Best Yacht Rock Cocktail Hour For Wedding Playlists Vol 2

Back in the summer of 2017, I had a client have me put together a cocktail hour playlist for their wedding that was mostly "yacht rock".  Shortly after I performed at that wedding, I put together a blog post and accompanying Spotify playlist that has seen thousands of views from all over the world.  If you've spent any time on the other portions of my blog, you know that as a professional wedding DJ, I will always look at a client's wedding day as a classy, sophisticated affair.  If you do a lot of searching on Google about yacht rock, the word "sophisticated" will show up quite frequently. Yacht rock is perfect for a cocktail hour at your wedding. Most of the artists you'll see on a yacht rock playlist are some of the most outstanding musicians. The musicians you tend to see on a yacht rock playlist are masters of their craft, and ones that you'll want the best headphones on the planet or stereo system to listen to for their perfect sounds and composition.  Now, I will put a link to the first yacht rock playlist that I published on my blog down below, but I felt that due to it's popularity it was time to create Volume 2. In the time since I created Volume 1, my experience and knowledge with the genre has expanded.  For a truly classy and sophistiicated sound during the cocktail hour at your wedding, you should let your wedding DJ know you are very interested in having that yacht rock sound.

Yacht rock may include so many different genres, one of which I am extremely fond of; adult contemporary. A big part of anyone's yacht rock catalog will include a lot of the best 70s and 80s adult contemporary artists.  I can hear you now as are probably asking. "What exactly is adult contemporary music?" Pardon me while I take off my radio broadcaster hat.  Adult contemporary can be thought of in many cases as "soft rock".  Some of the most popular, well travelled posts on this blog have to do with 80s Soft Rock. <--Click HERE for a sample.  Most yacht rock lovers will gather around and geek out over the production values of the songs. I believe that's one of the reasons I've been drawn to the sound of adult contemporary. It's got a polished and pristine sound that you don't hear today from recorded music. I'm sure as my journey into yacht rock continues, there will be enough content for Volume 3, but I hope you enjoy listening to Volume 2 of the Best Yacht Rock Cocktail Hour.

Listen To This Playlist Over On My Spotify Right Now!

For over four years now, a lot of my wedding playlists have been available on Spotify. I will always evolve with my clients in how they consume their music, both new and old. While I've always had a way for modern brides and grooms to log into my website and access their own portal to select music, Spotify has been quietly taking it's place. Since so many Gen Z couples discover new music on their Spotify, I'm constantly being texted playlists to import into my catalog. When you find me on Spotify, you'll be greeted with over 150 playlists designed to provide you with wedding playlist inspiration.  Just search for DJ Mike Bills.

"Song On The Radio" | Al Stewart
Remember I mentioned up above that my knowledge of yacht rock had expanded in the past 7 years?  The biggest songs I knew about from Al Stewart were "Year Of The Cat" and "Time Passages". While both of those tracks can be considered yacht rock gold, there are sometimes where you need to go a little deeper into the album to find classy and sophisticated tracks like this. Special thanks to veteran AAA radio program director Bryan Schock of 105.5 The Bridge for playing this song on his Easy Like Sunday Morning show back in September of 2023.  When I first heard this song, I was blown away by how sexy the sax was. And that is another word we can add into the mix when describing "yacht rock"; classy, sexy, and sophisticated. "Song On The Radio" was the second single to be released from Al Stewart's Time Passages album, and would peak at #10 on the adult contemporary chart in 1979.

"You Are" | Lionel Richie
In the early 80s, Lionel Richie could do wrong.  In the fall of 1982, Lionel Richie would release his first album.  This self-titled album would feature some tracks that would cement his legacy as a writer of popular 80s love songs. "You Are" was the second single to be released from the album after "Truly" and would peak at  #1 on the adult contemporary chart in 1983. For more of the best 80s love songs, <-----check out this post. It's actually the single most popular post on my blog, which tells me there is a hunger for this type of music in 2024.

"The Valley Road" | Bruce Hornsby & The Range
In the spring of 1988, Bruce Hornsby & The Range would release their album Scenes From The Southside. "The Valley Road" would be the first single to be released and it would spend one week at the top of the adult contemporary chart in June of 1988. Can you see a pattern developing? This is the second song on the playlist that was a big part of adult contemporary radio in the 80s.

