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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 |
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I’ve been wanting to put together a best of Yacht Rock list for quite sometime. Now that we’re into the month of May – I’m inspired to pull this list together and get ready to jam to these (and others) all summer long. As an added bonus, recording artist Carly Shea stopped by to talk about her favorite Yacht Rock songs. She listed her songs during the intermission or halftime on the video countdown below .
As I started writing down names to songs that I felt should be included on the list, I noticed that it was being dominated by Michael McDonald/Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross and America. So I decide to make some ground rules:
Only one song per band would be ranked with solo projects being treated separately. Of course that made for even more decisions. Choosing between the three or four America songs to include on the list was TOUGH. Same with Seals & Croft. Summer Breeze or Diamond Girl ? But then it hit me. A calmness of floating through a no wake zone, if you will. Just relax and make your selections and live with it. At the end of the day, when you are dealing with Yacht Rock – there really aren’t any bad choices.
Speaking of which. A couple of artists got left off of the list. I nearly expanded the list to 30 to make room for anyone. But I decided to keep the top 24. So Hall and Oates (I Can’t Go For That), Toto (Georgy Porgy), Fleetwood Mac (You Make Loving Fun), Kenny Loggins (This Is It), Dobie Gray (Drift Away) and Olvia Newton-John (Magic) – just missed. In fact, the first two names I wrote down initially were Hall & Oates and Toto. It’s a touch business – this Yacht Rock.
Without further ado. Here’s my Top 24 Yacht Rock Songs .
24. England Dan and John Ford Coley – I’d Really Love To See You Tonight
23. Herb Alpert – Route 101
22. Jay Ferguson – Thunder Island
21. Boz Scaggs – JoJo
20. Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do For Love
19. Looking Glass – Brandi (You’re A Fine Girl)
18. Player – Baby Come Back
17. Ambrosia – Biggest Part Of Me
16. Michael Martin Murphey – Wildfire
15. Todd Rundgren – I Saw The Light
14. Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom
13. Ace – How Long
12. Lionel Richie – All Night Long
11. 10cc – I’m Not In Love
10. Rupert Homes – Escape (Pina Colada)
09. Donald Fagen – I.G.Y.
08. Robbie Dupree – Steal Away
07. Seals & Croft – Summer Breeze
06. America – Horse With No Name
05. Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
04. Christopher Cross – Ride Like The Wind
03. Steely Dan – Peg
02. Starbuck – Moonlight Feels Right
01. Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes
So there you go. The songs I consider the greatest Yacht Rock Songs ever. Of course, with the twist of only one song per act.
Do you have a favorite? Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram below and let me know which song is your top choice.
-Tommy Marz
You can follow Tommy on Twitter and Instagram let him know what you think.
As a reminder: Yacht Rock is a style of music commonly classified as soft rock from the 70s to the mid-80s. You will hear everything from smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco.
You can play songs that are the pure definition of yacht rock by artists and musicians like Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and Kenny Loggins. However, you will also find a few Nyacht songs (songs that have sometimes been classified as yacht rock but do not fit the definition).
It’s up to you as we are trying to set a mood for a great chill playlist for any event or party.
Listed alphabetically by artist and then song title.
Ace – How Long Released in 1975 on the album Five-A-Side
Lyrics To Inspire You:
“And you said you was never intending / To break up our scene this way / But there ain’t any use in pretending / It could happen to us any day”
Al Jarreau – We’re In This Love Together Released in 1981 on the album Breakin’ Away
“We got the kind that lasts forever / We’re in this love together / We got a kind that will last forever and evermore”
Ambrosia – Biggest Part Of Me Released in 1980 on the album One Eighty
“Together) We are gonna stay together / (Forever) For me there’s nothing better / You’re the biggest part of me”
Ambrosia – How Much I Feel Released in 1978 on the album Life Beyond L.A.
