17 Comments
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Rick Planos's avatar

This is spot on, and the chart is simply brilliant! Well said Matt.

Barron Hall's avatar

The playlist is absolutely magnificent! Pablo Cruise, Seals and Croft, Dancin' in the Moonlight, Paul Simon's Train in the Distance...you got it all! Thank you!!!

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Enjoy it, Barron!

Barron Hall's avatar

Some call it Yacht Rock, I call it Blue Eyed Soul. Baby Come Back, What You Wont Do For Love, How Long, She's Gone, Deacon Blues...all those songs and groups on FM radio that you liked and were excited to hear Black DJs slip into rotation - and even more excited to realize people you never expected like the same songs. The gruff coworker who lit up when the Bee Gees came on. That cool chick in the all black everything that sang along to the Doobie Brothers. Whatever you call it it opened ears and eyes to the beauty of good music that reached all kinds of people.

James Taylor's version of a Woman's gotta have It or Bobby Womack's? Both are great!

Chris Coffman's avatar

I’ve been listening to Yacht Rock without realizing it! Listening now to your Yacht Rock Adjacent playlist on Spotify 👍🏻🎵

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Very cool, Chris. Thanks for checking it out!

Chris Coffman's avatar

By and large I love your playlist . . . but I do have reservations about Toto!

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Someday we shall debate that over a cocktail.

Chris Coffman's avatar

You're on! If it happens to be poolside at our place in Pennsylvania, we can do some runs on the rings as well!

Wes Melville's avatar

Such a great read, Matt. Loved the rollicking detour through the origins and influences of Yacht Rock. Thanks for giving us that piece of music history, but also a view into your excitement for it all. Definitely putting together a little Spotify list.

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Appreciate that, Wes. I get nervous at the thought of Write of Passage editors reading my stuff. 😅

Jimmy Doom's avatar

The lyrics/critical data line is gold.

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Thanks Jimmy!

It's going to play out that way, I'm sure of it ...

Jimmy Doom's avatar

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 gave me a few cherished and a few unwanted earworms

Matt Tillotson's avatar

I didn't enjoy the soundtrack as much as the earlier movies. My lord, the second one opened with "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl" and could have left happy after 3 minutes.

Jimmy Doom's avatar

This Is The Day by The The holds special memories for me