Yacht Rock refers to a retroactively named genre of smooth, polished soft rock from the late 1970s and early 1980s. It features glossy production, breezy vocals, sophisticated arrangements (often with jazz and disco influences), and laid-back grooves that evoke images of leisurely sailing on a yacht in sunny Southern California waters.
The term originated from a satirical 2005 YouTube comedy series called Yacht Rock, which poked fun at the era's "smooth" music scene.
Core artists and examples include:
- Steely Dan (e.g., "Do It Again," "Peg")
- Christopher Cross ("Sailing," "Ride Like the Wind")
- Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers era and solo, like "What a Fool Believes")
- Toto, Kenny Loggins, Boz Scaggs, Hall & Oates, Ambrosia, and one-hit wonders like Robbie Dupree ("Steal Away") or Player ("Baby Come Back")
It's music that's melodic, relaxing, and radio-friendly—think sophisticated hooks without heavy distortion or aggression.
Why the 2026 Breakout on Radio? The genre has enjoyed a long, slow resurgence since the mid-2010s:
- SiriusXM has had a dedicated Yacht Rock Radio channel (Channel 15) for years, playing 24/7 smooth soft rock hits.
- iHeartRadio offers a similar streaming station.
Live acts like Yacht Rock Revue continue touring successfully, and social media (TikTok, Instagram) keeps introducing the sound to younger listeners. But in early 2026, it crossed over into full-time local FM/AM formats, which is new and noteworthy.
- KZOT (Yacht Rock 1180) in Omaha, Nebraska — spun off from weekend programming on an Adult Hits sister station, going full Yacht Rock.
- WINX-FM (94.3 Dockside Radio) on Maryland’s Eastern Shore — blending Yacht Rock with Jimmy Buffett-style trop-rock and coastal country for a "beach town" vibe.
- At least one or two others flipped around New Year's, creating a mini-wave of stations embracing the format.
This comes as classic hits stations shift toward 1990s music, leaving a gap for 1970s/early 1980s soft rock. Yacht Rock fills that niche with nostalgic appeal for older listeners while feeling fresh and escapist for others—especially post-pandemic vibes favoring chill, feel-good sounds.
With the genre's resurgence on radio stations and streaming, these stand out for their authenticity, size, curation quality, and popularity among fans. They focus on the classic late-1970s to early-1980s smooth soft rock sound—think glossy production, silky vocals, and breezy vibes from Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Toto, Michael McDonald, and more.1. YACHT ROCK - CERTIFIED PLAYLIST (Spotify)
70s & 80s Soft Rock Classics (Spotify, by Topsify US; also on Apple Music as similar versions)
- Curated by J.D. Ryznar (creator of the original Yacht Rock web series that coined the term) and his collaborators.
- This is the most "official" and purist list—ever-expanding with songs they deem true Yacht Rock (no loose interpretations).
- Over 885 songs (24+ hours), with high saves and dedicated maintenance.
- Perfect if you want the strict canon: tracks like "What a Fool Believes" (Doobie Brothers), "Minute by Minute," and deeper cuts.
- Search: "YACHT ROCK - CERTIFIED" by jdryznar on Spotify.
- Apple Music's flagship Yacht Rock playlist, curated with historical context (references the 2005 series and artists like Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins).
- 99 songs (about 6-7 hours), focusing on essentials with smart commentary on the genre's depth beyond the "corny" label.
- Great for newcomers—balanced mix of hits and thoughtful picks like "Peg" (Steely Dan), "Baby Come Back" (Player), and "Biggest Part of Me" (Ambrosia).
- Ideal for Apple users wanting a polished, narrative-driven experience.
- A massive, popular user/curator favorite with 149 songs (9+ hours) and hundreds of thousands of saves.
- Emphasizes boat-day vibes: summer/island tunes from TOTO ("Rosanna"), Hall & Oates, Earth Wind & Fire crossovers, Billy Joel, and more.
- Very accessible and fun—includes chill hits like "Minute by Minute," "Bigger Than Both of Us," and smooth sailing staples.
70s & 80s Soft Rock Classics (Spotify, by Topsify US; also on Apple Music as similar versions)- 116+ songs (8+ hours), billed as the "Top 100 best soft rock songs ever" with a boating/island theme.
- Heavy on classics like "Sailing" (Christopher Cross), "Heart to Heart" (Kenny Loggins), and AOR gems.
- Excellent for pure escapism—great production and flow.
- Not a static playlist but a 24/7 live station—the gold standard for ongoing Yacht Rock discovery.
- Features core artists (Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Hall & Oates, Steely Dan) plus deep cuts, yacht soul variants, and themed shows.
- Check their "most heard" tracks for real-time popularity (e.g., frequent plays of "Baby Come Back," "Brandy," "What You Won't Do For Love").
- Stream via SiriusXM app/website or catch it on the new terrestrial stations flipping to the format.
- For a massive YouTube option: Search "Best Yacht Rock Songs - Ultimate Yacht Rock Music (Playlist Updated in 2026)" by Redlist—50+ videos with visuals and hits.
- If you want visuals of the era's vibe: Imagine yacht decks, sunset oceans, white linen suits—pair any playlist with that mental image!