“How’s your life been goin’ on / I’ve got a wife now / Years we’ve been goin’ strong”
Atlantic Rhythm Section – So Into You Released in 1976 on the album A Rock and Roll Alternative
“From your head to your toe / Gonna love you all over, over and over / Me into you, you into me, me into you”
Bill Withers – Lovely Day Released in 1977 on the album Menagerie
“Just one look at you / And I know it’s gonna be / A lovely day”
Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do For Love Released in 1978 on the album Bobby Caldwell
“But then I only want the best, it’s true / I can’t believe the things I do for you / What you won’t do, do for love”
Boz Scaggs – Lowdown Released in 1976 on the album Silk Degrees
“Got to have a Jones for this, Jones for that / This runnin’ with the Joneses, boy, just ain’t where it’s at, no, no”
Captain & Tennille – Love Will Keep Us Together Released in 1975 on the album Love Will Keep Us Together
“I will be there to share forever / Love will keep us together”
Christopher Cross – Ride Like the Wind Released in 1980 on the album Christopher Cross
“Lived nine lives / Gunned down ten / Gonna ride like the wind”
Christopher Cross – Sailing Released in 1980 on the album Christopher Cross
“Sailing / Takes me away to where I’ve always heard it could be / Just a dream and the wind to carry me / Soon I will be free”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Kiss On My List Released in 1981 on the album Voices
“Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life / Oh babe, because your kiss, your kiss is on my list”
David Pomeranz – On This Day Released in 2001 on the album On This Day
“Here I stand, take my hand / And I will honor every word that I say / On this day”
DeBarge – All This Love Released in 1982 on the album All This Love
“Say you really love me baby / Say you really love me, darlin’ / ‘Cause I really love you, baby”
Donald Fagen – I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World) Released in 1982 on the album The Nightfly
“What a beautiful world this will be / What a glorious time to be free”
Doobie Brothers – What a Fool Believes Released in 1979 on the album Minute by Minute
“But what a fool believes, he sees / No wise man has the power to reason away / What seems to be”
Dr. Hook – Sexy Eyes Released in 1979 on the album Sometimes You Win
“Sexy eyes, moving ‘cross the floor, couldn’t want for more, sexy eyes / Sexy eyes, getting down with you, I wanna move with you, sexy eyes”
Earth, Wind & Fire – After the Love Has Gone Released in 1979 on the album I Am
“What used to be happy is sad / Somethin’ happened along the way / And yesterday was all we had”
George Benson – Give Me the Night Released in 1980 on the album Give Me the Night
“A little late romance / It’s a chain reaction / You’ll see the people of the world / Coming out to dance”
George Benson – Lady Love Me (One More Time) Released in 1983 on the album In Your Eyes
“Just let me love you one more time / Feel your heartbeat close to mine / Lady, love me all the time”
James Ingram and Michael McDonald – Yah Mo B There Released in 1983 on the album It’s Your Night
“‘Cause it’s a long hard road that leads to a brighter day / Don’t let your heart grow cold, just reach out and call His name”
Kenny Loggins – Heart to Heart Released in 1982 on the album High Adventure
“Now that we’ve grown apart, oh no / Well, the only way to start / Is heart to heart”
Kenny Loggins – This Is It Released in 1979 on the album Keep the Fire
“Let ’em believe / Leave ’em behind / But keep me near in your heart / Know whatever you do, I’m here by your side”
Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks – Whenever I Call You “Friend” Released in 1978 on the album Nightwatch
“Whenever I call you friend / I believe I’ve come to understand / Everywhere we are you and I were meant to be / Forever and ever”
Larry Carlton – Room 335 Released in 1978 on the album Larry Carlton
This song is a guitar instrumental.
