yacht rock pool party

*2024* YACHT ROCK vintage party attire for real![16 looks + elements]

Posted on Published: January 5, 2024

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Wondering what to wear to a vintage Yacht rock party that screams the 70s and 80s vibes?

You have come to the right place as I’m gonna share all key elements in yacht rock party attire!

First thing first, what EXACTLY is yacht rock? Is that different from the regular yacht party attire?

Broadly speaking, yacht rock is a type of popular music genre in the mid-1979s and ’80s.

It blends soft rock, smooth jazz, and blues with southern yachty vibes that are as refreshing as it’s cozy and chill to people.

In the outfit sense, think of the nautical sailing looks with a dash of good 70s and 80s vintage vibes together with some playful and funky elements.

Ahead, I’ve gathered 16 real-life yacht rock-themed party outfit ideas from Instagram along with some pro tips.

Ready? Get inspired!

1. Fun yacht-themed party attire

If you are looking for a failproof look for your coming yacht rock party, embracing the nautical theme always works wonders.

That said, think white, red, and blue for the classic color palette and corporate it with the sailor stripe details or a small navy anchor print.

Trust me, patterns x patterns in one look can never be too over the top for a wild yacht rock party time!

It’s time to get out of your comfort zone!

Trust me, there’s definitely NOT ENOUGH content for vintage fashion these days

If you are the retro girlies, there’s one thing for sure – you have impeccable taste ❤️

If you find this recommendation useful – please kindly share and pin some of the shoes so more vintage girls like you can enjoy the info!

2. A fun nautical striped top

Some of you may worry the horizontal stripes will make them look bigger.

Well, not the case anymore when you pick the flattering design!

In case you wonder, I love this fitted off-shoulder striped top from Amazon.

As a girl with chubby cheeks, the off-shoulder neckline just elongates my neck and instantly sheds down the boldness of the print like magic.

The best part? The fabric type is 95% cotton and 5% spandex so it’s super stretchy and curve-flattering.

Together with the high-waist jean shorts and nice pumps, you’re bound to feel the fanciest and most feminine.

Check out this gorgeous piece here!

3. A statement captain hat for every look

For the lazy girls who want to look party-ready with minimal effort, I’d say throw on a captain hat to nail the look.

But really, it’s the core element of the yacht rock look of all time!

If you don’t want to look too costumey, pair up the yacht rock look with a cute summer dress and espadrilles wedge just looks equally instagrammable.

Again, to blend in with the crowd, think of bright fun hues instead of the classy neutral nude or dark shades.

5. When in doubt, wear a headscarf

This beautiful lady just demonstrates this hip, headscarf-wearing chic look in the best possible way.

Whether you are going to this yacht rock party or a tropical vacation, this styling just looks irresistibly carefree and tasteful.

To add in some retro flare, spice things up with the colorful round sunglasses that scream the perfect vibes.

6. 80s yacht tie-dye attire

To look the finest in the late 70s soft rock fashion, what about having fun with the tie-dye co-ord set that was all the rage during the 1980s? 

Of course, tie-dye is always in style every few years so you can wear them on a ton of occasions!

7. What to wear to a yacht rock radio party

To stand out from the yacht rock radio party, those Barbie pink palm tree suits are sure to boost the aesthetic tenfold.

And guess what, to dress like Popeye, get yourself a pipe just such an extra pop of fun!

8. A retro sailor top for a yacht rock party

For the ladies who prefer a lowkey yacht rock party look, this top below is another lovely piece.

The elegant boat-cut neckline and the darling ribbon details just highlight the beauty of the figure and make you look curvier visually.

The big plus?

There’s a rubber lining around the neckline to make sure the top is in place. I must say that’s a rare design for this price range!

According to the Amazon review, you want to order a size down. 

9. Hawaiian shirt for a yacht rock party

When in doubt, Hawaiian shirts will give you the right dose of yachty vibes.

That said, picking the right pattern is key otherwise you will gravitate towards the luau party.

Take the right balance of tropical vibes and introduce more marine elements to the look.

When in doubt, searching “reclaimed vintage-inspired beach shirt” or treasure hunting from a thrift store always helps!

The skirt from Lilly Pulitzer is always so darling – obsessed .

10. Funny T-shirt for the yacht rock fun

All the navy party costumes are cliché? Well, think again.

This funny captain hat and T-shirt set just breathe sailing and fun into the personal vibe.

Whether you wear this for the Sunday boat party or just randomly throw it on during the weekend, this piece just screams fun in all different ways.

This set sold out quickly. Check out Amazon !

( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ MY AUG PICKS !! ʕ•̬͡•ʔ

(Continue scrolling for the article!)

11. Couple yacht rock party outfits

When it comes to other essentials, khaki short shorts, and a colorful cami top just give the yacht rock attire a modern mix. 

For petite girls, consider pairing up the body-hugging top with wide-leg pants and wedges.

It just contours the body proportion and helps you achieve an effortlessly chic look.

Yes, I’m a born fashionista.

12. One-piece retro sailor swimsuit

It takes me a long time to find the perfect yacht rock swimsuit and I just can’t be any more proud when I find this gorgeous piece.

A swimsuit with a halter neck is a big plus for me as it just comes in extra support and gives your chest the right boast.

With the horizontal stripe on the chest area, the voluminous effect is sure to impress.

As a pear-shaped girl, this swimsuit just flatters my figure in every single way.

13. Fun leaf print captain cap

If you are bored with the classic white and blue captain hat, this one with the leaf print just complements your nautical-themed party in the most distinctive way. 

Those gold embroidered badges on the front just scream “I’ve got a style and I KNOW it”.

Be the chicest captain in the house!

This is so random… BUT

hey ladies, why not quickly do an affirmation and feel instantly better?

This new year, I’m trying not only to share fashion tips but come up with ways to instill body positivity in all women who are reading my articles – aka YOU !

Instead of just reading it, say it loud or murmur the quotes (if you are in public) to maximize the effect.

Ready? Here we go.

I love my body. She is my forever home and sanctuary.

Sassy isn’t a shape, it’s an attitude.

Work out because I love my body – not because I hate it.

I can love myself and change my body at the same time. No guilt about that.

It is completely normal to have tummy rolls. I come to realize that social media isn’t showing the reality… at all.

My happiest moments in life had nothing to do with the way my body looked.

I don’t have to be pretty like her, I can be pretty like …ME.

I AM perfect imperfection.

What are your thoughts on that? I hope that makes you feel better (as you deserved).

Please help me pass the body positivity message in your community. #womenhelpwomen

Alright, now keep on reading!

14. 70s yacht rock fashion

Sometimes, having fun is as simple as dressing up and striking a pose with your besties together!

Don’t know about you but I’m the happiest when floating in the sea. That’s for sure!

15. What to wear to a yacht rock concert

To show your love towards the yacht rock style in parties and everyday life, a statement “Prestige worldwide boats & hoes” tee is such a lovely choice.

These days, people love mixing classic and casual pieces together.

To jazz up the T-shirt look, consider adding in the blue blazer, white pants, and loafers to finish up the set.

16. What to wear to a yacht rock party

Last but not least, here’s my favorite look.

A captain hat with a striped cut-out jumpsuit that looks as simple as it looks hot and sassy.

To bring this look to the good old 70s, slip in the red kitten heels just add an unexpected twist to the get-up.

TIME FOR GLAM SIS.

If you are reading till this point, I’m sure you are the fashion girlies. If yes, check out my newly set-up (Like literally this June) insta @hannahnfashion for more <3 See you there pretty ladies!

And guess what, if a guy ever asks you “what you bring to the table”, show him this reel lol

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hannah💕 Wearable feminine outfit ideas & styling tips (@hannahnfashion)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

So there you go – the 16 yacht rock party attire to look the best in all kinds of nautical themes boat parties! 

What are your thoughts on these smooth-sailing soft rock from the 70s and 80s?

Hope these tips help you settle on the right outfit!

At the end of the day, don’t overstress the outfit as I’m sure it will turn out great anyway.

All you need is to throw all the stress behind you and embrace the freedom, open air, and adventure!

Looking for more yacht outfit ideas?

Check out my other blog posts below! See you there loves ♥

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• *15 vintage elements!* 90s plaid skirt & dress outfits
• [FULL LIST] What to wear on a Viking & Scenic river cruise (Summer + winter!)
• 21 Comfortable Vintage shoes heels *8 types!* (Read this post before you buy any vintage shoes!)
• 20 Prohibition party outfits + tips (more than a flapper dress!)

