Ahoy! Match these Yacht Rock bands to their smooth soft-rock hits
"If you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain…"
Even if you have never set foot aboard a yacht, you know Yacht Rock when you hear it. In the late-'70s and early-'80s, many acts had beach on the brain. The sound was defined by gentle grooves that rocked as hard as lagoon water lapping against a hull. Fluffy white clouds of electric piano, breezy harmonies and bongos were other touchstones of this slice of soft rock. Of course, the oft-mustachioed singers crooned about the wind, piña coladas and romance. It was no coincidence that The Love Boat was a huge hit in this same era.
The following hit songs can be heard in any self-respecting Yacht Rock playlist. See if you can identify them all!
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Before entering the Danger Zone, he was nabbing Grammys for breezy tunes like "This Is It."
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This critically adored jazz-rock duo, who took their name from a William S. Burroughs novel, cut some yacht-ready gems like "Peg."
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This group of studio musicians saw their epic song "Africa" hit the pop charts again this year.
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Once Michael McDonald joined the band, the wind in their sails started blowing with smashes like "What a Fool Believes." They even posed for this photo on a boat.
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His self-titled debut album won Album of the Year at the '81 Grammys. Thanks to both "Sailing" and the flamingo on the cover.
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This band helped to define Yacht Rock with "Love Will Find a Way" in 1978 — not to mention their palm-tree logo and yachty name.
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His big hit had the boat-appropriate title "Lido Shuffle."
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This duo pioneered the Yacht Rock seas with relaxed jams like "Summer Breeze" and "You're the Love."
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His 1979 romantic classic "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" went all the way to No. 1.
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This band with a sporty name hit No. 1. with "Baby Come Back."
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Their smooth groove "Still the One" got toes tapping back in the '70s.
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This act sang "make a wish, baby" in their huge "Biggest Part of Me." The wish worked, as it topped charts.
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This twosome's sunset-soft ballad "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" reached No. 2.
