Boat Songs: The Ultimate Boating Playlist
Boat songs are a dime a dozen—and for good reason. Every boater loves to crank up the volume and blast a good boating playlist while enjoying a beautiful, sunny day on the water. If you need some boating tunes to add to your playlist, we're here to help. In this post, we've broken our favorite 24 boating songs into categories that will work for however you feel at the helm on any given day. It doesn't matter whether you're aboard a 60-foot motor yacht , a 30-foot sailboat , or a 13-foot center console : This playlist works for anyone who has boating in their heart.
Boat Party Playlist
1. boat drinks” by jimmy buffett.
Choosing just one Jimmy Buffett song is hard, but if you must, go with "Boat Drinks." This tune captures the essence of a carefree day out on the water, sipping your favorite refreshment while enjoying the soothing rhythm of the waves.
2. “Redneck Yacht Club” by Craig Morgan
Even if you’re not a regular fan of country music, you’ll find yourself singing along to this toe-tapping tune that name-drops everything from Evinrude and Mercury to Bayliner and Bass Tracker.
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3. “Rock the Boat” by the Hues Corporation
With its infectious rhythm and feel-good vibe, this song is a timeless disco classic that gets people dancing.
4. “Banana Boat (Day-O)” by Harry Belefonte
There are countless covers of this crowd-pleaser, which is based on a Jamaican folk song, but Harry Belafonte's version from 1956 is the one that still rings true to most fans' ears.
5. “Buy Me a Boat” by Chris Janson
While money can't buy everything, it can certainly buy me a boat. Who can resist belting out this sentiment at the top of their lungs?
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6. “I’m on a Boat” by The Lonely Planet and T-Pain
This song provides satirical commentary on music videos featuring rappers on yachts. While the lyrics are explicit (don't listen to this one with the kids), the catchy hook will undoubtedly stay with you.
Name That Boating Tune
7. “where the boat leaves from” by the zac brown band.
You know the feeling: It's 4:45 p.m. on Friday, your buddies have the coolers stocked with ice and brewskies, and you'll climb over traffic to get to the marina. Because, as the song goes, that's where the boat leaves from.
8. “Pontoon” by Little Big Town
It's hard not to love a song about the everyday boats on lakes across America where families and friends gather every weekend. Three cheers for Little Big Town and their homage to the pontoon .
9. “Orinoco Flow” by Enya
It's hard not to remember this catchy tune, which repeats, "Let me sail, let me sail." Bet your pals $5 that they can't name the actual song title, even if they can sing every word of the chorus.
10. “When the Ship Comes In” by Bob Dylan
The master of poetry and song released this single on his album "The Times They Are a-Changin'." It's forever entwined with the spirit of that era: Dylan and Joan Baez performed it together at the March on Washington in 1963.
11. “Sail Away” by David Gray
You may remember David Gray from his single "Babylon," which hit No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in 1999. "Sail Away" was on the same album, "White Ladder," with Gray crooning, "Sail away with me honey."
12. “Captain Jim’s Drunken Dream” by James Taylor
No less than Art Garfunkel contributed vocals on this song when Taylor was in the studio recording it. "Shower the People" became the big hit on the album, with this song appearing on side two.
The Real Deal
13. “the downeaster alexa” by billy joel longtime.
Billy Joel enjoys cruising on New York's Long Island Sound, which inspired him to write this tune from the perspective of a fisherman who was having trouble paying the bills.
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14. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot
Commemorating the sinking of a carrier ship on Lake Superior, this song was written with an eye toward historical accuracy. Lightfoot changed some lyrics for live shows after new information about the sinking was uncovered.
15. “Boats” by Kenny Chesney
Chesney sings about Ol' Joe and his Boston Whaler in this song, which evokes the true love of boating that we all feel—no matter how much of a pain in the neck (and back) the boat can sometimes be.
16. “Sinking of the Reuben James” by Woody Guthrie
The USS Reuben James was a destroyer with the sad distinction of being the first U.S. Navy ship sunk in Europe during World War II. In this song, Guthrie immortalized the crew members who died fighting for freedom.
17. “Pay Me My Money Down” by Bruce Springsteen
This originally was a work song that could be heard on the docks, and that later was popularized by Pete Seeger. Springsteen released his version in 2006—on the only album he ever made of material he didn’t write himself.
18. "On The Boat Again" by Jake Owen
When he's not writing country music tunes, Jake Owen loves spending time out on the water. In "On the Boat Again," Jake blends his love for country music with the joy of being out on the water, encapsulating the longing for a picture-perfect day beneath the sun.
Karaoke Jams
19. “ride captain ride” by blues image.
How this song only made it to No. 4 on the charts is a true mystery, given that its chorus, introduced to the world in 1970, is still on the tip of countless tongues today.
20. “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys
When they took a break from singing about California surfers, the Beach Boys recorded this track based on a Bahamian folk song. It reached number one in numerous countries, including Germany, South Africa, and New Zealand.
21. “I’m Your Captain” by Grand Funk Railroad
At 10 minutes, this is the longest studio recording that Grand Funk Railroad ever did. It's not as long as the 13-minute "Pirates" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, but it'll do fine for a karaoke finale.
22. “Come Sail Away” by Styx
Go ahead: Try to name another song that has made as many TV show appearances as this one, whose credits include "South Park," "ER," "Glee," "The Goldbergs," and "Freaks and Geeks."