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Yachty by Nature

Yacht rock outfits, yacht rock outfits 101.

Whether you just discovered the art of smooth or been digging smooth soft rock for a while now, the subject of Yacht Rock Outfits is on your mind. Let me just say, for those about to dock, we salute you. There is an unmistakable moment when Yacht Rock is revealed to you. For me, it happened at a fancy industry party in LA. This fab girl came up and mic dropped it so smoothly to my then 80’s band, Neon Nation , saying “you guys play any yacht rock”? Holy crap, I pretty much spit out my drink and fell to the floor wondering what I was in for.

“You walked in to the party, like you were walking onto a yacht.”

Yachty Attire

The rest is history and I’m now well into 7 years of playing keyboards in a nationally successful yacht rock band, Yachty by Nature . No doubt, I’m living that dream and it goes without saying, I’m deep in the yacht myself. With weekly yacht party after monthly yacht wedding and more, I’m becoming a Yacht Attire expert in thought and practice and already guiding the band and others in this area of fashion.

Truly, if you get the clothing right, enough people with that common goal, just add yacht music and the fun ensues. Truth be told, I’ve watched as a room full of punk rockers that committed to the groovy, eclectic yacht rock dress code transformed like you wouldn’t believe.  They turned a simple celebration with a yacht rock band into a full scale 1978 throwback LOVE FEST and the clothes were off the hook. The energy, the vibe, the clothes, the music became something so magical all its own. Build the yacht and they will sail to it.

So, next time you are having a yacht party or watching your favorite yacht rock band indulge yourself with an epic outfit that will make all it happen. It’s not just the music, the band, the vibe, the look, the energy. It’s the sum of its parts and those smooth outfits have the mighty power to transfix your situation.

The Captain’s Hat…

Yep, you guessed it, the fastest coronation to yacht rock royalty is the Captain’s Hat.  Buy one, make one, bedazzle one or borrow one. In fact, the sky is the limit here so let your creativity reign if you are gonna go for it.  But, just get one somehow, some way and you are on the yacht. In fact, Broner makes a very comfortable, quality, straightforward and good looking hat that fits well.  Additionally, it avoids the cheap fit and look of those basic hats on Amazon. Do yourself a favor, get a hat or dig deep in the vault and find a classic, vintage, or authentic captain’s hat online. Additionally, we’ve seen some pretty cool and unique creations out there, but for simplicity, fit, and value, Broner is the answer.  Lastly, remember what Hefner did for the captains hat!

Yacht Rock Stripes get it done…

No matter what color, stripes will be the 2nd easiest way to begin your yacht fashion transformation. Put on a red and white striped shirt (or blue or black mainly) and you’ll be sailing in no time. In fact, stripes are probably the #1 most sighted outfit at a yacht rock party. Just know that it’s only the start. When you accessorize over the stripes with a complementary pant color or scarf, ascot, belt, and obviously the captain’s hat or more, you’ve earned your captain’s bars quicker than you can say Ship Shape! Don’t forget to keep it simple, too much or conflicting stripes will sink that ship just as fast.

That 70’s look…

Gettin’ Yachty @ Costello’s in Mission Viejo

Due to the strong connection between the silly, the goofy, the fun and the yacht party, going retro will set a course for adventure. Call it the Ron Burgundy effect or just throwing back to the 1977 duds they wore on Midnight Special , this look is uber sexy and may attract the opposite sex faster than any other yacht look. In fact, you don’t have to look too far to find polyester or denim clad jean meat at many yacht rock concerts. Additionally, the fake mustache works wonders whether you go 70’s vintage or any different yachty outfit.  More importantly, get bonus points on your yacht rock outfits if you can get the feathered hair going!  Polyester, print shirts, and for the ladies, buy that disco dress and some fabulous glasses and you’re ready to yacht!

The Yacht Club, Tennis Club, Golf Club…

Think Caddyshack, Marina del Rey, golfing, the harbor, and tennis. Moreso, put a tennis sweater over that polo or even better go up the ladder and put on that navy blue blazer with an ascot and some yellow glasses. Actually, that’s the calling card for us in Yachty by Nature! Pretend that you’re christening the Flying Wasp or dropping anchor with Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack and you’ll be flying indeed. Or even better, watch Caddyshack to get in the mood for your party and let inspiration take hold…and even a few classic movie lines. In fact, if you look around the golf club or yacht club scenes, your creativity is sparked immediately.  The outfits jump right off the screen and wreak of Yacht Club greatness.  Speaking of movies, we’ve even seen a die hard Yachty arrive in the Goldie Hawn outfit from the movie Overboard. Keep your yacht rock outfits classy San Diaaaaaago!

Go Hawaiian on your Yacht Rock outfits…

Get Nauti !

Lastly, this category is a catch all for everything nautical, yachty, and seaworthy.  Use your imagination or stick to the basics.  You can don the captain’s outfit with shoulder bars easily for the Love Boat vibe.  Or, you can just look like Charlie’s Angels coming off a yacht in 1978.  Literally any type of ocean, beach, seaside, or otherwise yachty type of clothing will do.  The scarf around the neck, the boat shorts and the Nantucket red pants and plaid shirt all qualify as supremely yachty fashion.  When in doubt, check yourself by asking, “would I wear this outfit in the summer in Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard?”  Most importantly, if the answer is yes, you are yacht rock camera ready.  In fact, let’s not forget the boat shoes, deck shoes, or Sperry Top Siders all together.

Yacht Rock Outfits Wildcard…

Never forget that there’s really no authority on this subject so you can always just go for it.  Sometimes, the more uniform, standard, and strict we get on the yacht, the more mundane we become.  Therefore, don’t be afraid to dive into the vanity t-shirt, go stripes and ascot, and generally mix it up.  There are no hard and fast rules behind the Yacht Rock outfit, just your creativity and passion for the music.  From experience, we’ll go captain’s outfit one day and crazy boat shirt the next.  Ultimately, we’ve seen it all from the stage and relish the moments when people go wild with it.  In fact, there’s probably even a yacht rock adjacent area for the Pirate Party as well.  Captain Crunch sightings aside, those parties can really bring together the nauti, yachty, knotty by nature and then some.  In the end, go for it and see what happens.  It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eyepatch.  Honestly, it’s all about the fun so get Kraken!!!

As always, let the vibe be your guide.  Thus, for your next yacht rock themed party, concert, or just a Yachty night on the town, get your ensemble going.  Whether you are new to the yacht or an old deck hand, that outfit will crank up the experience.  So, commit to making that statement with your yacht clothing or up your game and improve on the garb you already have.  As we well know, you can never have enough options to mix it up for a fun night with Yachty by Nature or some other occasion.

Happy to be your guide here.  Feel free to comment and add some great ideas on this post or on social media. #yachtrock #yachtrockoutfits #yachtybynature #yachtattire #yachtrockfashion

About Author

Thanks for giving props to Tiki Caliente! I would like to point out that the most proper Hawaiian shirt to wear to a Yacht Rock concert is one that would have been for sale between 1978 and 1983! Think to yourself, would Magnum PI or Pablo Cruise wear this? And if so, bring it on! Most Magnum PI kind of Hawaiian shirts go great with a white jacket and white shorts. Vintage late ‘70s and early ‘80’s Hawaiian shirts can be found Online in Etsy yacht rock shops, and on eBay. Not expensive, and so ”vintage smooth”. Look like a pro, and be “era appropriate”. Girls can find vintage 70’s nautical dresses on Etsy, too!

THIS is everything!!! I love it Carl!!!

Ahoy Jenny! THanks so much for the kind compliment 🙂 As you know, we’re super inspired and love switching up the outfits, attire, clothing, and costumes. Yacht Rock rules!

Awesome show this past weekend at Circa Caliente glad the rain stopped so the show could go on.

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Top 50 Yacht Rock Songs

Yacht rock was one of the most commercially successful genres to emerge from the '70s and yet has managed to evade concise definition since its inception. For many listeners, it boils down to a feeling or mood that cannot be found in other kinds of music: Simply put, you know it when you hear it.

Some agreed-upon elements are crucial to yacht rock. One is its fluidity, with more emphasis on a catchy, easy-feeling melody than on beat or rhythm. Another is a generally lighthearted attitude in the lyrics. Think Seals & Crofts ' "Summer Breeze," Christopher Cross ' "Ride Like the Wind" or Bill Withers ' "Just the Two of Us." Yes, as its label suggests, music that would fit perfectly being played from the deck of a luxurious boat on the high seas.

