1 - Ambrosia "Biggest Part Of Me"
This is yacht rock perfection. It embodies everything; killer production, locked-in-rhythm section, Fender Rhodes keyboard, it’s got it all. It’s over 40 years old and couldn sound any better if it was recorded yesterday. It glides. Every part of the song is something to be looked forward to. If you need to define the genre quickly, just play this song.
2 - Doobie Brothers "What A Fool Believes"
Kind of a consensus song on all yacht rock lists. Michael McDonald is the king of YR while Kenny Loggins is the prince. They wrote this song together and you can feel the force multiplier of these two guys humming on all cylinders. I could listen to somebody read the phone book over that drum track; especially if it was Michael McDonald.
3 - Little River Band "Reminiscing"
This could easily be #1. Only a couple of micro-groove units short of "Biggest Part Of Me." The harmonies on the "Hurry don’t you wait" bridge are what this list is all about. Super subtle congas and electric-piano forward. And not as much of a forlorn downer as some of these other ones can be. Don’t be fooled by how mellow it is, it rocks.
4 - Kenny Loggins "Heart To Heart"
OK, we waited long enough for this entry. Another Michael Mac / Kenny Loggins collaboration. Before the first word is even sung you get an iconic keyboard riff, then a bass playing clinic, into an entirely different Fender Rhodes groove. Then Kenny starts his breathy singing and we’re off to the races. Verses, pre-chorus and choruses all completely unique and would be the highlight of any other song they’re in.
5 - Steely Dan "FM"
This is slightly off kilter. A little edgier and more cynical than some of the other more low-stakes romance here. But Jesus Christ, these guys were beasts in the studio and at the peak of their powers in 1978 (before initial 1980 Gaucho tapes got deleted and they lost their motivation). The word "silky" comes to mind.
6 - Bobby Caldwell "What You Won’t Do For Love"
This luxurious bastard belongs on the boat party. Groove and understatement is still at a premium here and the horn section kills it while sitting in the pocket. Fun, surprising fact: Bobby Caldwell was white. Listen to him, he’s singing the crap out of this. Kind of a tragic death for him recently, but let’s remember him on the yacht.
7 - Michael McDonald "I Keep Forgettin’"
The question isn’t why was this song so ripped off for hip-hop grooves, it’s why isn’t it sample more. It’s one of the most iconic grooves ever on a record. Have you ever heard sadness sounding so fucking cool somehow? I don’t know which I’d rather be able to do: hit a major league home run or play a simple bassline this well.
8 - Boz Scaggs "Lido Shuffle"
Some lists you’ll see Boz’ "Lowdown" in this rarified air but Lido is where it’s at. I mean doesn’t the name Boz Scaggs sound either like a starfighter pilot in an off brand Star Wars saga or a Hollywood agent with a lot of cocaine in his pocket. Yacht rock doesn’t always have swagger, but this one does. Plus, it teed up ESPN’s Chris Berman for Lito Sheppard highlights.
9 - Player "Baby Come Back"
Now we’ve got some classic yacht rock emotion: a broken hearted white guy with pooka shells singing for his life. Does every YR song have a killer bassline? Bonus points for being the hold music in The Simpsons when Homer was waiting on the missing-child hotline.
10 - Rupert Holmes "Him"
From the guy who brought us The Pina Colada Song, but this time instead of shrugging and laughing off infidelity, he’s all fucked up by catching his wife cheat on him (because the cigarettes he found weren’t his brand). The white dude hooting/scatting solo is damn silly. But you’ll make fun of this song until it becomes one of your favorites.
11 - The Doobie Brothers "Minute By Minute"
This song is like candy to somebody who plays keyboards. Michael McDonald had been inching the Doobies away from 70s rock guitar like "China Grove". It was just what the doctor ordered. It also starts the Doobies ad for Carpets Galore on the fictional Gerry Todd Show from SCTV.
12 - Ace "How Long"
Does EVERY yacht rock classic have a killer bass groove? 1978 may just have been the apex of the electric bass. This so belongs on the boat. Mellow groove that somehow gets your heart pumping all with classic yachty world-weary lyrics. Demerits though because they just use the 1st verse again for the 2nd.
13 - Toto "Rosanna"
It took us 13 songs to get to the band yacht fans think are royalty. Toto are the patron saints of session musicians who put their skills to great use and conquered the world. The keyboard solo is damn cheesy, in a yacht-rock-approved sort of way. But wow, the dynamics of the quiet pre-chorus with finger snaps and "Not quite a year since she went away" then the most hyperkinetic horn riff kicks it back to the chorus energy.
