Shimmering guitars, breezy horns, smooth keyboards, and crisp vocals on well-crafted songs with catchy choruses: all of those qualities might have once described "soft rock" or "adult-oriented rock," but more recently the genre has experienced a resurgence as "yacht rock." Though the term was originally intended in a pejorative way, it's come to be accepted by many of the progenitors of the genre including Michael McDonald and John Oates. There's an entire book on the yacht rock phenomenon, a touring group known as The Yacht Rock Revue, and a popular yearly SiriusXM radio station that sets sail every summer. Now, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group are getting into the act with a new volume of their jointly-produced, long-running series. NOW That's What I Call Yacht Rock features 18 of the most popular songs associated with yacht rock. It's due on August 2, the same date as NOW That's What I Call Music! 71.
NOW That's What I Call Yacht Rock is packed with classic, melodic delights from artists steeped in pop, rock, R&B, and jazz (not to mention country and the blues) - reflecting the diversity of the so-called yacht rock genre. Alongside Kenny Loggins' anthem "This Is It" (co-written by, and featuring, Michael McDonald), the set includes radio staples from bands (Toto's "Africa," Looking Glass' "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)," Climax Blues Band's "Couldn't Get It Right," Little River Band's "Cool Change") and singer-songwriters (Dave Mason's "We Just Disagree," Dan Fogelberg's "Longer," Rupert Holmes' "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)") alike. Never mind that many of these songs and artists don't fit into one simple box or even style, and most of the tracks are quite sophisticated in composition and production; 10cc's "I'm Not in Love" is a masterpiece of studio wizardry while Holmes' "Escape" is a witty, urbane story song. What these 18 songs have in common is their ability to transport listeners, decades later, to a time when melody reigned supreme in popular music.
NOW That's What I Call Yacht Rock hits stores on CD, LP, and digital platforms on August 2. You can pre-order and peruse the track listing below.
Various Artists, NOW That's What I Call Yacht Rock (Sony/Universal, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
- Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione
- Africa - Toto
- This Is It - Kenny Loggins
- Cool Change - Little River Band
- Baby I Love Your Way (Live) - Peter Frampton
- Baby Come Back - Player
- Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
- Escape (The Piña Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
- What You Won't Do for Love - Bobby Caldwell
- Couldn't Get It Right - Climax Blues Band
- How Long - Ace
- I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vannelli
- We Just Disagree - Dave Mason
- Crazy Love - Poco
- Jackie Blue - The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
- Love Will Find a Way - Pablo Cruise
- I'm Not in Love - 10cc
- Longer - Dan Fogelberg
Steven says
No Christopher Cross....come on.
Gootsy says
My thought, exactly... "Ride Like The Wind" and "Sailing" (duh!) are Yacht Rock staples !
Joe Marchese says
I suspect licensing issues are the reason for the non-appearance of Christopher Cross (and other yacht rock staples like Michael McDonald and the McDonald-era Doobie Brothers). The NOW! series is a joint venture between Sony and Universal, whereas those artists' catalogues are controlled by Warner Music Group.
Rich says
Remember...this is being released by Sony/Universal...Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald et al are on Warners...that is most likely the reason why they are not being included...
William says
Is it April Fool's Day? Can't wait for the "Now That's What I Call Cargo Shorts Dad-Rock!" edition. Also, where is the Jimmy Buffett?
Kenny says
THE Jimmy Buffett will be in London in September, Don't know where he is at the moment
Rob Maurer says
12/18 (or 2/3) NYACHT Rock.
Peter Haas says
How Long Is pub rock. I’m Not in Love is just pop.
Whatevs.
Jarmo Keranen says
To my ears Ace's How Long sounds like 10cc and just pop. Not pub rock at all!
Dave Tanner says
Now thats what I call Bandwagon Jumping....