Lee Ritenour – Is It You Released in 1981 on the album Rit
“Are you somebody in love? / Show me what you’re doin’ and tell me who you are / Hey, I’m ready for love, for love”
Leon Ware – Slippin Away Released in 1982 on the album Leon Ware
“You ain’t gonna keep on slippin’ away / Somewhere in your mind, I know / You will see that I am on your side”
Lionel Richie – All Night Long (All Night) Released in 1983 on the album Can’t Slow Down
“People dancing all in the street / See the rhythm all in their feet / Life is good, wild, and sweet”
Lionel Richie – Running with the Night Released in 1983 on the album Can’t Slow Down
“We were running with the night / Playing in the shadows / Just you and I / ‘Til the morning light”
Little River Band – Reminiscing Released in 1978 on the album Sleeper Catcher
“I said to myself when we’re old / We’ll go dancing in the dark / Walking through the park and reminiscing”
Luther Vandross – Never Too Much Released in 1981 on the album Never Too Much
“Love is a gamble and I’m so glad that I’m winnin’ / We’ve come a long way and yet this is only the beginnin'”
Marc Jordan – Margarita Released in 1983 on the album A Hole In The Wall
“I step over the borderline / Margarita will you be mine / Oh you think that love’s a game”
Maxus – Keep a Light On Released in 1981 on the album Maxus
“Please keep a light on for me, yeah / ‘Cause tonight I can’t see / Another place that I’d rather be”
Michael Jackson – Human Nature Released in 1983 on the album Thriller
“See that girl / She knows I’m watching / She likes the way I stare”
Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney – The Girl Is Mine Released in 1982 on the album Thriller
“Well I love you endlessly / (Loving we will share) / So come and go with me / Two on the town”
Michael McDonald – I Gotta Try Released in 1982 on the album If That’s What It Takes
“Maybe there ain’t nothin’ left to say / But if our time’s really runnin’ out / Then this is no time to run away”
Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) Released in 1982 on the album If That’s What It Takes
“I keep forgettin’ we’re not in love anymore / I keep forgettin’ things will never be the same again”
Michael Miglio – Never Gonna Let You Go Released in 1980 on the album Everytime It Rains
“Your lovin’ turns me on / My lonely days are gone / That’s why I’m never gonna let you go”
Nicolette Larson – Let Me Go, Love Released in 1979 on the album In the Nick of Time
“We shared in the fantasy of / Knowing this love in our lives / Is it ever what it seems to be / Oh and if it’s over / Let me go, love”
Olivia Newton-John – Magic Released in 1980 on the album Xanadu
“You won’t make a mistake / I’ll be guiding you / You have to believe we are magic”
Pablo Cruise – Love Will Find A Way Released in 1978 on the album Worlds Away
“You’ll learn to find your love again / So keep your heart open / Cause love will find a way”
Pages – O.C.O.E. (Official Cat of the Eighties) Released in 1981 on the album Pages
“Rushin’ to the future and runnin’ from the past / Intent on getting higher / So knocked out, so real, a hopeless jag”
Patti Austin and James Ingram – Baby, Come To Me Released in 1982 on the album Every Home Should Have One
“Let me put my arms around you / This was meant to be / And I’m oh so glad I found you”
Paul Davis – Cool Night Released in 1981 on the album Cool Night
“It’s gonna be a cool night / Just let me hold you by the firelight / If it don’t feel right you can go”
Philip Bailey and Phil Collins – Easy Lover Released in 1984 on the album Chinese Wall
“Easy lover / She’ll get a hold on you believe it / Like no other / Before you know it you’ll be on your knees”
Player – Baby Come Back Released in 1977 on the album Player
“Baby come back, yeah, any kind of fool could see / There was something in everything about you”
Pointer Sisters – He’s So Shy Released in 1980 on the album Special Things
“Nothin’ has ever felt so right / And I’m so glad I took the time / That I had to take to make him mine”
Quincy Jones – One Hundred Ways Released in 1981 on the album The Dude
“Maybe she has it in her mind / That she’s just wasting her time / Ask her to stay / Find one hundred ways”
Ray Parker Jr. – A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) Released in 1981 on the album A Woman Needs Love
“So, when you think you’ve fooled her / She just might be fooling you / Remember: if you can do it / She can, too”
Raydio – You Can’t Change That Released in 1979 on the album Rock On
“You’re the only one I love / And you can’t change that / You’re the only one I need”
Rickie Lee Jones – Chuck E’s In Love Released in 1979 on the album Rock On
“But that means that Chuck E.’s in love, my, my / Chuck E.’s in love, love, love, love”
Robbie Dupree – Steal Away Released in 1980 on the album Robbie Dupree
“I caught you glancing my way / And I know what you’re after (no second chances tonight) / Why don’t we steal away”
Roger Voudouris – Get Used To It Released in 1979 on the album Radio Dream
“Get used to it / ‘Cause I’ll be around / Yeah, ya better get used to / All my love, please”
Sanford-Townsend Band – Smoke From a Distant Fire Released in 1977 on the album Sanford-Townsend Band
