Yacht Rock ... Now that's some smooooth music!

Probably not the hippest thing to admit, but I’ve become a big fan of Yacht Rock, the genre of smooth, (mostly) West Coast sounds from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

There have been other posts about Yacht Rock on this forum, but one more can’t hurt. What exactly is Yacht Rock, you ask? AllMusic.com has a pretty good answer, so I’ll just republish part of it here:

“What is Yacht Rock? To begin with, it was a Web series. … Each episode mocked and celebrated the soft sounds of the '70s, lampooning the smooth likes of the Doobie Brothers, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Steely Dan and Kenny Loggins. It became a cult sensation in the back half of the 2000s. … ‘Yacht Rock’ the series ceased production in 2010, but the term has only gained strength, coming to describe a whole smooth aesthetic that existed roughly from 1975 to 1982, expanding far beyond the white soft-rockers of L.A. and encompassing smooth jazz and ‘Yacht Soul.’ ”

I’d peg Yacht Rock’s peak years as more like 1975 to 1984, but there are many songs that fit the mold from outside that time frame.

Okay, so what are some of the key Yacht Rock tracks? I’ve compiled some year-by-year lists below. I have a pretty big tent for what I consider Yacht Rock as I think a lot of artists in the late 1970s and early 1980s dipped their toes in the Yacht Rock waters, if they didn’t just dive right in.

These lists aren’t meant to be exhaustive, but they are lengthy! Basically, if I ran a Yacht Rock radio station, any of the songs below would be fair game to be played, though some fit the genre more perfectly than others.

Happy sailing, my friends. Pina colada, anyone?

Yacht Rock, year by year

1975
America, “Daisy Jane”
America, “Sister Golden Hair”
America, “Woman Tonight”
The Bee Gees, “Jive Talkin’ ”
The Bee Gees, “Nights on Broadway”
The Blackbyrds, “Walking in Rhythm”
Glen Campbell, “Rhinestone Cowboy”
Glen Campbell, “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.)”
Captain and Tennille, “Love Will Keep Us Together”
Fleetwood Mac, “Landslide”
Fleetwood Mac, “Say You Love Me”
The Grass Roots, “Mamacita”
Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, “Fallin’ in Love”
Jefferson Starship, “Miracles”
Little Feat, “Long Distance Love”
Barry Manilow, “I Write the Songs”
Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony, “The Hustle”
Olivia Newton-John, “Have You Never Been Mellow”
The Roadapples, “Let’s Live Together”
Linda Ronstadt, “The Tracks of My Tears”
Diana Ross, “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)”
Larry Santos, “We Can’t Hide It Anymore”
Paul Simon, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”
James Taylor, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
James Taylor, “Mexico”
10cc, “I’m Not in Love”
Frankie Valli, “Swearin’ to God”
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)”

1976
ABBA, “Dancing Queen”
ABBA, “Fernando”
Average White Band, “A Love of Your Own”
The Bee Gees, “Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)”
The Bee Gees, “Love So Right”
The Bellamy Brothers, “Let Your Love Flow”
George Benson, “Breezin’ ”
Elvin Bishop, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”
The Brothers Johnson, “I’ll Be Good to You”
Glen Campbell, “Don’t Pull Your Love/Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye”
Glen Campbell, “See You on Sunday”
Eric Carmen, “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again”
Chicago, “If You Leave Me Now”
Climax Blues Band, “Couldn’t Get it Right”
Burton Cummings, “Stand Tall”
John Denver, “Looking for Space”
Ned Doheny, “Get It Up for Love”
Ned Doheny, “On the Swingshift”
The Doobie Brothers, “Takin’ It to the Streets”
The Doobie Brothers, “It Keeps You Runnin’ ”
The Eagles, “Take It to the Limit”
The Eagles, “New Kid in Town”
Yvonne Elliman, “Love Me”
Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson, “Charlie’s Angels Theme”
England Dan and John Ford Coley, “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight”
England Dan and John Ford Coley, “Nights are Forever Without You”
Firefall, “You Are the Woman”
Andrew Gold, “Lonely Boy”
Henry Gross, “Shannon”
Hall & Oates, “She’s Gone”
Hall & Oates, “Sara Smile”
Heatwave, “Always and Forever”
Billy Joel, “James”
Billy Joel, “Say Goodbye to Hollywood”
Elton John with Kiki Dee, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”
Elton John, “Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word”
Gordon Lightfoot, “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
The Manhattans, “Kiss and Say Goodbye”
Barry Manilow, “This One’s for You”
Paul McCartney and Wings, “Silly Love Songs”
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)”
Mary McGregor, “Torn Between Two Lovers”
Jaye P. Morgan, “Can’t Hide Love”
Maxine Nightingale, “Right Back Where We Started From”
Orleans, “Dance With Me”
Lou Rawls, “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”
Linda Ronstadt, "Try Me Again"
Diana Ross, “Love Hangover”
Leo Sayer, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”
Boz Scaggs, “Harbor Lights”
Boz Scaggs, “Lido Shuffle”
Boz Scaggs, “Lowdown”
Boz Scaggs, “What Can I Say”
Boz Scaggs, “What Do You Want the Girl to Do”
Seals & Croft, “Summer Breeze”
Paul Simon, “Still Crazy After All These Years”
David Soul, “Don’t Give Up on Us”
J.D. Souther, “Black Rose”
Rod Stewart, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)”
Barbra Streisand, “Love Theme from ‘A Star is Born’ (Evergreen)”
Tavares, “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel”
James Taylor, “Shower the People”
John Travolta, “Let Her In”
War, “Summer”
Gary Wright, “Dream Weaver”

