Here’s some of my favorites (what I consider yacht rock): Bobby Caldwell - My Flame Richie Havens - Shadows of the Past Faragher Brothers- You Touched Me Bread - The Chosen One Steve Miller Band - Sacrifice David Batteau - Happy In Hollywood Charlie - LA Dreamer, No Strangers in Paradise Billy Joel - Rosalinda’s Eyes Chicago - Take A Chance Larry Carlton - Room 335 Pages - Listen For The Love Marc Jordan - Red Desert Wishbone Ash - 714
Thunder Island- Jay Ferguson You Can Do Magic- America Magic- Pilot Magnet and Steel- Walter Egan Baker Street- Gerry Rafferty Lonely Boy- Andrew Gold Im Not in Love- 10cc We Dont Talk Anymore- Cliff Richard Escape Pina Colada Song- Rupert Holmes Love Will Find a Way- Pablo Cruise
I am extremely late to this party, but I think that there are ladies of yacht rock. I think that Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, and Nicolette Larson are very yacht rock. That is, if ladies are aloud. Al Stewart, Year of the Cat, if Brits are aloud. Or maybe the ladies should be be known as the girlfriends of yacht rock.
Ace - How Long Sherbet - Howzat Australian Crawl - Downhearted Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street & Right Down the Line Al Stewart - Year of the Cat & Time Passages Seals & Croft - Summer Breeze
The terms “west coast music” or “the LA sound” are also used to describe this music because many of the famous LA session players are featured prominently on these albums
Good show, guys! I've always been a stickler about yacht rock because so much 'easy listening' gets thrown on playlists that really doesn't meet the guidelines. My opinion is that yacht rock doesn't have to originate on the West Coast, although most does, and doesn't require a nautical theme. One thing I will say about true yacht rock is that it cannot have a lot of acoustic, strumming guitar like America or too much synthesized pop influence like later Hall & Oates or be too tied to the older hippy sounds of the West Coast or be too influenced by the disco sound. It can butt up to those elements but crossing over into them disqualifies it in my mind. My picks: 5. Cool Night - Paul Davis, 4. I'd Really Love to See You Tonight - England Dan and John Ford Coley, 3. Lowdown - Boz Scaggs, 2. Diamond Girl - Seals & Crofts, and 1. What a Fool Believes - Doobie Brothers. (By the way, Tim, I heard you talk about that song on your show and disagree about the man in the song being out of touch with reality as though nothing transpired between the two people in the song. I think it is more about unrequited love when some encounter means far more to one participant than the other as is evidenced by the bittersweet quality of both the vocals and piano.)
This was a great discussion and I loved being part of this panel! At 37:45, Tim talks about the "6 Degrees of Michael McDonald" where he mentions a lot of songs that Michael was a part of outside of the Doobie Brothers and his solo work. You can add Little Feat's "Red Streamliner" and Robbie Dupree's "Steal Away" to that list too. Michael was all over this period. 😃
Hello Martin! Two quick ideas: Favorite songs with nautical themes; And/or Yacht rock-style songs by non-Yacht rock bands. Examples: Aerosmith- Uncle Salty Boston- Hitch A Ride Bad Company- Evil Wind Just a thought…
I began working on a Yacht Rock playlist two weeks ago. I had my intial list at around 320 songs when I began watching RUclips shows dedicated to the subjet. Concluding with this show here today. My playlist is now 452 songs and, although I certainly have a much less stringent definition for the genre and I have made allowances for some newer songs (later than 1986) I have tried to maintain the "spirit" of the concept and have a list that plays for just under twenty-seven hours withiout repeating. Placed on shuffle, this list will surplant any satellite radio "station" on the air. I use my iPod Classic for my music but, I'm thinking of making it a Spotify playlist as well.