But even these roughly outlined "rules" can be flouted and still considered yacht rock. Plenty of bands that are typically deemed "nyacht" rock have made their attempts at the genre: Crosby, Stills & Nash got a bit nautical with "Southern Cross," leading with their famed tightly knit harmonies, and Fleetwood Mac also entered yacht rock territory with "Dreams" – which, although lyrically dour, offers a sense of melody in line with yacht rock.

Given its undefined parameters, the genre has become one of music's most expansive corners. From No. 1 hits to deeper-cut gems, we've compiled a list of 50 Top Yacht Rock Songs to set sail to below.

50. "Thunder Island," Jay Ferguson (1978)

Younger generations might be more apt to recognize Jay Ferguson from his score for NBC's The Office , where he also portrayed the guitarist in Kevin Malone's band Scrantonicity. But Ferguson's musical roots go back to the '60s band Spirit; he was also in a group with one of the future members of Firefall, signaling a '70s-era shift toward yacht rock and "Thunder Island." The once-ubiquitous single began its steady ascent in October 1977 before reaching the Top 10 in April of the following year. Producer Bill Szymczyk helped it get there by bringing in his buddy Joe Walsh for a soaring turn on the slide. The best showing Ferguson had after this, however, was the quickly forgotten 1979 Top 40 hit "Shakedown Cruise." (Nick DeRiso)

49. "Southern Cross," Crosby, Stills & Nash (1982)

CSN's "Southern Cross" was an example of a more literal interpretation of yacht rock, one in which leftover material was revitalized by Stephen Stills . He sped up the tempo of a song titled " Seven League Boots " originally penned by brothers Rick and Michael Curtis, then laid in new lyrics about, yes, an actual boat ride. "I rewrote a new set of words and added a different chorus, a story about a long boat trip I took after my divorce," Stills said in the liner notes  to 1991's CSN box. "It's about using the power of the universe to heal your wounds." The music video for the song, which went into heavy rotation on MTV, also prominently displayed the band members aboard a large vessel. (Allison Rapp)

48. "Jackie Blue," the Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1974)

Drummer Larry Lee only had a rough idea of what he wanted to do with "Jackie Blue," originally naming it after a bartending dope pusher. For a long time, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils' best-known single remained an instrumental with the place-keeper lyric, " Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Jackie Blue. He was dada, and dada doo. He did this, he did that ... ." Producer Glyn Johns, who loved the track, made a key suggestion – and everything finally snapped into place: "No, no, no, mate," Johns told them. "Jackie Blue has to be a girl." They "knocked some new lyrics out in about 30 minutes," Lee said in It Shined: The Saga of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils . "[From] some drugged-out guy, we changed Jackie into a reclusive girl." She'd go all the way to No. 3. (DeRiso)

47. "Sailing," Christopher Cross (1979)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more quintessential yacht rock song than “Sailing.” The second single (and first chart-topper) off Christopher Cross’ 1979 self-titled debut offers an intoxicating combination of dreamy strings, singsong vocals and shimmering, open-tuned guitar arpeggios that pay deference to Cross’ songwriting idol, Joni Mitchell . “These tunings, like Joni used to say, they get you in this sort of trance,” Cross told Songfacts in 2013. “The chorus just sort of came out. … So I got up and wandered around the apartment just thinking, ‘Wow, that's pretty fuckin' great.’” Grammy voters agreed: “Sailing” won Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Arrangement at the 1981 awards. (Bryan Rolli)

46. "Just the Two of Us," Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr. (1980)

A collaboration between singer Bill Withers and saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. resulted in the sleek "Just the Two of Us." When first approached with the song, Withers insisted on reworking the lyrics. "I'm a little snobbish about words," he said in 2004 . "I said, 'Yeah, if you'll let me go in and try to dress these words up a little bit.' Everybody that knows me is kind of used to me that way. I probably threw in the stuff like the crystal raindrops. The 'Just the Two of Us' thing was already written. It was trying to put a tuxedo on it." The track was completed with some peppy backing vocals and a subtle slap bass part. (Rapp)

45. "Sara Smile," Daryl Hall & John Oates (1975)

It doesn't get much smoother than "Sara Smile," Daryl Hall & John Oates ' first Top 10 hit in the U.S. The song was written for Sara Allen, Hall's longtime girlfriend, whom he had met when she was working as a flight attendant. His lead vocal, which was recorded live, is clear as a bell on top of a velvety bass line and polished backing vocals that nodded to the group's R&B influences. “It was a song that came completely out of my heart," Hall said in 2018 . "It was a postcard. It’s short and sweet and to the point." Hall and Allen stayed together for almost 30 years before breaking up in 2001. (Rapp)

44. "Rosanna," Toto (1982)

One of the most identifiable hits of 1982 was written by Toto co-founder David Paich – but wasn't about Rosanna Arquette, as some people have claimed, even though keyboardist Steve Porcaro was dating the actress at the time. The backbeat laid down by drummer Jeff Porcaro – a "half-time shuffle" similar to what John Bonham played on " Fool in the Rain " – propels the track, while vocal harmonies and emphatic brass sections add further layers. The result is an infectious and uplifting groove – yacht rock at its finest. (Corey Irwin)

43. "Diamond Girl," Seals & Crofts (1973)

Seals & Crofts were soft-rock stylists with imagination, dolling up their saccharine melodies with enough musical intrigue to survive beyond the seemingly obvious shelf life. Granted, the lyrics to “Diamond Girl,” one of the duo’s three No. 6 hits, are as sterile as a surgery-operating room, built on pseudo-romantic nothing-isms ( “Now that I’ve found you, it’s around you that I am” — what a perfectly natural phrase!). But boy, oh boy does that groove sound luxurious beaming out of a hi-fi system, with every nuance — those stacked backing vocals, that snapping piano — presented in full analog glory. (Ryan Reed)

42. "What You Won't Do for Love," Bobby Caldwell (1978)

Smooth. From the opening horn riffs and the soulful keyboard to the funk bass and the velvety vocals of Bobby Caldwell, everything about “What You Won’t Do for Love” is smooth. Released in September 1978, the track peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to become the biggest hit of Caldwell’s career. It was later given a second life after being sampled for rapper 2Pac's posthumously released 1998 hit single “Do for Love.” (Irwin)

41. "We Just Disagree," Dave Mason (1977)

Dave Mason's ace in the hole on the No. 12 smash "We Just Disagree" was Jim Krueger, who composed the track, shared the harmony vocal and played that lovely guitar figure. "It was a song that when he sang it to me, it was like, 'Yeah, that's the song,'" Mason told Greg Prato in 2014. "Just him and a guitar, which is usually how I judge whether I'm going to do something. If it holds up like that, I'll put the rest of the icing on it." Unfortunately, the multitalented Krueger died of pancreatic cancer at age 43. By then, Mason had disappeared from the top of the charts, never getting higher than No. 39 again. (DeRiso)

40. "Crazy Love," Poco (1978)

Rusty Young was paneling a wall when inspiration struck. He'd long toiled in the shadow of Stephen Stills , Richie Furay and Neil Young , serving in an instrumentalist role with Buffalo Springfield and then Poco . "Crazy Love" was his breakout moment, and he knew it. Rusty Young presented the song before he'd even finished the lyric, but his Poco bandmates loved the way the stopgap words harmonized. "I told the others, 'Don't worry about the ' ooh, ooh, ahhhh haaa ' part. I can find words for that," Young told the St. Louis Dispatch in 2013. "And they said, 'Don't do that. That's the way it's supposed to be.'" It was: Young's first big vocal became his group's only Top 20 hit. (DeRiso)

39. "Suspicions," Eddie Rabbitt (1979)

Eddie Rabbitt 's move from country to crossover stardom was hurtled along by "Suspicions," as a song about a cuckold's worry rose to the Top 20 on both the pop and adult-contemporary charts. Behind the scenes, there was an even clearer connection to yacht rock: Co-writer Even Stevens said Toto's David Hungate played bass on the date. As important as it was for his career, Rabbitt later admitted that he scratched out "Suspicions" in a matter of minutes, while on a lunch break in the studio on the last day of recording his fifth album at Wally Heider's Los Angeles studio. "Sometimes," Rabbitt told the Associated Press in 1985, "the words just fall out of my mouth." (DeRiso)

38. "Moonlight Feels Right," Starbuck (1976)