1977
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, “So Into You”
The Bee Gees, “How Deep is Your Love”
George Benson, “The Greatest Love of All”
Stephen Bishop, “On and On”
Karla Bonoff, “If He’s Ever Near”
Karla Bonoff, “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me”
Terence Boylan, “Hey Papa”
The Brecker Brothers, “As Long as I’ve Got Your Love”
The Brothers Johnson, “Strawberry Letter 23”
Jimmy Buffett, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”
Jimmy Buffett, “Margaritaville”
Glen Campbell, “Southern Nights”
Eric Carmen, “She Did It”
Ray Charles and Julia Rinker, “Theme to Three’s Company (Come and Knock on Our Door”)
Chicago, “Baby, What A Big Surprise”
The Commodores, “Easy”
Rita Coolidge, “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher”
Bill Conti, “Gonna Fly Now (Theme from ‘Rocky’)”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Just a Song Before I Go”
Paul Davis, “I Go Crazy”
The Doobie Brothers, “Echoes of Love”
The Eagles, “Hotel California”
Yvonne Elliman, “Hello Stranger”
Yvonne Elliman, “If I Can’t Have You”
England Dan and John Ford Coley, “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again”
Firefall, “Just Remember I Love You”
Fleetwood Mac, “Don’t Stop”
Fleetwood Mac, “Second Hand News”
David Gates, “Goodbye Girl”
Crystal Gayle, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”
Andy Gibb, “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”
Hall & Oates, “Rich Girl”
Billy Joel, “Just the Way You Are”
LeBlanc and Carr, “Falling”
Chuck Mangione, “Feels So Good”
Dave Mason, “We Just Disagree”
Peter McCann, “Do You Wanna Make Love”
Meco, “Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band”
Randy Newman, “Short People”
Alan O’Day, “Undercover Angel”
Pablo Cruise, “Whatcha Gonna Do?”
Dolly Parton, “Here You Come Again”
Johnny Rivers, “Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’)”
Linda Ronstadt, “Blue Bayou”
Rose Royce, “I Wanna Get Next To You”
Sanford Townsend Band, “Smoke From a Distance Fire”
Leo Sayer, “Easy to Love”
Leo Sayer, “When I Need You”
Carly Simon, “Nobody Does It Better”
Paul Simon, “Slip Slidin’ Away”
Steely Dan, “Peg”
Al Stewart, “Year of the Cat”
Rod Stewart, “You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)”
James Taylor, “Handy Man”
James Taylor, “Your Smiling Face”
Bonnie Tyler, “It’s a Heartache”
Jennifer Warnes, “Right Time of the Night”
Bob Welch, “Sentimental Lady”
Stevie Wonder, “Isn’t She Lovely”
Stevie Wonder, “Sir Duke”