14 - Robbie Dupree "Robbie Dupree"
It borrows just enough soul and funk to keep things warm without making waves. This could be higher on the list but lets face it, it more than just "lifts" from Doobies’ "What A Fool Believes". That said, check out a pic of Dupree; that wimpy trimmed beard dentist look he had (as did Rupert Holmes, Michael Mac, Dan Fogelberg) is yacht rock’s Bizarro version of star appeal.
15 - Steely Dan "Peg"
If this list was all about smooth and funky grooves, jazz chords, world-weary lyrics and world class musicianship then I think this is #1. Do yourself a favor and watch this video which dives into the recording and isolated tracks - you’ll never hear the bass and McDonald background vocals the same way again. Part of a longer Steely Dan "Aja" doc on Amazon Prime.
16 - Pablo Cruise "Whatcha Gonna Do?"
A little higher energy than the songs surrounding it here. It charted in 1977 which was on the first wave of real yacht rock. It married sad-sack cuck subject matter with a fun dance groove. And how good of a name is "Pablo Cruise." Looks great on a t-shirt which Will Ferrell proved in Step Brothers.
17 - Christopher Cross "Ride Like The Wind"
If you write Christopher Cross off as wimpy, watch the HBO "dockumentary" to hear the story of him on LSD in a car driving in Texas with his hand out the window feeling the wind and "voila". For anybody born after 1970 it’s hard to understand how huge this unassuming guy’s career was. As for this song, it’s a little faux-dramatic but it’s so enmeshed into "yacht rock" as a classic that it’s unavoidable.
18 - Jim Capaldi "That’s Love"
I remember hearing or at least noticing this song for the first time in a supermarket years ago. This is long before Pandora could tell you what you were listening to on the spot. I was obsessed by it for years while still remembering enough to identify it when the internet started. Maybe the most underrated song here. Make this a part of your yacht diet.
19 - Michael McDonald "I Gotta Try"
In case you’re keeping score, this is just song #19 and we’ve already had EIGHT songs with Michael McDonald in the Top 20, that’s YR royalty for sure. When people make fun of Michael Mac’s singing style you can see what they’re talking about here. It’s one of my favorite songs and I have zero idea what the lyrics actually are.
20 - Dan Fogelberg "Heart Hotels"
Fogelberg is normally on the soft-rock shore looking wistfully at the boat. This song is pure 100% uncut yacht rock. Now you’ve got a groove, more energy and jazz chords - plus If you still have any doubts listen to that keyboard synth solo - that sound does not exist outside of 1979.
21 - Steve Winwood "Arc Of A Diver"
Just like I think I’m changing minds with what should be considered yacht rock, this Steve Winwood smooth one should be considered. Just like his bandmate in Traffic, Jim Capaldi their circa 1981 work should be considered as Yacht Rock canon. Just apply the "would I do coke with this song on at a boat party" test and this passes with flying colors.
22 - The Doobie Brothers "Real Love"
Released in 1980, it helped define the Doobie Brothers' full transition into their Michael McDonald era. How about that sax solo? Sweet! OK, I gotta give credit to ChatGPT by putting this sentence together: "Real Love" sounds like the Doobie Brothers discovered smooth jazz, put on linen shirts, and never looked back.
23 - Christopher Cross "Never Be the Same"
We’ll get to "Sailing" which is an allegely yacht rock song. But this one from the same album actually has more of the earmarks of YR: It’s got plenty of those Toto dudes playing on the record, and it’s confessional heartbreak over really pleasant sounding grooves.
24 - Kenny Loggins "This Is It"
Kenny Loggins in 1979 ... it really doesn’t get more yachty than that. If there werent’t lyrics here, this could be a Spyro Gyra or Ronnie Laws smooth jazz track. When it comes to the seaward analogies, Kenny is putting out sailing music for people calmly confronting their emotional limitations. A cynic would say this is a Club Med soundtrack, I say fuck off this is awesome.
25 - TOTO "Africa"
I saw Toto co-writer David Paich at an ASCAP songwriter conference intro this and was charmingly self-deprecating about it. Sure, it’s a silly song. And I think it’s a little overrated as part of yacht rock canon. It’s a little too driving, 4/4 beat, less groove than most YR. But let’s get serious. It deserves a strong place on the list.
26 - Gino Vannelli "I Just Wanna Stop"
I was a little kid when this came out. I remember my older sister having this record and it seeming super sexual to an 8-year old. Now I think of this as the output of a charming dork with a kickass band. It’s really one of the great vocal performances in the genre. This song, like the best yacht rock, is in no hurry.