Like most music fans ( or professional musicians) I don't really like the term Yacht rock. ( Reminds me of the Monty Python sketch) but there are songs that I like that I suppose you could fit into the category. Many more songs that I don't that definitely fit the genre . Escape ( The Pina Colada song) is the elephant in the room that no one wants to say out loud. But , Christopher Cross Seals and Crofts . Carly Simon. Jimmy Buffet is yacht rock, sorry. Ambrosia , Michael MacDonald, as stated. Kenny Loggins, Dan Fogelberg, and several others that have songs that fall into the category somewhat that I wouldn't say are YR artists. But you guys definitely touched on the essence all the way around. " I know it when I hear it". Yes absolutely.
8:32 This guy is great, and not only for referencing "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" (an all-time favourite)... I would add, re: characteristics, that Yacht Rock often has sophisticated, "expensive" chords. Highly enjoyable video! thank you
This was a fun chat. It was a rather large stylistic shift, after recording the Miles Davis episode the previous day. I want to add Feeling Alive Again by Ambrosia, as an honorable mention. It is from their 1982 final album, Road Island. If you like How Much I Feel, You're the Only Woman and Biggest Part of Me, you need to hear this.
Until a few months ago, I had never heard of the term Yacht Rock. I quickly got the concept though (I believe), and got myself a couple of Pablo Cruise records, which are pretty cool indeed. Funnily enough the record that immediately comes to my mind when I hear that term is Black Oak-I'd rather be Sailing, which isn't far off from a Yacht Rock album to my ears (and eyes as far as the cover goes). Otherwise, to my ears Yacht Rock is basically some rock with pop and Jazz rock sensibilities (and sometimes Funk or Disco). It's a cool genre and term, but I don't think anybody uses it in my corner of the world... Can't wait to learn more about it. Cheers.
Brilliant episode of The Contrarians!! There was a brief mention of Carly Simon; and one of her songs which qualifies is 'You Belong To Me', which was co-written by none other but Michael McDonald! Off her 1978 album Boys in Trees, the Doobie Brothers also ended performing this song as well... But for me 'Summer Breeze' by Seals & Croft is pure perfection; A song which has also been covered by The Isley Brothers and Type O Negative! To name a few...
Yacht Rock songs by Hard Rock bands: Kiss - Sure know something; Rose Tattoo - Pirate Song; Scorpions - Is there anybody there?; City Boy - Millionaire; Cold Chisel - Cheap Wine; Grand Funk Railroad - Miss my Baby; Led Zeppelin - Fool in the rain; Nazareth - Love leads to madness; Status Quo - Living on an island
In my opinion, Yacht Rock has a light, airy feel to it. It’s up-beat in both rhythm and timbre. There are some great picks here in this episode. Ride Like the Wind, Hypnotized, Cool Change, Southern Cross; all really good examples of Yacht Rock. However, I would not put Toto’s 99 in the same category. My feeling is that it is TOO ballady, like 10CC’s I’m Not In Love. To me those are more ‘wine by the fire’ soft rock tunes. Here are a few that I would add: Poco- In the Heart of the Night Jay Ferguson- Thunder Island Diesel - Sausalito Summernight Toto- Africa Elton John- Crazy Water Steely Dan- Babylon Sisters/ FM Grand Funk- Closer To Home
I love Yacht Rock. Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers are the kings of the genre imo. Then you have other great Yacht Rockers like Christopher Cross. Love all of it.
Did Chicago go yacht rock in the '80s or was it just pop? Fee Waybill did a 'yacht rock song' on his first solo album, "Caribbian Sunsets" and (maybe) Lindsey Buckingham's "Trouble". Chris Christian's self-titled 1981 album may qualify, "Walnut Hill" is probably the stand-out track but the rest is pretty good too. Maybe these are actually more soft rock or AOR albums than yacht rock: Rupert Holmes' Partners in Crime (1979), Player's Room With a View (1980), David Roberts' All Dressed Up (1982), Poco's Ghost Town (1982), Marc Jordan's A Hole in the Wall (1983), David Pack's Anywhere You Go (1985) and Kenny Rogers' They Don't Make Them Like They Used To (1986) but they all have plenty of super smooth spots...
I'd have to say no about Chicago. That's just soft rock. But a huge YES on "Trouble" by Lindsey Buckingham and Rupert Holmes' Partners in Crime. "Him", "Escape" and "Answering Machine" are all classic Yacht Rock staples.
