So Daryl Hall went off on a rant about Yacht Rock. Hates the term, don't call Hall & Oates Yacht Rock, etc etc etc

[Wiz Imp]

8. You're incorrect about what constitutes yacht rock

Last edited Sun May 11, 2025, 11:00 PM - Edit history (1)

Seasons In The Sun and Escape are most definitely NOT Yacht Rock. Who says so? The people who defined the term to begin with. And while they agree Hall & Oates are mostly not Yacht Rock, a couple of their songs qualify such as "Kiss On my List"

Again, this isn't my opinion, this is based on the opinions of J.D. Ryznar, Steve Huey, Hunter Stair, and David Lyons who coined the term and defined it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht_rock

I can buy Escape as being kinda borderline Yacht Rock but I've never heard anyone try to call Seasons in the Sun as Yacht Rock - It has none of the characteristics of the genre.

Factors that the four list as relevant to yacht rock include:

-High production value
-Use of "elite" Los Angeles–based studio musicians and producers associated with yacht rock
-Jazz and R&B influences
-Use of electric piano
-Complex and wry lyrics about heartbroken, foolish men, particularly involving the word "fool"
-An upbeat rhythm called the "Doobie Bounce"

On this website (https://www.yachtornyacht.com/) they evaluate hundreds of songs some people may try to define as Yacht Rock, and label them Yacht Rock or Nyacht Rock. I would not argue with the people who actually coined the term for the genre.

Their Top Yacht Rock Songs

Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes
Kenny Loggins - Heart to Heart
Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
Kenny Loggins - This Is It
Kenny Loggins - Who's Right, Who's Wrong
Toto - Rosanna
Michael Jackson - Human Nature
Al Jarreau - Girls Know How
Christopher Cross - Sailing
George Benson - Turn Your Love Around

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6kVRZHsbV6LZEBiqzSzFvq