[music] Why is it called yacht rock?

The term Yacht Rock was coined 25 years after the fact.

Closer to this genre's origins is the label "West Coast AOR". The accepted progenitor of West Coast AOR is Steely Dan's Aja. The chief characteristics are soft/pop rock, high production value, LA studio musicians giving their best.

Michael McDonald was one of those LA studio musicians. He was so prolific was Rick Moranis and SCTV even did a skit about him (which McDonald thought was hilarious).



Steely Dan - Peg with Michael McDonald letting it rip

 

This song could have killed the genre in one big swoop

 

Was Three’s Company the natural outcome of Yacht Rock?

 

Floridaman…Triumphant

 

A lot of dots were connected for me with this thread. Thank you for posting it. My life essence has been upgraded.

I wrote a song in our honor:

Bromance

(Verse 1 – The Breeze Kicks In)

I was adrift, just a ship with no sail,
Lost in the current, stuck on my trail.
Then you stepped in, like a king of the coast,
Rockin’ Ray-Bans, radiating the most.

(Pre-Chorus – The Saxophone Winks at Me)

Your wisdom’s like a vintage Merlot,
Smooth, refined, with a confident glow.
Taught me the ways of the world and the sea,
Now I’m a better man… ’cause of thee.

(Chorus – The Yacht Is Now Airborne)

Ohhh, you’re the wind in my linen, the foam on my wave,
A lighthouse of wisdom, too cool to behave.
No romance, just bromance, the rarest of finds,
Two legends, one ocean, one hell of a time.

(Verse 2 – The Sunset Toast)

We clink our glasses, the yacht sets the tone,
This ain’t just friendship—it’s platinum-bonded stone.
No need for words, just a nod and a grin,
A brotherhood forged in tequila and wind.

(Bridge – The Key Change We All Knew Was Coming)

Your high-five’s like thunder, your stories are gold,
You make my life 25% more bold.
If life is a journey, then man, it’s a fact—
I’m first mate forever… on your smooth-sailing track.

(Outro – The Sax Takes Us Home)

We ride the horizon, two dudes, one vibe,
Destined to yacht-rock until the tides die.​

 

I throw rocks at yachts while listening to Korn, does that count?

 

Engelwood is where it's at...

 

back in the day Steely Dan's "My Old School" was basically the William and Mary student anthem . . . probably still is

 

Steely Dan is way to complex musically to be considered yacht rock. That's like calling Prince a pop artist.

 

you should definitely watch the documentary, I'd be curious if it changes your mind