There was a yacht rock comedy web series, way back in the day of the original yacht rock revival, which depicted the stories behind the music, if you will. It was gloooorious. I've gotta see if it's still around. I can't remember who was behind it, but it was funny AF
Tim' Durling from Tim's Vinyl Confessions for the win! Excellent picks and good call on that amazing Fleetwood Mac song as written and sung by the late Bob Welch! Bonus points for that Alice Cooper selection, as I totally agree. Beautiful track and the parent album is timeless.😊
Love Alice Cooper From The Inside. Another great Alice track for this topic would be It’s Only My Heart Talkin’. I know it’s from ’89, but I think it fits pretty well.
He was one of the first artists that came to my mind, especially On and On. Probably best known in UK for that single and doing quite a bit of work with Phil Collins, including on Face Value and I think Phil may have produced at least one album for Bish.
Great call with that Mike & The Mechanics track, pal. Though quite successful in their heyday, that was a hugely underrated band capable of churning out several cool tunes.
Someone mentioned “Babe” by Styx already, but what about “BOAT On The River” by Styx? Also, they’re named after the mythical river in hell… another watery connection. What about the more mellow, melodic fare by Heart? “This Man Is Mine,” “Tell It Like It Is,” “Love Mistake” and “Dog & Butterfly” all fit into the time frame of 1978-1982. A few years earlier, the three parts of “Dreamboat Annie” certainly fit the nautical theme to a T.
Don't care for the term Yacht Rock and hate to see Steely Dan called that but Home at Last could go in this category. Some songs I would add that are just great songs that others could debate are Harden My Heart-Quarterflash (great vocals and sax by Rindy Ross) , Dancing in the Moonlight-King Harvest and Smoke from a Distant Fire-Sanford Townsend Band. Could Eagles' Desperado(Linda Ronstadt has a great version) and Lobos' Me and You and a Dog Named Boo fit in there too. Probably quite a few "1 Hit Wonders" from the late 60s and the 70s would qualify.
Was Jimmie Spheeris yacht rock? Anyway, his "Dragon Is Dancing", is a favourite and "Ports of the Heart" is pretty good too but has an all-time rotten cover.
I think yatcht rock isn't technically water I think it's more pop rock you can kinda dancing music doesn't have to be about the beach love it ambrosia had some steel away was one love little river band your the one was ambrosia baby come back moonlight feels right how long by ace I think Jim crochie I think kinda was my fave is it's a long way there little river band about time someone talks of this style of music I love nothing wrong with 70s fros bell bottoms polyester shirts unbuttoned aviator glasses see curiosity killed the cat video shows it
Tell us some of your Yacht Rock favorites!
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Here’s some of my favorites (what I consider yacht rock):
Bobby Caldwell - My Flame
Richie Havens - Shadows of the Past
Faragher Brothers- You Touched Me
Bread - The Chosen One
Steve Miller Band - Sacrifice
David Batteau - Happy In Hollywood
Charlie - LA Dreamer, No Strangers in Paradise
Billy Joel - Rosalinda’s Eyes
Chicago - Take A Chance
Larry Carlton - Room 335
Pages - Listen For The Love
Marc Jordan - Red Desert
Wishbone Ash - 714
I think a perfect example is "Sentimental Lady" by Bob Welch.
Thunder Island- Jay Ferguson
You Can Do Magic- America
Magic- Pilot
Magnet and Steel- Walter Egan
Baker Street- Gerry Rafferty
Lonely Boy- Andrew Gold
Im Not in Love- 10cc
We Dont Talk Anymore- Cliff Richard
Escape Pina Colada Song- Rupert Holmes
Love Will Find a Way- Pablo Cruise
I am extremely late to this party, but I think that there are ladies of yacht rock. I think that Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, and Nicolette Larson are very yacht rock. That is, if ladies are aloud. Al Stewart, Year of the Cat, if Brits are aloud. Or maybe the ladies should be be known as the girlfriends of yacht rock.
