I’m not sure where the term was derived, but it seems to have stuck. Regardless, there are many classic soft or yacht rock songs from the 70’s
My choice would be Baby Come Back, by Player.
Actually any song by England Dan and John Ford Coley, they all (yacht) rock!
my favorite is nights are forever.
also dont forget about. "sad to belong"....
Fun Fact: England Dan’s last name was Seals. His older brother is Jim Seals of another Yacht Rock group- Seals and Crofts.
🎶 there’s a warm wind blowing the stars around🎶
😉
And I'd really love to see you tonight !
Ride Like The Wind
When I think of yacht rock Christopher Cross comes to mind. I chose ‘Sailing,’ but like a sappy sentimental guy I also love ‘Think of Laura.’
any christopher cross is great..
Anything Ambrosia !!!
How Much I Feel is my fave
You’re the Only Woman is amazing. That key change in the bridge is one of the best moments in music history.
🎶“I hope your listenin cuz I’m telling you” 🎶
Are you talking about when the verse is “when the pain of love surrounds you….” Is that key change? Thanks.
Really anything Ambrosia
Biggest Part of Me by Ambrosia brings back awesome memories of summer jobs and nonstop fun. Those were the days…
That first album is a prog masterpiece. They are so freaking underrated as a band it's criminal!
I’m not sure if the title of the song but “I keep Holdin on To yesterday” it brings a tear to my eye.
Dancing in the moonlight by King harvest
Don’t know if it’s yacht rock, but my god, this was an amazingly good song!!
Yes, it counts, so does "Cool Night"
Also an awesome song by him (along with “Sweet Life”).
Hello girl it’s been awhile
Sentimental Lady-Bob Welch
A great one.❤️
That whole album was nonstop bangers. Loved all the versions of Lose My Heart.
Brandy! 😁
What a fine girl
She’d be a good wife
Give her a Gold Chain just sayin
Rumor has is that she prefers her chains to be of the finest silver from the North of Spain. With a locket 😉
That bears the name,of the sailor that Brandy loves.
I heard the same thing. When homeboy dumped her for the sea, I totally hit that again and again and again. Can confirm that she's a fine girl.
YESSSSS
‘Lowdown’ by Boz Scaggs
Miss Sun, Jojo, Lido Shuffle…damn I love Boz Scaggs
Love, Look What You've Done to Me is a great song, too!
I saw him in concert when that album came out. He was awesome!
Saw him a few time before that album came out - he was always really good. Boz always had very good bands.
Pablo Cruise - Love Will Find a Way!
Baker Street. Gerry Rafferty
Also - How Long (has this been going on)? By Ace
Most people think that song is about a woman cheating in a relationship. It was actually about a band member who was with another band on the side.
Paul Carrack on vocals. He also of Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics, but I digress.
LOVE this one. As for Gerry Rafferty, I love his style of writing, his lyrics are uplifting even if the subject isn't necessarily happy-go-lucky. But I'm only familiar with his hits.
Baker street isn’t even my fav Yacht Wrong by Gerry! 😂 Down the line FTW!
Right Down the Line is my favorite
Best sax too
Came here for this
What A Fool Believes - Doobie Brothers
Had to come too far down to see this gem. it's my top YR song for sure.
By official sources, the single most yachty song ever. https://www.yachtornyacht.com/
I’m Not In Love - 10cc
Masterpiece.
“Diamond Girl”
Nobody has mentioned Jackie Blue by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Robert John - Sad Eyes
Dirty Work by Steely Dan
There are no bad yacht rock songs.
Peg-Steely Dan
JOSIE, is one of my favorite songs.
FM. Kick off those high heeled sneakers, it’s party time!
My Old School
Fooled Around and Fell In Love
Ace - How long (has this been going on?)
Moonlight feels Right
Just Remember I love you by Firefall
Strange Way is my fave
This is the right answer. Dead in the center of Yacht Rock
I Love You by Climax Blues Band
99 Toto
Cool Change - Little River Band
Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
Dude can play guitar.
He subbed for Richie Blackmore for a Deep Purple concert in 1970. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Cross#:~:text=Although%20best%20known%20for%20his,1970%20when%20Blackmore%20fell%20ill.
anything Steely Dan
Massive category. Impossible to pick a favorite. Recently in a mood for Steely Dan.
Alan O'Day - Undercover Angel
The album version of Baby Come Back has very fine lead guitar.
Reelin’ In The Years, Steely Dan
Lets just get together with a KTel Sounds of the 70's vinyl collection and sample the Cuervo Gold and the fine Columbian
What a fool believes - The Doobie Brothers
"Summer Breeze" by Seals and Crofts is in my top ten 70s mellow rock hits.
Also, almost anything by The Carpenters. My fave is "Goodbye to Love."