“I know where you goin’ to I knew when you came home last night / ‘Cause your eyes had a mist from the smoke of a distant fire”
Smokey Robinson – Being With You Released in 1981 on the album Being with You
“I don’t care what they think / If you’re leaving / I’m gonna beg you to stay”
Steely Dan – Hey Nineteen Released in 1980 on the album Gaucho
“No, we can’t dance together (We can’t dance together) / No, we can’t talk at all / Please take me along when you slide on down”
Steely Dan – Peg Released in 1977 on the album Aja
“It sure looks good on you / And when you smile for the camera / I know I’ll love you better”
Steve Perry – Foolish Heart Released in 1984 on the album Street Talk
“Foolish heart, heed my warning / You’ve been wrong before / Don’t be wrong anymore”
The Imperials – Living Without Your Love Released in 1979 on the album One More Song for You
“‘Cause living without Your love / Was like not ever living or existing”
Timothy B. Schmit – Tell Me What You Dream Released in 1984 on the album Playin’ It Cool
“Is it someone else’s arms that hold you tight / Or darling, is it me / Tell me what you dream at night”
Toto – Africa Released in 1982 on the album Toto IV
“It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you / There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do”
Toto – Georgy Porgy Released in 1978 on the album Toto
“I’m not the only one that holds you / I never ever should have told you / You’re my only world”
Warren G ft. Nate Dogg – Regulate Released in 1994 on the album Above the Rim
“It was a clear black night, a clear white moon / Warren G was on the streets tryin’ to consume / Some skirts for the eve so I can get some funk”
These are a list of songs that are commonly thought to be yacht rock songs but technically are not. If you have yacht rock enthusiasts, you may want to skip these. Otherwise, they are still great songs that fit the vibe.
10cc – I’m Not In Love Released in 1975 on the album The Original Soundtrack
“Don’t make a fuss / Don’t tell your friends about the two of us / I’m not in love”
Al Stewart – Time Passages Released in 1978 on the album Time Passages
“There’s something back here that you left behind / Oh time passages / Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight”
America – You Can Do Magic Released in 1982 on the album View from the Ground
“You can do magic / You can have anything that you desire / Magic, and you know / You’re the one who can put out the fire”
Bertie Higgins – Key Largo Released in 1981 on the album Just Another Day in Paradise
“We had it all / Just like Bogie and Bacall / Starring in our old late, late show / Sailing away to Key Largo”
Billy Joel – Just the Way You Are Released in 1984 on the album The Stranger
“I said I love you, that’s forever / And this I promise from the heart / I couldn’t love you any better / I love you just the way you are”
Billy Ocean- Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) Released in 1977 on the album Suddenly
“Oh girl, oh baby, it takes a little time / Then you can love again / But I ain’t got the time”
Climax Blues Band – Couldn’t Get It Right Released in 1976 on the album Gold Plated
“But, I couldn’t see the light, no, I couldn’t see the light / I kept on looking for a way to take me through the night / Couldn’t get it right”
Climax Blues Band – I Love You Released in 1981 on the album Flying the Flag
“Thank you, babe, for being a friend / And shining your light in my life / ‘Cause, oooh, I need you”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Rich Girl Released in 1977 on the album Bigger Than Both of Us
“You’re a rich girl, and you’ve gone too far / ‘Cause you know it don’t matter anyway / You can rely on the old man’s money”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Sara Smile Released in 1975 on the album Daryl Hall & John Oates
“And when you feel you can’t go on, I’ll come and hold you / It’s you and me forever”
Doobie Brothers – Listen to the Music Released in 1972 on the album Toulouse Street
“Meet me in the country for a day / We’ll be happy, and we’ll dance / Oh, we’re gonna dance our blues away”
Dr. Hook – When You’re In Love with a Beautiful Woman Released in 1979 on the album Pleasure and Pain
“You want to trust her / Then somebody hangs up when you answer the phone / When you’re in love with a beautiful woman / You go it alone”
England Dan & John Ford Coley – I’d Really Love to See You Tonight Released in 1976 on the album Nights Are Forever
“And I don’t wanna change your life / But there’s a warm wind blowing / The stars are out, and I’d really love to see you tonight”
Exile – Kiss You All Over Released in 1978 on the album Mixed Emotions
“You don’t have to say a thing / Just let me show how much / I love you, need you”
Firefall – You Are the Woman Released in 1976 on the album Firefall
“You are the woman that I’ve always dreamed of / I knew it from the start / I saw your face and that’s the last I’ve seen of my heart”
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams Released in 1977 on the album Rumours
“I keep my visions to myself / But it’s only me who wants to wrap around your dreams, and / Have you any dreams you’d like to sell, dreams of loneliness?”
Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere Released in 1987 on the album Tango in the Night
“We better make a start / You better make it soon / Before you break my heart”
Gary Wright – Love Is Alive Released in 1976 on the album The Dream Weaver
“I’ll try to keep it together / ‘Cause what I say may not happen the same way / Now could be forever”
Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street Released in 1978 on the album City to City
“When you wake up, it’s a new mornin’ / The sun is shinin’, it’s a new mornin’ / You’re goin’, you’re goin’ home”
Gino Vannelli – I Just Wanna Stop Released in 1978 on the album Brother to Brother
“The world ain’t right without you, babe / I just gotta stop / For your love”
Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers – Just The Two Of Us Released in 1981 on the album Winelight
“Building castles in the sky / Just the two of us / You and I”
Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby Released in 1982 on the album Fast Times at Ridgemont High Soundtrack
“She’s gonna be somebody’s only light / Gonna shine tonight / Yeah, she’s gonna be somebody’s baby tonight”
Little River Band – Cool Change Released in 1979 on the album First Under the Wire
“If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing / It’s the time that I spend alone / Sailing on the cool and bright clear water”
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – Blinded by the Light Released in 1976 on the album The Roaring Silence
“Blinded by the light / Revved up like a deuce / Another runner in the night”
Melissa Manchester – Whenever I Call You Friend Released in 1979 on the album Melissa Manchester
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight / Sweet love flowing almost every night / I know forever we’ll be doing it right”
Michael Johnson – Bluer Than Blue Released in 1978 on the album The Dude
“You’re the only light this empty room has ever had / And life without you is gonna be / Bluer than blue”
Orleans – Dance With Me Released in 1975 on the album Orleans II
“The music is just starting / Night is calling, and I am falling / Dance with me”
Orleans – Still The One Released in 1976 on the album Waking and Dreaming
“You’re still the one that I love to touch / Still the one and I can’t get enough / We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one”
Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand Released in 1981 on the album Black & White
“Baby, believe me I understand / When it comes to love you want a slow hand”
Pure Prairie League – Let Me Love You Tonight Released in 1980 on the album Firin’ Up
“Let me love you tonight / There’s a million stars in the sky / Let me love you tonight / I’ll make everything alright”
Rufus and Chaka Khan – Ain’t Nobody Released in 1983 on the album Rickie Lee Jones
“You knew I could not resist / I needed someone / And now we’re flyin’ through the stars / I hope this night will last forever”
Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Pina Colada Song) Released in 1979 on the album Partners in Crime
“If you like makin’ love at midnight / In the dunes on the cape / Then I’m the love that you’ve looked for / Write to me and escape”
Seals & Crofts – Get Closer Released in 1976 on the album Seals and Crofts
“Darlin’, if you want me to be closer to you, get closer to me”
Steely Dan – Do It Again Released in 1972 on the album Can’t Buy a Thrill
“Then you love a little wild one / And she brings you only sorrow / All the time you know she’s smiling / You’ll be on your knees tomorrow”
Stephen Bishop – On and On Released in 1976 on the album Careless
“On and on / He just keeps on trying / And he smiles when he feels like crying”
The Alan Parsons Project – Eye in the Sky Released in 1982 on the album Eye in the Sky
“I am the eye in the sky / Looking at you / I can read your mind”
With over 7 hours of yacht rock songs to play, you can have your fill any need for background music. Whether you think the songs are Yacht or Nyacht, the songs will set a chill theme for any party.
Thank you to Camille “Rocky” Bourg, Jr. of Music by Request for helping us distinguish between real Yacht rock songs and Nyacht songs!
Do you have a favorite Yacht rock song? Please share your song below in the comments!
If you love this list you most likely like classic rock. Check out our list of classic rock love songs !
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I have always had a love for music and the way it makes you feel. My passion grew for wedding celebrations with years as a wedding DJ. Now, as a wedding music planner, I research popular and unique wedding songs to create personalized playlists for couples and help wedding pros curate crowd-cheering music. Let's get the party started! - Read More About Me
Jim Beviglia
There was a bit of mystery and sleight of hand at play when Bobby Caldwell hit it big with his single “What You Won’t Do for Love” in 1978. But that has long since faded, and the charms of the smooth song that fits so comfortably into so many genres, including yacht rock, have endured.
