"Magnet and Steel" By Walter Egan
Everything by the Little River Band, esp. "Cool Change" and "Reminiscing."
― slugbuggy (slugbuggy), Monday, 3 July 2006 13:57 (seventeen years ago) link
xpost
― Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Monday, 3 July 2006 13:59 (seventeen years ago) link
― Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Monday, 3 July 2006 14:01 (seventeen years ago) link
― Paul Edward Wagemann (PaulEdwardWagemann), Monday, 3 July 2006 19:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Paul Edward Wagemann (PaulEdwardWagemann), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― Stingy (stingy), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:09 (seventeen years ago) link
or Blues Image, "Ride Captain Ride" for that matter (Climax Blues Band might SOUND more yacht-rock, but Blues Image have the words.)
So what's the classic yacht-rock song of the '00s? Off the top of my head I'm thinking "Smooth" by Santana with Rob Thomas, but probably I'm forgetting something. (Kenny Chesney is probbaly too obvious.) (Though maybe Phil Vassar isn't. His songs have hot tubs in them!)
This thread is a service to mankind, by the way. Lots of great songs.
― xhuxk (xheddy), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― jacques lu c on t (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:23 (seventeen years ago) link
SadeGeorge BensonPeaches and Herb
― novamax (novamax), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― jacques lu c on t (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― jacques lu c on t (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:33 (seventeen years ago) link
Bertie Higgins: Key Largo
― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:36 (seventeen years ago) link
― Richard Baez (Johnny Logic), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:40 (seventeen years ago) link
Ironically, "Smooth" itself is insufficiently smooth - the guitar is sweet, but the horns kind of jump out of the mix and the drums are too high. Anyway, in terms of just evoking yachts, I'm thinking the whole Puffy/"Big Pimpin'" genre of luxury rap, which I guess is more a late-90s thing. And, come to think of it, "Smooth" also dates to '99.
I think the whole millenial "return of rock" explosion and the continuing incursions of emo-y bands have somewhat cleared the pop/rock decks of yachtyness, at least for now. These things are cyclical. I'm not sure if we're poised for a "Sailing" type of track, but something with more of a crossover feel - a "Rosanna" or "Throwing It All Away" could be right under our noses. Don't expect it to come from an indie band though - smooth don't come cheap!
xpost "Key Largo" is awesome! Clearly an essential to any broad-minded Yacht Rock collection (ie, one not just tracking the Loggins/McDonald axis of the films).
― Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― jacques lu c on t (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― jacques lu c on t (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:49 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:50 (seventeen years ago) link
Indeed, sir. The Bertie Higgins community nearly spilled their Chardonnay when they got wind of the fact that their anthem was omitted.
― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:52 (seventeen years ago) link
Michael McDonald was huge on black radio in the late '70s, right through today. I can't think of many white musicians who are as influential on the black music of today.
Devin the Dude is a big fan of lots of Yacht Rock -- Ambrosia is one of his favorite bands.
― novamax (novamax), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:53 (seventeen years ago) link
Wait, what about Maroon 5?? (Assuming they're any good... They're funkier than Coldplay, either way. So is John Mayer. And, um, Jack Johnson, who is a SURFER. Don't think I've ever heard him, though.)
― xhuxk (xheddy), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 16:54 (seventeen years ago) link
― xhuxk (xheddy), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 17:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 17:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― ledge (ledge), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 12:28 (seventeen years ago) link
― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 13:42 (seventeen years ago) link
-- novamax (john.loma...), July 4th, 2006.
Thats HOW MUCH I FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! (FEEL for you baaaaybeh)
Must go listen to that now.