23. “Brandy” by Looking Glass
You may know all the words to this one, but we'll bet you didn't know that Barry Manilow reportedly changed the name of his song of the same name to "Mandy" so fans wouldn't get the two tunes confused.
24. “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills and Nash Stephen
Stills based this song on "Seven League Boots," adding lyrics and a chorus about a boat trip he took after his divorce. He says the song is about the power of the universe to heal—something every boater knows to be true.
Create Your Own Boating Playlist
Crafting the perfect boating playlist is an art that combines the rhythm of the water with the beats of your favorite tunes. Whether you're cruising along a serene lake or on a yacht in the open sea, the right playlist can elevate your boating experience. So, grab your sunglasses, turn up the volume, and let the music complement the splendor of the waves for an unforgettable day on the water.
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22 Best Boat Songs for the Ultimate Boat Party Playlist
Table of Contents
Boating songs really bring out the best in everyone. There is nothing like having some relaxing music in the background or even blasting from the speakers of your boat rental . Some songs on this list are true classics, while others might be new to your ears. We’re pretty sure your crew will learn the lyrics fast. Here are 22 of the best songs for your boat party playlist.
- Kokomo – The Beach Boys
- Sailing – Christopher Cross
- It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet
- Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet
- Boats – Kenny Chesney
- Banana Boat – Harry Belaforte
- Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
- Rock the Boat – Hues Corporation
- The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
- No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problems – Kenny Chesney
- How Deep Is Your Love – The Bee Gees
- Sunshine and Summertime – Faith Hill
- Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
- Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crow
- Son of a Son of a Sailor – Jimmy Buffet
- And, It Stoned Me – Van Morrison
- Drive – Alan Jackson
- Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills, & Nash
- Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
- The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot
- Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
- Come Sail Away – Synx
Let’s crank the volume up and dive into these songs together.
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1. “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys
You don’t really have to be anywhere near the Florida Keys to enjoy this tune, but it sure helps if you are. Listen to the enticing Caribbean steel drums and lie under the clear sky on your comfortable deck . Forget all your problems and simply enjoy some afternoon delights, cocktails, and the waterview.
2. “Sailing” by Christopher Cross
“And if the wind is right you can sail away and find serenity… oh, the canvas can do miracles/Just you wait and see/Believe me.” This popular and peaceful song from 1980 will certainly take you away from all of your worries and really set the scene for your next sailing vacation.
3. “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
Country star Alan Jackson and living legend Jimmy Buffett give you all kinds of reasons to start an early day of drinking. We think you will find that on a boat, it is so much harder to feel any kind of guilt about pouring “something tall and strong”, whenever in the day the mood strikes you.
4. “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett
Another cracking tune by Buffett, this is the song that inspired his massive empire and an entire lifestyle of beach-related fun. Sailors young and old will forever be glad to spend time searching for that lost shaker of salt.
5. “Boats” by Kenny Chesney
Following in the sandy footsteps of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney is a newer country artist with a lot of summery songs that can go well with boats, including this really relaxing tune about “vessels of freedom.”
6. “Banana Boat (Day-O)” by Harry Belafonte
Way back in 1956, famous Jamaican-American singer Harry Belafonte put out this well-known song about the lives of dockworkers, and by now, almost everyone knows how to sing “day-o!”
7. “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys
This one was originally a traditional West Indies folk song called “The John B. Sails” that the Beach Boys revised in 1966. The song is about John B., an old sponger boat whose crew often got drunk when they came into port . Not surprisingly, the boat crashed and sunk off the coast of the Bahamas in about 1900.
8. “Rock The Boat” by Hues Corporation
This 1974 disco hit “Rock The Boat” is sometimes considered the first disco song to top the Billboard Top 100 charts. The catchy song compares some of the ups and downs of being in a relationship to time spent on a boat.
9. “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
Recorded in 1968, this classic dedicated to the dock is ideal for a sunset sailing cruise. Listen closely to the song, and you’ll hear the soothing waves in the background while you are “wasting time.”
READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Sandbar Parties
10. “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” by Kenny Chesney
Chesney’s clever play on the popular “no shirt, no shoes, no service” saying might become one of the anthems of your next boat trip. Just don’t take his advice when you pull into port, or you may not get served after all.
11. “How Deep Is Your Love” by The Bee Gees
This soothing and relaxing melody will leave you with long-lasting memories of the blue sky, the water, and a bunch of white sails flapping away in the distance “on a summer breeze”.
12. “Sunshine and Summertime” by Faith Hill
When this song comes on the playlist, you’ll probably think all about the barefoot ladies and people getting crazy on the boulevard. Just pull out your colas and ice-cold beers for a big boat party on the water .
13. “Surfin’ USA” by the Beach Boys
A popular throwback song that every American can get behind when they can’t wait till June, this famous hit has been the very epitome of summer since the Beach Boys released it in 1963. If you’re going on a boat trip in California , put this tune on while you sail around Alcatraz, beneath the Golden Gate Bridge , and go about.
14. “Soak Up The Sun” by Sheryl Crow
Another thing to soak up is some sun. When there is not a cloud in the sky, just rub on some tropical sunscreen and turn up the volume on this hit from 2002. And if the boating lifestyle doesn’t get everyone in your crew to lay back and relax, sing louder when Sheryl Crow tells “everyone to lighten up.”