1978
ABBA, “Take a Chance on Me”
Ambrosia, “How Much I Feel”
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, “I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight”
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, “Imaginary Lover”
Carole Bayer Sager, “It’s the Falling in Love”
The Bee Gees, “Stayin’ Alive”
The Bee Gees, “Too Much Heaven”
George Benson, “On Broadway”
Stephen Bishop, “Losing Myself in You”
Jimmy Buffett, “Cheeseburger in Paradise”
Eric Carmen, “Change of Heart”
Shaun Cassidy, “Hey Deanie”
Chic, “I Want Your Love”
Eric Clapton, “Promises”
Eric Clapton, “Wonderful Tonight”
The Commodores, “Three Times a Lady”
Bill Conti, “Come With Me Now (Theme to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous)”
Paul Davis, “Sweet Life”
Dane Donohue, “Casablanca”
The Doobie Brothers, “Minute by Minute”
The Doobie Brothers, “What a Fool Believes”
Dr. Hook, “Sharing the Night Together”
Earth, Wind & Fire, “Got to Get You Into My Life”
Walter Egan, “Magnet and Steel”
Exile, “Kiss You All Over”
Jay Ferguson, “Thunder Island”
Robert Flack and Donny Hathaway, “The Closer I Get to You”
Andy Gibb, “An Everlasting Love”
Andy Gibb, “Shadow Dancing”
Nick Gilder, “Hot Child in the City”
Andrew Gold, “Never Let Her Slip Away”
Andrew Gold, “Thank You for Being a Friend”
Dan Hill, “Sometimes When We Touch”
Bob James, “Angela (Theme from ‘Taxi’)”
Billy Joel, “My Life”
Michael Johnson, “Bluer Than Blue”
Michael Johnson, “Almost Like Being in Love”
Kansas, “Dust in the Wind”
The Little River Band, “Reminiscing”
Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks, “Whenever I Call You Friend”
Cheryl Lynn, “Got to Be Real”
Barry Manilow, “Copacabana (At the Copa)”
Barry Manilow, “Even Now”
Barry Manilow, “Ready to Take a Chance Again”
Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late”
Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams, “Without Us (Theme to ‘Family Ties’)”
Paul McCartney and Wings, “With a Little Luck”
Meat Loaf, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad”
Pablo Cruise, “Love Will Find a Way”
Player, “Baby Come Back”
Gerry Rafferty, “Baker Street”
Gerry Rafferty, “Right Down the Line”
Raydio, “Jack and Jill”
Chris Rea, “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”
Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler”
Linda Ronstadt, “Ooh Baby Baby”
Samantha Sang, “Emotion”
Bob Seger, “Still the Same”
Bob Seger, “We’ve Got Tonight”
Carly Simon, “You Belong to Me”
Al Stewart, “Time Passages”
Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”
Donna Summer, “Heaven Knows”
Donna Summer, “Last Dance”
Jack Tempchin, “Peaceful Easy Feeling”
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, “You’re The One That I Want”
Frankie Valli, “Grease”
Gino Vannelli, “I Just Wanna Stop”
Joe Walsh, “Life’s Been Good”
Bob Welch, “Ebony Eyes”
Bill Withers, “Lovely Day”
John Paul Young, “Love is in the Air”

1979
Herb Alpert, “Rise”
The Beach Boys, “Good Timin’”
The Bee Gees, “Love You Inside Out”
The Bee Gees, “Tragedy”
Karla Bonoff, “Baby Don’t Go”
Karla Bonoff, “Restless Nights”
Bobby Caldwell, “What You Won’t Do for Love”
Captain and Tennille, “Do That To Me One More Time”
Chic, “Good Times”
The Commodores, “Sail On”
The Commodores, “Still”
Corniche, “Theme from CHiPs”
The Dirt Band (with Linda Ronstadt), “An American Dream”
Charlie Dore, “Pilot of the Airwaves”
Dr. Hook, “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman”
The Dukes, “Hearts in Trouble”
Earth, Wind & Fire, “September”
Earth, Wind & Fire, “After the Love Has Gone”
England Dan and John Ford Coley, “Love is the Answer”
England Dan and John Ford Coley, “What Can I Do With This Broken Heart”
Fleetwood Mac, “Sara”
Dan Fogelberg, “Longer”
Richie Furay, “I Still Have Dreams”
Gloria Gaynor, “I Will Survive”
Hall & Oates, “Wait for Me”
Rupert Holmes, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”
Michael Jackson, “Rock with You”
Billy Joel, “Honesty”
Elton John, “Mama Can’t Buy You Love”
Robert John, Sad Eyes”
Michael Johnson, “This Night Won’t Last Forever”
Steve Kipner, “Knock the Walls Down”
Kool & the Gang, “Too Hot”
Nicolette Larson, “Fallen”
Nicolette Larson, “Lotta Love”
Kenny Loggins, “This Is It”
Melissa Manchester, “Fire in the Morning”
Ian Mathews, “Shake It”
Maureen McGovern, “Different Worlds”
Anne Murray, “Shadows in the Moonlight”
Nigel Olsson, “Dancin’ Shoes”
Orleans, “Love Takes Time”
Peaches and Herb, “Reunited”
Poco, “Crazy Love”
Poco, “The Heart of the Night”
The Pointer Sisters, “Fire”
Raydio, “You Can’t Change That”
Cliff Richard, “We Don’t Talk Anymore”
Smokey Robinson, “Cruisin’ ”
Kenny Rogers, “She Believes in Me”
Linda Ronstadt, “Just One Look”
Leo Sayer, “More Than I Can Say”
Sister Sledge, “We Are Family”
Rex Smith, “You Take My Breath Away”
J.D. Souther, “You’re Only Lonely”
The Spinners, “Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl”
Spyro Gyra, “Morning Dance”
John Stewart, “Gold”
John Stewart, “Lost Her in the Sun”
Styx, “Babe”
Donna Summer, “Dim All the Lights”
Donna Summer, “On the Radio”
Donna Summer, “Sunset People”
Donna Summer with Barbra Streisand, “No More Tears (Enough is Enough)”
Supertramp, “Goodbye Stranger”
Supertramp, “Take the Long Way Home”
James Taylor, “Up on the Roof”
Toto (with Cheryl Lynn), “Georgy Porgy”
Toto, “99”
Randy VanWarmer, “Just When I Needed You Most”
Roger Voudouris, “Get Used To It”
Dionne Warwick, “Deja Vu”
Dionne Warwick, “I’ll Never Love This Way Again”
Bob Welch, “Precious Love”
Lauren Wood (with Michael McDonald), “Please Don’t Leave”
Lauren Wood (with Michael McDonald), “Nothin’ But a Heartache”