"Summer Breeze", 1972, Seals & Croft. They also did "Diamond Girl" which ain't bad, either.
Kiss You All Over - Exile
Midnight at the Oasis
“I keep forgetting”…hands down the number one yacht rock song (and it’s also my favorite!)
Guitar man - Bread
I would give everything i own
Ride like the Wind - Christopher Cross
Atlanta Rhythm Section - Champange Jam
Or so into you or imaginary lover
I think the one that began it all.....
You walked into the party, like you were walking onto a yacht...
The Year of the Cat by Al Stewart
Sailing, obviously..
Magnet and Steel
Sailing - Christopher Cross
Anything by Loggins and Messina
Hello it's Me, Todd Rundgren.
It's too late, Carole King, unless I'm mixing artists up.
Cool Change Little River Band
Africa - Toto
Shannon is gone - Henry Gross.
lol, I haven't heard that in 45 years! Got Prozac 😵💫
Peg
Seasons in The Sun -- Terry Jacks
I've become very much enamored with Yacht Rock or AM Gold I've made a spotiy list that's 25+ hours. WAY TOO MUCH
Got tired of hitting up arrow for each post.
Couldn’t pick just one: 😅
*”Baby Come Back” ~ Player
*”Kiss You All Over” ~ Exile
*”Biggest Part of Me” ~ Ambrosia
*”Lotta Love” ~ Nicolette Larson
Or Moonlight Feels Right by Starbuck
One of my very favorites of the decade. Bo Wagner's marimba solo! Reminds me of being a very little child riding in my parents' car...
Moonlight Feels Right is the song that epitomizes Yacht Rock. No song will ever say “Yacht Rock” like this song.
Whooo! Yes!
Aja Steely Dan or Baker Street Gerry Rafferty
Moonlight Feels Right - Starbuck (Marimba solo!)
"Southern Cross" by CSN
Pablo Cruise, whatcha gonna do when she says goodbye? bow bow bow bowbow
Everybody’s talking at me - Nilsson
I’m Not in Love, 10cc and Ozark Mt. Daredevils, Jackie Blue, of course
Cool Night by Paul Davis
Love Paul Davis ! I enjoy I go crazy and 65 love affair as well.
I enjoy listening to yacht rock on 21st century audio equipment. Back then my experience with so many of these songs was via AM radio. When I hear them on speakers invented in the 2020s, it's like hearing a ton of new things in the songs.
Heart of the night: Poco
Or crazy love !
Let Your Love Flow by the Bellamy Brothers is a good one that I rarely see mentioned. But there's sooo many.
After the Love Has Gone by Earth Wind and Fire
Hearts - Marty Balin
Reminiscing- LRB
Lowdown - Boz Scaggs
Fool If You Think It’s Over - name escapes me
Chris Rea
Rupert Holmes -Escape - The Pina Colada Song
Also "Him"
1 Key Largo- Bertie Higgins 2. Diamond Girl, 3. Somebody's Baby- Jackson Brown 3. Celebrate me Home-and House at pooh Corner Loggins and Messina
Jigsaw
Blown it All Sky High
If this qualifies
On and on by Steven Bishop
couldn't possibly give you just one, so here's top 5:
- Doobie Bros - What a Fool Believes
- Robbie Dupree - Steal Away
- Kenny Loggins - This is It
- Boz Scaggs - Lido Shuffle
- Steely Dan - Peg
oh and what the hell here's my next 5:
- 5. Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind
- 6. Chuck Manginone - Feels So Good (Single version)
- 7. Little River Band - Reminiscing
- 8. Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy
- 9. Sanford Townsend Band - Smoke From A Distant Fire
- 10. Jackson Browne - Running on Empty
Minute by Minute by the Doobies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWaj0_jYGlY
Is It You- Lee Ritenour
‘Sailing’ - Christopher Cross
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE all songs in this category—which if I remember correctly was called Corporate Rock at the time, Yacht Rock came later. Christopher Cross, Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, BRING IT ALL ON!
Year of the Cat — Al Stewart
This is gold, I know all these songs but never heard the term yacht music. Heading over to you tube for the rest of the night. This is the best reddit thread in awhile.
You will be in for a treat ! I discovered Yacht Rock 7 years ago by working at Home Depot and hearing Sirius XM in my dad's car. It's still one of my favorite genres today !
i love baby come back.my mind was blown when i learned the original ridge from the bold and the beautiful played on this
Sweet- Love is like oxygen
Kiss You All Over by Exile
Shannon--Henry Gross
Undercover Angel--Alan O'Day
Do You Wanna Make Love--I believe your first name is Peter and I've forgotten your last name - so sorry!)