― Ash (ashbyman), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 14:50 (seventeen years ago) link
But many consider Paul McCartny as the father of yacht rock. Afterall Pmac's 'with a little luck' was actually recorded aboard the motor yacht 'Fair Carol' just off the Virgin Islands...
http://www.channel101.com/shows/show.php?show_id=152
― Paul Edward Wagemann (PaulEdwardWagemann), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 19:15 (seventeen years ago) link
Chicago - Colour My WorldGordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My MindJames Taylor - Fire and RainNitty Gritty Dirt Band - Mr. BojanglesBrewer and Shipley - One Toke Over the LineElton John - DanielJackson Browne - Doctor My EyesJim Croce - Time In a BottleSeals & Crofts - Summer BreezeTodd Rundgren - Hello It's MeAlbert Hammond - It Never Rains in Southern CaliforniaCarly Simon - You're So VainChicago - Just You 'N' MeJim Croce - I'll Have to Say I Love YouChicago - (I've Been) Searchin' So LongChicago - Call on MeChicago - Wishing You Were HereGordon Lightfoot - SundownTerry Jacks - Seasons in the SunAl Stewart - Year of the CatOzark Mountain Daredevils - Jackie BlueSammy Johns - Chevy VanBoz Scaggs - Low DownDr. Hook - When You're In Love With A Beautiful WomanGary Wright - Dream WeaverSeals and Crofts - Get CloserStarland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight10cc - The Things We Do For LoveChuck Mangione - Feels So GoodPaul Davis - I Go CrazyAl Stewart - Time PassagesGerry Rafferty - Baker StreetGerry Rafferty - Right Down the LineKenny Loggins - Whenever I Call You FriendLittle River Band - ReminiscingPlayer - Baby Come BackCliff Richard - We Don't Talk AnymoreHerb Alpert - RiseQuincy Jones & James Ingram - One Hundred WaysRobbie Dupree - Steal AwayRupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)Al Jarreau - We're in This Love TogetherPaul Davis - Cool NightAl Jarreau - Mornin'
― Rev. PappaWheelie (PappaWheelie 2), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 19:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― hank (hank s), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 19:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― xhuxk (xheddy), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 19:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― hank (hank s), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 19:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― Doctor Casino (Doctor Casino), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 20:48 (seventeen years ago) link
Some of these probably don't qualify as yacht rock/pop properly but they seem to fit at least obliquely:
Chris Rhea, "Fool if You Think It's Over"Steve Forbert, "Romeo's Theme"Orleans, "Still the One," "Love Takes Time"Firefall, "You Are the Woman," "Just Remember I Love You"Jay Fergusen, "Thunder Island"Gary Wright, "Our Love is Alive"Starbuck, "Moonlight Feels Right"Elvin Bishop, "Fooled Around and Fell in Love"David Gates, "Took the Last Train (to St. Tropez)"Randy Meisner, "Hearts on Fire"Frankie and the Knockouts, "Sweetheart"Dave Edmunds, "Slippin' Away"King Harvest, "Dancin' in the Moonlight"J.D. Souther, "You're Only Lonely"Michael Johnson, "Bluer than Blue," "This Night Won't Last Forever"Rocky Burnett, "Tired of Toein' the Line"Some Mike Post t.v. theme musicDennis DeYoung, "Desert Moon"Steely Dan, "FM" or "Peg" "No static at all" = yachtitude in a nutshell.
And when the sun goes down I bet this is what yacht rockers spin to get their boogie on:
Patrick Hernandez, "Born to Be Alive"David Naughton, "Makin It"
― slugbuggy (slugbuggy), Friday, 7 July 2006 03:11 (seventeen years ago) link
how about "I Can't Tell You Why", by the Eagles?
― hank (hank s), Friday, 7 July 2006 12:12 (seventeen years ago) link
― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Friday, 7 July 2006 12:34 (seventeen years ago) link
"Baby Ima Want You""Make It With You""If""Everything I Own"
― novamax (novamax), Friday, 7 July 2006 13:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― Chairman Doinel (Charles McCain), Friday, 7 July 2006 13:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― hank (hank s), Friday, 7 July 2006 14:53 (seventeen years ago) link
Isn't this one almost like meta yacht-rock though?