No sound in rock history is more yacht friendly than Bruce Blackman’s laugh: hilarious, arbitrary, smug, speckled with vocal fry, arriving just before each chorus of Starbuck’s signature tune. Why is this human being laughing? Shrug. Guess the glow of night will do that to you. Then again, this is one of the more strange hits of the '70s — soft-pop hooks frolicking among waves of marimba and synthesizers that could have been plucked from a classic prog epic. “ The eastern moon looks ready for a wet kiss ,” Blackman croons, “ to make the tide rise again .” It’s a lunar make-out session, baby. (Reed)

37. "Same Old Lang Syne," Dan Fogelberg (1981)

“Same Old Lang Syne” is a masterclass in economic storytelling, and its tragedy is in the things both protagonists leave unsaid. Dan Fogelberg weaves a devastating tale of two former lovers who run into each other at a grocery store on Christmas Eve and spend the rest of the night catching up and reminiscing. Their circumstances have changed — he’s a disillusioned professional musician, she’s stuck in an unhappy marriage — but their love for each other is still palpable if only they could overcome their fears and say it out loud. They don’t, of course, and when Fogelberg bids his high-school flame adieu, he’s left with only his bittersweet memories and gnawing sense of unfulfillment to keep him warm on that snowy (and later rainy) December night. (Rolli)

36. "Eye in the Sky," the Alan Parsons Project (1982)

Few songs strike a chord with both prog nerds and soft-rock enthusiasts, but the Alan Parsons Project's “Eye in the Sky” belongs to that exclusive club. The arrangement is all smooth contours and pillowy textures: By the time Eric Woolfson reaches the chorus, shyly emoting about romantic deception over a bed of Wurlitzer keys and palm-muted riffs, the effect is like falling slow motion down a waterfall onto a memory foam mattress. But there’s artfulness here, too, from Ian Bairnson’s seductive guitar solo to the titular phrase conjuring some kind of god-like omniscience. (Reed)

35. "Somebody's Baby," Jackson Browne (1982)

Jackson Browne 's highest-charting single, and his last Top 10 hit, was originally tucked away on the soundtrack for the 1982 teen comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High . That placed Browne, one of the most earnest of singer-songwriters, firmly out of his element. "It was not typical of what Jackson writes at all, that song," co-composer Danny Kortchmar told Songfacts in 2013. "But because it was for this movie, he changed his general approach and came up with this fantastic song." Still unsure of how it would fit in, Browne refused to place "Somebody's Baby" on his next proper album – something he'd later come to regret . Lawyers in Love broke a string of consecutive multiplatinum releases dating back to 1976. (DeRiso)

34. "Still the One," Orleans (1976)

Part of yacht rock’s charm is being many things but only to a small degree. Songs can be jazzy, but not experimental. Brass sections are great but don’t get too funky. And the songs should rock, but not rock . In that mold comes Orleans’ 1976 hit “Still the One.” On top of a chugging groove, frontman John Hall sings about a romance that continues to stand the test of time. This love isn’t the white-hot flame that leaves passionate lovers burned – more like a soft, medium-level heat that keeps things comfortably warm. The tune is inoffensive, catchy and fun, aka yacht-rock gold. (Irwin)

33. "New Frontier," Donald Fagen (1982)

In which an awkward young man attempts to spark a Cold War-era fling — then, hopefully, a longer, post-apocalyptic relationship — via bomb shelter bunker, chatting up a “big blond” with starlet looks and a soft spot for Dave Brubeck. Few songwriters could pull off a lyrical concept so specific, and almost no one but Donald Fagen could render it catchy. “New Frontier,” a signature solo cut from the Steely Dan maestro, builds the sleek jazz-funk of Gaucho into a more digital-sounding landscape, with Fagen stacking precise vocal harmonies over synth buzz and bent-note guitar leads. (Reed)

32. "Sail On, Sailor," the Beach Boys (1973)

The Beach Boys were reworking a new album when Van Dyke Parks handed them this updated version of an unfinished Brian Wilson song. All that was left was to hand the mic over to Blondie Chaplin for his greatest-ever Beach Boys moment. They released "Sail On, Sailor" twice, however, and this yearning groover somehow barely cracked the Top 50. Chaplin was soon out of the band, too. It's a shame. "Sail On, Sailor" remains the best example of how the Beach Boys' elemental style might have kept growing. Instead, Chaplin went on to collaborate with the Band , Gene Clark of the  Byrds  and the Rolling Stones – while the Beach Boys settled into a lengthy tenure as a jukebox band. (DeRiso)

31. "Time Passages," Al Stewart (1978)

Al Stewart followed up the first hit single of his decade-long career – 1976's "Year of the Cat" – with a more streamlined take two years later. "Time Passages" bears a similar structure to the earlier track, including a Phil Kenzie sax solo and production by Alan Parsons. While both songs' respective album and single versions coincidentally run the same time, the 1978 hit's narrative wasn't as convoluted and fit more squarely into pop radio playlists. "Time Passages" became Stewart's highest-charting single, reaching No. 7 – while "Year of the Cat" had stalled at No. 8. (Michael Gallucci)

30. "I Go Crazy," Paul Davis (1977)

Paul Davis looked like he belonged in the Allman Brothers Band , but his soft, soulful voice took him in a different direction. The slow-burning nature of his breakthrough single "I Go Crazy" was reflected in its chart performance: For years the song held the record for the most weeks spent on the chart, peaking at No. 7 during its 40-week run. Davis, who died in 2008, took five more songs into the Top 40 after 1977, but "I Go Crazy" is his masterpiece – a wistful and melancholic look back at lost love backed by spare, brokenhearted verses. (Gallucci)

29. "Biggest Part of Me," Ambrosia (1980)

Songwriter David Pack taped the original demo of this song on a reel-to-reel when everyone else was running late, finishing just in time: "I was waiting for my family to get in the car so I could go to a Fourth of July celebration in Malibu," he told the Tennessean in 2014. "I turned off my machine [and] heard the car horn honking for me." Still, Pack was worried that the hastily written first verse – which rhymed " arisin ,'" " horizon " and " realizin '" – might come off a little corny. So he followed the time-honored yacht-rock tradition of calling in Michael McDonald to sing heartfelt background vocals. Result: a Top 5 hit on both the pop and adult-contemporary charts. (DeRiso)

28. "Africa," Toto (1982)

Remove the cover versions, the nostalgia sheen and its overuse in TV and films, and you’re left with what makes “Africa” great: one of the best earworm choruses in music history. Never mind that the band is made up of white guys from Los Angeles who'd never visited the titular continent. Verses about Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti paint a picture so vivid that listeners are swept away. From the soaring vocals to the stirring synth line, every element of the song works perfectly. There’s a reason generations of music fans continue to proudly bless the rains. (Irwin)

27. "Hello It's Me," Todd Rundgren (1972)

“Hello It’s Me” is the first song Todd Rundgren ever wrote, recorded by his band Nazz and released in 1968. He quickened the tempo, spruced up the instrumentation and delivered a more urgent vocal for this 1972 solo rendition (which became a Top 5 U.S. hit), but the bones of the tune remain the same. “Hello It’s Me” is a wistful, bittersweet song about the dissolution of a relationship between two people who still very much love and respect each other a clear-eyed breakup ballad lacking the guile, cynicism and zaniness of Rundgren’s later work. “The reason those [early] songs succeeded was because of their derivative nature,” Rundgren told Guitar World in 2021. “They plugged so easily into audience expectations. They’re easily absorbed.” That may be so, but there’s still no denying the airtight hooks and melancholy beauty of “Hello It’s Me.” (Rolli)

26. "Smoke From a Distant Fire," the Sanford/Townsend Band (1977)

There are other artists who better define yacht rock - Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross - but few songs rival the Sanford/Townsend Band's "Smoke From a Distant Fire" as a more representative genre track. (It was a Top 10 hit in the summer of 1977. The duo never had another charting single.) From the vaguely swinging rhythm and roaring saxophone riff to the light percussion rolls and risk-free vocals (that nod heavily to Daryl Hall and John Oates' blue-eyed soul), "Smoke" may be the most definitive yacht rock song ever recorded. We may even go as far as to say it's ground zero. (Gallucci)

25. "Dream Weaver," Gary Wright (1975)

Unlike many other songs on our list, “Dream Weaver” lacks lush instrumentation. Aside from Gary Wright’s vocals and keyboard parts, the only added layer is the drumming of Jim Keltner. But while the track may not have guitars, bass or horns, it certainly has plenty of vibes. Inspired by the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda – which Wright was turned on to by George Harrison – “Dream Weaver” boasts a celestial aura that helped the song peak at No. 2 in 1976. (Irwin)

24. "Reminiscing," Little River Band (1978)

