1980: Banner year for Yacht Rock

by Steven Luna, Grunge
Of all the years offering songs that qualify as yacht rock, that squishy, kinda-sorta soft rock sub-genre that became an unofficially recognized label in 2005, 1980 stands out as perhaps the finest 12-month span. The new decade provided vintage picks with notes of a laid-back California vibe, sophisticated arrangements, and primo songwriting delivered in a honey-gold glaze.

But 1980 was a banner year for easy-going grooves that felt cosmopolitan enough to qualify as prime yacht rock tuneage, many of which became mainstream hits before they were christened “yacht rock.” We found a zesty array of yacht rock classics that showed up in 1980 to herald the new decade as the start of something easy-going and wonderful.

Bouncy tunes about love from Hall and Oates and jazzy party bangers about loser lotharios from Steely Dan (For us, a yacht rock “yes” in this instance, despite some dispute about whether the band’s music qualifies) all helped this year make the grade. Relive an easier time with this quintet of glorious pop and soft-rock standards, which showed up on deck for the yacht rock movement and are still sailing high and free today. – Full story