Ace - How Long
Sherbet - Howzat
Australian Crawl - Downhearted
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street & Right Down the Line
Al Stewart - Year of the Cat & Time Passages
Seals & Croft - Summer Breeze
"Reminiscing" is a total Yacht Rock classic.
Al Stewart dabbled in Yacht Rock and produced at least 2 absolute gems - Year of the Cat and Time Passages. Great keys riffs in both.
The terms “west coast music” or “the LA sound” are also used to describe this music because many of the famous LA session players are featured prominently on these albums
Good show, guys! I've always been a stickler about yacht rock because so much 'easy listening' gets thrown on playlists that really doesn't meet the guidelines. My opinion is that yacht rock doesn't have to originate on the West Coast, although most does, and doesn't require a nautical theme. One thing I will say about true yacht rock is that it cannot have a lot of acoustic, strumming guitar like America or too much synthesized pop influence like later Hall & Oates or be too tied to the older hippy sounds of the West Coast or be too influenced by the disco sound. It can butt up to those elements but crossing over into them disqualifies it in my mind. My picks: 5. Cool Night - Paul Davis, 4. I'd Really Love to See You Tonight - England Dan and John Ford Coley, 3. Lowdown - Boz Scaggs, 2. Diamond Girl - Seals & Crofts, and 1. What a Fool Believes - Doobie Brothers. (By the way, Tim, I heard you talk about that song on your show and disagree about the man in the song being out of touch with reality as though nothing transpired between the two people in the song. I think it is more about unrequited love when some encounter means far more to one participant than the other as is evidenced by the bittersweet quality of both the vocals and piano.)
This was a great discussion and I loved being part of this panel! At 37:45, Tim talks about the "6 Degrees of Michael McDonald" where he mentions a lot of songs that Michael was a part of outside of the Doobie Brothers and his solo work. You can add Little Feat's "Red Streamliner" and Robbie Dupree's "Steal Away" to that list too. Michael was all over this period. 😃
Toto's "99" is about the lead female character in the TV series 'Get Smart'. Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon).
Loving this - thanks guys. I felt just a little, little under-smart on this to join in. I'm learning lots.
Thank you Martin!
Hello Martin!
Two quick ideas:
Favorite songs with nautical themes;
And/or
Yacht rock-style songs by non-Yacht rock bands. Examples:
Aerosmith- Uncle Salty
Boston- Hitch A Ride
Bad Company- Evil Wind
Just a thought…
Thanks for doing this program Martin. One of my favorite genres!
Nice. Glad you enjoyed it, Martin. 👍
I began working on a Yacht Rock playlist two weeks ago. I had my intial list at around 320 songs when I began watching RUclips shows dedicated to the subjet. Concluding with this show here today. My playlist is now 452 songs and, although I certainly have a much less stringent definition for the genre and I have made allowances for some newer songs (later than 1986) I have tried to maintain the "spirit" of the concept and have a list that plays for just under twenty-seven hours withiout repeating. Placed on shuffle, this list will surplant any satellite radio "station" on the air. I use my iPod Classic for my music but, I'm thinking of making it a Spotify playlist as well.
Like most music fans ( or professional musicians) I don't really like the term Yacht rock. ( Reminds me of the Monty Python sketch) but there are songs that I like that I suppose you could fit into the category. Many more songs that I don't that definitely fit the genre . Escape ( The Pina Colada song) is the elephant in the room that no one wants to say out loud. But , Christopher Cross Seals and Crofts . Carly Simon. Jimmy Buffet is yacht rock, sorry. Ambrosia , Michael MacDonald, as stated. Kenny Loggins, Dan Fogelberg, and several others that have songs that fall into the category somewhat that I wouldn't say are YR artists. But you guys definitely touched on the essence all the way around. " I know it when I hear it". Yes absolutely.
8:32 This guy is great, and not only for referencing "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" (an all-time favourite)... I would add, re: characteristics, that Yacht Rock often has sophisticated, "expensive" chords. Highly enjoyable video! thank you
haha youre welcome!
This is fantastic! Yacht Rock is an occasional guilty pleasure of mine when I want some easy listening.