The third time was the charm with Little River Band 's highest-charting single in the U.S. Guitarist Graeham Goble wrote "Reminiscing" for singer Glenn Shorrock with a certain keyboardist in mind. Unfortunately, they weren't able to schedule a session with Peter Jones, who'd played an important role in Little River Band's first-ever charting U.S. single, 1976's "It's a Long Way There ." They tried it anyway but didn't care for the track. They tried again, with the same results. "The band was losing interest in the song," Goble later told Chuck Miller . "Just before the album was finished, Peter Jones came back into town, [and] the band and I had an argument because I wanted to give 'Reminiscing' a third chance." This time they nailed it. (DeRiso)

23. "Heart Hotels," Dan Fogelberg (1979)

Ironically enough, this song about debilitating loneliness arrived on an album in which Dan Fogelberg played almost all of the instruments himself. A key concession to the outside world became the most distinctive musical element on "Heart Hotels," as well-known saxophonist Tom Scott took a turn on the Lyricon – a pre-MIDI electronic wind instrument invented just a few years earlier. As for the meaning of sad songs like these, the late Fogelberg once said : "I feel experiences deeply, and I have an outlet, a place where I can translate those feelings. A lot of people go to psychoanalysts. I write songs." (DeRiso)

22. "Year of the Cat," Al Stewart (1976)

Just about every instrument imaginable can be heard in Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat." What begins with an elegant piano intro winds its way through a string section and a sultry sax solo, then to a passionate few moments with a Spanish acoustic guitar. The sax solo, often a hallmark of yacht-rock songs, was not Stewart's idea. Producer Alan Parsons suggested it at the last minute, and Stewart thought it was the "worst idea I'd ever heard. I said, 'Alan, there aren’t any saxophones in folk-rock. Folk-rock is about guitars. Sax is a jazz instrument,'" Stewart said in 2021 . Multiple lengthy instrumental segments bring the song to nearly seven minutes, yet each seems to blend into the next like a carefully arranged orchestra. (Rapp)

21. "How Long," Ace (1974)

How long does it take to top the charts? For the Paul Carrack-fronted Ace: 45 years . "I wrote the lyric on the bus going to my future mother-in-law's," he later told Gary James . "I wrote it on the back of that bus ticket. That's my excuse for there only being one verse." Ace released "How Long" in 1975, reaching No. 3, then Carrack moved on to stints with Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics . Finally, in 2020, "How Long" rose two spots higher, hitting No. 1 on Billboard's rock digital song sales chart after being featured in an Amazon Prime advertisement titled "Binge Cheat." (DeRiso)

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 pre-dates the classic yacht-rock era. Consider acts like Seals & Crofts and these one-hit wonders pioneers of the genre. Ironically, the effortless-sounding "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" was quite difficult to complete. "We recorded 'Brandy' two or three different times with various producers before we got it right," Looking Glass' principal songwriter Elliot Lurie told the Tennessean in 2016. The chart-topping results became so popular so fast, however, that Barry Manilow had to change the title of a new song he was working on to " Mandy ." (DeRiso)

19. "I Can't Tell You Why," Eagles (1979)

Timothy B. Schmit joined just in time to watch the  Eagles disintegrate. But things couldn't have started in a better place for the former Poco member. He arrived with the makings of his first showcase moment with the group, an unfinished scrap that would become the No. 8 hit "I Can't Tell You Why." For a moment, often-contentious band members rallied around the outsider. Don Henley and Glenn Frey both made key contributions, as Eagles completed the initial song on what would become 1979's The Long Run . Schmit felt like he had a reason to be optimistic. Instead, Eagles released the LP and then promptly split up. (DeRiso)

18. "Sentimental Lady," Bob Welch (1977)

Bob Welch  first recorded "Sentimental Lady" in 1972 as a member of Fleetwood Mac . Five years later, after separating from a band that had gone on to way bigger things , Welch revisited one of his best songs and got two former bandmates who appeared on the original version – Mick Fleetwood and Christine McVie – to help out (new Mac member Lindsey Buckingham also makes an appearance). This is the better version, warmer and more inviting, and it reached the Top 10. (Gallucci)

17. "So Into You," Atlanta Rhythm Section (1976)

Atlanta Rhythm Section is often wrongly categorized as a Southern rock band, simply because of their roots in Doraville, Ga. Songs like the seductively layered "So Into You" illustrate how little they had in common with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd . As renowned Muscle Shoals sessions ace David Hood once said, they're more like the " Steely Dan of the South ." Unfortunately, time hasn't been kind to the group. Two of this best-charting single's writers have since died , while keyboardist Dean Daughtry retired in 2019 as Atlanta Rhythm Section's last constant member. (DeRiso)

16. "Dreams," Fleetwood Mac (1977)

Stevie Nicks was trying to channel the heartbreak she endured after separating from Lindsey Buckingham into a song, but couldn't concentrate among the bustle of Fleetwood Mac's sessions for Rumours . "I was kind of wandering around the studio," she later told Yahoo! , "looking for somewhere I could curl up with my Fender Rhodes and my lyrics and a little cassette tape recorder." That's when she ran into a studio assistant who led her to a quieter, previously unseen area at Sausalito's Record Plant. The circular space was surrounded by keyboards and recording equipment, with a half-moon bed in black-and-red velvet to one side. She settled in, completing "Dreams" in less than half an hour, but not before asking the helpful aide one pressing question: "I said, 'What is this?' And he said, 'This is Sly Stone 's studio.'" (DeRiso)

15. "Minute by Minute," the Doobie Brothers (1978)

Michael McDonald was so unsure of this album that he nervously previewed it for a friend. "I mean, all the tunes have merit, but I don't know if they hang together as a record," McDonald later told UCR. "He looked at me and he said, 'This is a piece of shit.'" Record buyers disagreed, making Minute by Minute the Doobie Brothers' first chart-topping multiplatinum release. Such was the mania surrounding this satiny-smooth LP that the No. 14 hit title track lost out on song-of-the-year honors at the Grammys to "What a Fool Believes" (found later in our list of Top 50 Yacht Rock Songs) by the Doobie Brothers. (DeRiso)

14. "Lonely Boy," Andrew Gold (1976)

Andrew Gold’s only Top 10 U.S. hit is a story of parental neglect and simmering resentment, but those pitch-black details are easy to miss when couched inside such a deliciously upbeat melody. Gold chronicles the childhood of the titular lonely boy over a propulsive, syncopated piano figure, detailing the betrayal he felt when his parents presented him with a sister two years his junior. When he turns 18, the lonely boy ships off to college and leaves his family behind, while his sister gets married and has a son of her own — oblivious to the fact that she’s repeating the mistakes of her parents. Gold insisted “Lonely Boy” wasn’t autobiographical, despite the details in the song matching up with his own life. In any case, you can’t help but wonder what kind of imagination produces such dark, compelling fiction. (Rolli)

13. "Baby Come Back," Player (1977)

Liverpool native Peter Beckett moved to the States, originally to join a forgotten act called Skyband. By the time he regrouped to found Player with American J.C. Crowley, Beckett's wife had returned to England. Turns out Crowley was going through a breakup, too, and the Beckett-sung "Baby Come Back" was born. "So it was a genuine song, a genuine lyric – and I think that comes across in the song," Beckett said in The Yacht Rock Book . "That's why it was so popular." The demo earned Player a hastily signed record deal, meaning Beckett and Crowley had to assemble a band even as "Baby Come Back" rose to No. 1. Their debut album was released before Player had ever appeared in concert. (DeRiso)

12. "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," England Dan & John Ford Coley (1976)

There aren't too many songs with choruses as big as the one England Dan & John Ford Coley pump into the key lines of their first Top 40 single. Getting there is half the fun: The conversational verses – " Hello, yeah, it's been a while / Not much, how 'bout you? / I'm not sure why I called / I guess I really just wanted to talk to you " – build into the superpowered come-on line " I'm not talking 'bout moving in ...  ." Their yacht-rock pedigree is strong: Dan Seals' older brother is Seals & Croft's Jim Seals. (Gallucci)

11. "Hey Nineteen," Steely Dan (1980)

At least on the surface, “Hey Nineteen” is one of Steely Dan’s least ambiguous songs: An over-the-hill guy makes one of history’s most cringe-worthy, creepiest pick-up attempts, reminiscing about his glory days in a fraternity and lamenting that his would-be companion doesn’t know who Aretha Franklin is. (The bridge is a bit tougher to crack. Is anyone sharing that “fine Colombian”?) But the words didn’t propel this Gaucho classic into Billboard's Top 10. Instead, that credit goes to the groove, anchored by Walter Becker ’s gently gliding bass guitar, Donald Fagen’s velvety electric piano and a chorus smoother than top-shelf Cuervo Gold. (Reed)