1980
Airplay, “Nothin’ You Can Do About It”
Airplay, “Sweet Body”
Air Supply, “All Out of Love”
Air Supply, “Lost in Love”
Peter Allen, “Fly Away”
Peter Allen, “One Step Over the Borderline”
Ambrosia, “Biggest Part of Me”
Ambrosia, “You’re the Only Woman (You & I)”
Average White Band, “For You, For Love”
George Benson, “Give Me the Night”
Terence Boylan, “Tell Me”
The Brothers Johnson, “Stomp”
Jackson Browne, “That Girl Could Sing”
Rocky Burnette, “Tired of Toein’ the Line”
Kim Carnes, “More Love”
Felix Cavaliere, “Only a Lonely Heart Sees”
Christopher Cross, “The Light is On”
Christopher Cross, “Never Be the Same”
Christopher Cross, “Ride Like the Wind”
Christopher Cross, “Sailing”
Paul Davis, “Do Right”
Teri DeSario with K.C., “Yes, I’m Ready”
Neil Diamond, “Love on the Rocks”
The Dirt Band (with Nicolette Larson), “Make a Little Magic”
The Doobie Brothers, “Dedicate This Heart”
The Doobie Brothers, “Real Love”
Dr. Hook, “Sexy Eyes”
Robbie Dupree, “Hot Rod Hearts”
Robbie Dupree, “Steal Away”
The Eagles, “I Can’t Tell You Why”
Dan Fogelberg, “Same Old Lang Syne”
Genesis, “Misunderstanding”
Terri Gibbs, “Somebody’s Knockin’ ”
Larry Graham, “One in a Million You”
Hall & Oates, “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling”
Amy Holland, “Here in the Light”
Amy Holland, “How Do I Survive”
Rupert Holmes, “Him”
Tommy James, “Three Times in Love”
Al Jarreau, “Your Sweet Love”
Waylon Jennings, “Theme from the Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys)”
Billy Joel, “Don’t Ask Me Why”
Elton John, “Little Jeannie”
Jack Jones, “The Love Boat Theme”
Ray Kennedy, “Sail on Sailor”
Ray Kennedy, “You Oughta Know by Now”
Fred Knoblock, “Why Not Me”
Kool & the Gang, “Celebration”
Larsen-Feiten Band , “Who'll Be the Fool Tonight"
Nicolette Larson with Michael McDonald, “Let Me Go, Love”
Johnny Lee, “Lookin’ for Love”
John Lennon, “Woman”
The Manhattans, “Shining Star”
Benny Mardones, “Into the Night”
Bette Midler, “The Rose”
Ronnie Milsap, “Smoky Mountain Rain”
Anne Murray, “Daydream Believer”
Nielsen/Pearsen, “If You Should Sail”
Willie Nelson, “On the Road Again”
Dolly Parton, “9 to 5”
Photoglo, “We Were Meant to Be Lovers”
The Pointer Sisters, “He’s So Shy”
Bill Preston and Syreeta , “With You I’m Born Again”
Pure Prairie League, “Let Me Love You Tonight”
Eddie Rabbitt, “I Love a Rainy Night”
REO Speedwagon, “Keep on Loving You”
Kenny Rogers, “Lady”
Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes, “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer”
Diana Ross, “Upside Down”
Boz Scaggs, “Jojo”
Boz Scaggs, “Look What You’ve Done to Me”
Bob Seger, “Against the Wind”
Carly Simon, “Jesse”
J.D. Souther, “White Rhythm and Blues”
The Spinners, “Cupid/I’ve Loved You for a Long Time”
Steely Dan, “Hey Nineteen”
Steely Dan, “Time Out of Mind”
Al Stewart, “Midnight Rocks”
Barbra Streisand, “Guilty”
Ali Thomson, “Take a Little Rhythm”
Don Williams, “I Believe in You”
Steve Winwood, “While You See a Chance”

