What is Yacht Rock? The Smooth Sailing Music Genre Explained (+ Playlist)
If you’ve ever found yourself relaxing on deck, cocktail in hand, and wondering what is the perfect soundtrack for sailing? — chances are, it’s Yacht Rock.
Yacht Rock is soft rock at its smoothest: melodic, jazzy, and polished. It emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, blending elements of jazz, R&B, and rock. Think silky vocals, catchy hooks, and a laid-back vibe that feels tailor-made for cruising along the coast or enjoying a sundowner at anchor.
Definition of Yacht Rock
According to HoustonianMag, Yacht Rock is music “primarily created between 1976 and 1984, that can be characterized as smooth and melodic, and typically combines elements of jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock.”
Not every soft rock band makes the cut. For example, Fleetwood Mac, Hall & Oates, and America are often mistakenly labeled as this soft rock genre. And Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” will get you thrown overboard by the genre purists!
But don’t worry – there are plenty of true Yacht Rock gems to add to your playlist.
Top Yacht Rock Songs
Here are five classics to get you started:
- The Doobie Brothers – What a Fool Believes (1979)
The undisputed king of soft rock, written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins.
- Toto – Rosanna (1982) With immaculate production and unforgettable harmonies, this is pure West Coast soft rock perfection.
- Steely Dan – FM (No Static at All) (1978)
Jazz-infused rock with Donald Fagen’s cool vocals – the epitome of sophisticated smooth and my favourite.
- Christopher Cross – Sailing (1979)
Possibly the most literal smooth rock anthem – dreamy, floaty, and ideal for drifting away at anchor.
Yacht Rock Playlist on Spotify
Want more smooth sailing tunes? We’ve created the Lovesail Yacht Rock Playlist – the perfect soundtrack for your next trip. Press play below to listen:
Why Yacht Rock is Perfect for Sailing
Whether you’re cruising the Florida Keys, island-hopping in the Caribbean, or simply relaxing in your local marina, these West Coast sounds deliver the ultimate backdrop. the easy grooves and warm melodies capture the carefree, sun-drenched spirit of life on the water.
At Lovesail, we believe music and sailing go hand in hand. That’s why we’ll be updating our Yacht Rock playlist regularly – and yes, even Hall & Oates and Rupert Holmes will get a spot (purists, forgive us!), but we like sailing close to the wind!
At Lovesail, we believe sailing and music go hand in hand — both bring people together. If you’d like to meet other sailors who share your passion for life on the water (and maybe swap a playlist or two), join our friendly community at Lovesail.com
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