10. "Rich Girl," Daryl Hall & John Oates (1976)

It’s one of the most economical pop songs ever written: two A sections, two B sections (the second one extended), a fade-out vocal vamp. In and out. Wham, bam, boom. Perhaps that's why it’s easy to savor “Rich Girl” 12 times in a row during your morning commute, why hearing it just once on the radio is almost maddening. This blue-eyed-soul single, the duo’s first No. 1 hit, lashes out at a supposedly entitled heir to a fast-food chain. (The original lyric was the less-catchy “rich guy ”; that one change may have earned them millions.) But there’s nothing bitter about that groove, built on Hall’s electric piano stabs and staccato vocal hook. (Reed)

9. "Fooled Around and Fell in Love," Elvin Bishop (1975)

Elvin Bishop made his biggest pop-chart splash with "Fooled Around and Fell In Love," permanently changing the first line of his bio from a  former member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band to a solo star in his own right. There was only one problem: "The natural assumption was that it was Elvin Bishop who was singing,” singer  Mickey Thomas told the Tahoe Daily Tribune in 2007. Thomas later found even greater chart success with Starship alongside Donny Baldwin, who also played drums on Bishop's breakthrough single. "A lot of peers found out about me through that, and ultimately I did get credit for it," Thomas added. "It opened a lot of doors for me." (DeRiso)

8. "Baker Street," Gerry Rafferty (1978)

Gerry Rafferty already had a taste of success when his band Stealers Wheel hit the Top 10 with the Dylanesque "Stuck in the Middle With You" in 1973. His first solo album after the group's split, City to City , made it to No. 1 in 1978, thanks in great part to its hit single "Baker Street" (which spent six frustrating weeks at No. 2). The iconic saxophone riff by Raphael Ravenscroft gets much of the attention, but this single triumphs on many other levels. For six, mood-setting minutes Rafferty winds his way down "Baker Street" with a hopefulness rooted in eternal restlessness. (Gallucci)

7. "Dirty Work," Steely Dan (1972)

In just about three minutes, Steely Dan tells a soap-opera tale of an affair between a married woman and a man who is well aware he's being played but is too hopelessly hooked to end things. " When you need a bit of lovin' 'cause your man is out of town / That's the time you get me runnin' and you know I'll be around ," singer David Palmer sings in a surprisingly delicate tenor. A saxophone and flugelhorn part weeps underneath his lines. By the time the song is over, we can't help but feel sorry for the narrator who is, ostensibly, just as much part of the problem as he could be the solution. Not all yacht rock songs have happy endings. (Rapp)

6. "Ride Like the Wind," Christopher Cross (1979)

“Ride Like the Wind” is ostensibly a song about a tough-as-nails outlaw racing for the border of Mexico under cover of night, but there’s nothing remotely dangerous about Christopher Cross’ lithe tenor or the peppy piano riffs and horns propelling the tune. Those contradictions aren’t a detriment. This is cinematic, high-gloss pop-rock at its finest, bursting at the seams with hooks and elevated by Michael McDonald’s silky backing vocals. Cross nods to his Texas roots with a fiery guitar solo, blending hard rock and pop in a way that countless artists would replicate in the next decade. (Rolli)

5. "Summer Breeze," Seals & Crofts (1972)

Jim Seals and Dash Crofts were childhood friends in Texas, but the mellow grandeur of "Summer Breeze" makes it clear that they always belonged in '70s-era Southern California. "We operate on a different level," Seals once said , sounding like nothing if not a Laurel Canyon native. "We try to create images, impressions and trains of thought in the minds of our listeners." This song's fluttering curtains, welcoming domesticity and sweet jasmine certainly meet that standard. For some reason, however, they released this gem in August 1972 – as the season faded into fall. Perhaps that's why "Summer Breeze" somehow never got past No. 6 on the pop chart. (DeRiso)

4. "Lowdown," Boz Scaggs (1976)

As you throw on your shades and rev the motor, the only thing hotter than the afternoon sun is David Hungate’s sweet slap-bass blasting from the tape deck. “This is the good life,” you say to no one in particular, casually tipping your baseball cap to the bikini-clad crew on the boat zooming by. Then you press “play” again. What else but Boz Scaggs ’ silky “Lowdown” could soundtrack such a moment in paradise? Everything about this tune, which cruised to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, is equally idyllic: Jeff Porcaro’s metronomic hi-hat pattern, David Paich’s jazzy keyboard vamp, the cool-guy croon of Scaggs — flexing about gossip and “schoolboy game.” You crack open another cold one — why not? And, well, you press play once more. (Reed)

3. "Lido Shuffle," Boz Scaggs (1976)

Scaggs' storied career began as a sideman with Steve Miller  and already included a scorching duet with Duane Allman . Co-writer David Paich would earn Grammy-winning stardom with songs like "Africa." Yet they resorted to theft when it came to this No. 11 smash. Well, in a manner of speaking: "'Lido' was a song that I'd been banging around, and I kind of stole – well, I didn't steal anything. I just took the idea of the shuffle," Scaggs told Songfacts in 2013. "There was a song that Fats Domino did called 'The Fat Man ' that had a kind of driving shuffle beat that I used to play on the piano, and I just started kind of singing along with it. Then I showed it to Paich, and he helped me fill it out." Then Paich took this track's bassist and drummer with him to form Toto. (DeRiso)

2. "Peg," Steely Dan (1977)

"Peg" is blessed with several yacht-rock hallmarks: a spot on Steely Dan's most Steely Dan-like album, Aja , an impeccable airtightness that falls somewhere between soft-pop and jazz and yacht rock's stalwart captain, Michael McDonald, at the helm. (He may be a mere backing singer here, but his one-note chorus chirps take the song to another level.) Like most Steely Dan tracks, this track's meaning is both cynical and impenetrable, and its legacy has only grown over the years – from hip-hop samples to faithful cover versions. (Gallucci)

1. "What a Fool Believes," the Doobie Brothers (1978)

Michael McDonald not only steered the Doobie Brothers in a new direction when he joined in 1975, but he also made them a commercial powerhouse with the 1978 album Minute by Minute . McDonald co-wrote "What a Fool Believes" – a No. 1 single; the album topped the chart, too – with Kenny Loggins and sang lead, effectively launching a genre in the process. The song's style was copied for the next couple of years (most shamelessly in Robbie Dupree's 1980 Top 10 "Steal Away"), and McDonald became the bearded face of yacht rock. (Gallucci)

Top 100 Classic Rock Artists

Gallery Credit: UCR Staff

More From Ultimate Classic Rock

The Best Yacht Rock Songs for Your Yacht Party Playlist

Table of Contents

Introduction

Yacht parties are all about great music, good vibes and lasting memories. Yacht rock songs are perfect for setting the atmosphere. Their smooth rhythms and calming melodies create the perfect environment for fun and relaxation.

Here’s a guide to the best yacht rock songs for your party playlist:

• Classics like ‘ Sailing ‘ by Christopher Cross, ‘ What A Fool Believes ‘ by The Doobie Brothers and ‘ Africa ‘ by Toto are must-haves.
• Plus, more modern tunes like Daft Punk’s ‘ Get Lucky ‘ can add a fresh twist.
• You can also include some lesser-known gems like Player’s ‘ Baby Come Back ‘, Hall & Oates’ ‘ Sara Smile ‘ and Pablo Cruise’s ‘ Love Will Find A Way ‘ for a personal touch.

John Mayer’s yacht party is a prime example of yacht rock’s power. He chose iconic yacht rock songs for his playlist and danced with friends until sunrise. He said it was one of his most cherished memories – that truly shows what yacht rock can do!

Don’t be misled by the name, it has nothing to do with sailing but everything to do with smooth jams and some chest hair !

The History of Yacht Rock

Yacht Rock – a sub-genre of soft rock. Originated in Southern California in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Smooth production and sophisticated lyrics.

In its heyday, Yacht Rock was an ode to luxury. Savoured by baby boomers with yachts or who could charter boats. The tunes were perfect for sailing along the picturesque coastline, enjoying cocktails under the sun.

Despite being an acquired taste, Yacht Rock has managed to stay popular. From classics like Christopher Cross’ ‘Sailing’ to recent hits like Whitesnake’s ‘Is This Love’. Fans of the genre feel a sense of nostalgia.

