663. What is Yacht Rock? Is it really a musical genre?

Yacht rock is a subgenre of soft rock, popular from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, characterized by its smooth, sophisticated sound and often associated with a leisurely, upscale lifestyle. It draws inspiration from smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco, featuring polished production, mellow vocals, and catchy, melodic compositions. The term "yacht rock" itself gained popularity with a 2005 online comedy series that humorously explored the music's connection to boating culture in Southern California.  The music features memorable, often upbeat melodies and catchy hooks.  While not always explicitly about boating, yacht rock lyrics often evoke themes of romance, leisure, and a carefree lifestyle.  It blends elements of smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco, creating a unique and recognizable sound.  Michael McDonald: Known for his distinctive vocals and contributions to the Doobie Brothers and his solo work.  Christopher Cross: Famous for hits like "Sailing" and "Ride Like the Wind".  Hall & Oates: A popular duo known for their blend of pop, rock, and soul.  Steely Dan: While not exclusively a yacht rock band, their later work shares many stylistic traits with the genre.  Toto: Another band with strong ties to the yacht rock sound.  Ambrosia: Known for hits like "Biggest Part of Me".  Boz Scaggs: His album Silk Degrees is considered a foundational work.  Rupert Holmes: Famous for "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)".  In this podcast my great friend Bob Gretz and myself have fun talking about all of this music we we alive the first time it came around. YJHTL