27 - Ambrosia "How Much I Feel"
OK, we all know about Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins as yacht legends. But is Ambrosia the stealth greatest yacht rock band of all time? It’s not a crazy thought. I imagine they might be embarrassed about that, they started a little more "prog" ("Holding On To Yesterday" is fucking awesome). Yes they have the #1 spot on this but also "How Much I Feel" and "You’re The Only Woman" (coming later for sure). That’s a hell of a track record.
28 - Boz Scaggs "JoJo"
Hold on, we’re not ready for "Lowdown" yet in the Boz catalog. "Jojo" epitomizes so much more of yacht rock; chiefly, this song is in no rush or hurry whatsoever. This is confident AF storytelling. Also of note, co-written by David Foster. He co-wrote this and Kenny’s "Heart To Heart" before he departed for the schmaltz of late-period Chicago and St. Elmo’s Fire.
29 - Kenny Loggins "I Believe In Love"
The most hyperkinetic pop you’ll hear on this list. Unless we’re allowed to bring Barbra Streisand’s cover version of this from A Star Is Born (my favorite version of that movie, sorry) which is flat out unhinged pop singing. I have so much respect for Kenny Loggings’ songwriting, producing and singing - and either this or "I’m Alright" is where he absolutely tosses in the kitchen sink for throwing everything at you.
30 - Pilot "Magic"
Sure, they’re Scottish - but that doesn’t unqualify them. There’s a U.K. parallel world to L.A. session guy yacht rock, like Alan Parsons (omitted here) and Steve Winwood (honored here). I often played at a golf course named "Enagic" so this song lives rent free in my head while thinking of it; also the "Ozympic" commercial adaption is a no brainer. My only knock is that the verses are slightly lacking in groove.
31 - The Doobie Brothers "Here to Love You"
By the time of this song, 1979, the Doobie Brothers had slid over from rock-and-roll to proto-yacht-rock for sure. We love groove in our yacht rock but I think ths song was a little funkier and ahead of the curve for everything else here. It’s like of you had Funkadelic playing the soundtrack from Tootsie.
32 - Steely Dan "Deacon Blues"
Yep, Steely Dan operates on a weird level of being perfect yacht rock and being a little outside of it. Their whole Aja album was them at their yachtiest. Yeah this song was damn long, oblique and jazz for Top 40 radio although it made it there anyway. If yacht rock is about ennui, this one has world-weary ennui coming out of its asshole. Perfection.
33 - Raydio "You Can’t Change That"
Is this the first black lead singer we’ve gotten to? African-American artists and their consideration in yacht rock is a complicated issue. But I think I’m in agreement with the yacht rock cognoscentia that this song belongs on the boat. Although lead singer Ray Parker, Jr. certainly jumped off the boat doing the Ghostbusters theme a few years later.
34 - Carly Simon "You Belong to Me"
Ladies can yacht too! It was co-written with Michael McDonald (surprise, surprise). The "why don’t you love me enough" lament has a little less traditional yacht rock feel coming from a lady, but dig this: Carly’s version is about 15% funkier than the Doobies.
35 - Boz Scaggs "Lowdown"
I don’t have as much yacht rock reverance for this one as most people do. It veers way too close to disco for my YR taste. Look at the two Boz numbers above this ("Lido Shuffle" and "Jojo"); they embody the yachty experience way more than this. But fuck this belongs on a yacht with cocaine and Aviator sunglasses, so it stays.
36 - Donald Fagen "I.G.Y."
I wanted to include this higher, but it almost feels post yacht. Steely Dan never wrore about whiny white dude emotional disappointment, and this song has something to say about how we want the future to play out, which is NOT yacht rock. But Fagen, like it or not, is yacht rock royalty and this song is just so damn smooth - and when the musicians include Greg Phillinganes, the Brecker Brothers, Hugh McCracken and Jeff Porcaro - we have to salute.
37 - Al Jarreau "We’re in This Love Together"
Al Jarreau seems like the exact intersection of smooth jazz, R&B and yacht rock. This is on a lot of YR lists and I really had to consider if it belonged; but if it belongs, it’s a great one. The sound of the electronic keyboard seals the deal. By the way, have you watched the We Are The World doc on Netflix? Al was a disappointing drunk that night. Ouch.
38 - Al Stewart "Year of the Cat"
Does everybody consider Al Stewart as canon? Do you hear his songs enough on SiriusXM Yacht Rock channel? I think he belongs and this is my list. The keyboards here qualify? The quiet propelled groove of the rhythm section fits on the boat. And his Rupert Holmes dentist-like look seems to be a typical yacht rock singer look. By the way, one of the greatest acoustic guitar solos of alltime - similarly to his other massive hit "Year Of The Cat".