― Abbadavid Berman (Hurting), Friday, 7 July 2006 15:09 (seventeen years ago) link
There isn't one. This kind of soft rock really faded out in the mid-80s. I blame overcompression and that big, booming drum sound.
I would buy an AM Gold box set in a heartbeat. I.M., wanna tackle this one? :)
― mike a (mike a), Friday, 7 July 2006 16:16 (seventeen years ago) link
Lest we forget: "Sharin' The Night Together" by Dr. Hook. A fascinating, if mortifying, portrait of '70s courting rituals. Or: jerk tries to be sensitive but just comes off smarmy ("Do you wanna dance with me and hold me? You know I wanna be holdin' you. Ah yeah. All right. I'd like to get to know you better; is there a place where we can go?")
― mike a (mike a), Friday, 7 July 2006 16:18 (seventeen years ago) link
― hank (hank s), Friday, 7 July 2006 19:24 (seventeen years ago) link
more dissing: http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2005/10/this_post_conce.html
I think "Promises" is Eric Clapton's contribution to yatch rock, like "Miss You" was the Stones' turn at disco.
Toby Beau, "My Angel Baby"Steven Bishop, "On and On"Exile, "Kiss You All Over"Robert John, "Sad Eyes"Poco, "Crazy Love," "In the Heart of the Night"Andrew Gold, "Thank You for Being a Friend," "Lonely Boy"Nigel Olsen, "A Little Bit of Soap" - it has that "What a Fool Believes" rhythm to it. Also, "Dancin' Shoes"Rex Smith, "You Take My Breath Away"Nicolette Larson, "Lotta Love"Kenny Nolan, "I like Dreamin'"Randy VanWarmer, "Just When I Needed You Most"Dr. Hook also had "Sexy Eyes" and "Better Love Next Time"Paul Davis, "65 Love Affair"
I get a little iffy around the perimeter. Some of these seem too straight-up mellow gold to have that cocaine undercurrent to them, or are a bit too poppy like Paul Nicholas' "Heaven on the 7th Floor" or Alan O'Day's "Undercover Angel."
― slugbuggy (slugbuggy), Friday, 7 July 2006 22:24 (seventeen years ago) link
― ed slanders (edslanders), Friday, 7 July 2006 23:21 (seventeen years ago) link
alsoleo sayer, 'you make me feel like dancing'
― edgertor (edgertor), Monday, 10 July 2006 02:30 (seventeen years ago) link
Also, the awesomeness that is Dan Hill's "Sometimes When We Touch" has been woefully overlooked on this thread. It's the sensitive 70's guy version of "I might like you better if we slept together" as far as I can tell, in the most roundabout self-serving way possible, like mike a pointed out upthread.
― slugbuggy (slugbuggy), Monday, 10 July 2006 04:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― mike a (mike a), Monday, 10 July 2006 13:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mr. TEST (Mr.Que), Monday, 10 July 2006 15:52 (seventeen years ago) link
Christopher Cross - SailingThe Doobie Brothers - What a Fool BelievesKenny Loggins - This Is ItSteely Dan - Hey NineteenChristopher Cross - Ride Like the WindSteely Dan - PegAlan Parsons Project - Eye in the SkyEngland Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love to See You TonightToto - RosannaChristopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)Player - Baby Come BackToto - AfricaStarbuck - Moonlight Feels RightMichael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin'Steely Dan - Do It AgainLittle River Band - ReminiscingJourney - Who's Crying NowJoey Scarbury - Believe It or Not
(75:12, not chronological, haven't really thought about the proper playing order yet. obviously influenced by the show, but also by my own faves)
― I.M. From Hollywood (i_m_from_hollywood), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 18:00 (seventeen years ago) link
Donald Fagen keeps a piece of paper in his wallet with his favorite EQ settings (Denny Dias drew it out)
― calstars, Sunday, 25 March 2018 15:22 (six years ago) link
(The YR Twitter feed is very enjoyable )
― calstars, Sunday, 25 March 2018 15:23 (six years ago) link
I was rolling with some 'Lowdown' by Boz Scaggs in the truck last weekend. The production on that LP is exquisite. Clear as a bell and smoothe as Cutty Sark.
