yacht rock
noun
: soft rock
especially
: a style of soft rock music originating in the 1970s and 1980s
For those unfamiliar, yacht rock is the smooth, feel-good sound of the '70s and '80s soft rock era. Think artists like Toto, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, and Kenny Loggins. —
Tatum Ratzlaff
—often used before another noun Tatum Ratzlaff yacht rock artists/bands/songs
Examples of yacht rock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The current state of Yacht Rock – Chris A. tells me: Sirius does right by yacht rock.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Also performing this summer are yacht rock band High Tide Society, rhythm and blues group Salty Papa and country band Barbwire.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2026
Performing at Sunset Soundcheck is Summer Breeze, a local yacht rock tribute band led by drummer Billy Brimblecom Jr.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
The recent yacht rock renaissance has elevated the profile of both the song and of singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, restoring its status as a certifiable bop after years spent wandering in the desert of unintentional camp.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Cumming now splits her time between New York and L.A., and her solo record is appropriately made in the spirit of ’60s Brill Building and ’70s Laurel Canyon music, with some studio-rat yacht rock thrown in for good measure.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 5 May 2026
The album, which is comprised almost wholly of covers spanning yacht rock mainstays, also includes one original Urban song to round the package out.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
But Arin’s palette stretches further—into ’80s synth textures, yacht rock sensibilities like Christopher Cross, and the layered rhythms of hip-hop and alternative music.
—Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
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Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Also performing this summer are yacht rock band High Tide Society, rhythm and blues group Salty Papa and country band Barbwire.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2026
Performing at Sunset Soundcheck is Summer Breeze, a local yacht rock tribute band led by drummer Billy Brimblecom Jr.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
The recent yacht rock renaissance has elevated the profile of both the song and of singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, restoring its status as a certifiable bop after years spent wandering in the desert of unintentional camp.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Cumming now splits her time between New York and L.A., and her solo record is appropriately made in the spirit of ’60s Brill Building and ’70s Laurel Canyon music, with some studio-rat yacht rock thrown in for good measure.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 5 May 2026
The album, which is comprised almost wholly of covers spanning yacht rock mainstays, also includes one original Urban song to round the package out.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
But Arin’s palette stretches further—into ’80s synth textures, yacht rock sensibilities like Christopher Cross, and the layered rhythms of hip-hop and alternative music.
—Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Yacht rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yacht%20rock. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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