What is Yacht Rock Music?
Last Updated on October 16, 2022
In the 1970s and 1980s, a smooth, mellow type of pop music known as “yacht rock” became popular. The term was coined in 2005 by the makers of a documentary series about the genre. Yacht rock songs are typically characterized by their relaxed, laid-back atmosphere and often have nautical or sailing themes.
They also tend to feature smooth, soulful vocals and catchy melodies. Some well-known yacht rock hits include “Sailing” by Christopher Cross, “Africa” by Toto, and “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys.
Yacht rock music is a term used to describe a subgenre of smooth, mellow pop music that was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The name yacht rock is a play on the word “yacht,” which is often associated with luxury and leisure, and the fact that many of the artists who created this type of music were based in Southern California.
The yacht rock sound typically features soft, laid-back vocals, lush instrumentation, and light production.
This style of music was designed to be easy listening and relaxing, perfect for cruising down the coast on a yacht (hence the name). Some of the most famous yacht rock hits include “Sailing” by Christopher Cross, “Africa” by Toto, and “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys.
While yacht rock fell out of popularity in the mid-1980s as other musical genres took over the airwaves, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years thanks to streaming services like Pandora Radio’s Yacht Rock station.
If you’re looking for some smooth sailing this summer, be sure to give yacht rock a listen!
Best Yacht Rock Songs
When you hear the term “yacht rock,” you might think of smooth sailing and good times. And you wouldn’t be wrong – yacht rock is all about feel-good vibes and catchy hooks. This subgenre of soft rock first gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, and it’s still going strong today.
If you’re looking for the perfect soundtrack for your next summer party or road trip, look no further than these 10 best yacht rock songs. From classics like “Sailing” by Christopher Cross to more recent hits like “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty, there’s something for everyone on this list.
So throw on your favorite Hawaiian shirt, pour yourself a glass of rosé, and enjoy these essential yacht rock tunes.
1. “Sailing” by Christopher Cross
This song is the quintessential yacht rock anthem. It was released in 1980 as part of Christopher Cross’ self-titled debut album, which won five Grammy Awards including Album of the Year.
The laid-back track features beautiful saxophone playing by Michael Brecker and lovely guitar work by Eric Johnson.
2 . “Your Smiling Face” by James Taylor
Released in 1977 , this tune is taken from James Taylor’s platinum – selling album JT . It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned Taylor a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance . The song has a warm , sunny feeling that perfectly encapsulates the yacht rock aesthetic .
3 . “I Keep Forgettin’ ( Every Time You’re Near) ” by Michael McDonald
This 1982 track was co-written by Michael McDonald and legendary soul singer Leon Ware .
It became a top 40 hit in both the US and UK , thanks in part to its memorable opening saxophone riff . The song has been covered by everyone from Stevie Wonder to Willie Nelson , but McDonald’s version remains the definitive take on this classic piece of yacht rock .
4 . ” What a Fool Believes ” by The Doobie Brothers
Another track from 1978 , this one comes from The Doobie Brothers’ sixth studio album Minute By Minute . It was written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald , who also provides backing vocals on the track .
Why is Yacht Rock Called Yacht Rock
If you’re a fan of smooth, mellow sounds from the 1970s and 1980s, then you’ve probably heard of yacht rock. This subgenre of soft rock is known for its polished production values and sophisticated lyrics. But why is it called yacht rock?
There are a few theories floating around. One is that the term was coined by comedian Nathan Fielder in a sketch for his TV show Nathan For You. In the sketch, Fielder tries to sell a band on the idea of rebranding themselves as yacht rockers.
The band goes along with it, but their music doesn’t really fit the bill.
Another theory is that the name comes from a 2006 documentary about the genre called Yacht Rock. The film features interviews with some of the biggest names in yacht rock, including Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and Toto’s Steve Lukather.
So while no one knows for sure where the term came from, there are a few plausible explanations. What we do know is that yacht rock is synonymous with feel-good tunes and good vibes. So whether you’re sailing on a luxurious yacht or just kicking back at home, crank up some yacht rock and enjoy!
Top 10 Yacht Rock Songs
The term “Yacht Rock” was coined in 2005 by J.D. Ryznar, creator of the web series Yacht Rock. The term describes a subgenre of soft rock that peaked in popularity from 1977 to 1984. Yacht rock songs are characterized by their smooth, relaxed sound and often deal with themes of love and loss.
While the exact definition of yacht rock is up for debate, there are certain songs that are universally considered to be part of the genre. Here are our picks for the top 10 yacht rock songs:
1) Toto – “Africa” (1982)
2) Hall & Oates – “Rich Girl” (1977)
3) Doobie Brothers – “What a Fool Believes” (1978)
4) Steely Dan – “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” (1974)
5) Michael McDonald – “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” (1982)
6) Kenny Loggins – “This Is It” (1979)
7} Christopher Cross – “Sailing” (1980}
8} Lionel Richie – “Truly” (1982}
Is Jimmy Buffett Yacht Rock
No, Jimmy Buffett is not yacht rock. Yacht rock is a genre of music characterized by smooth, catchy melodies and lyrics about the carefree lifestyle of luxury boaters and yachters. It originated in Southern California in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Buffett’s music is more accurately classified as country-rock or Gulf Coast rock.