― earlnash, Sunday, 25 March 2018 17:41 (six years ago) link
not sure that I'd consider it the greatest song that can fit within the ultraloose boundaries of yacht rock but for me the quintessential song of that era/sound is Player - "Baby Come Back".
1978 was a big radio year for me (I was 14/15) and the music that would later be jokingly/lovingly called yacht rock ruled the airwaves. another biggie is Bob Welch - "Sentimental Lady" (which can be compared to his earlier Fleetwood Mac version to get a sense of the production slickness that helps define yacht rock). Little River Band's album Sleeper Catcher contained 2 yacht rock hits: "Reminiscing" and "Lady". same could be said of Gerry Rafferty's City To City album but I find him a bit on the energetic/impassioned side (at times he's practically raw punk in yacht rock terms - still, for "oooman" we want him in). Steely Dan's Aja is probably the king of yacht rock era hits, again a bit too ambitious to be at the core - yacht implies a certain lightweight, guilty pleasure aspect to the music... (lovesongs with just a hint of saudade and a sense that the craft/production triumphed over raw expression). most yacht rock is well-produced funky soft rock.
Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds are gods of soft/yacht rock for 1975's "Fallin' In Love" and come from the turn of & early 70's MOR (often rustic) pop-rock scene that pretty much evolved into mid to late 70's softer, more polished yacht rock sound. Starbuck's "Moonlight Feels Right" was another early highpoint and as some people have said sounds like aliens wanted a shot at the pop charts (The Residents must have been jealous).
The Eagles definitely deserve a mention and (their ballads especially) had to have helped inspire the spare/slick production style and vocal delivery of many of these records. "One Of These Nights" is so good it transcends yacht rock, but together with 10cc's "I'm Not In Love" probably made a few bands/producers strive for a lushness (specifically multi-tracked backing vocals) in the production. interestingly, "One Of These Nights" is directly inspired by and partly copped from The Spinners' "I'll Be Around", so could Philly International and Thom Bell have a small role in the sophisticated/quality production levels? some of The O'Jay's songs (thinking "Darlin' Darlin' Baby" and "Use Ta Be My Girl" especially) can easily fit in a yacht rock set. another r&b song that sounds yacht to the core (and gorgeous) is Delegation's "Oh Honey".
― Paul, Sunday, 25 March 2018 20:19 (six years ago) link
Sorry, Eagles are not yacht.
― calstars, Sunday, 25 March 2018 21:08 (six years ago) link
^^^ mention the Eagles to the yacht rock guys and they will end you
― Closed Beta (NotEnough), Monday, 26 March 2018 06:33 (six years ago) link
yeah, I get that The Eagles are not technically yacht rock, despite featuring in the original video series and "I Can't Tell You Why" appearing on many yacht playlists. nor are Fleetwood Mac or most of Steely Dan's songs (unless Michael McDonald is in da house).but the success of their West Coast soft rock hits and the slickness of their productions helped create the environment in which yacht rock flourished, so think of them as fertilizer if that helps.
― Paul, Monday, 26 March 2018 07:48 (six years ago) link
I remember the YR guys saying that Steely Dan inspired Yacht Rock but aren't really a Yacht Rock band in the same way that Slayer inspired Death Metal but are not a Death Metal band.
― President Keyes, Monday, 26 March 2018 12:50 (six years ago) link
I'm pretty convinced now, especially after spending **mumble** amount of time watching YouTube covers of it, that it's Pablo Cruise "Love Will Find A Way."
