If I want a guaranteed eye roll from my wife while sailing, I can turn the volume up on the radio and play Sammy Hagar’s “Sailing” and sing at the top of my lungs. It’s not that she doesn’t enjoy good sailing music I think she doesn’t enjoy how I practically leave my body and get lost in my thoughts when a great song is played while out on the water. Okay, if I’m honest she might not enjoy my voice but when I am sailing I am going to sing!
I should note that if I am singing along to the Ka’au Crater Boys and she is reminiscing about the West Maui Mountains with our boys she’ll allow the singing.
Try not to sing along Jack Johnson, Dave Mathews and Tim Reynolds covering Jimmy Buffet’s Pirate Looks at Forty
Do you have a few favorite songs for sailing? Take a listen to these.
Kenny Chesney
I am guilty of playing a lot of music on my sailboat of raucous behavior and endless beach parties. Kenny Chesney does this type of music quite well. I listen to Kenny Chesney and I want to be on Jost Van Dyke
Jack Johnson
If there is one artist that epitomizes my own flip flop, shorts, and sailing culture it is Jack Johnson. It’s eternally summer when I listen to Jack Johnson. You can’t get on my boat or my backyard or my car without hearing Jack Johnson. If you are a sailor, surfer, beach lover it doesn’t matter. Jack Johnson is always a good idea.
Mishka
Mishka may not be on your boat music radar but it is laid back and current. Do not listen to Mishka if you think you want to race your sailboat. This is music that is meant to be heard while taking it very slowly.
Bob Marley and Ziggy
You can’t sail without playing some Bob Marley. However, you should also include some Ziggy Marley as his music is upbeat and he forces you to smile. Get out on the boat and try not to sing along to Ziggy Marley. You can’t do it!
Jimmy Buffett
While I appreciate Jimmy Buffett as much as any sailor I understand that it is almost a cliche to be on a sailboat and listen to Jimy’s music. Wait, I don’t care about that, if you go sailing with me there is a good chance you will listen to more Jimmy Buffet than you have ever heard in your life.
Pepper
Beach culture and the ocean vibes permeate through the music of Pepper. Warm water, sand, wind in the sails…it all comes through in this music.
Slightly Stoopid
Much like Pepper, this is music that is rooted in having sand between your toes and a smile on your face. Music that transports you to the ocean, craving the sun and having a good time with friends. This is not strictly sailing music as it is more about beach culture.
Stick Figure
If there is a song that transports me to the ocean it is Angels Above Me by Stick Figure. I just listened to it and I need to go sailing. Right Now!
Responses
Southern Cross, Stephen Stills
Wooden Ships, CSNY
Sailing, Cristopher Cross
Sailing to Philadelphia, Mark Knopfler
Come Sail Away, Styx
Brandi, Looking Glass
Into the Mystic, Van Morrison
I’m your Captain, Grand Funk Railroad
Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald, Gordon Lightfoot
Sail On, Commodores
In the Sky, Mark Knopfler
Dream of the Drowned Submariner, Mark Knopfler
So far from the Clyde, Mark Knopfler
Stephen Stills, Cher, Enya, Andreas Wollenweider, Spyrogyra, Toto are just some of the artists in my musical library on my boat
Earth, Wind & Fire. 21st of September. Rounded a mark in a Lake Superior race and popped the chute with a fresh 14 on a broad reach. The moment is frozen in my mind.
Zeke….have any Spotify Playlist that you would like to share?
I will be sharing these soon. Get ready for 10 playlists that all sound like the ocean.
You spelled Buffett with only one “T”. You are NOT credible. Who is editing this stuff anyway? 😎🏖👎
How ’bout creating a Spotify playlist of these?
It’s coming.
The first song I ever heard on a boat was Give A Little Bit by Supertramp. The rhythm of the song, the uplifting melody and lyrics blended into the gentle motion out on Lake Michigan while the sun was setting and a perfect summer night kicked in. This was back around 1979 when I was 14. The experience was like magic. Over time I’ve developed no desire to listening to any music which is specifically about boats, islands, drinking, etc. The last time I was in a boat and a song struck me like no other was the song ‘Without You’ by Leslie Odom Jr. Check out the live at Lincoln Center version. Enjoy!
What about Styx Come Sail Away?
Okay, so how about Southern Cross?
Yeah. Yeah, Jimmy Buffett is great fun. But “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills and Nash remains the great sailing song of our times. I bet even Jimmy would agree.
I have two curated playlists. One for sailing away and the other for sundowners. My Sailaway list starts with Karen Carpenter’s We’ve Only Just Begun as a calm way to leave port and hoist the sails. Followed by more upbeat Boston’s Don’t Look Back! As we accelerate away. Thanks for the new suggestions!
Crosby, Stills and Nash ~ ‘Southern Cross’ !!!
Check out “Let’s Go Sailing.” on Spotify! Greatest sailing playlist around. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nvt6z4B0TmrWaqgjabzgu?si=qlaPIGQyR6CMrRPKqnn1uQ
William Topley – Mixed Blessing, Spanish Wells and Sea Fever are my top three.
I see lonely ships upon the water.
Better save the women and children first.
Sail away with someone’s daughter.
Better save the women and children first.
Could this be magic? – Van Halen
Little Feat. Put on your sailing shoeS
Jesse Rice’s Pirate Sessions albums are filled with great sailing music.