What is the song about? How did Caldwell write it on demand? And why did Caldwell’s record company tried to hide his identity to an extent when the song was released? Here are the details behind “What You Won’t Do for Love,” Caldwell’s first and most successful single.
When you hear “What You Won’t Do for Love,” you’ll probably notice it’s somewhat uncategorizable, in large part because it seems to draw from a deep well of influences. That starts to make sense when you understand how Bobby Caldwell came to that point in his career.
Born in Manhattan, raised in Miami, Caldwell was turned on by his parents to big-band singing heroes like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. A multi-instrumentalist, he worked for a while in Little Richard’s touring band, while also spending time as a member of the Miami outfit Kathmandu. He was good friends with Bob Marley.
All those various experiences and influences eventually earned him a record deal with TK Records. That label did big business in the disco-heavy late ’70s, most notably with KC & the Sunshine Band. Caldwell earned the opportunity to release his debut album as a singer/songwriter on the label in 1978.
Caldwell wrote and recorded several songs he thought were prime candidates for a release as a single. But the record label pushed him to keep trying, as they weren’t blown away with his choices. He quickly came back with “What You Won’t Do for Love,” which was co-written by Alfons Kettner.
The song boasted an outstanding horn arrangement provided by Mike Lewis. This was exactly what the label had been seeking. But they made the interesting decision to restrain from publicizing Caldwell’s picture, as they correctly surmised that many audience members wouldn’t realize, based on his soulful voice and the smoothly funky arrangement, that he was white.
They needn’t have worried. Caldwell eventually had to go out and promote the record, and it didn’t stop the momentum of “What You Won’t Do for Love.” The song hit the Top 10, and endured not just through its inclusion on yacht rock stations and playlists, but also from being sampled often, most notably by Tupac Shakur on his 1998 song “Do for Love.”
Caldwell’s lyrics on “What You Don’t For Love” touch on many aspects surrounding the search for that all-too elusive connection. His narrator begins by explaining it took some work on himself before he was ready to open up to someone else: I guess you wonder where I’ve been / I searched to find the love within .
The self-discovery led him to an inescapable conclusion: Got a thing for you and I can’t let go . And he laments there are those who don’t ever experience what he has discovered: Some people go around the world for love / But they never find what they dream of . The title refers to the hangups that ultimately hold you back from a special relationship, which need to be overcome: In my world, only you / Makes me do for love what I would not do.
It’s a clever and novel way to say what’s been said in song many times before. “What You Won’t Do for Love” propelled Bobby Caldwell into a long, varied career in music. He passed away in 2023, leaving behind an impressive legacy and a signature song that, contrary to initial worries, has enthralled all races and creeds over the years.
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In 2005, the actor/screenwriter J.D. Ryznar wrote, directed, and produced a TV series for the Los Angeles short-film festival Channel 101 called Yacht Rock. The idea was to tell comically overblown backstories about the creation of a strain of ultra-smooth music from the late ’70s and early ’80s. Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins—to paraphrase Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s 1964 description of obscenity, you know it when you hear it. As entertainingly corny as some of the tracks here are, they also represent some of the era’s more serious songwriting efforts, exploring themes of longing and regret with a muted tension not even the slickest production could fully smooth over—a sense of contrast and depth the music doesn’t always get due credit for. Interestingly, as mainstream as these tracks were, their richest second life came in the form of 2010s electronic subgenres like vaporwave, which took the soft-focus quality of the music to surreal extremes. For now, though, lock in, settle down, and surrender to the breeze.
97 Songs, 6 hours, 36 minutes
The doobie brothers, robbie dupree, christopher cross, daryl hall & john oates, kenny loggins, africa, middle east, and india.
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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 ...
5. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes. The second tune in our top ten that found its way onto one of the three Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks—as well as its original LP release—comes from yacht rock icon Rupert Holmes. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) tells a story that feels more comical today than it might have in the ...
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes. The hit song 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song)' is a must for any yacht rock playlist. Rupert Holmes originally titled the tune 'People Need Other People,' and if you listen closely to the lyrics, they paint the picture of a couple in turmoil despite its cheery melody.
England Dan and John Cord Foley - 'I'd Really Love to See You Tonight'. England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love To See You Tonight.avi. A big hit for this duo in 1976, it showcases the very best of the sock rock/AOR/yacht rock sound that the 1970s could offer.
