We’re glad you asked!
Here’s how Wikipedia defines it:
Yacht rock (originally known as the West Coast sound or adult-oriented rock) is a broad music style and aesthetic commonly associated with soft rock, one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Drawing on sources such as smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco, common stylistic traits include high-quality production, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies. Its name, coined in 2005 by the makers of the online video series Yacht Rock, was derived from its association with the popular Southern Californian leisure activity of sailing.
Here’s episode 1 from that infamous video series. It’s hilariously satirical and NSFW, but nothing quite captures the essence of Yacht Rock quite like this!
Despite its often-ridiculed “smoothness” and self-indulgences, Yacht Rock has remained incredibly popular with audiences young and old. It has had a major resurgence in recent years, perhaps because it provides an antidote to political division and negativity. The use of many Yacht Rock classics in Marvel’s Guardian of the Galaxy films may have played a role as well.
Here’s a Spotify playlist featuring the top Yacht Rock songs, as curated by the expert creators of the Yacht Rock web show. They coined and defined the term!
We hope you’ll come to one of our shows and let us share our love of Yacht Rock with you! And if you’re looking for a great band for your upcoming event, look no further! Give us a call at 919-279-0825.