100 Best Yacht Rock Songs Chillin’ Vibes For Your Wedding
Yacht Rock is a style of music commonly classified as soft rock from the 70s to the mid-80s. You will hear everything from smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco.
You can play songs that are the pure definition of yacht rock by artists and musicians like Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and Kenny Loggins.
However, you will also find a few Nyacht songs too (songs that have sometimes been classified as yacht rock but do not fit the definition).
It’s up to you as we are trying to set a mood for a great chill playlist for any event or party.
Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist
Yacht Rock Songs for Weddings
Listed alphabetically by artist and then song title.
Ace – How Long
Released in 1975 on the album Five-A-Side
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“And you said you was never intending / To break up our scene this way / But there ain’t any use in pretending / It could happen to us any day”
Al Jarreau – We’re In This Love Together
Released in 1981 on the album Breakin’ Away
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“We got the kind that lasts forever / We’re in this love together / We got a kind that will last forever and evermore”
Ambrosia – Biggest Part Of Me
Released in 1980 on the album One Eighty
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Together) We are gonna stay together / (Forever) For me there’s nothing better / You’re the biggest part of me”
Ambrosia – How Much I Feel
Released in 1978 on the album Life Beyond L.A.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“How’s your life been goin’ on / I’ve got a wife now / Years we’ve been goin’ strong”
Atlantic Rhythm Section – So Into You
Released in 1976 on the album A Rock and Roll Alternative
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“From your head to your toe / Gonna love you all over, over and over / Me into you, you into me, me into you”
Bill Withers – Lovely Day
Released in 1977 on the album Menagerie
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Just one look at you / And I know it’s gonna be / A lovely day”
Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do For Love
Released in 1978 on the album Bobby Caldwell
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“But then I only want the best, it’s true / I can’t believe the things I do for you / What you won’t do, do for love”
Boz Scaggs – Lowdown
Released in 1976 on the album Silk Degrees
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Got to have a Jones for this, Jones for that / This runnin’ with the Joneses, boy, just ain’t where it’s at, no, no”
Captain & Tennille – Love Will Keep Us Together
Released in 1975 on the album Love Will Keep Us Together
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I will be there to share forever / Love will keep us together”
Christopher Cross – Ride Like the Wind
Released in 1980 on the album Christopher Cross
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Lived nine lives / Gunned down ten / Gonna ride like the wind”
If you love this list you most likely like classic rock. Check out our list of classic rock love songs!
Christopher Cross – Sailing
Released in 1980 on the album Christopher Cross
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Sailing / Takes me away to where I’ve always heard it could be / Just a dream and the wind to carry me / Soon I will be free”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Kiss On My List
Released in 1981 on the album Voices
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life / Oh babe, because your kiss, your kiss is on my list”
David Pomeranz – On This Day
Released in 2001 on the album On This Day
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Here I stand, take my hand / And I will honor every word that I say / On this day”
DeBarge – All This Love
Released in 1982 on the album All This Love
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Say you really love me baby / Say you really love me, darlin’ / ‘Cause I really love you, baby”
Donald Fagen – I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)
Released in 1982 on the album The Nightfly
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“What a beautiful world this will be / What a glorious time to be free”
Doobie Brothers – What a Fool Believes
Released in 1979 on the album Minute by Minute
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“But what a fool believes, he sees / No wise man has the power to reason away / What seems to be”
Dr. Hook – Sexy Eyes
Released in 1979 on the album Sometimes You Win
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Sexy eyes, moving ‘cross the floor, couldn’t want for more, sexy eyes / Sexy eyes, getting down with you, I wanna move with you, sexy eyes”
Earth, Wind & Fire – After the Love Has Gone
Released in 1979 on the album I Am
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“What used to be happy is sad / Somethin’ happened along the way / And yesterday was all we had”
George Benson – Give Me the Night
Released in 1980 on the album Give Me the Night
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“A little late romance / It’s a chain reaction / You’ll see the people of the world / Coming out to dance”
George Benson – Lady Love Me (One More Time)
Released in 1983 on the album In Your Eyes
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Just let me love you one more time / Feel your heartbeat close to mine / Lady, love me all the time”
You might want to listen to a 1980s rock playlist.
James Ingram and Michael McDonald – Yah Mo B There
Released in 1983 on the album It’s Your Night
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“‘Cause it’s a long hard road that leads to a brighter day / Don’t let your heart grow cold, just reach out and call His name”
Kenny Loggins – Heart to Heart
Released in 1982 on the album High Adventure
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Now that we’ve grown apart, oh no / Well, the only way to start / Is heart to heart”
Kenny Loggins – This Is It
Released in 1979 on the album Keep the Fire
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Let ’em believe / Leave ’em behind / But keep me near in your heart / Know whatever you do, I’m here by your side”
Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks – Whenever I Call You “Friend”
Released in 1978 on the album Nightwatch
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Whenever I call you friend / I believe I’ve come to understand / Everywhere we are you and I were meant to be / Forever and ever”
Larry Carlton – Room 335
Released in 1978 on the album Larry Carlton
This song is a guitar instrumental.
