Yacht Rock Friday, Week 3

Even more irresistible classics coming your way!

Can you believe we’re halfway through our June feature “Yacht Rock Friday”? Here’s week three in our month-long exploration of great Yacht Rock classics.

“Peg,” Steely Dan

I have to confess that I’m not a massive Steely Dan fan, but the one song of theirs that I’ll listen to over and over again is “Peg.” I’m not kidding; when I listen to it, I usually listen to it two or three times in a row.

It’s tremendously catchy, which is surprising considering how complex the track is. But for me, what makes it so irresistible is Michael McDonald’s harmonies — that’s what I sing when I sing along with “Peg.”

Here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the song.

“So in to You,” Atlanta Rhythm Section

I will maintain until my dying day that Atlanta Rhythm Section is the most underrated artist in Southern Rock. They also just happen to be smooth enough for much of their music to fall under the Yacht Rock category, too.

Probably their best-known single, “So Into You” is about the instant attraction that the singer feels for a woman he has seen for the firs time. The opening line is possibly the most quintessentially ‘70s line ever: “When you walked into the room, there was voodoo in the vibes.”

I don’t think there are many Yacht Rock songs in a minor key, but this one fits the bill nicely. You’ll keep singing it long after it ends.

“Rosanna,” Toto

One band with an embarrassment of riches was Toto. A group of seasoned studio musicians formed their own group that walked the fine line between pop and rock.

They sold millions of records thanks to their expert musicianship and songcraft, even though critics sometimes panned them for being too slick and glossy.

Toto’s sound was custom-made for Yacht Rock, and their second-biggest hit is the best example of what they were capable of. “Rosanna” is a bright, buoyant love song that’s as heartfelt as it is smooth. Forget “Africa” (one of the most overrated songs of all time); “Rosanna” is Toto at its best, along with “Pamela,” which falls outside the timeline of Yacht Rock.

Photo by Jack Goren on Unsplash