Yacht Rock
tagStarted 1975Peak 1976-1984Last big hit 1985From West Coast US, United States
Located in 2 routes
Slick, smooth West-Coast soft rock steeped in jazz chords, R&B groove, and immaculate session-musician precision. Think glassy electric piano, clean guitar, breezy falsetto harmonies, and a laid-back nautical cool. Production is flawless and high-budget; melodies are sophisticated yet easygoing. The sound of California luxury and smooth-sailing AM gold.
History
The music dates from 1975-1984; the term was coined in 2005 by the comedic web series 'Yacht Rock,' which tied the smooth LA sound to boating leisure. Built by elite session players around Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, and the Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald, it fused soft rock with smooth jazz and soul, enjoying a major nostalgia revival in the 2010s.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht_rock
- https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/what-is-yacht-rock
- https://ultimateclassicrock.com/best-yacht-rock-songs/