Lee Ritenour – Is It You
Released in 1981 on the album Rit
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Are you somebody in love? / Show me what you’re doin’ and tell me who you are / Hey, I’m ready for love, for love”
Leon Ware – Slippin Away
Released in 1982 on the album Leon Ware
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You ain’t gonna keep on slippin’ away / Somewhere in your mind, I know / You will see that I am on your side”
Lionel Richie – All Night Long (All Night)
Released in 1983 on the album Can’t Slow Down
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“People dancing all in the street / See the rhythm all in their feet / Life is good, wild, and sweet”
Lionel Richie – Running with the Night
Released in 1983 on the album Can’t Slow Down
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“We were running with the night / Playing in the shadows / Just you and I / ‘Til the morning light”
Little River Band – Reminiscing
Released in 1978 on the album Sleeper Catcher
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I said to myself when we’re old / We’ll go dancing in the dark / Walking through the park and reminiscing”
Luther Vandross – Never Too Much
Released in 1981 on the album Never Too Much
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Love is a gamble and I’m so glad that I’m winnin’ / We’ve come a long way and yet this is only the beginnin'”
Marc Jordan – Margarita
Released in 1983 on the album A Hole In The Wall
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I step over the borderline / Margarita will you be mine / Oh you think that love’s a game”
Maxus – Keep a Light On
Released in 1981 on the album Maxus
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Please keep a light on for me, yeah / ‘Cause tonight I can’t see / Another place that I’d rather be”
Michael Jackson – Human Nature
Released in 1983 on the album Thriller
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“See that girl / She knows I’m watching / She likes the way I stare”
Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney – The Girl Is Mine
Released in 1982 on the album Thriller
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Well I love you endlessly / (Loving we will share) / So come and go with me / Two on the town”
Michael McDonald – I Gotta Try
Released in 1982 on the album If That’s What It Takes
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Maybe there ain’t nothin’ left to say / But if our time’s really runnin’ out / Then this is no time to run away”
Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)
Released in 1982 on the album If That’s What It Takes
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I keep forgettin’ we’re not in love anymore / I keep forgettin’ things will never be the same again”
Michael Miglio – Never Gonna Let You Go
Released in 1980 on the album Everytime It Rains
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Your lovin’ turns me on / My lonely days are gone / That’s why I’m never gonna let you go”
Nicolette Larson – Let Me Go, Love
Released in 1979 on the album In the Nick of Time
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“We shared in the fantasy of / Knowing this love in our lives / Is it ever what it seems to be / Oh and if it’s over / Let me go, love”
Olivia Newton-John – Magic
Released in 1980 on the album Xanadu
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You won’t make a mistake / I’ll be guiding you / You have to believe we are magic”
Another song list to read: Most Iconic 1990s Rock Songs
Pablo Cruise – Love Will Find A Way
Released in 1978 on the album Worlds Away
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You’ll learn to find your love again / So keep your heart open / Cause love will find a way”
Pages – O.C.O.E. (Official Cat of the Eighties)
Released in 1981 on the album Pages
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Rushin’ to the future and runnin’ from the past / Intent on getting higher / So knocked out, so real, a hopeless jag”
Patti Austin and James Ingram – Baby, Come To Me
Released in 1982 on the album Every Home Should Have One
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Let me put my arms around you / This was meant to be / And I’m oh so glad I found you”
Paul Davis – Cool Night
Released in 1981 on the album Cool Night
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“It’s gonna be a cool night / Just let me hold you by the firelight / If it don’t feel right you can go”
Philip Bailey and Phil Collins – Easy Lover
Released in 1984 on the album Chinese Wall
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Easy lover / She’ll get a hold on you believe it / Like no other / Before you know it you’ll be on your knees”
Player – Baby Come Back
Released in 1977 on the album Player
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Baby come back, yeah, any kind of fool could see / There was something in everything about you”
Pointer Sisters – He’s So Shy
Released in 1980 on the album Special Things
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Nothin’ has ever felt so right / And I’m so glad I took the time / That I had to take to make him mine”
Quincy Jones – One Hundred Ways
Released in 1981 on the album The Dude
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Maybe she has it in her mind / That she’s just wasting her time / Ask her to stay / Find one hundred ways”
Ray Parker Jr. – A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)
Released in 1981 on the album A Woman Needs Love
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“So, when you think you’ve fooled her / She just might be fooling you / Remember: if you can do it / She can, too”
Raydio – You Can’t Change That
Released in 1979 on the album Rock On
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You’re the only one I love / And you can’t change that / You’re the only one I need”
Cocktail hour leads into the meal. See a list of good dinner party music to listen to.