What'cha Gonna Do and Love Will Find A Way--Pablo Cruise
And fifteen or twenty more than I'll only think of half an hour from now
Do You Wanna Make Love--I believe your first name is Peter and I've forgotten your last name - so sorry!)
Peter McCann. He also wrote "Right Time of the Night" for Jennifer Warnes.
Too many to list, so I made my own Yacht Rock Spotify playlist. Enjoy it, if you like...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08a9z1bGTYAAFj0Q94aksH?si=oap1EdIYSjiC9fyLfIwijg&pi=rmaEQPbrQnWk5
Too tough to choose really, I mean dose it count if Michael McDonald isn’t in it
How Long Has This Been Going On by Ace. Great guitar solo as well.
Love this song ! Some people don't know that the lead singer Paul Carrack would later go on to sing for Mike and the mechanics and have his own solo hit ( don't shed a tear for me)
damn, can't recall the song title at the moment (which goes along with liking yacht rock lol), but it's a song about taking a drive and it has the most groovy xylophone solo...anyone help me out??
edit to say i think it's called Moonlight Feels Right(?)
Cool Change by Little River Band.
Smoke From a Distant Fire
Chicago- Wishing You Were Here with sweet sweet harmonies abetted by the Beach Boys.
"The Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart.
So, I'm 2/3 through the comments and I haven't seen...
Just A Song Before I Go - CSN (After scrolling forever, finally someone mentioned Southern Cross - a fine song and quite literally yacht rock - but this is the jam)
Anything by Hall and Oates...I mean, come on
And maybe this is a stretch, but I'm throwing Eye in the Sky (Alan Parsons Project) into the mix
Jay Ferguson "Thunder Island." Probably the most upbeat song about senseless tragedy ever recorded. He and his girlfriend missed a motor launch back to their sailboat while on a cruise in the Caribbean so they spent the night on the beach. They were attacked by vicious thugs who gangraped her and beat him nearly to death. He composed it while recovering in the hospital.
I believe you are thinking of Dancing in the Moonlight by Sherman Kelly, originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band Boffalongo, and then a hit single by King Harvest in 1972.
Sherman Kelly:
On a trip to St. Croix in 1969, I was the first victim of a vicious St. Croix gang who eventually murdered 8 American tourists. At that time, I suffered multiple facial fractures and wounds and was left for dead. While I was recovering, I wrote "Dancin in the Moonlight" in which I envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life. The song became a huge hit and was recorded by many musicians worldwide. "Dancin In The Moonlight" continues to be popular to this day.
I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
brown cow...steely dan...
I think you mean Black Cow…
Truthfully could list over 100 that I love
is Dr. Hooks sexy eyes yacht rock ?
Love Boat theme
Anything from Carly Simon
Whatcha Gonna Do - Pablo Cruise
Minute by Minute. I Believe in Love.
So many but I just heard this I'm Not in Love By 10cc Or Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg
Some Pablo Cruise and Toto please
Jane -Jefferson Starship
Isn’t It Time - The Babys
Love Takes Time - Orleans
Lonely Boy - Andrew Gold (also does tv)
Sailing by Christopher Cross, pretty much every song mentioned above and Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann. 70s songs are my favorite when I want to wind down and relax. I think that was the best time for music and the 70s were the best time for growing up. Otherwise it's heavy metal all day long. I like to think it helps keep me young after feeling all nostalgic and kinda old listening to my 70s playlist.
Biggest part of me- Ambrosia!!
‘Right Before Your Eyes’ - America ‘On and On’ - Stephen Bishop ‘Muskrat Love ‘ - Captain and Tenile and……. ‘Don’t Give Up on Us’ - Hutch
Christopher Cross. A very underrated guitar talent.
One of my favorite genres of music
You people Yacht Rock hard!
Summer Breeze - Seals and Croft
Brandy, you're a fine girl.
In our humble opinion, there is no yacht rock list that can ignore yachting's greatest icon, Jimmy Buffett.
All of Buffett's success and the role he played in shaping yacht rock will be honored on Oct. 19 in Cleveland, Ohio.Apr 28, 2024
“Dancing in the Moonlight” King Harvest
What you won't do for love - Bobby Caldwell !
Steal away
Right Down the Line-Gerry Raferty
This is awesome. We need a playlist of this thread!
Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft has always been my pick
Year of the Cat - Al Stewart.
Absolutely baby come back.
"Cool Change" by Little River Band. (Lady?)
Oh and one more, sister golden hair by America!
“What A Fool Believes” - Doobie Brothers
Just the two of us and Lovely Day-Bill Withers
You’re the only woman-Ambrosia
I just wanna stop - Gino Vannelli
Ride Like The Wind - Christopher Cross
I'd Really Love To See You Tonight - England Dan and John Ford Coley