15. “Son of a Son of a Sailor” by Jimmy Buffett
Boating skills are often passed down from generation to generation, and Jimmy Buffett sings about that in this catchy song from 1978. Some of the best lines are at the end of the song, with “the sea’s in my veins, my tradition remains.”
16. “And It Stoned Me,” by Van Morrison
This is about two young guys on their way to the county fair. It starts raining, but it doesn’t bother them. They wait it out happily but don’t want it to rain all day. They hitch a ride to the creek for some fishing and swimming, then head home and meet their neighbor for some moonshine.
17. “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” by Alan Jackson
If you are taking a trip to a “little lake across the Alabama line ”, put on Alan Jackson’s 2002 story of a boat “built out of love.” For Jackson, the boat is a “piece of my childhood that’ll never be forgotten.”
18. “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash
According to Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1982, their many years of sailing under the Southern Cross became a really helpful way to get over some of their most difficult relationship problems.
19. “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison
Simply listen to Van Morrison’s amazing melodies and evocative lyrics to feel like you’re in a movie about boating . Lie back, smell the sea, feel the sky, and let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic.
20. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot
If you are looking to learn a bit of history while enjoying your music, this song might be just perfect for you on the water. It recounts the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald freighter, a large ship that came to a watery end during a powerful storm in November 1975.
21. “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles
This famous song does not actually try to tell a specific story, and some of the lyrics are hard to understand, but the blue skies, a sea of green, and a yellow submarine make this tune the closest thing to a Beatles boating song there is.
22. “Come Sail Away” by Styx
Styx band member Dennis DeYoung wrote the song feeling a little depressed about lower than expected album sales. Over the years, it has reached immense popularity, getting featured on adult cartoons like South Park and Family Guy!
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Picture this: a day on the water, a full tank of gas in your boat, and vibes set by the perfect soundtrack. Boating songs are a mixed bag — Jimmy Buffett caters toward the lower and slower southern boater, while new tunes from popular country artists can get any party going.
Because boaters come from all walks of life, we’ve separated our list of the best boating songs ever into categories:
Top Summer Boating Songs
Top party boating songs, top country boating songs.
- top-songs-about-boats-and-water
Turn up the volume and set sail with this curated list of the best boating songs.
We’ve crafted a list of five upbeat and energetic songs perfect for setting a lively atmosphere for your summer boating trip.
1. “Soak Up the Sun” – Sheryl Crow
This is a country anthem about enjoying life’s simple pleasures, starting with the summer sun. With uplifting lyrics like “I don't have digital / I don't have diddly squat / It's not having what you want / It's wanting what you've got,” this song is a classic feel-good tune.
2. “Summer” - Calvin Harris
This one is an electrifying dance hit that captures the essence of the season. Something about it carries the euphoria of late summer nights and carefree moments on the dancefloor. Its lyrics are about hitting it off with a summer fling and falling in love “while the leaves turn brown.”
3. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock
Kid Rock blends rock and country in this nostalgic ode to carefree summers. Its easy melody takes listeners down memory lane of sun-kissed days and youthful adventures.
4. “When the Sun Goes Down” – Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker
A slow, laid-back country jam, this tune has breezy melodies and easy sing-along lyrics. “Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down” is a bumper sticker-worthy lyric.
5. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bob Marley
Bob Marley is known for his soothing lyrics that make you feel like you’re right down in Jamaica with him. There’s nothing better than sitting on a boat, looking out at the horizon, and remembering that all is well.
1. “Sunroof” - Nicky Youre Loud Luxury Remix
Los Angeles-based Nicky Youre writes youthful, romance-filled lyrics in this happy-go-lucky summer song. There’s a reason the song blew up so swiftly - it’s infectiously positive.
2. “Island in the Sun” - Gamper & Dadoni, Conor Byrne
Need a musical escape to paradise? This combination of laid-back beats and tropical sounds creates the perfect summer backdrop to your boating day, whether you’re fishing, partying, or just chilling.
3. “Welcome to Jamrock” - Damian Marley
This classic reggae jam samples an even more well-known hit, “World-a-Reggae” by Ini Kamoze. With an upbeat spin on a timeless throwback, partiers around the world love this jam.
4. “Potion” - Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa
As you drink your potions by the ocean, groove to the sound of energetic beats and intoxicating vocals. Calvin Harris, the master of producing dancefloor-worthy songs, created the perfect “song of the summer” boat party jam with this one. Play it to liven up your bachelorette boat party or to make the most of your Saturday out.
5. “Red Solo Cup” - Toby Keith
Name a better way to bring people together than with the universal red solo cup. As catchy as a nursery rhyme but with lyrics you wouldn’t play around mixed company, “Red Solo Cup” is one of the best party boat songs out there. Play it at your bachelor boat party or a simple weekend get-together.
1. “Pontoon” - Little Big Town
Full of puns and witty lyrics, Pontoon makes you want to drop what you’re doing and rent a pontoon boat with friends. With lyrics like “5 mile an hour with aluminum side
/ Wood paneling with a water slide / Can't beat the heat, so let's take a ride,” it’s a chill country boating song for lower and slower boating days. Pour up your boat drinks and soak up the sun.