1981
Alabama, “Love in the First Degree”
Patti Austin, “Every Home Should Have One”
Marty Balin, “Hearts”
George Benson, “Turn Your Love Around”
Lindsay Buckingham, “Trouble”
Kim Carnes, “Bette Davis Eyes”
The Carpenters, “Touch Me When We’re Dancing”
Rosanne Cash, “Seven Year Ache”
Champaign, “How ’Bout Us”
Bill Champlin, “Gotta Get Back to Love”
Bill Champlin, “Tonight, Tonight”
Chris Christian, “What Can There Be”
The Clarke/Duke Project, “Sweet Baby”
The Commodores, “Lady (You Bring Me Up)”
The Commodores, “Oh No”
Con Funk Shun, “California 1”
Christopher Cross, “Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do)”
Paul Davis, “Cool Night”
Paul Davis, “ ’65 Love Affair”
Neil Diamond, “America”
Neil Diamond, “Yesterday’s Songs”
Diesel, “Sausalito Summernight”
Sheena Easton, “For Your Eyes Only”
Sheena Easton, “Morning Train (Nine to Five)”
Fleetwood Mac, “Hold Me”
Dan Fogelberg, “Hard to Say”
Dan Fogelberg, “Leader of the Band”
Foreigner, “Waiting for a Girl Like You”
Dwayne Ford, “Am I Ever Gonna Find Your Love”
Dwayne Ford, “Lovin’ and Losing You”
Franke & the Knockouts, “Sweetheart”
Andy Gibb with Victoria Principal, “All I Have to Do is Dream”
Hall & Oates, “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)”
Hall & Oates, “Kiss on My List”
Hall & Oates, “You Make My Dreams”
Bertie Higgins, “Key Largo”
James Ingram (with Quincy Jones), “Just Once”
Al Jarreau, “We’re In This Love Together”
Journey, “Open Arms”
Journey, “Who’s Crying Now”
Fred Knoblock and Susan Anton, “Killin’ Time”
The Little River Band, “Cool Change”
The Manhattan Transfer, “The Boy From New York City”
Barry Manilow, “The Old Songs”
Maxus, “Keep a Light On”
Maxus, “The Higher You Rise”
Randy Meisner, “Hearts on Fire”
Steve Miller Band, “Abracadabra”
Ronnie Milsap, “(There’s No) Gettin’ Over Me”
Ronnie Milsap, “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World”
Stevie Nicks (with Don Henley), “Leather and Lace”
Juice Newton, “Angel of the Morning”
Juice Newton, “Queen of Hearts”
Juice Newton, “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)”
Olivia Newton-John, “Physical”
The Oak Ridge Boys, “Elvira”
John O'Banion, “Love You Like I Never Loved Before”
Pablo Cruise, “Cool Love”
Pages, “Come on Home”
Pages, “Only a Dreamer”
Photoglo, “Fool in Love with You”
The Pointer Sisters, “Slow Hand”
Mike Post (featuring Larry Carlton), “Theme from Hill Street Blues”
Eddie Rabbitt, “Step by Step”
Raydio, “A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)”
Lee Ritenour (with Erig Tagg), “Is It You?”
Smokey Robinson, “Being With You”
Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, “Endless Love”
David Sanborn, “Let’s Just Say Goodbye”
Joey Scarbury, “Theme from Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)”
Sneaker, “Don’t Let Me In”
Sneaker, “More Than Just the Two of Us”
Squeeze, “Tempted”
James Taylor and J.D. Souther, “Her Town Too”
Vangelis, “Chariots of Fire”
Gino Vannelli, “Living Inside Myself”
Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers, “Just the Two of Us”
Grover Washington, “Let It Flow (For Dr. J)”