― Millennial Whoop, wanna fight about it? (Phil D.), Monday, 26 March 2018 13:01 (six years ago) link
i buy paul's sonic family-tree inclusion of the eagles. also reflects a longer cultural debt, yacht is basically self-involved turn-of-the-70s post-hippie peaceful-easy-feelings, plus material comfort and middle-aged relationship problems.
― lol dis stance dunk (Doctor Casino), Monday, 26 March 2018 13:44 (six years ago) link
The one or two-hit wonder aspect of the big YR acts plays a big role, too. Robbie Dupree, Pablo Cruise, Ace, etc. That's why it's hard to accept Steely Dan or The Eagles as yacht rock imho.
― kornrulez6969, Monday, 26 March 2018 13:51 (six years ago) link
I dunno man, Toto? The Doobie Brothers? Kenny Loggins?
― Daniel_Rf, Monday, 26 March 2018 13:57 (six years ago) link
I mentioned this one on an album covers thread, but please take 5 minutes to bask in the smooooothness that is "Rio de Janeiro Blue." I can actually feel the saltwater spray in my face during the flute solo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkw2Uz3JuU
― No energy, only great chaos (Dan Peterson), Monday, 26 March 2018 14:12 (six years ago) link
I want to change my vote from Pablo Cruise to "You Are The Woman" by Firefall. That song is the aural equivalent of a giant marshmallow.
― Millennial Whoop, wanna fight about it? (Phil D.), Tuesday, 27 March 2018 13:56 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By_clrkw9C8
The Rippingtons - Tourist in Paradise
also perhaps the best music video ever
― Hazy Maze Cave (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 27 March 2018 13:59 (six years ago) link
"I saw your face and that's the last I've seen of my heart" is such a great hook that the whole rest of "You Are The Woman" is essentially an in-between throwaway.
― explosion from DOOM courtesy of id software (Doctor Casino), Tuesday, 27 March 2018 15:04 (six years ago) link
another quintessential tune of that era/sound: England Dan & John Ford Coley - "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight"
― Paul, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 20:37 (six years ago) link
Eagles (save maybe "I Can't Tell You Why") not yacht, but Glenn's "The One You Love" surely is!
(bummer Youtube has taken down the so-bad-it's-awesome video)
― Lee626, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 21:31 (six years ago) link
"casablanca" by dane donahue is a good yachty eagles rip
― brimstead, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 21:43 (six years ago) link
this music is kinda more about what shirt you're wearing
and night driving
Rich Girl by Hall & Oates, no wait....anything by Hall & Oates.
― beingcutesince1980 (captain rosie), Tuesday, 27 March 2018 21:50 (six years ago) link
except "downtown life", that's not very yacht
― brimstead, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 22:10 (six years ago) link
but it is very street and very good
some mention of Orleans' "Dance With Me" must be made
― Lee626, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 22:11 (six years ago) link
― Paul, M
You shall not pass
― calstars, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 23:26 (six years ago) link
Summer breeze by seals and croft
― tinnitus the night (Ross), Tuesday, 27 March 2018 23:34 (six years ago) link
My favorite contemporary soft rock pastiche is "You Can Feel It" by Young Gun Silver Fox
― brimstead, Saturday, 31 March 2018 21:50 (six years ago) link
Greg Phillinganes on some good yacht funk w/ Lazy Nina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJMelsJukC0
― niels, Thursday, 19 July 2018 06:38 (five years ago) link
Koko’s nodding his head along to this one
― calstars, Friday, 20 July 2018 04:58 (five years ago) link
fresh
― InfoWarriors (Spottie), Friday, 20 July 2018 06:15 (five years ago) link
Wings' London Town isn't considered "yacht rock" but I just found out a lot of it was actually recorded on a yacht.
― birdistheword, Tuesday, 14 June 2022 00:39 (one year ago) link
‘Sailing’ Was Supposed to Save Christopher Cross. It Drowned Him Instead
― thinkmanship (sleeve), Tuesday, 14 June 2022 01:10 (one year ago) link