What is Yacht Rock Examples
What is Yacht Rock?
Yacht rock is a subgenre of pop music that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The term “yacht rock” is said to have been coined by radio programmer Aaron Birch during his time at KROQ-FM in Los Angeles.
The style is characterized by smooth, catchy melodies, often accompanied by laid-back instrumentation and production. Lyrically, yacht rock songs typically deal with themes of love, relaxation, and escapism.
Some of the most popular yacht rock artists include Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Toto, Hall & Oates, Christopher Cross, and James Taylor.
These artists enjoyed immense success during the heyday of yacht rock and continue to be revered by fans today. Though the genre fell out of favor in the 1990s, there has been something of a resurgence in recent years thanks to streaming services like Spotify which have introduced new audiences to these classic sounds.
What Makes a Song Yacht Rock?
In the 1970s, a new style of music emerged that was smooth, mellow and perfect for cruising down the California coast in a yacht. This genre came to be known as yacht rock. Yacht rock songs are typically about love, relationships and good times.
They have a relaxed, easy-going vibe that makes them perfect for kicking back and enjoying the ride.
So what exactly makes a song yacht rock? There are certain elements that all yacht rock songs share:
1. A laid-back groove: Yacht rock songs have a relaxed, easy-going feel to them. The tempo is usually slow to medium-slow, and the beats are often syncopated or shuffle-like. This creates a laid-back groove that is perfect for cruising along the coast on a sunny day.
2. Smooth vocals: The vocal style in yacht rock is generally smooth and effortless sounding. The lyrics are often about love or relationships, and they frequently use poetic language. The goal is to create a relaxing, dreamy atmosphere with the vocals, which fits perfectly with the chilled out vibe of yacht rock songs.
3.. Polished production: Yacht rock songs tend to have very polished production values. The instruments are often recorded separately so that each one can be perfectly tuned and mixed.
This gives the music a slick sound that adds to its overall smoothness.
4.. Lush instrumentation: In addition to having polished production values, many yacht rock songs also feature lush instrumentation with plenty of layers.
Guitars, keyboards, strings and horns are all common ingredients in this type of music,. This creates a rich sonic landscape that sounds great when you’re relaxing on deck with a cocktail in hand..
5.. A focus on melody: One of the most important aspects of any good pop song is melody, and this is especially true for yacht rock tunes.. These tunes are designed to get stuck in your head , so they typically feature catchy hooks and memorable melodies..
If you’re looking for some great examples of yacht rock classics , check out “Sailing” by Christopher Cross , “Africa” by Toto , “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys or “Slowhand” by Eric Clapton . All of these tunes embody the key elements that make up this unique genre of music .
What is an Example of Yacht Rock?
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new genre of music emerged that was later christened “yacht rock.” This smooth, mellow style of pop/rock was characterized by its laid-back feel and often featured songs about love, relationships, and leisure. The yacht rock sound was created by a group of talented musicians who came to be known as the “West Coast sound.”
These artists included such luminaries as Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Toto, and Christopher Cross.
While the term “yacht rock” is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it perfectly encapsulates the breezy, easygoing nature of this type of music. Yacht rock is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy day at the beach or a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht (hence the name).
If you’re looking for some chill tunes to help you relax and unwind, look no further than yacht rock.
What Kind of Music is Considered Yacht Rock?
Assuming you would like an in-depth answer to this question:
Yacht rock is a subgenre of soft rock that was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The name is a play on the term “white collar rock”, which was used to describe the type of music that was popular with middle-class suburbanites.
Yacht rock is characterized by its smooth, mellow sound and its laid-back, often goofy lyrics. The genre is often associated with yacht culture, as many of the songs are about sailing, beaches, and other aspects of affluent lifestyle.
The term “yacht rock” was coined in 2005 by DJ Alan Wright, who created a radio show called The Yacht Rock Revue.
The show featured music from artists such as Michael McDonald, Toto, Kenny Loggins, and other artists who were popular in the yacht rock era. Since then, there has been a resurgence of interest in the genre, with various tribute bands and festivals being held around the world.
Why is It Called Yacht Rock?
The term “yacht rock” was coined in 2005 by J.D. Ryznar, creator of the web series Yacht Rock. The term describes a subgenre of smooth, mellow pop music that was popularized in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Yacht rock is characterized by its laid-back, easygoing sound and its association with the wealthy lifestyle of yachting.
The genre often features lush production values and polished performances, as well as lyrics about love, relationships, and other topics related to the good life.
Some of the most popular yacht rock songs include Toto’s “Africa,” Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl,” Michael McDonald’s “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” and Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes.”
So why is it called yacht rock?
Well, it’s named after the type of music that you might hear while cruising around on a yacht (hence the name). It’s also been described as “the soundtrack to your best friend’s dad’s barbecue.” whatever that means!
What is yacht rock?
Conclusion
Yacht rock music is a genre of popular music that originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The term “yacht rock” is used to describe a specific style of music that was popular among yuppies, or young urban professionals, during this time period. Yacht rock songs are typically characterized by their smooth, mellow sound and lyrics that often reference topics like love, sex, and relationships.
Some of the most well-known yacht rock bands include Toto, Hall & Oates, and Steely Dan.