2. “No Shoes, No Short, No Problems”- Kenney Chesney
Chesney channels a work hard play harder attitude; we can all relate to wanting to unwind after a long work week, kick back, and chill on the beach. He really said it perfectly: ”Wanna soak up life for a while, and lay back low / No boss no clock no stress, no dress code.”
3. “Buy Me A Boat” - Chris Jansen
Money might not buy happiness, but it can buy a boat…and a truck to pull it. Enjoy your boat ride with a country song that makes you appreciate just being there.
4. “Redneck Yacht Club” - Craig Morgan
Fun is universal and you don’t need a huge, suped-up boat to do it (although yacht rentals can be really fun). This country boating song reminds us that life is what you make it, and it doesn’t matter if you’re boating on rivers, lakes, or oceans - what matters most is being on the water.
5. “Cruise” - Florida Georgia Line
Every boating song playlist needs a sing-songy melody like Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise.” Whether cruising on a boat or the road with the windows down, this country-pop fusion is infectious.
6. “Where The Boat Leaves From” - Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band has mastered the summer boating vibe. This one mixes folk, country, and reggae beats, inviting you to escape the daily grind and embrace the tranquil beauty of seaside retreats.
7. “Somethin' 'Bout a Boat” - Jimmy Buffett
The open waters are, as this song reminds us, calming. “Somethin bout a boat” gives you hope - it can take you home, or take you around the world.
8. “Knee Deep” - Zac Brown Band
Another carefree hit from Zac Brown Band, “Knee Deep” paints a picture of blue waters, sandy beaches, and carefree living. Full of easygoing optimism and mellow sounds, it’s a warm invitation to disconnect and enjoy your day on the water.
9. “Lovely Cruise” - Jimmy Buffett
With deeper undertones than most of Buffett’s vacation-vibed songs, “Lovely Cruise” connects the end of one of life’s chapters with the bitter-sweet ending of a trip at sea. “We'll bid our farewells much too soon / So drink it up, this one's for you / Honey, it's been a lovely cruise.”
10. “Water” - Brad Paisley
As a kid, water means inflatable pools and rope swings. As we get older, our “love affair with water” grows up with us, from “Daytona Beach on spring break” or “driving until the map turns blue.”
Songs About Boats and Water
1. “(sittin' on) the dock of the bay“ - otis redding.
What better way to waste time than enjoying a sweet sunset cruise? This song beautifully carries deeper meanings about life, time, and how we spend it.
2. “Son Of A Son Of A Sailor” - Jimmy Buffett
“The sea's in my veins, my tradition remains.” For some of us, boating is in our blood, a family tradition that reminds us where we came from. It’s a lyrical voyage about heritage and freedom.
3. “The Downeaster 'Alexa'” - Billy Joel
Joel’s evocative voice crafts a powerful ode to fishermen’s struggles and resilience. As you set sail toward the horizon, this boat song will provide a motivational and emotional tone.
4. “Sailor’s Lament” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Inspiring reflection, this song captures a yearning for change. Somewhat somber lyrics with an upbeat classic rock tune make this a good boating song for sailing alone.
5. “Single Handed Sailor” – Dire Straits
The line "Single-handed sailor, go out and get the hidden hoard" evokes a sense of solitary adventure. The song's moody melody and Mark Knopfler's distinctive vocals create a mysterious aura for boat music on the sea.
As you prepare for your day on the water, use these songs about boats and water as a starting point to create your ultimate boating playlist. From upbeat party boat songs to heartfelt melodies of sailors past, our selection embraces the diverse community that makes up the boating world. Happy Boating!
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25 Best Boat Songs (Ultimate Boating Songs Playlist)
Who doesn’t love being on a boat? The warm sunshine, invigorating breeze, and cool water zipping by—not to mention the occasional spray to the face—is the ultimate way to shed your daily worries and feel completely relaxed and carefree.
You’re with your friends, the cooler is full, and your rod and reel are ready; the only other thing you need is great music. Here is the ultimate list of songs about boats and boating to make it a perfect day on the water.
1. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet
It’s no surprise that Jimmy Buffet was in Key West, Florida, when he wrote this iconic song from 1977. The ultimate homage to a lazy life in the tropics, from boiling shrimp to wondering how you got a tattoo of a cute Mexican senorita, everyone sings along whenever Margaritaville comes on.
Next: The greatest summertime jams of all time (summer songs playlist)
2. Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river” are words etched into the American consciousness, and the song that went to #2 in 1969 is as recognizable today as it was then. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s classic song about a Mississippi riverboat has been covered by countless groups and singers, but the original is still the best.
Next: The best songs about rivers of all time
3. Buy Me a Boat – Chris Janson
Buy Me A Boat is the quintessential working-man-who-wants-a-boat song, and as Chris Janson says, if you’ve got a truck to pull it and a Yeti 110 cooler, well, you don’t need more than that to be happy. The driving beat and simple, relatable lyrics make this track from 2015 a must for your day on the water.
4. Pontoon – Little Big Town
The opening four notes of Pontoon are instantly recognizable, and it’s hard to not dance to this song that went all the way to #1 in 2012 . With a toe-tapping beat and lyrics like, “Party in slow motion, Out here in the open, Mmmmmmm motorboating,” this one is sure to get everyone up and moving.