1982
Air Supply, “Even the Nights Are Better”
Alessi, “I’m Gonna Tell Her Tonight”
Alessi, “Rise Up”
America, “You Can Do Magic”
Alabama, “Take Me Down”
Karla Bonoff, “Personally”
Laura Branigan, “Gloria”
Jackson Browne, “Somebody’s Baby”
Bugatti & Musker, “Mystery Girl”
Steve Carlisle, “WKRP in Cincinnati (Main Theme)”
Larry Carlton, “Sleepwalk”
Chicago, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”
Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong”
Bill Conti, “Theme from Dynasty”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Southern Cross”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Wasted on the Way”
Neil Diamond, “Heartlight”
Donald Fagen, “The Goodbye Look”
Glenn Frey, “The One You Love”
Greg Guidry, “Over the Line”
Hall & Oates, “Maneater”
Hall & Oates, “One on One”
Don Henley, “Love Rules”
Rik Howard and Bob Wirth, “Together (Theme from Silver Spoons)”
Freddie Hubbard, “This Is It”
Freddie Hubbard, “Ride Like the Wind”
James Ingram (with Patti Austin), “Baby, Come to Me”
Joe Jackson, “Steppin’ Out”
Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, “The Girl Is Mine”
Billy Joel , “She’s Got a Way (Live)”
Bill LaBounty, “Livin’ It Up”
Bill LaBounty, “Never Gonna Look Back”
Kenny Loggins, “Heart to Heart”
Melissa Manchester, “You Should Hear How She Talks About You”
Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, “Ebony and Ivory”
Michael McDonald, “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)”
Ronnie Milsap, “Any Day Now”
The Motels, “Only the Lonely”
Willie Nelson, “Always on My Mind”
Jeffrey Osborne, “On the Wings of Love”
Alan Parsons Project, “Eye in the Sky”
Leslie Pearl , “If the Love Fits Wear It”
Poco, “Ghost Town”
Gary Portnoy, “Theme from Cheers (Where Everybody Knows Your Name)”
Mike Post, “Theme from Magnum P.I.”
Eddie Rabbitt with Crystal Gayle, “You and I”
Lionel Richie, “All Night Long (All Night)”
David Roberts, “Midnight Rendezvous”
Kenny Rogers, “Through the Years”
Timothy B. Schmit, “So Much in Love”
Bob Seger, “Shame on the Moon”
Leslie Smith, “Dream On”
Sneaker, “Believe Me Tonight”
Toto, “Africa”
Toto, “Rosanna”
Leon Ware, “Miracles”
Leon Ware, “That’s Why I Came to California”
Dionne Warwick, “Heartbreaker”
Dionne Warwick, “More Than Fascination”
Dionne Warwick and Johnny Mathis, “Friends in Love”
Deniece Williams, “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle”
Steve Winwood, “Valerie”
Stevie Wonder, “Do I Do”

1983
Air Supply, “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”
Alabama, “The Closer You Get”
America, “The Border”
Paul Anka (with Peter Cetera), “Hold Me ‘Til the Mornin’ Comes”
Paul Anka, “Second Chance”
George Benson, “Lady (Love Me One More Time)”
Stephen Bishop, “It Might Be You”
Laura Branigan, “How I Am I Supposed to Live Without You”
Laura Branigan, “Solitaire”
Jackson Browne, “Lawyers in Love”
Jackson Browne, “Tender is the Night”
Lindsay Buckingham, “Holiday Road”
Jimmy Buffett, “Brown Eyed Girl”
Irene Cara, “Flashdance … What a Feeling”
Eric Clapton, “I’ve Got a Rock N’ Roll Heart”
Rita Coolidge, “All Time High”
Christopher Cross, “All Right”
Christopher Cross, “Baby Says No”
Sheena Easton, “Almost Over You”
Sheena Easton, “Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)”
Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson, “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”
Genesis, “That’s All”
Michael Gore, “Theme from ‘Terms of Endearment’ ”
Dave Grusin, “Theme from ‘St. Elsewhere’ ”
Hall & Oates, “Say It Isn’t So”
Amy Holland, “(I Hang) On Your Every Word”
Amy Holland (with David Pack), “I Still Run to You”
James Ingram (with Michael McDonald), “Yah Mo B There”
Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean”
Michael Jackson, “Human Nature”
Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, “Say Say Say”
Al Jarreau, “Mornin’ ”
Billy Joel, “The Longest Time”
Elton John, “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues”
Journey, “Faithfully”
Chaka Khan, “Ain’t Nobody”
Kool & the Gang, “Joanna”
The Manhattan Transfer, “Spice of Life”
Men at Work, “It’s a Mistake”
Men at Work, “Overkill”
Sergio Mendes, “Never Gonna Let You Go”
The Motels, “Suddenly Last Summer”
Stevie Nicks, “Stand Back”
Randy Newman, “I Love L.A.”
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, “Islands in the Stream”
The Police, “Every Breath You Take”
Kenny Rogers with Sheena Easton, “We’ve Got Tonight”
Linda Ronstadt, “Easy for You to Say”
Michael Sembello, “Maniac”
Patrick Simmons, “Why You Givin’ Up”
Spandau Ballet, “True”
Styx, “Don’t Let It End”
Toto, “I Won’t Hold You Back”
Bonnie Tyler, “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

