What Is Yacht Rock?
Yacht rock is a sub-genre of rock music characterized by smooth, catchy tunes and a laid-back, luxurious atmosphere. The term was coined in the early 2000s to describe a type of music that was popular among middle-aged adults in the 1970s and 1980s.
The yacht rock sound is often associated with artists such as Christopher Cross, Toto, Steely Dan, and the Doobie Brothers. These bands helped to define the genre with their polished production values and catchy melodies.
Yacht rock enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s, thanks in part to the popularity of the television show "The OC." The show's soundtrack featured many yacht rock classics, and the show's characters were often seen listening to or playing the music.
Today, there are a number of newer bands that are keeping the yacht rock sound alive. Some of the most notable include Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, and Beach House. These ands get their roots from older Yacht Rock Bands like The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac.
Yacht Rock Bands
Fleet Foxes
Formed in Seattle in 2006, Fleet Foxes is an indie folk band made up of Robin Pecknold (vocals, guitar), Skyler Skjelset (guitar, mandolin), Casey Wescott (keyboard), Christian Wargo (bass, vocals), and Morgan Henderson (multi-instrumentalist). The band's first album, Fleet Foxes, was released in 2008 to critical acclaim, and the band's second album, Helplessness Blues, was released in 2011. The band has toured extensively throughout the US and Europe, and their songs have been featured in movies and TV shows. Some of the band's biggest hits include "White Winter Hymnal," "Ragged Wood," and "Your Protector.”
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 2006. They are currently signed to Columbia Records. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Ezra Koenig, drummer and percussionist Chris Tomson, bassist and keyboardist Chris Baio, and keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij. The band's first two albums, Vampire Weekend (2008) and Contra (2010), were both met with commercial and critical success. The band's third album, Modern Vampires of the City (2013), won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2014. The band has released four singles from the album: "Diane Young", "Step", "Unbelievers", and "A-Punk".
Vampire Weekend's biggest hit songs include "A-Punk", "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa", "Oxford Comma", "Giving Up the Gun", "Holiday", and "Unbelievers".
Beach House
Beach House is an American dream pop duo from Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of French-born Victoria Legrand and Baltimore native Alex Scally. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2006 to critical acclaim and has been followed by three more albums, each of which has seen increasing popularity. The band's fourth album, Bloom, debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, making it their highest-charting album to date.
Some of the band's most popular songs include "Myth," "10 Mile Stereo," "Zebra," and "Take Care."
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band from San Francisco, California. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
The Doobie Brothers' sound is characterized by rock and roll, blues, and country influences, as well as harmonies and dual lead guitars. The band's best-known songs include "Black Water" (1974), "China Grove" (1973), and "Long Train Runnin'" (1973). The Doobie Brothers have been active since 1970, with various lineups over the years. The current lineup includes Tom Johnston (vocals, guitar), Patrick Simmons (vocals, guitar), John McFee (guitar, violin, pedal steel guitar), William "Billy" Payne (keyboards), and Tony Pia (drums).
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band founded by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in 1972. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s with the release of seven albums, including 1977's Aja, which topped the charts and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. The band's hits include "Do It Again", "Reelin' in the Years", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", and "Peg".
The Eagles
The Eagles formed in Los Angeles in 1971 as one of America’s iconic rock bands. The band members are Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. The Eagles have sold over 150 million records worldwide, and they are one of the best-selling bands of all time. The Eagles have won six Grammy Awards, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. The Eagles are known for their hit songs "Hotel California," "Desperado," "Life in the Fast Lane," and "Take It Easy.”
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac is a British-American rock band, formed in 1967 in London. Boasting an incredible 100 million records sold worldwide, they are easily one of the best-selling bands of all time. They are known for their distinctive sound, which blends elements of rock, pop, and blues.
The band's lineup has changed several times over the years, but they have had three constant members: guitarist and singer Lindsey Buckingham, keyboardist and singer Christine McVie, and drummer Mick Fleetwood. Other notable members include Stevie Nicks and John McVie.
The band's most successful period came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they released a series of hit singles and albums, including "Rumours" (1977), which is often considered their best album. "Rumours" was a commercial and critical success, selling more than 40 million copies worldwide and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
The band has released several other successful albums, including "Tusk" (1979), "Mirage" (1982), and "Tango in the Night" (1987). "The Dance" (1997) was a live album that featured new versions of their classic songs, and it won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Fleetwood Mac's most popular songs include "The Chain", "Go Your Own Way", "Dreams", "Don't Stop", and "Everywhere".