5. Kokomo – The Beach Boys
The group that is inextricably tied to images of beaches, surfing, and girls in bikinis racked up nearly forty Top 40 hits. Featured in the Tom Cruise movie Cocktail , Kokomo is about a fictitious tropical paradise where you can get away from it all. The song reached the top of the charts in 1988—a full 24 years after the group’s first #1 hit.
Next: The best bands from the 1960s (our ultimate list)
6. Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith
It’s a safe bet you’ll have beverages on the boat, and chances are you’ll be drinking them from a red solo cup . Toby Keith’s hilarious tribute to the ubiquitous disposable drinking vessel reached #9 on the country charts in 2011. The singer described it as both “the stupidest song that I have ever heard in my life” and “freakin’ awesome.” Proceed to party!
7. Two Pina Coladas – Garth Brooks
Everyone loves a good sing-along, and when it’s about a coconut-y adult beverage, even better. This #1 hit from 1998 is simple, fun, and evokes a beachy, carefree feeling that goes perfectly with blue sky, sunshine, and water stretching to the horizon.
8. If I Had a Boat – Lyle Lovett
Singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett burst onto the national scene in the mid-80s, and this song from 1987 is still a favorite among concertgoers. The line, “Well, kiss my ass, I bought a boat, I’m going out to sea,” always elicits loud cheers and applause from the audience.
9. Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
An anthem to happiness if there ever was one, this hit from 1988 was the first a cappella song to reach #1 on the Billboard Top 100 Chart. The whistled melody in the intro leads into “Here’s a little song I wrote,” and by then, everyone is already grooving to the gentle reggae beat.
10. Day O (Banana Boat Song) – Harry Belafonte
Also known as Banana Boat Song , Day O came out in 1956, and everyone seems to still know it. The simple tune about dock workers loading bananas onto ships contains the often-repeated refrain “Daylight come and we want go home.” The calypso beat and call-and-response make this a favorite in any crowd.
11. It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet
The ultimate wishing-you-weren’t-at-work song is perfect for the boat because, well, you’re not at work! This track from 2003 goes, “Pour me something tall and strong, Make it a hurricane, before I go insane,” and there’s no reason why you can’t when you’re basking in the sunshine and looking out at the sparkling water.
Next: Top drinking songs for a booze-fueled playlist
12. Come Sail Away – Styx
One of the top rock bands of the 70s , Styx released this song in 1977, and it went all the way to #8 on the charts . The references to sailing on a virgin sea and searching for tomorrow on every shore are clearly metaphorical, but it’s a positive message about never giving up on your dreams.
Next: Playlist of songs about sailing
13. Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crow
The message in this stay-positive-even-though-your-life’s-not-perfect song is epitomized by the line, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.” Sheryl Crow is determined to soak up the sun, which is exactly what you’ll be doing when this hit from 2002 comes on.
Next: Top sunshine songs for a sunny anthem playlist
14. Boats – Kenny Chesney
There’s probably not a better song in the world to describe the feeling of freedom on a boat than Boats , a Kenny Chesney song from 2008. Nothing complex here. It’s just about how awesome it is to be on a boat. The simple chorus goes, “Boats, Vessels of freedom, Harbors of healing, Boats.” What more needs to be said?
15. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Anyone who doesn’t know this hit from 1969 must have been living under a rock for the past few decades. It’s a favorite at sporting events and karaoke venues everywhere, and it’s guaranteed to get people up and singing. Good times never felt so good!
16. I’m Gonna Miss Her – Brad Paisley
Singer-songwriter Brad Paisley infuses this song with his unique sense of humor, and anyone who loves fishing can relate. This #1 hit from 2001 is sure to bring a smile to your face, especially when you can say “Oh, lookie there, I’ve got a bite.”
17. Redneck Yacht Club – Craig Morgan
Singer Craig Morton put his own special spin on boating life in this witty song from 2005. Bass trackers, Bayliners, and a party barge make up the titular organization, and of course, there are tank top tans, flip flops, and beer drinking before 10 am. Just “Regular Joes rockin’ the boat.” Yee haw.
18. Toes – Zac Brown Band
Another song that was inspired by the Florida Keys , the message of Toes is pretty simple: a beach vacation with your “toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand.” The next line just makes sense: “Life is good today.” This track from 2006 is the perfect song for a day on the water!
19. Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Will Smith brings his funky rap style to this song released way back in 1991. The chill beat and lyrics are straight out of the 90s, and it’s a fun, retro ode to cruising and checking out girls, new sneakers, basketball, grilling, and dancing.
20. Happy – Pharrell Williams
Remember in Despicable Me 2 when Gru dances through the streets because he’s in love? The song is Happy , which shot to #1 in more than 20 countries and is considered the most successful song in the world for 2014. If optimism had a theme song, this is it. A perfect match when you’re in the best place on earth—a boat on the water.
21. I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett And the Blackhearts
This cover of a track originally recorded by the Arrows has become one of the most successful and popular rock songs of all time . It was #1 on the charts for seven weeks in 1981 and catapulted 23-year-old Joan Jett to national stardom. Heads will be banging when this comes on, so put another dime in the jukebox, baby.
22. The Booze Cruise – Blackjack Billy
Nothing says party on a pontoon boat like this country jam, where drinks, tunes, and girls are the star attractions. One of the biggest hits of the year in 2013, it’s impossible not to get into the spirit—or spirits, as the case may be—when you find out a redneck margarita is just, well, straight tequila.