39 - Little River Band "Lady"
I feel like if you’ve read this far, you’re one of us: a yacht rock fan. This song feels like a secret handshake for yacht rock aficionados. Even though they’re Australian, ask yourself if they belong at your yacht party. Case closed.
40 - The Doobie Brothers "Takin’ It to the Streets"
This might only be so low here to give others a chance since Michael Mac and the Doobs are all over this list. They’ve perfected the YR sound by this point and it’s become Michael McDonald’s band by now. It also has a special place in my heart since the Doobies played it on their appearance on "What’s Happening" where Rerun made a bootleg tape of their show. Good times.
41 - England Dan & John Ford Coley "I’d Really Love to See You Tonight"
I feel like I’m in the minority on this one. I’m really conflicted if it’s really Yacht Rock; just like Seals & Crofts - "England Dan" here is Dan Seals, brother of Seals from Seals & Crofts (I wish I could find a Casey Kasem clip about the brothers saga with the Bahai faith) - it feels way more like soft rock than belonging on the boat. Yeah, it’s well-produced but just lacking that groove-based je nais se quas. That said, I’m caving - we’ll include it here. Either way, great song.
42 - Chuck Mangionne "Feels So Good - Single Version"
Are instrumentals capabale of being yacht rock? Total judgment call. All I know is that if they can be, then Chuck Mangionne’s "Feels So Good" is a first ballot hall-of-famer. Fun Fact #1: Chuck did have lyrics for this which explain why it stayed an instrumental. Fun Fact #2: I once put this one three times in a row on a jukebox in a Fresno pool hall; it was unplugged in anger on the third play.
43 - Christopher Cross "Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Seems a little counter-intuitive for a co-write for Burt Bacharach to be yacht rock, but fuck it. It’s Christpher Cross. And he/they really stepped up his game for more chords and more jazziness in this one. The "when you get caught between the moon and New York City" lyric is silly. But some of the musicians are Michael Omartian, Michael Boddicker, and Steve Lukather so my hands are tied.
44 - Kenny Loggins "What a Fool Believes"
Only song I’m going to list here twice as two versions. I’ll fight you on this. Co-written by McDonald and Loggins, and arguably should be #1 here instead of Ambrosia. We’re all gotten used to the Doobies’ version - so much so that Robbie Dupree stole it for "Steal Away". But you could make a case that Kenny’s version might be even better.
45 - Michael Jackson "Human Nature"
This is legit R&B. You don’t think "Michael Jackson" when you think "yacht rock". You think "Michael Jackson" about so many other weirder things. I once saw Miles Davis do a really ponderous version of this at the Playboy Jazz Festival. But listen to it - it fits in this playlist, right? And it was co-written by yacht legend Steve Porcaro so if you don’t like it, take it up with my supervisor.
46 - Stephen Bishop "Save It For A Rainy Day"
Yup, he’s soft rock and a little wimpy; although I think all of his music for Animal House makes him a legend. "On And On" could be too wimpy to belong here but "Save It For A Rainy Day" has pure yacht vibes. Don’t be thrown by his nebbishy appearance; the lead singers on most of these songs here looked just as dorky.
47 - Gerry Rafferty "Right Down the Line"
This is a great song. Only this low on the because I don’t totally buy that it’s truly "yacht rock." Not enough Fender Rhodes keyboard here. He’s more Scottish than L.A.-ish. But I’ll cave on this one. At the very least it’s "yacht rock adjacent."
48 - Spyro Gyra "Morning Dance"
Once I broke the seal on instrumentals and Chuck Mangionne, then I’ve got to include this. Is there anything that belongs on a yacht party more than this song? Just put a few lyrics about suspecting your girlfriend of cheating over this, and it’s a yacht rock classic.
49 - Little River Band "Cool Change "
It’s got a few things arguing against it: They’re Australian, it’s a little slower and less groove-oriented than some others here, 1975 is a tad early, blah blah blah. But just like you define pornagraphy as knowing it when you see it, same goes here for this. Feels like yacht rock to me.
50 - Pablo Cruise "Love Will Find A Way"
It’s about time we got back to Pablo Cruise. This one is no-brainer yacht rock. It’s got all of the trappings of the genre and doesn’t feel out of plae with anything on this list - but just not as explosively hooky as Doobies, Ambrosia or even their own "Whatcha Gonna Do".