The only way to truly appreciate Yacht Rock is on a boat. So, make a playlist for your next boating adventure! Yacht Rock tunes are the epitome of luxury. Enjoy smooth jams and fancy cocktails as you sail away.

The Best Classic Yacht Rock Songs

Want the ideal playlist for your yacht party? Look no further than these top Classic Yacht Rock Songs . Their smooth tunes and beats are timeless. Add these classics to your playlist:

• “Sailing” by Christopher Cross
• “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
• “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” by Hall & Oates
• “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes

Don’t stop there! Include hits from Steely Dan, Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins . They are essential for a nautical celebration. To make it special, add themed cocktails and decorations.

Pro Tip: Mix modern pop hits with the classics. This helps cater to a wider audience while giving that yacht rock vibe. Get ready to sail into the 21st century with these yacht rock songs!

The Best Modern Yacht Rock Songs

Yacht parties need the perfect tunes! Nothing sets the scene better than a Yacht Rock song. Here are some of the best modern Yacht Rock songs for your playlist:

• Dirty Work – Steely Dan
• Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
• Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty
• Sailing – Christopher Cross
• Ride Like The Wind – Christopher Cross
• What A Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers

These songs from the ’70s and ’80s bring back simpler times. Breezy rhythms, soothing harmonies and lots of saxophone solos.

Looking to take your Yacht Rock to the next level? Add “ Hold On Loosely ” by .38 Special. Not traditional Yacht Rock, but sure to get the boat rocking! Enjoy your sailing adventure!

The Perfect Yacht Party Playlist

Creating the perfect playlist for a yacht party? Challenging, but possible! With the right selection of songs, your experience will be elevated and you’ll feel transported. Our top 5 picks? Here they are:

• Yacht Rock Classics. Think “ Sailing ” by Christopher Cross and “ Rosanna ” by Toto.
• Smooth Jazz. Get those saxophone melodies and smooth rhythms from Kenny G and George Benson .
• Island Vibes. Bring the island getaway to your yacht with reggae jams like Bob Marley’s “ Three Little Birds ” or UB40’s cover of Neil Diamond’s “ Red Red Wine .”
• Disco in the Sun. Groove to disco classics like Earth, Wind & Fire’s “ September ” or Donna Summer’s “ Hot Stuff .”
• Modern Hits. Add some contemporary flavor with Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” or Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.”

Add a new twist with instrumental covers or remixes of popular songs. Check out Spotify playlists curated specifically for yacht parties too.

Pro Tip: Keep the energy at an appropriate level throughout the day. Start off mellow and ascend into upbeat hits as the party progresses. Happy cruising! Make yourself feel like a captain of cool with yacht rock classics.

As your yacht party draws to a close, be sure to end it with the best Yacht Rock songs. These tunes are sure to provide the perfect accompaniment to a fantastic evening. Think Christopher Cross’s ‘Ride Like the Wind’ , Michael McDonald’s ‘Yah Mo B There’ , and Hall & Oates’ ‘Private Eyes’ .

Yacht Rock has a special vibe, transporting you to a simpler time. The likes of Toto’s ‘Africa’ , Kenny Loggins’s ‘This Is It’ and Steely Dan’s ‘Do It Again’ can take your evening from good to great.

Go for something a bit different and try Robbie Dupree’s ‘Steal Away’ . It may not be as well known, but it still has the essence of Yacht Rock. Your guests will love it!

Don’t miss out on the chance to make your party special. Yacht Rock music is a must-have for any Yacht Party. Relax and enjoy the nostalgia, and choose from some of the greatest yacht rock songs out there!

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9 Soft Rock Songs to Add to Your Yacht Rock Party Playlist

Summer is winding down, but it's not too late to throw one... or five more parties on your yacht! And what's a yacht party without the perfect playlist full of your favorite soft rock songs? You have to set the mood, right?

Whether you are hosting a wedding reception or have your eyes on throwing the party of the year, you can never go wrong with a yacht party. However, creating the perfect yacht rock playlist is no ordinary stroll on the beach. You want songs that people know, but that will also allow everyone to relax and enjoy their time on the water.

Don't let that stress you out though, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover the greatest songs to add to your yacht rock radio station!

The Perfect Marriage: Soft Rock Songs & Yacht Parties

Before we talk about the must-have songs on  your playlist, it's important to know exactly where "yacht rock" came from and what it is. The music classified as yacht rock is mostly from the '70s and '80s. However, this term was not coined until 2005 through Channel 101, which was a short-film series online.

But yacht rock doesn't involve everything that came out in the '70s and '80s. No, there are only a special few who truly capture the vibe and mood that is yacht rock. One part jazz, one part R&B and 100% smooth create the sub-genre within soft rock.

Now that you know  what yacht rock is, let's dive in!

9. Lowdown by Boz Scaggs

Co-written by Toto's David Paich, this song is guaranteed to get you and your guests groovin' from the get-go. While leaning a bit toward smooth jazz, this is the perfect song to get your party started on the right foot.

8. Hey Nineteen by Steely Dan

Walter Becker and Donald Fagan make up the legendary Steely Dan who spent most of the '80s infuriating pure jazz lovers while becoming the voice of a generation. They could easily have multiple songs on your playlist, but  Hey Nineteen  perfectly captures the spirit of what yacht rock is.

7. Kiss On My List by Hall & Oates

Daryl Hall and John Oates are more than just a couple of pop superstars who perfectly exhibited both the mullet  and the mustache. They are also a staple of the '80s. No yacht party can thrive without at least 1 Hall & Oates jam, so make sure this kiss makes it onto your list!

6. Sailing by Christopher Cross

Sailing is on this for more than its title and the fact that it won a Grammy award for "Song of the Year." Not only does it capture the vibe and mood you want for a yacht party, but it's one of the few that seems to have been made for this wacky sub-genre of music. This is a necessity in any good yacht rock radio playlist.

5. Waiting For A Girl Like You by Foreigner

Foreigner was an '80s powerhouse, with power ballads like Hot Blooded, Cold As Ice and I Want To Know What Love Is. But they also had a more soulful and jazzy side to them as well.  Waiting For A Girl Like You  is not only a crowd-pleaser, but it'll also give all the couples in your group a reason to cuddle up with their significant other.

4. Rosanna by Toto

It would almost be too easy to throw the beloved Africa onto this list. However, Rosanna is a much better fit for the fun in the sun vibe you want during a yacht party with its upbeat, yet relaxing feel. And contrary to belief, the song is  not about Rosanna Arquette, even though she was dating keyboard player Steve Porcaro around that time.

3. This Is It by Kenny Loggins

What's as yacht rock playlist without the extraordinary Kenny Loggins? It's incomplete; that's what it is! Kenny Loggins is widely considered to be one of the all-time great yacht rockers and  This Is It is a great song to keep the good times rolling as you and your party start to catch their second wind.

2. What A Fool Believes by The Doobie Brothers

When you think about the perfect music to vibe to while you're living your best life and enjoying the water, The Doobie Brothers are a no brainer for your perfect yacht rock playlist. This song written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald may very well be the epitome of what yacht rock is!

1. I Keep Forgettin' by Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald may very well be the kind of yacht rock. How, you might ask? Well, the top 2 spots on this list involve his musical genius. In his first offering outside of The Doobie Brothers, this is the song that will bring your entire playlist together and put the proverbial icing on the cake. 

Time to Party!

Now that you've got a good list of songs picked out, you have a very important decision to make. Do you want these soft rock songs smoothly doled out by one of the best DJ's in the business? Or do you want an incredible band to perform your favorite yacht rock songs live and in person?

No matter which option you go with, we've got you covered from beginning to end. We offer a full roster of some of the best DJ's, bands, and musicians you'll find anywhere. But it doesn't stop there.

Not only do we have the talent to make your event one to remember, but we work with you to diligently to provide you with an experience that will surpass any and all expectations you might have had.

Let us do the work so  YOU  can do what  YOU  do best, hosting amazing parties and making memories that will last a lifetime! Contact us today to receive your free quote and get the ball rolling! Isn't it time you took your party and event game to the next level?

How to Host a Pool Party This Summer, According to the Experts

Plan now, so you can kick back later.

Decorate for a party atmosphere

Create a theme and plan activities, prioritize pool safety, what if you don’t own a pool.

If you don't know how to host a pool party, there are a few things to keep in mind to help ensure that you and your guests have a fun and safe experience throughout the day. Stocking up on poolside essentials, planning a menu, and organizing fun activities will set you up for success when the day of your party arrives. And while having a pool of your own at home certainly helps, just know that you can still enjoy most of these tips without one!