Next: The greatest songs about tequila
23. California Girls – The Beach Boys
Surfing, cars, and girls were The Beach Boys’ favorite subjects, and this song from 1965 celebrates beautiful women from all over the United States and the wish that they all lived in sunny California. If there’s a track that’s the very embodiment of summertime, this has to be it.
24. Red Red Wine – UB40
With a smooth reggae beat, this 1983 cover by UB40 made it to #1 in both the UK and US. There’s no hidden message here. It’s just about how wine can help you forget your worries for a little while. That’s it. So get your groove on with a glass of vino—just make sure it’s red!
25. Where the Boat Leaves From – Zac Brown Band
You can’t help but be in a good mood when this toe-tapping tune comes on. It’s about how being on a boat helps you forget your worries—you just “drop them in the blue ocean” and go to a place where there is sand, tanned ladies, piña coladas, banana trees, and Bob Marley songs playing. Yes, please.
As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.
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Best Boating Songs
- By Randy Vance
- Updated: July 2, 2013
The songs on our playlists are just a small fraction of the tunes we like to play while out on the water. Hopefully, you find some new favorites, and if you have suggestions for us and your fellow boaters, please leave them in the comments section below.
Editors Note This song list was generated as a result of a marine stereo speaker test we conducted. We then asked that boaters on our social streams add their own songs. You responded and this new subhead lists your selections as of September 2015.
Boater’s Choice Playlist
Chris Janson ; Buy Me A Boat
Jimmy Buffet ; Son of A Sailor
Craig Morgan ; Redneck Yacht Club
Hues Corporation ; Rock The Boat
Zac Brown ; Toes
Garth Brooks ; The River
Pontoon ; Little Big Town
Van Halen ; Where Have All The Good Times Gone
John Reno ; Big OL Johnson
Kenny Chesney ; Flora-Bama Saturday Night
Primus; Fish On
Iron Maiden ; Rime of the Ancient Mariner
There Be Pirates ; Derelict
Bruce Springsteen ; Seaside Bar Song
15. Billy Joel ; The Downeaster Alexa
BONUS! FREE!! Spongebob Squarepants Theme Song!
Best Boating Songs Randy’s Test Playlist: My Favorite 11 Boating Songs (Because I Couldn’t Decide…) 1. Master and Commander : “The Battle”/Best played when hooked up 2. Pirates of the Caribbean : Theme song/Best played when leaving port 3. Gilligan’s Island : Theme song/Best played when returning to port 4. Lyle Lovett : “If I Had a Boat”/Best played when anchored at sunset 5. Jimmy Buffett : “Changes in Latitudes”/Best played embarking on a long cruise 6. Little Big Town : “Pontoon”/Best played when that’s what you have 7. Kid Rock : “All Summer Long”/Best played when feeling frisky 8. Alan Jackson : “Drive (For Daddy Gene)”/Best played when teaching your kids to captain 9. The Lonely Island : “I’m on a Boat”/Best played to clear an anchorage 10. Kenny Chesney : “Boats”/Best played immediately after paying fuel bill 11. Bob Seger : “Roll Me Away”/Best played when you need to get out of town
Boating ‘s Playlist: 1. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young : “Southern Cross”/Best played running across ocean swells 2. The Band : “Up on Cripple Creek”/Best played gunkholing 3. Bachman-Turner Overdrive : “Takin’ Care of Business”/Best played waxing your boat 4. The Beatles : “Let It Be”/Best played headed back to the dock after a weekend afloat 5. Don McLean : “American Pie”/Best played while part of a large raft-up; induces spontaneous sing-alongs 6. Eric Clapton : “Malted Milk” (acoustic)/Best played after a fish breaks the line 7. Grateful Dead : “Box of Rain”/Best played aboard a friend’s wet-riding boat 8. J.S Bach : “Gigue”/Best played working on something hard to reach in the bilge 9. The Outlaws : “Green Grass and High Tides” (live)/Best played heading to your boat on Friday afternoon 10. The Dubliners : “The Foggy Dew”/Best played running downsea on a blustery day 11. The Beatles : “Here Comes the Sun”/Best played once a day 12. Billy Joel : “The Downeaster ‘Alexa'”/Best played heading for haul-out at season’s end 13. Led Zeppelin : “The Ocean”/Best played after calling in sick to go boating midweek
For the complete results from our marine speakers test, click here .
What You Don’t Need to Know A bunch of facts designed to ramp-up your stereo speaker savvy! Frequency response (±X.X dB) This most important speaker spec reveals how natural the speaker sounds. For flush-mount marine speakers, something in the ±6 decibels (dB) range is pretty good. If the manufacturer specifies only a frequency range without a plus/minus dB figure, the rating isn’t very useful.
Sensitivity (SPL @ 1 watt/1 meter) This tells how much sound pressure you’ll get from a speaker with 1 watt of power. Every additional +3 dB of sound requires double the power, i.e., a speaker rated at 88 dB/1 watt requires 2 watts for 91 dB, 4 watts for 94 dB, 16 watts for 100 dB, and so on. Most people consider 100 dB quite loud.
Impedance This tells how much load the speaker puts on the amp, and also how much power you’ll be able to pull from it. The lower the number, the more power you’ll get from your amp — but if you go too low, you’ll tax the amp too much. Marine speakers should be in the 4-ohm range.