If you don't love songs about boats, one-night stands, and breezy California nights, you've come to the wrong place. Yacht Rock embodies the singer-songwriter soft rock that dominated FM radio playlists in the '70s. Combine slick L.A. production, earnest singing, and a touch of lite-country songwriting, and chances are, you had a Top 40 hit. These are the best of them.
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Shakespeare said, "The course of true love never did run smooth." Well, maybe not. But fortunately the MUSIC of true love is a different matter. Especially w...
Yacht Rock Love Songs · Playlist · 144 songs · 67 likes. Yacht Rock Love Songs · Playlist · 144 songs · 67 likes. Yacht Rock Love Songs · Playlist · 144 songs · 67 likes. Yacht Rock Love Songs · Playlist · 144 songs · 67 likes. Home; Search; Your Library. Playlists Podcasts & Shows Artists Albums ...
An ever-expanding, official list of Yacht Rock songs, deemed Yacht Rock by the creators of the Yacht Rock web show. They coined and defined the term! For mor...
THE 101 GREATEST YACHT ROCK SONGS! 101. NOTHIN' YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT [Airplay; 1980; Chart Position on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A] ... Paul Davis' ultimate love song, even stronger than his iconic ...
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.
Listen to the The Best Yacht Rock Songs (That Don't Suck) playlist by Rolling Stone on Apple Music. 12 Songs. Duration: 1 hour, 1 minute. ... Yacht Rock actually resulted in some amazing pop music beyond Christopher Cross' "Sailing." Here are tracks that define the genre's rich, jazzy textures and irresistible melodies. 12 Songs, 1 hour, 1 ...
Captain & Tennille's 1975 hit "Love Will Keep Us Together" is a quintessential Yacht Rock ballad celebrating love's power. The song's upbeat tempo, irresistible hook, and Daryl Dragon ...
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Yacht Rock | Top 100 Songs. Filtr Global. Preview. 70s + 80s Soft Rock for a day on the boat. Island tunes, chill summer hits + nothing but smooth sailing while jamming to hits from TOTO, Looking Glass, Billy Joel, Hall & Oates + more. 98 Songs, 6 hours, 38 minutes. More By Filtr Global.
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Listen to the Yacht Rock playlist on Apple Music. 20 Songs. Duration: 1 hour, 21 minutes. Listen to the Yacht Rock playlist on Apple Music. 20 Songs. Duration: 1 hour, 21 minutes. ... Either way, we love it. 20 Songs, 1 hour, 21 minutes. Featured Artists. Steely Dan. Tom Scott. The Doobie Brothers. Boz Scaggs. James Taylor. 10cc. Jimmy Buffett ...
Here's my Top 24 Yacht Rock Songs. 24. England Dan and John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love To See You Tonight. 23. Herb Alpert - Route 101. 22. Jay Ferguson - Thunder Island. 21. Boz Scaggs - JoJo.
Sailing: The Best Of Yacht Rock is the ultimate #YachtRock playlist of the smoothest classic rock songs ever written.
As a reminder: Yacht Rock is a style of music commonly classified as soft rock from the 70s to the mid-80s. You will hear everything from smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco. You can play songs that are the pure definition of yacht rock by artists and musicians like Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and Kenny Loggins. However, you will also find a few Nyacht songs (songs that have ...
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The song hit the Top 10, and endured not just through its inclusion on yacht rock stations and playlists, but also from being sampled often, most notably by Tupac Shakur on his 1998 song "Do for ...
Apple Music Classic Rock. In 2005, the actor/screenwriter J.D. Ryznar wrote, directed, and produced a TV series for the Los Angeles short-film festival Channel 101 called Yacht Rock. The idea was to tell comically overblown backstories about the creation of a strain of ultra-smooth music from the late '70s and early '80s.
This is the story of Yacht Rock, told from stem to stern — a reimagining of a bygone soft-rock renaissance, courtesy of hipsters with fake mustaches, impeccable record collections and a love of ...
Playlist · Yacht Rock · 130 items · 1.6M likes. Playlist · Spotify · 130 items · 1.6M likes Playlist · Yacht Rock · 130 items · 1.6M likes ... Your Library. English. Resize main navigation. Preview of Spotify. Sign up to get unlimited songs and podcasts with occasional ads. No credit card needed. Sign up free-:--Change progress ...