Rickie Lee Jones – Chuck E’s In Love
Released in 1979 on the album Rock On
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“But that means that Chuck E.’s in love, my, my / Chuck E.’s in love, love, love, love”
Robbie Dupree – Steal Away
Released in 1980 on the album Robbie Dupree
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I caught you glancing my way / And I know what you’re after (no second chances tonight) / Why don’t we steal away”
Roger Voudouris – Get Used To It
Released in 1979 on the album Radio Dream
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Get used to it / ‘Cause I’ll be around / Yeah, ya better get used to / All my love, please”
Sanford-Townsend Band – Smoke From a Distant Fire
Released in 1977 on the album Sanford-Townsend Band
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I know where you goin’ to I knew when you came home last night / ‘Cause your eyes had a mist from the smoke of a distant fire”
Smokey Robinson – Being With You
Released in 1981 on the album Being with You
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I don’t care what they think / If you’re leaving / I’m gonna beg you to stay”
Steely Dan – Hey Nineteen
Released in 1980 on the album Gaucho
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“No, we can’t dance together (We can’t dance together) / No, we can’t talk at all / Please take me along when you slide on down”
Steely Dan – Peg
Released in 1977 on the album Aja
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“It sure looks good on you / And when you smile for the camera / I know I’ll love you better”
Steve Perry – Foolish Heart
Released in 1984 on the album Street Talk
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Foolish heart, heed my warning / You’ve been wrong before / Don’t be wrong anymore”
The Imperials – Living Without Your Love
Released in 1979 on the album One More Song for You
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“‘Cause living without Your love / Was like not ever living or existing”
Timothy B. Schmit – Tell Me What You Dream
Released in 1984 on the album Playin’ It Cool
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Is it someone else’s arms that hold you tight / Or darling, is it me / Tell me what you dream at night”
Next: 1970s rock music for a ceremony and reception
Toto – Africa
Released in 1982 on the album Toto IV
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you / There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do”
Toto – Georgy Porgy
Released in 1978 on the album Toto
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I’m not the only one that holds you / I never ever should have told you / You’re my only world”
Warren G ft. Nate Dogg – Regulate
Released in 1994 on the album Above the Rim
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“It was a clear black night, a clear white moon / Warren G was on the streets tryin’ to consume / Some skirts for the eve so I can get some funk”
Nyacht Rock Hits for Weddings
These are a list of songs that are commonly thought to be yacht rock songs but technically are not. If you have yacht rock enthusiasts, you may want to skip these. Otherwise, they are still great songs that fit the vibe.
10cc – I’m Not In Love
Released in 1975 on the album The Original Soundtrack
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Don’t make a fuss / Don’t tell your friends about the two of us / I’m not in love”
Al Stewart – Time Passages
Released in 1978 on the album Time Passages
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“There’s something back here that you left behind / Oh time passages / Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight”
America – You Can Do Magic
Released in 1982 on the album View from the Ground
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You can do magic / You can have anything that you desire / Magic, and you know / You’re the one who can put out the fire”
Bertie Higgins – Key Largo
Released in 1981 on the album Just Another Day in Paradise
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“We had it all / Just like Bogie and Bacall / Starring in our old late, late show / Sailing away to Key Largo”
Billy Joel – Just the Way You Are
Released in 1984 on the album The Stranger
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I said I love you, that’s forever / And this I promise from the heart / I couldn’t love you any better / I love you just the way you are”
Billy Ocean- Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)
Released in 1977 on the album Suddenly
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Oh girl, oh baby, it takes a little time / Then you can love again / But I ain’t got the time”
Climax Blues Band – Couldn’t Get It Right
Released in 1976 on the album Gold Plated
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“But, I couldn’t see the light, no, I couldn’t see the light / I kept on looking for a way to take me through the night / Couldn’t get it right”
Climax Blues Band – I Love You
Released in 1981 on the album Flying the Flag
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Thank you, babe, for being a friend / And shining your light in my life / ‘Cause, oooh, I need you”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Rich Girl
Released in 1977 on the album Bigger Than Both of Us
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You’re a rich girl, and you’ve gone too far / ‘Cause you know it don’t matter anyway / You can rely on the old man’s money”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Sara Smile
Released in 1975 on the album Daryl Hall & John Oates
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“And when you feel you can’t go on, I’ll come and hold you / It’s you and me forever”
Yacht rock is soft rock. You may want Up-tempo hits for a cocktail hour to set the mood.