This was a fun chat. It was a rather large stylistic shift, after recording the Miles Davis episode the previous day. I want to add Feeling Alive Again by Ambrosia, as an honorable mention. It is from their 1982 final album, Road Island. If you like How Much I Feel, You're the Only Woman and Biggest Part of Me, you need to hear this.
youre the man Bill!!
Until a few months ago, I had never heard of the term Yacht Rock. I quickly got the concept though (I believe), and got myself a couple of Pablo Cruise records, which are pretty cool indeed. Funnily enough the record that immediately comes to my mind when I hear that term is Black Oak-I'd rather be Sailing, which isn't far off from a Yacht Rock album to my ears (and eyes as far as the cover goes).
Otherwise, to my ears Yacht Rock is basically some rock with pop and Jazz rock sensibilities (and sometimes Funk or Disco). It's a cool genre and term, but I don't think anybody uses it in my corner of the world...
Can't wait to learn more about it.
Cheers.
Brilliant episode of The Contrarians!!
There was a brief mention of Carly Simon; and one of her songs which qualifies is 'You Belong To Me', which was co-written by none other but Michael McDonald! Off her 1978 album Boys in Trees, the Doobie Brothers also ended performing this song as well...
But for me 'Summer Breeze' by Seals & Croft is pure perfection;
A song which has also been covered by The Isley Brothers and Type O Negative! To name a few...
Yacht Rock songs by Hard Rock bands: Kiss - Sure know something; Rose Tattoo - Pirate Song; Scorpions - Is there anybody there?; City Boy - Millionaire; Cold Chisel - Cheap Wine; Grand Funk Railroad - Miss my Baby; Led Zeppelin - Fool in the rain; Nazareth - Love leads to madness; Status Quo - Living on an island
In my opinion, Yacht Rock has a light, airy feel to it. It’s up-beat in both rhythm and timbre.
There are some great picks here in this episode. Ride Like the Wind, Hypnotized, Cool Change, Southern Cross; all really good examples of Yacht Rock.
However, I would not put Toto’s 99 in the same category. My feeling is that it is TOO ballady, like 10CC’s I’m Not In Love. To me those are more ‘wine by the fire’ soft rock tunes.
Here are a few that I would add:
Poco- In the Heart of the Night
Jay Ferguson- Thunder Island
Diesel - Sausalito Summernight
Toto- Africa
Elton John- Crazy Water
Steely Dan- Babylon Sisters/ FM
Grand Funk- Closer To Home
It Might Be You (from Tootsie) - Stephen Bishop
Arthur's theme - Christopher Cross
Olivia Newton-John!!
I love Yacht Rock. Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers are the kings of the genre imo. Then you have other great Yacht Rockers like Christopher Cross. Love all of it.
Did Chicago go yacht rock in the '80s or was it just pop? Fee Waybill did a 'yacht rock song' on his first solo album, "Caribbian Sunsets" and (maybe) Lindsey Buckingham's "Trouble". Chris Christian's self-titled 1981 album may qualify, "Walnut Hill" is probably the stand-out track but the rest is pretty good too. Maybe these are actually more soft rock or AOR albums than yacht rock: Rupert Holmes' Partners in Crime (1979), Player's Room With a View (1980), David Roberts' All Dressed Up (1982), Poco's Ghost Town (1982), Marc Jordan's A Hole in the Wall (1983), David Pack's Anywhere You Go (1985) and Kenny Rogers' They Don't Make Them Like They Used To (1986) but they all have plenty of super smooth spots...
I'd have to say no about Chicago. That's just soft rock. But a huge YES on "Trouble" by Lindsey Buckingham and Rupert Holmes' Partners in Crime. "Him", "Escape" and "Answering Machine" are all classic Yacht Rock staples.
There was a yacht rock comedy web series, way back in the day of the original yacht rock revival, which depicted the stories behind the music, if you will. It was gloooorious. I've gotta see if it's still around. I can't remember who was behind it, but it was funny AF
Tim' Durling from Tim's Vinyl Confessions for the win! Excellent picks and good call on that amazing Fleetwood Mac song as written and sung by the late Bob Welch! Bonus points for that Alice Cooper selection, as I totally agree. Beautiful track and the parent album is timeless.😊
Love Alice Cooper From The Inside.