51 - 10cc "The Things We Do For Love"
Halfway through the list, the dividing lines and criteria of what’s yacht rock starts to get blurry. I’m super conflicted about this one. If yacht rock, it’s in the top 3 or 5, it’s that good of a song. I would go out on a limb and say that this or a couple by ABBA are the greatest POP songs of alltime. Does it belong on the yacht? It’s British and not particularly groovy. I’ll compromise and put outside the top 50.
52 - Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks "Whenever I Call You "Friend""
This one really hits close to home. For my girlfriend’s birthday I went to the studio and we recorded the whole thing from the ground up as a surprise. Having to play all the parts made me recognize how brilliant this is. The a cappella intro is unbelievable followed by the most nutball chord changes I’ve ever played yet everything flows so smoothly. Really should be higher. It’s almost #1 on a personal level.
53 - TOTO "99"
This is such SiriusXM Yacht Rock channel fodder. By the way, Sirius: pick a channel number and stick with it. It’s not fun to chase this around the dial seasonally like the Shamrock Shake. Anyway, other Toto songs on this list might be better, but this one has the yachtiest feel to it.
54 - Quincy Jones (w James Ingram) "One Hundred Ways"
A little odd to credit this primarily to Quincy, the producer. This is a James Ingram track. If yacht rock is a little racist and a restricted club, James Ingram is the first black dude to be allowed on the yacht. How about that fluttering keyboard solo. So sweet.
55 - Al Stewart "Time Passages"
You and your friends can debate if Al Stewart fits into the genre. Al is Scottish, not much L.A.-ness here although the keyboard sound we’re looking for is here. Maybe it’s not the song you dance to on the boat, but if you have a seat and get high at sunset, this still fits the vibe.
56 - Steve Winwood "While You See A Chance"
Although Steve Winwood is very British, I really want to advocate for him (or at least the two singles from this record) to be considered as legit yacht rock. Fun fact: Steve did all of the instrucments himself; it sounds more cohesive than most one-man songs.
57 - Jay Ferguson "Thunder Island"
This is so 70’s. You’ll hear it on a bunch of other playlists. It might be missing some of the musical and lyrics elements that we’re looking for here, but his voice is very vachty. It certainly doesn’t sound out of place here.
58 - Sanford Townsend Band "Smoke from a Distant Fire"
More Vegas lounge than groove-oriented. But I can totally picture these guys divorced and/or cucked ... and isn’t that 20% of what yacht rock is all about. This sounds too negative, it’s really catchy. But is it yacht rock?
59 - Bertie Higgins "Key Largo"
There was an adult-contemporary station that was always playing when I used to go to the dentist. I feel like this song played every time I was there. Yeah it’s adult-contemporary but lets bring it on the boat. It’s got the romance we’re looking for and it’s tangentially related to the sea in Key Largo.
60 - Steely Dan "Babylon Sisters"
Probably the most questionable call on this list. Might be the least yachty or even least Steely Dan kind of song of theirs. Fewer chords changes than normal from Becker and Fagan. But fuck if this doesn’t belong on a boat cocaine party.
61 - Eagles "I Can’t Tell You Why - "
The Eagles are absolutely not yacht rock. Yes, this is a perfect example of why we should judge if a song belongs in these lists, instead of worrying about if the artis belongs. Listen to that keyboard and thin white dude voice singing about regret. It fits. Great song. My hot take: The Long Run is a better album than Hotel California.
62 - Ambrosia "You’re the Only Woman"
A little mellower than Ambrosia’s other two entries here but who cares. The harmonies in the pre-chorus are outta sight.
63 - Looking Glass "Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)"
I have this so low that I’m not convinced it’s classic yacht rock. But how can resist a signer who’s love and lady is the sea?
64 - Steely Dan "Josie"
Lets face it, of these 100 songs we could have slotted 30+ of them to be Steely Dan and Michael McDonald. I said it earlier, but the Aja album is so shiny and bright; unbelievable production.
65 - Starbuck "Moonlight Feels Right"
Maybe I’m splitting hairs here but this just feels more like "70s" than "yacht rock". If it belongs here though, it deserves to be at least this high.
66 - Robert Palmer "Every Kinda People"
Forget everything that came after with Robert Palmer and just hear the music. This groove is laid back and perfect.
67 - James Taylor "Your Smiling Face"
JT steps out of his folkieness and teams up with LA session guys to make this classic. It grooves and rolls like a Kenny Loggins song. Yes, a bold judgment call by me but it belongs in this playlist.