To help you out, we’ve turned to the experts who have shared guidelines on how to host a pool party this season. Let’s dive in! (pun very much intended).

Gather the essentials

If you want to nail the laid-back pool party vibe, you first need to make sure you have the essentials in order. Great music, fun food, and tasty beverages are a great place to start, according to Lisa Cokinos, founder of LC Events in New York City. When deciding on the best tunes to play, Corkinos suggests curating a playlist that “appeals to everyone but that ultimately has your own spin on it.”

In planning a poolside menu, you can’t go wrong with a barbecue. “When I think of pool parties, I always think of burgers, hot dogs, chips and dips, corn on the cob, etc.,” Corkinos says. “Quintessential all-American barbeque options. Favorite poolside drinks include rosé, spicy margaritas, and ice-cold beer.”

Proper hydration is especially crucial on hot summer days, so make sure your guests have plenty of water to drink. Consider stocking coolers with water bottles or setting up drink dispensers nearby with added flavors like lemon and cucumber to enhance the taste.

Finally, aside from food and drinks, make sure you have enough sunscreen and pool accesstories on hand for your guests to use. “Inevitably, guests will forget something, so have plenty of extra sunblock , towels, and pool noodles,” Cokinos says.

Creating a festive atmosphere at home doesn't require any special know-how, but it's a simple yet important aspect of hosting a successful summer party. Consider hanging LED string lights or using candle lanterns as centerpieces to create a warm and inviting atmosphere as the sun goes down. Placing flameless candles in waterproof holders also adds an extra touch of ambiance.

You can also bring a pop of color to your pool party decor by using colorful linens and tableware. Incorporating bright and bold linens in your tablescape can make the food and drinks more visually appealing and add to the overall festive atmosphere. You can also bring out your houseplants and add bouquets of fresh flowers to your seating area to evoke the look of a lush, relaxing oasis.

To give your pool party a unique touch, Cokinos suggests creating a theme to make it stand out. This sets the tone for the event and can help you plan the decor, food, and activities around a central idea.

"Throw a 'Tacos and Tequila' pool party with a make-your-own-taco bar or 'Rosé all Day' with a lobster roll cart and rosé on tap!" Cokinos suggests. "Add on a s’mores bar or make your own shaved ice slushie, and everyone will remember your party!"

Pool party hosts are also responsible for planning activities and games. To take things to the next level, you can plan a round of yacht-rock karaoke, in which your guests take turns singing their favorite '80s hits. "From Toto’s 'Africa' to Hall & Oates’ 'I Can’t Go For That,' crowds tend to sing at the top of their lungs when they’re in any proximity to water and it involves some classic yacht rock," says Eric Wielander, Head of Creative at Eventique . To elevate the atmosphere and stick to the theme, Wielander also suggests distributing yacht captain's hats to your guests.

To create some friendly competition, you could hold a mini pool volleyball tournament or a lighthearted race. “Test out your guests’ swimming skills with relay races but with untraditional strokes, such as just the backstroke or doggie paddle,” Cokinos says. “You can also have guests ride floaties across the pool and see who wins.”

Along with making sure everyone is well-fed and having a good time, hosts must prioritize the safety of all guests in attendance. Make sure everyone is practicing common-sense pool safety by not swimming while intoxicated or running around the pool perimeter. Guests should only go in the water as deep as they feel comfortable swimming.

If children are present, Cokins suggests hiring a lifeguard or designating a responsible adult to keep a watchful eye on the pool activities for the day.

If you don't have a pool at home or in your community, Swimply offers an interesting alternative. It's an online marketplace where homeowners can rent out their private swimming pools for hourly use to individuals or groups. Think of it as Airbnb but for pool parties, where guests can rent pools for 2-3 hours.

“On Swimply.com and the Swimply app, pool seekers can browse nearby pools, check out amenities, read reviews, and find the pool of their dreams to make their own (for a few hours),” Andrea Toch, a member of Swimply’s PR team confirmed. Once bookings are confirmed, guests will receive an email detailing the exact address, entry and exit info, Wi-Fi, and anything else they need for their pool party reservation.

Sandra Rose Salathe is an experienced journalist with over 10 years of expertise covering diverse topics. She has a talent for finding unique angles and uncovering untold stories. When not writing, Sandra enjoys spending time with her hyperactive Siamese cat, Taco, and browsing vintage stores in Brooklyn. 

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This Is It: A Yacht Rock Party How-To

Steven Devadanam July 14, 2006 9:23AM

Maybe one of these days some club in Houston will get it together and host a yacht rock night. Until then, you'll just have to host a party of your own. I asked J.D. Ryznar what ingredients were needed for the perfect smooth music bash.

"It has to take place in the afternoon, and you have to have all those tropical drinks, like Pi�a Coladas," he said. "[Yacht Rock co-creator] Hunter [Stair] and I got into a fight about what the best drink would be. If you're skewing '80s, I think Jack and Tab would be good, but I can't remember what the other one was. His drink was pretty funny too."

Vodka and Fresca perhaps? We would also suggest Riunite and Lancers wine, Lowenbrau and Michelob beer, and Harvey's Bristol Cr�me liqueur. For food, serve fondue , shrimp cocktail, brie, and some fresh pineapple, limes and coconuts. Lots of fruit. You want to put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up.

And since we are 50 miles from the Gulf, there's really no excuse not to have this on the water. Get a hold of a yacht . Or failing that, a beach-house. Or at the very least, a condo or hotel room near the ocean . You have to be able to smell the saltwater. Fresh water will not do.

Men must wear khakis and Topsiders . One man and only one man may rock a white captain's hat/ blue blazer / white turtleneck ensemble. This man is the Captain , and there can be only one. (Choose by direct vote or lottery.) Women should wear floral-print dresses with huge buttons, feathered hair and those big round sunglasses . Think Charlie's Angels .

You'll need plenty of CDs, and they must contain plenty of the songs already mentioned. Think you won't have fun at a party like that? Hah. That's what a fool believes. — John Nova Lomax

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Fri, Jul 12

Longshadow Ranch Winery

YACHT ROCK PARTY! feat. YACHT ROCKER in concert!

NOTE: Longshadow Ranch Winery has a TWO DRINK MINIMUM for all special events. Yacht Rock! Soft rock hits that dominated radio in the 70's & 80's. In the vineyards, under the stars with Yacht Rocker!

Time & Location

Jul 12, 2024, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Longshadow Ranch Winery, 39847 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591, USA

About the event

PLEASE NOTE: Longshadow Ranch Winery has a TWO DRINK MINIMUM for all special events.

A beautiful evening "IN THE VINEYARDS, UNDER THE STARS" 

YACHT ROCK is the soft rock that dominated FM radio airwaves in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Yacht rock is characterized by glossy production, breezy vocals, and bouncy rhythms—all elements thought to evoke relaxing bay cruises in Southern California, where the genre originated. Some artists commonly included in the yacht rock genre are: The Doobie Brothers, Seals & Croft, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Christopher Cross, Robbie Dupree, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Michael McDonald, Rupert Holmes, Toto, Steely Dan and more!

CHAIRS: Please feel free to bring your own chairs (or dance all night!) 

PARKING: Longshadow runs out of parking fast so many cars need to park out on the street. We receommend carpooling or Uber.

NOTE: Longshadow Ranch Winery has a TWO DRINK MINIMUM for all special events.

Doors open at 6pm. First band starts at 7:00pm. Please bring your own chairs (or dance all night). Food available until approximately 7:30pm or sold out. Tickets are not mailed, just check in at the gate when you get there. We will have a master list of all ticket holders. THANK YOU!

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Three die in dry ice disaster at russian instagram influencer’s pool party, olivia messer.

Screenshot/Instagram/didenko.katerina

Three people died and others were injured on Friday when dry ice was poured into a swimming pool at a Russian Instagram influencer’s 29th birthday party in Moscow. Influencer Yekaterina Didenko’s husband, 32-year-old Valentin Didenko, died after jumping in the water to cool down after exiting a sauna. About 25 kilograms of dry ice was reportedly poured into the water after guests complained it was too warm— and to create a dramatic “visual effect.”

Instagram videos posted by Didenko during the party showed her friends wearing swimsuits, pole dancing, and eating and drinking around a table. A few hours later, she uploaded several videos of her weeping and explaining that the party had gone horribly wrong. The dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide, reportedly caused some swimmers to choke and lose consciousness. The Russian Investigative Committee reportedly confirmed on Saturday that they had opened a criminal investigation into the incident.