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I CAN Go for That: Top 5 Albums Ever in the Yacht Rock Genre

December 19, 2019

Do you love listening to soft rock from the 70s? Perhaps you’ve heard a great song and thought it would be the perfect thing to listen to while sailing on the deck of the boat. Well, there just so happens to be a whole genre of music out there that would be perfect for you.

Keep reading for a list of the best albums in the yacht rock genre.

1. Toto IV by Toto

This album helped Toto rise to fame in 1982. It is the perfect addition to the yacht rock scene with hits like “Rosanna” and the number one hit “Africa.”

You’ll enjoy the slow soulful tempo of “Human Nature” when cruising around the harbor. For something a little more upbeat while hanging with your friends or family “Good For You” is a perfect choice.

2. Aja by Steely Dan

Steely Dan helped perfect the world of yacht rock with their blend of soul, jazz and R&B sounds. There are many great tracks to listen to while sailing around with the wind in your hair and the salt spray in your face.

There’s a great variety of smooth beats and exciting licks with “Deacon Blues” and “Peg.” Aja is the album that launched Steely Dan into the mainstream with its many popular hits.

3. High Adventure by Kenny Loggins

If you are planning a summer yacht party then you simply have to add High Adventure to your playlist. “Don’t Fight It” was a top 40 single featuring the frontman from Journey, Steve Perry and has a classic 80s rock feeling, and also won a Grammy Award for the Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

For something a little slower while you are cruising around “Heart to Heart” will have you grooving and singing along. Later, Kenny Loggins would help frame the sound of the 80s with his hit “Footloose” from the popular movie of the same name and “Danger Zone” from the highly acclaimed movie, Top Gun.

4. Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs

Many characterize yacht rock as being a mixture of R&B and jazz and with his release of Silk Degrees, Boz Scaggs combines the two sounds. There are plenty of lyrics to sing along to with his songs such as “Lowdown” or “Lido Shuffle.”

There are also some great bass licks to get your groove on and dance too. It is believed that Silk Degrees is what gave inspiration for other groups to merge the sounds of jazz and R&B which began the yacht rock scene.

5. Christopher Cross by Christopher Cross

It may seem like a typo but in 1979 Christopher Cross did indeed release an album of his same name. This album was wildly successful and won 5 Grammy Awards, and had four tracks that made it on the top 20 charts.

The song “Sailing” couldn’t be more perfect for the yacht genre if it tried. It has plenty of acoustic guitars and string instruments plus the lyrics are about a foolish guy searching for some inner peace.