"Black Cow" | Steely Dan
So many modern brides and grooms have a signature drink at their wedding, but I've never seen a "black cow" as their drink of choice.  Some people make a black cow with cola and ice cream, but since your wedding is an epic event, we'll need to add some alcohol into it. Either way, "Black Cow" is one of those songs you want to listen to with the most expensive headphones to hear the exceptional musicianship of Steely Dan. While "Black Cow" was not released as a single, you'll see some other popular Steely Dan tracks you may be more familiar with. Most music lovers I know have a copy of Steely Dan's  Aja in their catalog. 

"Spooky" | Atlanta Rhythm Section
Originally recorded as an instrumental version in 1967 by Classics IV, a vocal version of "Spooky" would peak at #3 in 1968.  In 1979, Atlanta Rhythm Section would cover the song on their Underdog album. The song would make it all the way to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2023, I played this song for a client of mine and when I asked this bride why she added this to her playlist, she remembered hearing it when she was around her father. A lot of times this is how seemingly obscure songs show up on wedding playlists, but this is what make each and every wedding playlist different and eclectic.

"Sweet Freedom" | Michael McDonald
As I sit here on a hot August Saturday night, putting this post together for you,  my mind goes back to this time in 1986. We were in the midst of a brutally hot summer and it was that time of the year to go to the mall and get new clothes for the new school year. This song was on the radio in the car and in the mall and was one of the biggest songs of 1986. If you are into classic 80s movies, you can find this song on the soundtrack of Running Scared, starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines.  "Sweet Freedom" would peak at #7 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the adult contemporary chart. For more of the Best Songs From 1986 For Your Wedding Playlist <---Click HERE. I will warn you before you click over; the music of 1986 could be addictive.

"Thunder Island" | Jay Ferguson
"Thunder Island" was actually one of the songs that inspired me to develop Volume 2 of the Best Yacht Rock For Cocktail Hour. I heard it on a recent roadtrip up to DC and definitely jotted it down to be included into Volume 2.  "Thunder Island" is the title track from Jay Ferguson's 1977 album and would break into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Depending on where you get married, you may be able to leave your wedding reception at the end of the night and head out to your own Thunder Island.

"The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" | Carly Simon
Now there were a lot of other songs by Carly Simon that seemed to appear on yacht rock playlists, but this one stuck with me as I was growing up in the 80s.  "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" was the third single to be released from the album Coming Around Again, and would peak at #8 on the adult contemporary chart.

"We're In This Love Together" | Al Jarreau
In 1981, Al Jarreau would release his fifth album Breakin' Away and score one of the biggest hits of his musical career. "We're In This Love Together" was the first single to be released off the album and would make it all the way #6 on the adult contemporary and hot soul singles chart.

"Summer Breeze" | Seals & Crofts
When you are riding away from your wedding reception on your yacht, you'll have that "summer breeze" blowing gently on your face as the both of you quickly reflect on the events of the day. "Summer Breeze" was the title track off the album released in August of 1972 and would peak at #4 on the adult contemporary chart.

"Give Me The Night" | George Benson
Yacht rock has the ability to include so many different types of music like this upbeat soul track that landed on the disco charts in 1980.  "Give Me The Night" was the title track on the album released in the summer of 1980. The song would peak at #4 on the Hot 100 chart, and Number 1 on the Hot Soul singles chart.

"Kiss On My List" | Hall & Oates
In the summer of 1980, Hall & Oates would release their album Voices, which would begin a streak of tremendous 80s success. "Kiss On MyList" was the third single to be released off the record in November 1980 and make it all the way to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.

"65 Love Affair" | Paul Davis
In Volume 1 of Yacht Rock For Wedding Playlists, I added "Cool Night" by Paul Davis, but "65 Love Affair" actually appeared on the same record.  "65 Love Affair" was released in February 1982 and would peak at #5 on the adult contemporary chart.

"Every Kinda People" | Robert Palmer
As I put together this Volume 2 of the Best Yacht Rock For Cocktail Hour At Weddings, we're coming up on 21 years since the untimely passing of Robert Palmer.  Before he was creating iconic 80s images in the "Addicted To Love" music video, Robert Palmer released the album Double Fun in 1978. Released in March of 1978, it would be the first time that Robert Palmer would break into the Top 20 in the U.S.