Another great Alice track for this topic would be It’s Only My Heart Talkin’. I know it’s from ’89, but I think it fits pretty well.
@@markhaselow8315 You're right! Such a great duet with Steven Tyler. Thoughtful choice!
@@averyteplitsky885 thanks!
What’s the Mount Rushmore of Yacht Rock? My vote is for Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins & Lionel Ritchie.
Stephen Bishop had a few hits that I think qualify.
He was one of the first artists that came to my mind, especially On and On. Probably best known in UK for that single and doing quite a bit of work with Phil Collins, including on Face Value and I think Phil may have produced at least one album for Bish.
@@maddysmith8846 Cool info, thanks. Wasn't sure who left the Comment but something's telling me it might be you.
Loved this! Such a knowledgeable panel.
'Downhearted' by Australian Crawl
Boz Scaggs so yacht rock
“Sweet Freedom” by Michael Mc Donald. On the higher energy side of Yacht Rock, but still a smooth classic!
Rick Beato did a video about 8 months ago where he played the guitar solo from Ride Like the WInd at the correct volume. It's really, really good.
The Airplay album with Foster and Graydon is probably the masterpiece of yacht rock music
I would say 'Babe' by Styx and 'Silent Running' by Mike And The Mechanics are some pretty solid Yacht Rock tunes though not really Yacht Rock bands.
I think a Yacht Rock album by traditionally non-Yacht Rock bands is a great idea.
KISS- Hard Luck Woman would be one of my picks!
@@markhaselow8315 you can put "Shandi" in that category as well.
Great call with that Mike & The Mechanics track, pal. Though quite successful in their heyday, that was a hugely underrated band capable of churning out several cool tunes.
Dire Straits. My thought is that if you hear it, quietly, over the speakers in a department store like J. C. Penney or Macys, its Yacht Rock
Great Discussion! How about Hard Luck Woman as KISS' entry into Yacht Rock
Summer Breeze - Seals & Croft
Someone mentioned “Babe” by Styx already, but what about “BOAT On The River” by Styx? Also, they’re named after the mythical river in hell… another watery connection.
What about the more mellow, melodic fare by Heart? “This Man Is Mine,” “Tell It Like It Is,” “Love Mistake” and “Dog & Butterfly” all fit into the time frame of 1978-1982. A few years earlier, the three parts of “Dreamboat Annie” certainly fit the nautical theme to a T.
Don't care for the term Yacht Rock and hate to see Steely Dan called that but Home at Last could go in this category. Some songs I would add that are just great songs that others could debate are Harden My Heart-Quarterflash (great vocals and sax by Rindy Ross) , Dancing in the Moonlight-King Harvest and Smoke from a Distant Fire-Sanford Townsend Band. Could Eagles' Desperado(Linda Ronstadt has a great version) and Lobos' Me and You and a Dog Named Boo fit in there too. Probably quite a few "1 Hit Wonders" from the late 60s and the 70s would qualify.
Dan Fogleberg anyone??????? Not even mentioned.
Isn’t every genre and sub-genre named in retrospect?
Captain of Her Heart by The Double.
Cool change is amazing
Is Yacht Rock a genre confined to North America?
Was Jimmie Spheeris yacht rock? Anyway, his "Dragon Is Dancing", is a favourite and "Ports of the Heart" is pretty good too but has an all-time rotten cover.
Be careful you don't fall overboard 😄
Yacht rock???🤔🤔🤔
I think yatcht rock isn't technically water I think it's more pop rock you can kinda dancing music doesn't have to be about the beach love it ambrosia had some steel away was one love little river band your the one was ambrosia baby come back moonlight feels right how long by ace I think Jim crochie I think kinda was my fave is it's a long way there little river band about time someone talks of this style of music I love nothing wrong with 70s fros bell bottoms polyester shirts unbuttoned aviator glasses see curiosity killed the cat video shows it
Call it whatever you want to, but Steely Dan was a great band.