yacht Rock songs, as enjoyed by Asbury Park fans, with the help of Low Dive entertainment director Peter Mantas.
More: Nils Lofgren's connection to Asbury Park landmark featured on new album, 'Mountains'
More: Lauryn Hill 'Miseducation' anniversary tour to include Fugees reunion: Here's ticket info
The chimes, background synths and arpeggio guitar chords on “Sailing” does indeed make one feel that one is sailing. Or, perhaps, the feeling is more like floating. Cross was floating on air after the year's Grammy awards. The song won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Arrangement of the Year, while Cross picked up the Best New Artist award.
Loggin's gamboling free-spirit anthem has plenty of hooks, nooks and production tricks that will make you smile on the first listen or two. After that, frankly, it becomes annoying. The track is from the hit movie comedy “Caddyshack,” and it predates an even bigger movie-related '80s smash for Loggins, the similarly cloying “Footloose.”
One can argue that after a promising blue-eyed soul start (“Sara Smile”) in the '70s, Philly's Hall and Oates lost their artistic way in the '80s. Yet, they did find their way to the bank for plenty of withdrawals in the decade, thanks to pop-lite hits like “I Can't Go For That (No Can Do).” To be fair, it's not a terrible song, but the tempo needed to be slowed and the production needed to be reined in to make it a high-quality work.
The irony of “Baby Come Back” is that it sounds eerily like Hall and Oates' 1973 smash “She's Gone,” which is a great song. Yet, the Yacht Rock crew seems partial the sub-standard '80s Hall and Oates material, rather than their superior '70s sounds. Still, “Baby Come Back,” by the British and American group Player, was a No. 1 hit in 1977 and it’s a great song.
“Rio,” the 1982 MTV hit by Duran Duran, is not quite Yacht Rock, but the video was filmed on a boat in a tropical setting so it makes the list.
The classic story song tells of a couple who “had fallen into the same old dull routine” and both place personal ads in the newspaper — this was way before Tinder, folks. Imagine the surprise when they both show up at O'Malley's to find each other — again. Pina Colada on the house!
Go: DJ Atom Worth's Yacht Rock Night, 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, Low Dive, 1000 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park. Free. www.lowdiveap.com.
Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected]
IMAGES
COMMENTS
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 ...
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.
Tie a sweater around your neck and set sail for the high seas with these smoother than smooth yacht rock classics.
The 20 greatest yacht rock songs ever, ranked. 27 July 2022, 17:50. ... Not the reggae classic of the same name, this 1977 track was Player's biggest hit. ... 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' ...
Playlist · Yacht Rock - 100 Best Ever - Top Yacht Rock Songs · 113 songs · 2.1K likes.
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.
Sailing: The Best Of Yacht Rock is the ultimate #YachtRock playlist of the smoothest classic rock songs ever written.
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
Top 100 Yacht Rock Songs. A new music service with official albums, singles, videos, remixes, live performances and more for Android, iOS and desktop.
Listen to Yacht Rock Classics on Spotify. Various Artists · Compilation · 2019 · 34 songs.
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...
The album that made Holmes a soft-rock star is known for "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)," which sports a made-for-karaoke chorus and a plot twist worthy of a wide-collar O. Henry.
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. 98 Songs, 6 hours, 38 minutes
The Ultimate Collection of Yacht Rock/70's and 80's hits. This is the ultimate playlist of favorites from the 70's, 80's and in between. No fillers or obscure artists you've never heard of. Only the greatest rock, soft-rock and pop hits.
And Michael Jackson's Yacht Rock entry, "Human Nature" from the Thriller album, was backed by members of Toto, ... with this obvious Yacht Rock classic, a song written by our popes of YR, Kenny ...
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
Highest Rated Yacht Rock Albums of All Time. 1. Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees. 2. Donald Fagen - Morph the Cat. 3. Al Jarreau - Breakin' Away. 4.
Yacht Rock top charts and more of your top songs of the year 2023 including 'Right Down the Line", "Everywhere", "On the Beach", "Summer Breeze", "Reelin' in...
Yacht Rock Classics Album by Various Artists 92 songs - 2022. Yacht Rock Classics. Album by. Various Artists. Discover Various Artists's top songs & albums, curated artist radio stations & more. Listen to Various Artists on Pandora today!
The term Yacht Rock generally refers to music in the era where yuppies enjoyed sipping champaign on their yachts — a concept explored in the original web series Yacht Rock, which debuted in 2005 and has developed a cult following. Artists most commonly thought of in the Yacht Rock era include Michael McDonald, Ambrosia, 10cc, Toto, Kenny ...
A beginner's guide to yacht rock in five essential albums. By Jerry Ewing. ( Classic Rock ) published 1 July 2023. Yacht rock, soft rock - call it what you will. Here are five brilliant albums that define the genre in all its bearded, Hawaiian shirted glory. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Playlist · Yacht Rock · 130 songs · 1.6M likes
"Africa" by Toto from Toto IV (1982). If we're talking yacht rock, why not offer a song that gives listeners a far-off destination to think of. And for those listening in the Western world ...
Yacht Rock is the term, first used in a 2005 online music parody, for the Southern California soft rock of the late '70 and early '80s. Call it a grand repackaging with polyester shirts and ...
August rolls on and while the month is usually slow, this week I've got seven albums, including one of my favorites of 2024 so far, Fontaines D.C.'s Romance, plus new ones from YACHT, Fake ...