68 - The Doobie Brothers "Dependin’ on You"
There’s a trace left of the earlier 70’s Doobies hanging around this one. Patrick Simmons on lead vox and not Michael Mac (though McDonald co-wrote). It’s just a little bouncier and not lead Michael, but it’s yacht rock. And it’s great.
69 - Donald Fagen "New Frontier"
Fagen’s solo stuff drifted a little bit away from perfection and almost gets too glossy. But the songs get a little less ironic and more confessional. The words in this one ("I hear you’re mad about Brubeck", "She’s got a touch of Tuesday Weld") are almost too good for the genre. Great song.
70 - Bob Welch "Sentimental Lady"
A great single in 1977 for a guy who left Fleetwood Mac just before they ruled the music world. He recorded this with the band in 1972, but then re-recorded (WITH Mick Fleetwood and Lindsey Buckingham). So while it’s not session musicians, this is stealth yacht rock and it’s great.
71 - Dionne Warwick "Deja Vu"
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Do women have a place in yacht rock? Look at every yacht rock playlist or websites out there and you won’t find a lot of female energy. Now listen to this one, way yachtier than R&B. Will Lee from Letterman band on bass and Barry Manilow on piano. Not bad.
72 - Orleans "Still the One"
This list is so rock-solid up through about #50. Lots of songs here in the back half have dubious or borderline yacht rock credentials but are great songs. "Still The One" is a perfect example; if it was full on yachty, it should be in the top 5. It got co-opted by ABC for their show promos a bunch, including this oddity.
73 - Stephen Bishop "On And On"
If yacht rock is allowed to be mellow and introspective, then this is a perfect example. Yeah it’s slow, but it really has a cruise-y vibe.
74 - Firefall "Just Remember I Love You"
This is certified on the boat, on plenty of consensus playlists. This one really cool be a little higher, I apologize. As I listen to that mellow sax solo, what was I thinking? Needs to be higher.
75 - Kenny Loggins "Wait a Little While"
I’m gonna say something here: I feel like Kenny Loggins might be one of the best songwriters and best producers of all time. More on this five songs below here. But this production is so busy and yachty yet still stays smooth.
76 - Starland Vocal Band "Afternoon Delight"
Another one that seems like it’s just in its own genre of "70s." There’s no jazz here, not much groove and slide guitar. But close enough and I give them bonus weirdness points for having an ill-conceived TV variety show on 1977 with David Letterman as a series regular I dare you to watch.
77 - Andrew Gold "Lonely Boy"
Very much pop - but the yacht rock DNA is in there in how many chords there are; what could be chaotic still cruises. The drummer is on fire in this one. If picturing doing coke on a luxury boat with this song is a criteria, bonus points for this song in the fun drug moments of Boogie Nights
78 - Gino Vannelli "Living Inside Myself"
This is the thinking man’s Yacht Rock, the one that you get on SiriusXM channel 311, the deeper yacht rock cuts. It’s still smooth and great yacht vibes but you can kinda tell that Gino is about to hop of the boat for the adult-contemporary shore.
79 - Firefall "You Are the Woman"
I’ve done it again, Firefall is too low here once more. Yeah, the flute being so up front here shakes you out of cruising vibes. But the sentiment and feel of everything besides the flute is spot on.
80 - Kenny Loggins "I’m Alright (Theme from "Caddyshack")"
This song is so much more than yacht rock, yet it belongs. Is it because of Judge Smails’ boat party in Caddyshack? Musically though, this song has so much production on it. Could seem over-produced, but it isn’t; everything flows. Pay attention to the bananas time changes and extra bridges. There are four songs worth of hits all jumbled into one track.
81 - Michael McDonald "Sweet Freedom"
I’ve heard some claim that this song marks the end of the yacht rock era. They’re right: 1986 is a little too late. But if studio legend Rod Temperton wrote it and Michael McDonald sang it, it stays as canon. It’s also very enmeshed with a Billy Crystal / Gregory Hines movie.
82 - America "You Can Do Magic"
Yeah, America was pretty soft rock with early 70’s stuff like "Ventura Highway" and "Horse With No Name". But just listen to this; could so easy be vintage Ambrosia or Little River Band. This should be higher; I’m just holding America’s past against them.
83 - James Ingram "Just Once"
Not enough African-American frontmen here but so much Michael McDonald rubbed off on James Ingram that he’s grandfathered in. It’s still silky smooth but it’s just dorky enough that it’s yacht rock instead of R&B.