1984
Karla Bonoff, “Somebody’s Eyes”
Peabo Bryson, “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again”
The Cars, “Drive”
Chicago, “Hard Habit to Break”
Chicago, “You’re the Inspiration”
Phil Collins, “Against All Odds”
Phil Collins with Philip Bailey, “Easy Lover”
Harold Faltermeyer, “Axel F”
Genesis, “Taking It All Too Hard”
Hall & Oates, “Out of Touch”
Dan Hartman, “I Can Dream About You”
Don Henley, “The Boys of Summer”
The Honeydrippers, “Sea of Love”
Julio Iglesias with Willie Nelson, “Top All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”
Al Jarreau, “After All”
Nik Kershaw, “Wouldn’t It Be Good”
Chaka Khan, “Through the Fire”
Cyndi Lauper, “Time After Time”
Huey Lewis & the News, “If This Is It”
Paul McCartney, “No More Lonely Nights”
Christine McVie, “Got a Hold on Me”
Sergio Mendes, “Alibis”
Billy Ocean, “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)”
Billy Ocean, “Loverboy”
Teddy Pendergrass with Whitney Houston, “Hold Me”
Steve Perry, “Foolish Heart”
Steve Perry, “Oh Sherrie”
The Pointer Sisters, “I’m So Excited”
Mike Reno and Ann Wilson, “Almost Paradise”
REO Speedwagon, “Can’t Fight This Feeling”
Lionel Richie, “Stuck on You”
Kenny Rogers, “This Woman”
Rod Stewart, “Some Guys Have All the Luck”
Alan Thicke, “Thicke of the Night”
The Thompson Twins, “Hold Me Now”
Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got to Do With It”
Bonnie Tyler, “Holding Out for a Hero”
Jack Wagner, “All I Need”
John Waite, “Missing You”
Wham (featuring George Michael), “Careless Whisper”
Deniece Williams “Let’s Hear It for the Boy”
Stevie Wonder, “I Just Called to Say I Love You”

Pre-Yacht Rock
(Released before the peak 1975-1984 time frame; precursors to the classic period.)
Ace, “How Long” (1974)
America, “Ventura Highway” (1972)
Blues Image, “Ride Captain Ride” (1970)
Bread, “Make it With You” (1970)
Bread, “Baby I’m-a Want You” (1971)
Bread, “If” (1971)
Jackson Browne, “Doctor My Eyes” (1972)
Jackson Browne, “Rock Me on the Water” (1972)
The First Class, “Beach Baby” (1974)
Ides of March, “Vehicle” (1970)
Billy Joel, “Los Angelenos” (1973)
Little Feat, “Willin’ ” (1972)
Little Feat, “Fool Yourself” (1973)
Little Feat, “Two Trains” (1973)
Looking Glass, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” (1972)
Barry Manilow, “Mandy” (1974)
Paul McCartney and Wings, “My Love” (1973)
Seals & Croft, “Summer Breeze” (1972)
Seals & Croft, “Diamond Girl” (1973)
Neil Sedaka, “Laughter in the Rain” (1974)
Carly Simon, “You’re So Vain” (1972)

Post-Yacht Rock
(These artists forgot that the Yacht Rock era ever ended.)
The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (1988)
George Benson, “Please Don’t Walk Away” (1985)
Karla Bonoff, “All My Life” (1988)
Boy Meets Girl, “Waiting for a Star to Fall” (1988)
Eric Carmen, “Hungry Eyes” (1987)
Eric Carmen, “Make Me Lose Control” (1988)
Peter Cetera, “The Glory of Love” (1986)
Peter Cetera (with Amy Grant), “The Next Time I Fall” (1986)
Peter Cetera (with Crystal Bernard) “(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight” (1995)
Cher and Peter Cetera, “After All” (1989)
Chicago, “Will You Still Love Me” (1986)
Phil Collins, “One More Night” (1985)
The Commodores, “Nightshift” (1985)
Christopher Cross, “That Girl” (1985)
Christopher Cross, “Swept Away” (1988)
Christopher Cross with Frances Ruffelle, “I Will (Take You Forever)” (1988)
Harold Faltermeyer, “Fletch Theme” (1985)
Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest, “Set the Night to Music” (1991)
Fleetwood Mac, “Little Lies” (1987)
Dan Fogelberg, “Lonely in Love” (1987)
Foreigner, “Say You Will” (1988)
Go West, “King of Wishful Thinking” (1990)
Godley & Creme, “Cry” (1985)
Jay Graydon (featuring Warren Wiebe), “Roxann” (1993)
Jan Hammer, “Miami Vice Theme” (1985)
Dan Hill and Vonda Shepard, “Can’t We Try” (1987)
Al Jarreau, “Moonlighting Theme” (1987)
Journey, “I’ll Be Alright Without You” (1986)
Kenny G, “Songbird” (1987)
Huey Lewis & the News, “Stuck with You” (1986)
Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald, “On My Own” (1986)
Michael McDonald, “Sweet Freedom” (1986)
Glenn Medeiros, “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” (1987)
David Pack, “Anywhere You Go” (1986)
David Pack, “I Just Can’t Let Go” (with James Ingram and Michael McDonald) (1986)
Martin Page, “In the House of Stone and Light” (1994)
Smokey Robinson, “Just to See Her” (1987)
David Lee Roth, “California Girls” (1985)
Carly Simon, “Coming Around Again” (1986)
Paul Simon, “You Can Call Me Al” (1986)
Toto, “I’ll Be Over You” (1986)
Toto, “Stop Loving You” (1988)
Dionne Warwick and Friends, “That’s What Friends Are For” (1985)