Doobie Brothers – Listen to the Music
Released in 1972 on the album Toulouse Street
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Meet me in the country for a day / We’ll be happy, and we’ll dance / Oh, we’re gonna dance our blues away”
Dr. Hook – When You’re In Love with a Beautiful Woman
Released in 1979 on the album Pleasure and Pain
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You want to trust her / Then somebody hangs up when you answer the phone / When you’re in love with a beautiful woman / You go it alone”
England Dan & John Ford Coley – I’d Really Love to See You Tonight
Released in 1976 on the album Nights Are Forever
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“And I don’t wanna change your life / But there’s a warm wind blowing / The stars are out, and I’d really love to see you tonight”
Exile – Kiss You All Over
Released in 1978 on the album Mixed Emotions
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You don’t have to say a thing / Just let me show how much / I love you, need you”
Firefall – You Are the Woman
Released in 1976 on the album Firefall
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You are the woman that I’ve always dreamed of / I knew it from the start / I saw your face and that’s the last I’ve seen of my heart”
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
Released in 1977 on the album Rumours
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I keep my visions to myself / But it’s only me who wants to wrap around your dreams, and / Have you any dreams you’d like to sell, dreams of loneliness?”
Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere
Released in 1987 on the album Tango in the Night
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“We better make a start / You better make it soon / Before you break my heart”
Gary Wright – Love Is Alive
Released in 1976 on the album The Dream Weaver
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I’ll try to keep it together / ‘Cause what I say may not happen the same way / Now could be forever”
Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
Released in 1978 on the album City to City
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“When you wake up, it’s a new mornin’ / The sun is shinin’, it’s a new mornin’ / You’re goin’, you’re goin’ home”
Gino Vannelli – I Just Wanna Stop
Released in 1978 on the album Brother to Brother
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“The world ain’t right without you, babe / I just gotta stop / For your love”
Another themed cocktail hour: Boy Band playlist for a wedding reception
Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers – Just The Two Of Us
Released in 1981 on the album Winelight
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Building castles in the sky / Just the two of us / You and I”
Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby
Released in 1982 on the album Fast Times at Ridgemont High Soundtrack
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“She’s gonna be somebody’s only light / Gonna shine tonight / Yeah, she’s gonna be somebody’s baby tonight”
Little River Band – Cool Change
Released in 1979 on the album First Under the Wire
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing / It’s the time that I spend alone / Sailing on the cool and bright clear water”
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – Blinded by the Light
Released in 1976 on the album The Roaring Silence
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Blinded by the light / Revved up like a deuce / Another runner in the night”
Melissa Manchester – Whenever I Call You Friend
Released in 1979 on the album Melissa Manchester
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight / Sweet love flowing almost every night / I know forever we’ll be doing it right”
Michael Johnson – Bluer Than Blue
Released in 1978 on the album The Dude
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You’re the only light this empty room has ever had / And life without you is gonna be / Bluer than blue”
Orleans – Dance With Me
Released in 1975 on the album Orleans II
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“The music is just starting / Night is calling, and I am falling / Dance with me”
Orleans – Still The One
Released in 1976 on the album Waking and Dreaming
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You’re still the one that I love to touch / Still the one and I can’t get enough / We’re still having fun, and you’re still the one”
Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand
Released in 1981 on the album Black & White
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Baby, believe me I understand / When it comes to love you want a slow hand”
Pure Prairie League – Let Me Love You Tonight
Released in 1980 on the album Firin’ Up
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Let me love you tonight / There’s a million stars in the sky / Let me love you tonight / I’ll make everything alright”
Rufus and Chaka Khan – Ain’t Nobody
Released in 1983 on the album Rickie Lee Jones
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“You knew I could not resist / I needed someone / And now we’re flyin’ through the stars / I hope this night will last forever”
Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Released in 1979 on the album Partners in Crime
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“If you like makin’ love at midnight / In the dunes on the cape / Then I’m the love that you’ve looked for / Write to me and escape”
Seals & Crofts – Get Closer
Released in 1976 on the album Seals and Crofts
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Darlin’, if you want me to be closer to you, get closer to me”
Steely Dan – Do It Again
Released in 1972 on the album Can’t Buy a Thrill
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“Then you love a little wild one / And she brings you only sorrow / All the time you know she’s smiling / You’ll be on your knees tomorrow”
Stephen Bishop – On and On
Released in 1976 on the album Careless
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“On and on / He just keeps on trying / And he smiles when he feels like crying”
The Alan Parsons Project – Eye in the Sky
Released in 1982 on the album Eye in the Sky
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
“I am the eye in the sky / Looking at you / I can read your mind”
With over 7 hours of yacht rock songs to play, you can have your fill any need for background music. Whether you think the songs are Yacht or Nyacht, the songs will set a chill theme for any party.
Thank you to Camille “Rocky” Bourg, Jr. of Music by Request for helping us distinguish between real Yacht rock songs and Nyacht songs!
Do you have a favorite Yacht rock song? Please share your song below in the comments!
