Soft Rock For Sunny Seas
Sun on your shoulders, a drink in hand, and a playlist that makes every wave feel like a groove—now that’s the spirit of yacht rock. Born from smooth melodies and a dash of 70s swagger, it’s music that practically wears sunglasses. If you want your next boat day to feel effortlessly cool, turn up the volume with these classic yacht rock tunes.
1. What A Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers
When The Doobie Brothers released What a Fool Believes, fans heard a whole new side of the band. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins teamed up to craft this silky soft-rock masterpiece that topped Billboard’s Hot 100.
2. Sailing – Christopher Cross
Few songs drift as effortlessly as Christopher Cross’s Sailing. Inspired by his calm teenage trips at sea, the 1979 classic glides through soft melodies and warm nostalgia. It swept the 1981 Grammys, winning Record, Song, and Arrangement of the Year.
3. Rosanna – Toto
Rosanna Arquette was the muse behind this 1982 yacht-rock masterpiece, but Jeff Porcaro's drumming stole the show. His "Rosanna Shuffle" became legendary among musicians. Toto nailed the balance between technical brilliance and pure romance, creating something that worked whether you analyzed it or just enjoyed the groove.
4. Fooled Around And Fell In Love – Elvin Bishop
As soon as Elvin Bishop dropped Fooled Around and Fell in Love, it hit hard. Featuring Mickey Thomas’s powerhouse vocals, it soared to #3 on Billboard. Decades later, its return in Guardians of the Galaxy proved smooth rock never really drifts away.
5. Peg – Steely Dan
Steely Dan’s Peg took several guitarists and countless takes before Jay Graydon nailed its iconic solo. The final cut shimmered with layered vocals and unmatched studio polish. Released in 1977, it climbed to #11 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
6. Magnet And Steel – Walter Egan
Magnet and Steel was pure chemistry—both musically and romantically. Walter Egan’s brief spark with Stevie Nicks led her and Lindsey Buckingham to lend ethereal harmonies to the 1978 hit. The track reached the eighth spot on the Billboard Hot 100, turning a brief romantic spark into a lasting soft-rock classic.
7. This Is It – Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins poured his heart into This Is It, inspired by his father’s health battle. With Michael McDonald’s co-writing and soulful backing vocals, it became both an anthem and a comfort. The song earned Loggins a 1981 Grammy and a permanent spot in yacht rock history.
Anna Hanks from Austin, Texas, USA on Wikimedia
8. Baby Come Back – Player
Heartbreak never sounded this smooth. Player’s Baby Come Back took real-life breakups and turned them into a chart-topping plea for love. Its soulful groove and catchy hook carried it to #1 in 1978, later finding new waves of fame through movies and nostalgic playlists.
Player - Baby Come Back by PlayerVEVO
9. Rich Girl – Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates struck lyrical gold with Rich Girl. Originally written about a man, the gender flip gave the story a sharper edge. Released in 1976, it became their first Billboard #1, mixing punchy pop hooks with a classy dose of attitude that’s aged perfectly.
10. Lowdown – Boz Scaggs
Before Toto ever took shape, its future members helped Boz Scaggs shape Lowdown. Hidden on Silk Degrees, the song might’ve stayed unnoticed until a Cleveland DJ gave it a spin. Suddenly, that laid-back groove went national, and a smooth-soul classic was born.
11. You Belong To Me – Carly Simon
Carly Simon and Michael McDonald struck gold with You Belong to Me. The Doobie Brothers tried it first, but Simon’s version glowed with warmth and confidence. Her voice turned a tender warning into a timeless reminder that love and independence can share the same space.
12. Biggest Part Of Me – Ambrosia
Few yacht-rock tracks feel as heartfelt as Ambrosia’s Biggest Part of Me. David Pack’s silky vocals and Ernie Watts’s sax solo created a mix of romance and easy rhythm. It’s the kind of song that turns a slow sunset drive into a movie moment.
13. How Long – Ace
Sometimes drama makes great music. Ace’s How Long began with a real band betrayal but ended with a smooth, unforgettable groove. Paul Carrack’s soulful delivery gave it bite, showing how a story about loyalty could still sound effortlessly cool and endlessly replayable.
Ace - How Long HD by andrew91118
14. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
Few songs capture pure fun like Rupert Holmes’s Escape (The Piña Colada Song). He wrote, arranged, and produced it himself—proof that one man’s creativity can set the world dancing. That cheeky tale of mistaken love and tropical cocktails still feels like a vacation in a verse.
15. Steal Away – Robbie Dupree
Robbie Dupree’s Steal Away is pure ocean breeze in song form. With a smooth beat and that unmistakable Michael McDonald influence, it captured the very essence of late-night cruising. Decades later, it still feels like the perfect invitation to escape and drift into rhythm.
16. Cool Change – Little River Band
Little River Band’s Cool Change feels like a deep breath after a long day. Glenn Shorrock’s lyrics celebrate quiet reflection and life on the water. The song didn’t just travel far—it became a symbol of freedom, calm, and rediscovering what truly matters.
Carl Lender at https://www.flickr.com/photos/clender/ on Wikimedia
17. On And On – Stephen Bishop
This one defined the mellow side of the late ’70s. Its breezy guitars and easy storytelling made listeners feel like they were lounging under a California sunset. Bishop’s relaxed style captured exactly what yacht rock was meant to be—effortless.
Stephen Bishop - On And On by CountryRock2U
18. I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) – Michael McDonald
I Keep Forgettin’ proved that heartbreak could sound impossibly smooth. Co-written with Ed Sanford, the song paired rich harmonies with an irresistible rhythm. Its afterlife in Warren G’s Regulate showed just how timeless a perfect groove can be.
19. Love Will Find A Way – Pablo Cruise
Pure optimism flows through this 1978 track. Cory Lerios and David Jenkins crafted silky harmonies and bright melodies that lift your mood instantly. Pablo Cruise proved that feel-good music doesn't need complexity—just the right blend of warmth and rhythm that makes everything feel possible.
20. Thunder Island – Jay Ferguson
Jay Ferguson brought summer romance and freedom together in Thunder Island. With Joe Walsh’s unmistakable guitar flair, the 1977 hit shimmered with beachside energy. Long before The Office theme made him famous again, Ferguson already had listeners air-guitaring under endless blue skies.