 

You may want to check out Dave Loggins:

 

I love Yacht Rock, and I do not consider it to be a negative term.

My question is, what is the first official Yacht Rock hit song? To me, it cannot be Yacht Rock before the 70s. Yacht Rock is the embodiment of the 70s and early 80s. I would not include any 60s songs in that regard.

In my opinion, the first Yacht Rock song is Ride Captain Ride by Blues Image.

 

Pina colada .... Barry Manilow ..... you're not actually originally from Barrytown, are you?

 

I have to admit. I like most of it. I sing this one to myself every night.

 

can't follow your long list but I would never consider ABBA, Hall & Oats, Paul Simon and half that list as so called YAHT Rock

 

Imo, when mankind perfected the synchronization of two JH-24s in 1974, yacht rock was born. Having that many tracks was like eating too many Snickers bars. You couldn't stop indulging, but after awhile, it kinda made you feel funny.

 

I had a sneaky suspicion that Pablo Cruise was in this genre.

 

Some obscure Yacht you might have missed...


and a new one that pays tribute to that whole scene...

 

Early 70s and British, but I'd have to include 10CC's "I'm Not in Love".

 

In terms of lyrical and musical content, as well as tone of the band and the lead singer's voice, "Ride Captain Ride" is an excellent candidate for Father of Yacht Rock. People say it's "Sloop John B," but that doesn't have the same brie-and-chard character that one gets hearing "Ride Captain Ride."

The opening lyrics alone are a manifesto for the YR mentality:

"Seventy-three men sailed up
From the San Francisco Bay,
Rolled off of their ship
And here's what they had to say.
"We're callin' everyone to ride along
To another shore,
We can laugh our lives away
and be free once more."

 

They really need to release that Yacht Rock series on DVD.

 

I was under the impression the term "yacht rock" was inspired primarily by the Christopher Cross song "Sailing" which got massive airplay at the time.
Seem to recall he pretty much swept the Grammy's that year; 1979-1980

 

I never really paid much attention to the term yacht rock
However after reading thru the above list by years I can't help but think if that list were to be cross referenced by the top billboard 100 hits of each of those years it would be fairly similar
So maybe yacht rock is just the top billboard 100 of each of those years?
But what do I know

 

Easy to overlook individual songs because my post is so long, but that one ("I'm Not in Love") indeed is there under 1975!

I compiled the original post over the course of several weeks (!!), and I thought about editing it down a bunch so it only included surefire Yacht Rock classics. But I decided against that so there could be some debate about what Yacht Rock even is, which seems to be happening.

Some of the artists who I think absolutely, 100 percent fit the Yacht Rock vibe? Pablo Cruise, Michael McDonald/Doobie Brothers, Christopher Cross, Ambrosia, Robbie Dupree, Airplay and Kenny Loggins are among them.

 

That's a fair point, though in truth, it's more like most of the songs I included did well on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts from those years (and several also crossed over to Billboard's "regular" Hot 100 list).

 

I made my own Yacht Rock compilation about 5 years ago and edited it last year to include a few more songs. This is what I got:

 

Thanks for the info
I am always happy to be learning stuff
By the way I like your avatar and I never figured steely Dan would be in this group of yacht rockers but I guess it would make sense
So if the Dan is part of the yacht rock scene I guess it's official now --- I like yacht rock

 

How about some Ian Matthews?
(Aka Iain Matthews, formerly of Fairport Convention, and then Matthews Southern Comfort)

"Shake It" #13 Billboard, 1979
"Give Me An Inch" #67 Billboard, 1979

 

Terms like yacht rock and dad rock is a bit snotty 14 year oldish to me but I like quite a lot of the music even though I never had a yacht or have known a person who had who liked this music.

 

Thanks to the OP for the list, I will check out some of the tracks that I don't know yet.
I gotta nitpick though: It's "Eagles" and "Bee Gees" without "The". ;-)

 

Watching this now. Thanks for mentioning them.

 

Sailing by Christopher Cross.

 

http://tooslowtodisco.com