Resonant Frequency/Bass Extension There are technical differences between these two ratings, but they’ll give you a general idea of the lowest frequency you’ll get from the speaker. The lower the number, the deeper the bass you’ll get. With flush-mount speakers, the size of the space behind the speaker will have a big effect on bass extension. Generally, the bigger the space behind the speaker, the deeper the bass you’ll get.
Recommended RMS Power Ignore this number. It’s rarely the result of technical evaluation. Usually it’s just a mix of the engineer’s gut feel and the marketing guy’s need to show a certain spec. Paradoxically, sometimes a less-powerful amp is more dangerous to your speaker because the less-powerful amp will probably distort more, and distortion tends to damage speakers.
Maximum Power Another number you can largely ignore. While there are legit ways to test this, it usually has more to do with marketing than anything else. (Notice it’s almost always a nice, round number?) It would be great to know if a speaker can tolerate blasting at 105 dB for hours, but a vague maximum power spec will never tell you that.
Installation Notes There is more to a good speaker system than the way it sounds, and we also took note of ease of installation, included hardware and templates.
Clarion CMD8 Play Head This stereo head’s cutting template was the best we experienced. It was a clear sticker that adhered to the panel, giving crisp cutting lines and drill points. As good as that was, “driving” a jigsaw from drilled corner hole to corner hole isn’t as easy as it looks, and we had to do a little filing and grinding to get the fit perfect.
Clarion XC6610 Amplifier The compact footprint of this amp was welcome in the GT 150, but it was designed for a flat mount. Not so lucky in this boat, but the factory reps said it would still cool adequately in a vertical orientation. Trim panels attached with Allen screws give access to the mounting-screw holes and¬ then can be replaced for a handsome, sleek look.
Clarion Subwoofer “Why pre-drill only four holes on the mounting flange?” we asked ourselves. The screws go through the grille and speaker to fasten it to the mounting surface. We think Clarion should have drilled four more holes through the subwoofer’s aluminum flange to mount the speaker and then used the four screws through the grille and flange.
Fusion Speakers In both the speakers and subwoofers, the grilles used a twist-lock mechanism after the speaker was screwed in place. Very handy.
Jensen Speakers They included both white and silver grilles.
Sony Speakers Screw caps were included with the speaker grilles to cover the screw heads and beautify the installation.
Cutting Templates Sony’s speaker templates were perforated into the box, giving the best stencil guide. Cutting paper templates, then tracing, and then cutting leaves too much room for error.
Subwoofer Connections Only Fusion used spade connectors on the subwoofers. Jensen, Clarion and Sony use screw-clamp fixtures for a more positive connection.
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How to Install a Shallow-Water Anchor
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50 Best Boat Songs: Enjoy The Water (With Video!)
We just had a week of 90-degree weather up here in Michigan (followed shortly by a week of 30-degree weather, but still…), which means that summer is approaching!
Up here, one of our greatest pastimes is to get out on a boat, whether it be on one of our many rivers, bays, or lakes.
While enjoying the waves and rays, we need some jams to enhance our time, right?
Enter this list of the best boat songs to help you enjoy the water even more!
I’ll go into detail on my top 20 picks and then offer dozens of more ideas past that.
Table of Contents
#1 “Sailing” by Christopher Cross (Pop)
“Sailing” by Christopher Cross is a timeless pop classic that captures the spirit of adventure and longing for freedom. Released in 1980, this Grammy-winning hit showcases Cross’s smooth vocals and melodic guitar riffs, creating a soothing and dreamy atmosphere. The heartfelt lyrics evoke images of sailing on open waters, seeking solace and escape from the challenges of life. With its catchy chorus and memorable melodies, “Sailing” remains a beloved anthem that continues to inspire listeners to set sail on their own personal journeys.
#2 “Come Sail Away” by Styx (Rock)
“Come Sail Away” by Styx is an iconic rock anthem that tells the story of a protagonist’s longing for escape and adventure. With its epic guitar riffs, soaring vocal harmonies, and powerful piano-driven melody, the song takes listeners on a musical journey. The lyrics evoke a sense of wanderlust and a yearning for freedom as the protagonist dreams of setting sail to unknown destinations. “Come Sail Away” is a timeless rock classic that continues to captivate audiences with its emotive storytelling and majestic musicality.
#3 “The Boat That I Row” by Lulu (Pop)
“The Boat That I Row” is a pop song by Scottish singer Lulu. Released in 1967, it features an upbeat melody and Lulu’s soulful vocals. The lyrics depict a confident and determined protagonist who navigates through life with independence and self-assurance, comparing her journey to rowing a boat. The song’s catchy chorus and Lulu’s powerful performance make it an enduring and iconic pop hit, showcasing her talent as a dynamic and charismatic vocalist. “The Boat That I Row” remains a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences with its catchy melody and empowering message.
#4 “Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding (R&B/Soul)
“Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding is a timeless R&B/Soul classic that was released posthumously in 1968. It features Redding’s soulful vocals and a laid-back groove with memorable whistling melodies. The song reflects on longing and loneliness, with lyrics that capture the bittersweet emotions of watching the tide roll away while waiting for something that may never come. With its unforgettable hooks and emotive performance, “Dock of the Bay” remains a beloved song that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate audiences with its soulful sound.