84 - Steely Dan "Kid Charlemagne"
This is from 1976 just as the yachty sound in general and for Steely Dan in particular were starting to form. The lyrics are much gnarlier or about something than normal yacht rock hurt feelings. But fuck this song is awesome, it’s a musical circus played by the best session guys in the business.
85 - 10cc "Dreadlock Holiday"
You would think Caribbean and reggae vibes would be yacht rock-ish. (Which reminds me: "Caribbean Queen" by Billy Ocean is NOT yacht rock.) But this 10cc underrated classic belongs on any respectable boat party playlist.
86 - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds "Fallin’ in Love"
Another one from a band whose best days are from the early 70’s pre-yacht era. But who are we kidding, this is a great one and scratches all of the right itches.
87 - Chris Rea "Fool (If You Think It’s Over)"
It’s a little simplistic, he’s very British and there’s a rhythm track that sounds like an old Casio keyboard. But if this song came out of Los Angeles, this would be on everybody’s yacht rock list.
88 - Firefall "Strange Way"
Firefall is sneaky good. In yachty terms, let’s call them "the poor man’s Ambrosia". I will say, this song is a little heavy on the drama.
89 - Joey Scarbury "Believe It or Not (Theme from "Greatest American Hero")"
You might not think of a TV theme as yacht rock, so yeah we’re getting a little out of the box on this one. But forget it was on tv and listen. It’s yacht rock.
90 - Robert John "Sad Eyes"
Maybe a little musically simple or "doo wop". But the production values fit right in with this list.
91 - Little River Band "Lonesome Loser"
I love it when yacht rock tries to get a little dramatic. I saw Little River Band in concert a couple of years back and the retirees packing the place went nuts with this one!
92 - Paul Davis "Cool Night"
Yeah it lacks the groove, but still has the Fender Rhodes keyboard up front and lyrical mindset nailed. Sounds like the end of the cruise - world-weary and 1981 things were a little over for the genre (and Paul’s hits).
93 - Santana "Winning"
This is some advocacy here on my part. Normally, Santana doesn’t have a place on the boat. But if this came from the Little River Band or Pablo Cruise, it’s high
94 - Walter Egan "Magnet and Steel"
Pros: Keyboards sounding great, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in background, some groove, it appears on lots of other lists. Cons: Guitar riff pretty repetitive, not very laid back boat music.
95 - Barbra Streisand "Guilty (feat. Barry Gibb)"
We’ve opened the flood gates on the list now for women. Barbra is in great form and Barry Gibb couldn’t not make a hit single if he tried at this point in his career. If you can’t decide if something is disco or adult-contemporary in 1980, it’s yacht rock. And session guy royalty here: Richard Tee on keys and Steve Gadd on drums.
96 - Dan Fogelberg "Missing You"
God bless Dan Fogelberg. It sounds funny when soft rock guys try to bring in rock guitar and intensity. I could have had "Make Love Stay" here instead from the same album.
97 - Larry Lee "Don’t Talk"
A deeper cut and relatively unheard of. But those of us who listen to SiriusXM Yacht Rock Deep Cuts (channel 311), we get it. Smooth enough for on-the-boat light dancing on your way to get a drink from the ice chest.
98 - Nicolette Larson "Lotta Love"
As long as women singers have a place on the boat, this absolutely belongs. Cover of a Neil Young song a year before - for whom she was a backup singer. This is pure yacht rock production; we’ve got session stalwarts Rod Temperton and Bob Glaub in here. Perfect. Should be higher.
99 - Dr. Hook "Sexy Eyes"
Normally, Dr. Hook is too unique, shticky or genre-focused for this list. But it stays just short of disco and it’s catchy as hell. Just apply the margarita on a boat test to this one and it passes with flying colors.
100 - James Ingram & Michael McDonald "Yah Mo B There"
We should finish the list with yacht rock Batman (Michael McDonald) and yacht rock Robin (James Ingram). We’re getting a little 80-ish here but chock full of 70s session guys having one last cruise on the boat.

The comments for each song hidden until you press that button above - it’s long and intimidating. Only for serious yacht rock divers.

1 - Ambrosia "Biggest Part Of Me"
2 - Doobie Brothers "What A Fool Believes"
3 - Little River Band "Reminiscing"
4 - Kenny Loggins "Heart To Heart"
5 - Steely Dan "FM"
6 - Bobby Caldwell "What You Won’t Do For Love"
7 - Michael McDonald "I Keep Forgettin’"
8 - Boz Scaggs "Lido Shuffle"
9 - Player "Baby Come Back"
10 - Rupert Holmes "Him"
11 - The Doobie Brothers "Minute By Minute"
12 - Ace "How Long"
13 - Toto "Rosanna"
14 - Robbie Dupree "Steal Away"
15 - Steely Dan "Peg"
16 - Pablo Cruise "Whatcha Gonna Do?"
