Yacht Rock Tunes for Summer in St. Augustine
There’s just something about the right playlist that just sets the mood for a boating adventure. With over a decade spent on the water, we’ve had some experience! Here are just a few of our favorite songs to play when we’re on a boat.
“If I Had a Boat” by Lyle Lovett
Yacht Rock Cruise
This surreal, 1988 folk classic takes a child’s wonder at the image of buying a boat and a pony and making his way in the world alone. Lovett is quoted as saying that, as a small child, he tried to ride a pony across a pond and ended up soaking wet, wishing he had a boat. It captures the peace and serenity found through escape and adventure.
“And if I had a boat, I’d go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony, I’d ride him on my boat
And we could all together, go out on the ocean
I said, me upon my pony on my boat.”
“Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
This is just one of those songs you know the second it starts playing. Otis Redding, previously known for energetic R&B hits, was visiting the West Coast and rented a houseboat near Sausalito, California. He enjoyed the peace, strumming his guitar and singing the same two lines over and over:
“Sittin’ in the morning sun
I’ll be sittin’ when the evening come.”
Over the next five months, he worked on the song while touring Europe. He finished the song and recorded it on December 7, 1967. Three days later, Redding tragically passed in a plane accident at the age of 26. The song went on to become the first-ever posthumous No. 1 by an artist in the U.S.
“Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
Released in 1982, “Southern Cross” just feels like the soft roll of a boat. The song was based on another song, “Seven League Boots,” by Rick and Michael Curtis. Songwriter Stephen Stills reworked the song to reflect his personal experiences sailing through French Polynesia after divorcing his wife and to reflect his belief in the power of the universe to heal wounds. The Southern Cross is a constellation visible in the Southern Hemisphere, with the four brightest stars forming a cross pattern. It has been used for centuries for maritime navigation.
“When you see the Southern Cross for the first time,
You understand now why you came this way,
‘Cause the truth you might be running from is so small,
But it’s as big as the promise,
The promise of a coming day.”
“Lovely Cruise” by Jimmy Buffett
Let’s be honest: almost every song in Jimmy Buffett’s catalog could be on this list. But if you look past his huge hits, “Lovely Cruise” is, well, a lovely way to cap off a day or evening on the water. It’s how we feel every time we return to the dock. This poignant ballad is a peaceful reflection on the passage of time, celebrating life’s cherished memories.
“Drink it up,
This one’s for you,
It’s been a lovely cruise,
I’m sorry it’s ended,
It’s sad, but it’s true,
Honey, it’s been a lovely cruise.”
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
“The sailors say, ‘Brandy, you’re a fine girl’ (you’re a fine girl),
What a good wife you would be (such a fine girl),
Yeah, your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea.”
This classic tune is widely considered an early form of the now-popular Yacht Rock genre. The song tells of a barmaid named Brandy who catches the eyes of all the mariners, but she still pines for her long-lost love who chose the sea, his one true love, over her.
“Big Ship” by Freddie McGregor
This reggae classic, written by Freddie McGregor, came to him while he was waiting at a friend’s house early in the morning. He looked at the water and noticed a huge cargo vessel emerging from the mist. He was struck by its size and steadiness, picked up a guitar and started forming the chords. Beneath the obvious maritime message lies one of calm unity over commotion during rough periods.
“Big ship sailing on the ocean,
We don’t need no commotion,
Big ship sailing on the ocean,
Get ready ’cause we’re moving.”
Want to hear more great boat music? We have three musically themed cruises, each with its own soundtrack. Our Reggae Yacht Cruise departs on Sunday evening and features the best reggae hits. Our new Friday night Yacht Rock Cruise pairs a smooth sunset cruise with the melodious tunes now known as Yacht Rock. For a classic spin, our Sunset River Jazz Cruise on Saturday evenings features a live jazz band. Check out our different tour options online, and come see us at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Marina, located at 107 Yacht Club Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084. We offer free parking and restrooms on board. Our vessels are just a short walk from our boutique, located at Dock A-23, A-24 and A-25. Email us at [email protected] to book or inquire about your next cruise.