"Ain't Nobody" | Chaka Khan
In 1983, Rufus & Chaka Khan would release their live album Stompin At The Savoy, but it also included 4 studio tracks. "Ain't Nobody" would peak at #1 in October 1983 on the Hot R&B and Hip-Hop chart.

"Graceland" | Paul Simon
"Graceland" was the title track for Paul Simon's 1986 album, and is an example that a song does not need to be Number 1 to become a huge hit.  The song peaked at #81 on the Hot 100, but made it all the way to #14 on the Canadian adult contemporary chart. 

"Listen To The Music" | The Doobie Brothers
"Listen To The Music" was another song from the summer of 1972 to be added into the yacht rock catalog.  The song can be found on their album Toulouse Street, and would become the band's first big hit, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Dance With Me" | Orleans
Back in 2023, I had a client request this song so the bride's mother and father could have their first dance too. "Dance With Me" was released as a single in the summer of 1975 and would become a soft rock staple on radio stations across the country. The song would peak at #6 in October 1975.

"I Love You" | Climax Blues Band
In 1980, the Climax Blues Band released the single "I Love You".  The song would peak at #12 in June of 1981 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Come And Get Your Love" | Redbone
40 years after the song would make it all the way to #5 on the Billboard chart 100, an entirely new generation would learn about Redbone. "Come And Get Your Love" would earn a whole new following when it would appear in Guardians Of The Galaxy.

"Say Say Say" | Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
In 1983, Paul McCartney would release his album Pipes Of Peace, which would feature this duet with Michael Jackson. It would be the second time that McCartney and Jackson would do a duet. "Say Say Say" was released in October 1983 and would peak at #1 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the adult contemporary chart. Be sure to check out this post which got me featured in an article on Slate about the Best Michael Jackson Songs For Wedding Playlists too.

"Right Down The Line" | Gerry Rafferty
Before he released his 1978 album City to City, Gerry Rafferty was in the band Stealers' Wheel and would record the song "Stuck In The Middle With You". "Right Down The Line" was the follow-up single to Rafferty's massive epic hit "Baker Street" and would peak at #12 on the Hot 100 in 1978.

"Fooled Around And Fell In Love" | Elvin Bishop
Mickey Thomas would be asked to join Jefferson Starship after singing vocals for Elvin Bishop on this song in 1976. 'Fooled Around And Fell In Love" would be released in February 1976 and would make it all the way to #3 on the Hot 100 in May 1976.

"Mexico" | James Taylor
Probably one of my all-time favorites by the great James Taylor.  You can take a trip to Cancun, "Mexico" on your yacht but just make sure you pick up the album Gorilla before you leave port. "Mexico" would make it all the way to #5 on the adult contemporary chart. 

"What You Won't Do For Love" | Bobby Caldwell
And the very last song on Volume 2 of the Best Yacht Rock For Cocktail Hour For Wedding Playlists come from the great Bobby Caldwell.  Released in the fall of 1978, "What You Won't Do For Love" would peak at #9 on the Hot 100, and #10 on the Easy Listening Chart.

Ready To Book Your Yacht After Hiring DJ Mike Bills As Your Wedding DJ?

And there you have it. Volume 2 of the Best Yacht Rock Songs For Your Wedding Playlist. In case you are wondering, I will put together a Volume 3 by the end of 2024. There are just so many classy and sophisticated songs to be added into the yacht rock catalog. Yacht rock is just one of many options for wedding playlist inspiration. It's an genre that seems to come natural in my liking because of a lot of factors; the biggest being that most of my clients are in love with music and would be totally into having this vibe for their cocktail hour. At the end of the day, it's YOUR wedding and the DJ you decide to hire should be receptive to what type of music that you are interested in.  And if you meet a wedding DJ who sticks his nose up at your taste in yacht rock music, run as fast as you can.  There are so many bad wedding DJs who have not a clue about music, and who just push play, and whose musical vocabulary is so shallow. You'll want to stay clear of them. I would love to speak with you about being the wedding DJ on your special day. I book select weddings on an annual basis. From the beginning of my wedding DJ journey, it's been my goal to focus more on "quality" than "quality". If you liked this post, you are welcome to review the rest of my blog to learn more about me and my style. And oh, I almost forgot --- here is the link to Volume 1 <---Click HERE.  If you'd like to set up a time to speak with me, just click the link up above and fill out a few details in my contact form! Thank you for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from you.