#threetunetuesday: Yacht Rock Part 1
I really wanted to source my own image for the opening of this post, but since I don't own a yacht, and all the pictures I have are of small fishing boats, I had to utilize Pixabay. Last week I wrote a post about some of my favorite punk covers of classic songs. In that post, I mentioned that while I like all kinds of music, I really enjoy listening to "Yacht Rock".
I guess I thought that term was a lot more popular than it is, because a lot of people commented that they have never heard it before. Honestly, it's only in the past five years or so that I have really heard it start to be used. I am guessing that and the fact that it is perhaps mainly a US thing could have something to do with it.
Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Yacht Rock:
"Yacht rock (originally known as the West Coast sound[4][5] or adult-oriented rock[6]) is a broad music style and aesthetic[7] commonly associated with soft rock,[8] one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Drawing on sources such as smooth soul, smooth jazz,[1] R&B, and disco,[7] common stylistic traits include high-quality production, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies.[6] Its name, coined in 2005 by the makers of the online video series Yacht Rock, was derived from its association with the popular Southern Californian leisure activity of sailing."
I have little doubt that @slobberchops is going to absolutely cringe at each of the songs I share today, but we can't all live in that alternative moody space all the time. :)
Sirius XM satellite radio has a station right now called "Yacht Rock". It's channel 14 if you subscribe to the service. They usually bring it around in the summer time. If you want to listen to it year round, you can usually find most of the same artists on their channel "The Bridge".
Typical artists that fall into the Yacht Rock label include Hall and Oates, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Al Stewart, Starbuck, Kenny Loggins, Toto, Loggins and Messina, Ambrosia, 10 CC, Little River Band, and countless others.
Here are my selections for #threetunetuesday sponsored by @ablaze
I've gotta be honest with you, while I have listened to Christopher Cross probably about a million times in my life, I had no clue what he looked like until I shared this video with you. I've always been a fan of his voice and I like the smooth songs that he plays. This is the perfect example of a Yacht Rock song and probably one of the reasons why that term was coined in the first place.
It's definitely mellow, and it isn't going to get you raging on the dance floor, but it's just some good music in my opinion.
As much as Christopher Cross is synonymous with Yacht Rock, I also don't think it would exist without Mr. Michael McDonald. His career with the Doobie Brothers and solo is quite legendary. The fact is, many of the songs that are commonly associated with Yacht Rock were either sung by McDonald, or he at least does some backing vocals on them.
If you listen really closely, you will hear that distinct Michael McDonald sound on songs from Christopher Cross and Kenny Loggins. It's like peas and carrots. Okay, maybe more like peanut butter and jelly. Not the crunchy kind though, the smooth kind, this is Yacht Rock after all!
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't include a song from Steely Dan. Partly because they fit the Yacht Rock genre so easily, but also because they are one of my favorite bands of all time. My Old School is probably my favorite Steely Dan song of all time. It just has some really good lines in it and it has a pretty awesome groove. It also tells a story which is something not all songs do.
It was actually pretty hard to pick just one Steely Dan song. There are just so many that are classics. I think even @slobberchops will agree to that, though I am pretty sure he is partial to the album Aja.
Actually, I don't think I have ever seen Donald Fagen from Steely Dan before watching this video either. I just realized how much he kind of looks like Andy Samberg and it makes me wonder if Andy has ever impersonated him for a skit.
I could pick a million songs to share with you for this Yacht Rock theme, but I am going to leave it at that for this week. I hope that clears things up for you if you were confused about what this type of music is.
Next week, I am going to share some new artists with you who have picked up the old school Yacht Rock sound. If you like this style of music, you are going to want to check it out!
Sports Talk Social - @bozz.sports
An entire genre of music I was unaware of. And we don't even have to own a yacht to enjoy it ... Or despise it, depending on prefernce.
Pull out the Yacht! Great selection, I guess I know what Yacht music is now, it is a new term for me for sure. I have a selection for next week, I wonder if it will fit in the Yacht club classification.
I guess we will have to see. I am looking forward to see what you have in store. If people like this, I think they will really dig the newer stuff.
The hook of these songs are in the sumconcious mind of an entire generation.
For sure! It's some of the stuff I grew up listening to.
I've never heard of yacht rock either, sounds like the perfect genre to laze out in the garden in summer
Yeah, it is some good stuff. Most all of the songs are classics.
No, not at all, I have a Christoper Cross single in my repo, am a big fan of Steely Dan and Micheal McDonald is some kind of god. That vocal.., and that particular song is is outstanding.
There..., got you!
Well well, that is great to hear! I knew you were into Steely Dan. I wouldn't have guessed Micheal McDonald though. Although I could see you digging the Doobies!
Love the Steely Dan song!
Yacht rock... does that make this a style only for the rich? I may be too poor to listen to these.
No, I think it just speaks to the mood of the music. Breezy jazz pop style that you might listen to if you were sailing on a yacht. It's more a state of mind that anything!
The songs are sounding great
I love the sounds
Some people seem to think music needs to be 'edgy', but this stuff tends to be well produced and performed. Nothing wrong with that. If people enjoy it then that's okay and I do like some of it. I see little point in complaining about music you don't like unless you cannot avoid it. Bland 'elevator music' can be annoying when it's piped into wherever you are.
I actually like elevator music. I have a channel on my car radio that I listen to on the way in to work often. It's instrumental arrangements of classic and popular songs. It's pretty cool.
We all have our own tastes. I find some hotels like to play jazzy covers of pop songs over their speakers. Sometimes I can just ignore it. What I hate is loud 'background' music when people want to talk.
Yeah, I can appreciate that. I usually have trouble focusing in social situations anyway. Then when you add loud music, I am a goner.
Crackin tunes. Totally love Sailing - always have, its so mellow. And I never knew that tune was by the Doobie Brothers.
Am also quite a fan of Steely Dan - very well written music, quite original - not many others write quite like them.
No, Steely Dan is truly exceptional. I am glad you liked the others. McDonald wasn't always with the Doobies, but some of their biggest hits have him on lead vocals.
Boom, I have the tunes now man, just need a yacht now and I'll be all set!! Sailing was a new tune to me and I agree Christopher Cross has a nice mellow chilled out buzz going on, good stuff.. The Doobie Brothers are always worth a listen and are at home on any good play list, good tunes all around
You should check out more of Cross's stuff. Sailing is probably his biggest hit, but he has a lot of good stuff. If you find a good deal on a yacht, let me know!
Ya I will check some more out for sure 👌