17 - Christopher Cross "Ride Like The Wind"
18 - Jim Capaldi "That’s Love"
19 - Michael McDonald "I Gotta Try"
20 - Dan Fogelberg "Heart Hotels"
21 - Steve Winwood "Arc Of A Diver"
22 - The Doobie Brothers "Real Love"
23 - Christopher Cross "Never Be the Same"
24 - Kenny Loggins "This Is It"
25 - TOTO "Africa"
26 - Gino Vannelli "I Just Wanna Stop"
27 - Ambrosia "How Much I Feel"
28 - Boz Scaggs "JoJo"
29 - Kenny Loggins "I Believe In Love"
30 - Pilot "Magic"
31 - The Doobie Brothers "Here to Love You"
32 - Steely Dan "Deacon Blues"
33 - Raydio "You Can’t Change That"
34 - Carly Simon "You Belong to Me"
35 - Boz Scaggs "Lowdown"
36 - Donald Fagen "I.G.Y."
37 - Al Jarreau "We’re in This Love Together"
38 - Al Stewart "Year of the Cat"
39 - Little River Band "Lady - 2010 Digital Remaster"
40 - The Doobie Brothers "Takin’ It to the Streets"
41 - England Dan & John Ford Coley "I’d Really Love to See You Tonight"
42 - Chuck Mangione "Feels So Good - Single Version"
43 - Christopher Cross "Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
44 - Kenny Loggins "What a Fool Believes"
45 - Michael Jackson "Human Nature"
46 - Stephen Bishop "Save It For A Rainy Day"
47 - Gerry Rafferty "Right Down the Line"
48 - Spyro Gyra "Morning Dance"
49 - Little River Band "Cool Change"
50 - Pablo Cruise "Love Will Find A Way"
51 - 10cc "The Things We Do For Love"
52 - Kenny Loggins;Stevie Nicks "Whenever I Call You "Friend""
53 - TOTO "99"
54 - Quincy Jones;James Ingram "One Hundred Ways"
55 - Al Stewart "Time Passages"
56 - Steve Winwood "While You See A Chance"
57 - Jay Ferguson "Thunder Island"
58 - Sanford Townsend Band "Smoke from a Distant Fire"
59 - Bertie Higgins "Key Largo"
60 - Steely Dan "Babylon Sisters"
61 - Eagles "I Can’t Tell You Why - 2013 Remaster"
62 - Ambrosia "You’re the Only Woman - You & I"
63 - Looking Glass "Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)"
64 - Steely Dan "Josie"
65 - Starbuck "Moonlight Feels Right"
66 - Robert Palmer "Every Kinda People"
67 - James Taylor "Your Smiling Face"
68 - The Doobie Brothers "Dependin’ on You"
69 - Donald Fagen "New Frontier"
70 - Bob Welch "Sentimental Lady"
71 - Dionne Warwick "Deja Vu"
72 - Orleans "Still the One"
73 - Stephen Bishop "On And On"
74 - Firefall "Just Remember I Love You"
75 - Kenny Loggins "Wait a Little While"
76 - Starland Vocal Band "Afternoon Delight"
77 - Andrew Gold "Lonely Boy"
78 - Gino Vannelli "Living Inside Myself"
79 - Firefall "You Are the Woman"
80 - Kenny Loggins "I’m Alright (Theme from "Caddyshack")"
81 - Michael McDonald "Sweet Freedom"
82 - America "You Can Do Magic"
83 - James Ingram "Just Once"
84 - Steely Dan "Kid Charlemagne"
85 - 10cc "Dreadlock Holiday"
86 - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds "Fallin’ in Love"
87 - Chris Rea "Fool (If You Think It’s Over)"
88 - Firefall "Strange Way"
89 - Joey Scarbury "Believe It or Not (Theme from "Greatest American Hero")"
90 - Robert John "Sad Eyes"
91 - Little River Band "Lonesome Loser"
92 - Paul Davis "Cool Night"
93 - Santana "Winning"
94 - Walter Egan "Magnet and Steel"
95 - Barbra Streisand "Guilty (feat. Barry Gibb)"
96 - Dan Fogelberg "Missing You"
97 - Larry Lee "Don’t Talk"
98 - Nicolette Larson "Lotta Love"
99 - Dr. Hook "Sexy Eyes"
100 - James Ingram & Michael McDonald "Yah Mo B There"