MIX NO. 24 // I'M THE CAPTAIN NOW
Themed mixes are back and this one is a doozy. If you follow me on Twitter (congrats, you put up with my sh*t) you may have seen an uptick in tweets about yacht rock. This mix is inspired by the grand return of Yacht Rock Radio on Sirius XM just in time for summer. Everyone who knows me knows I have a bit of a love for the smooth sounds of the 70s and 80s. Why? I’m just not quite sure. Maybe it reminds me of the music on the radio when I was a kid or maybe sometimes I just really want to hear a song about a mishap occurring while proposing via answering machine. Either way the 70s were a weird time it seems.
Regardless, this mix is inspired by a weekly show the radio channel has started called I’m the Captain Now. Each week they invite someone (like Rob Lowe or Bob Saget) to take over the channel for an hour and play their favorite yacht rock tunes. I’m not eligible to host this show (I have no name recognition whatsoever) so, instead, I’m using tools available to me: my blog and streaming services. For I am the captain now.
In the same vain as last year’s surf rock mix, I thought we could have a little history lesson and then get into it.
So What Is Yacht Rock?
At its very base level, yacht rock is adult oriented soft rock of the 1970s and 80s. Specifically 1976 through 1984 and projects the Southern California sound common around that time. It channels smooth soul, jazz, r&b, funk, and disco in the sense that these songs typically have a catchy tune and solid production. This is because many of the more notable yacht rock artists began as back up band members for other bands or would play on various recordings within the same circle.
The term yacht rock didn’t even exist when this music was initially created and appeared in 2005 with the web series of the same name. Of course there is an essential yacht rock sound and instrumentation. Many artists may even swing back and forth between yacht rock and other genres not considered yacht rock. One song may fit the genre and the next may not. Critics tend to hate it, but meh.
Yacht Rock isn’t just a music. It’s a lifestyle. Okay, it’s based on a “yuppie” type lifestyle where hobbies may include sailing while listening to smooth music at sunset while wearing a captains hat. Songs of this genre may have nautical lyrics (Sailing by Christopher Cross comes to mind) or talk about escaping. I mean the Rupert Holmes song is literally called “Escape” after all. There has been a huge resurgence of people enjoying and streaming yacht rock. Some even claim this is due to people trying to ignore the negativity of the world, but I’d say they are just finally getting it.
So if you like leisurely enjoying a cocktail at sunset while adrift at the marina or just think the beach is for peasants, you’ll love this mix. And, since I’m the Captain Now, I know you’re sure to enjoy it as much as that couple in Escape (The Pina Colada Song) did cheating on each other.
TRACKLIST:
Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts
Kiss On My List - Hall & Oats
Into the Night - Benny Mardones
Ventura Highway - America
What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
Africa - Toto
You’re So Vain - Carly Simon
Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
Somebody’s Baby - Jackson Browne
Devil Woman - Cliff Richard
Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross
Theme from the Greatest American Hero - Joe Scarbury
Hey Nineteen - Steely Dan
Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
Give Me the Night - George Benson
Better Love Next Time - Dr. Hook
I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vannelli