#5 “I’m On a Boat” by The Lonely Island feat. T-Pain (Comedy Rap)
“I’m On a Boat” by The Lonely Island feat. T-Pain is a comedic rap song that humorously celebrates the joy of being on a boat. With catchy beats, clever wordplay, and exaggerated braggadocio, the song pokes fun at rap tropes while reveling in the absurdity of the situation. T-Pain’s auto-tuned vocals add to the comedic effect, making it a hilarious and memorable song that’s perfect for a lighthearted, comedic mood. It quickly became a viral hit and continues to be a favorite among comedy rap enthusiasts for its playful and entertaining lyrics.
#6 “Boat Drinks” by Jimmy Buffett (Country/Pop)
“Boat Drinks” by Jimmy Buffett is a catchy country/pop song that captures the carefree spirit of life by the water. With its laid-back vibes, playful lyrics, and infectious melody, the song is a quintessential anthem for those who love to unwind on a boat with their favorite drink in hand. Buffett’s signature blend of country, pop, and tropical influences creates a feel-good atmosphere that makes you want to kick back, relax, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life on the water. “Boat Drinks” is a classic Jimmy Buffett track that transports listeners to a sunny, beachy paradise with its breezy melodies and toe-tapping rhythm.
#7 “Orinoco Flow” by Enya (New Age/Pop)
“Orinoco Flow” by Enya is a captivating blend of New Age and Pop music that transports listeners on a soothing musical journey. With its dreamy melodies, ethereal vocals, and lush instrumentation, the song evokes a sense of tranquility and adventure. Enya’s enchanting voice floats effortlessly over the mesmerizing music, creating a sense of serenity and escape. “Orinoco Flow” is a timeless and evocative composition that has captivated audiences with its mystical and otherworldly allure, making it a beloved classic in the genre of New Age and Pop music.
#8 “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot (Folk)
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot is a haunting folk ballad that tells the tragic story of the 1975 shipwreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior. With its mournful melodies and poignant lyrics, the song paints a vivid picture of the perilous journey and the crew’s fateful fate. The most memorable quote from the song, “The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down,” has become iconic, capturing the enduring impact and legacy of this tragic event. Lightfoot’s emotive vocals and masterful storytelling make “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” a timeless and unforgettable folk masterpiece.
#9 “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys (Pop/Rock)
“Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys is a catchy and upbeat Pop/Rock tune that showcases the band’s signature harmonies and vocal prowess. Inspired by a traditional folk song, the track’s most memorable quote, “This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on,” reflects the song’s narrative about a troubled sailing trip. With its infectious melodies and tight vocal harmonies, “Sloop John B” has become a timeless classic that captures the carefree spirit of the beach and the joy of singing along to a catchy tune.
#10 “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin (Pop)
“Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin is a timeless Pop classic that has been performed in various venues around the world. Originally released in 1959, the song has since been covered by numerous artists and featured in films, TV shows, and commercials. It has been performed in iconic venues such as the Copacabana nightclub in New York City, the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas. Darin’s smooth vocals and the song’s lively big band arrangement create a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere, transporting listeners to a bygone era of glamorous performances in renowned venues across the globe.
#11 “Boat on the River” by Styx (Rock)
“Boat on the River” by Styx is a soulful and introspective Rock ballad that has been performed in various places, showcasing the band’s versatility. The song’s acoustic guitar-driven melody and emotive vocals tell a poignant story of self-reflection and contemplation. Styx has performed “Boat on the River” in numerous venues, from sold-out arenas to intimate acoustic sets, showcasing the song’s timeless appeal. Its heartfelt lyrics and melodic hooks resonate with audiences, making it a beloved track in Styx’s discography and a cherished gem in the realm of Rock music.
#12 “Boats and Birds” by Gregory and the Hawk (Indie Folk)
“Boats and Birds” by Gregory and the Hawk is a tender Indie Folk song with poetic lyrics and delicate acoustic instrumentation. It has been performed in intimate settings like coffeehouses, small venues, and open mic nights, captivating audiences with haunting vocals and intricate guitar work. The emotive and evocative nature of the song has made it a favorite among Indie Folk enthusiasts worldwide.
#13 “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (Children’s Song)
“Row, Row, Row Your Boat” is a beloved children’s song that has been passed down through generations. Its simple yet catchy melody and playful lyrics encourage kids to sing and engage in imaginative play. The song’s timeless charm and repetitive structure make it a favorite among young children, who delight in singing along and mimicking rowing motions.
#14 “Boatman” by Levellers (Folk/Rock)
“Boatman” by Levellers is a Folk/Rock anthem that combines energetic instrumentals with powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics. The song’s rousing chorus and driving rhythm create an infectious and uplifting vibe, making it a favorite among fans of folk and rock music alike. “Boatman” is a spirited and memorable tune that captures the essence of Levellers’ unique blend of folk and rock influences.
#15 “Boat to Nowhere” by David Crosby (Folk/Rock)
“Boat to Nowhere” by David Crosby is a Folk/Rock gem that showcases his soulful voice and poignant songwriting. The introspective lyrics and melodic guitar work paint a vivid picture of a journey without a clear destination. Crosby’s emotive performance and heartfelt storytelling make “Boat to Nowhere” a captivating and timeless addition to the Folk/Rock genre.
#16 “The Riverboat Song” by Ocean Colour Scene (Britpop/Rock)
“The Riverboat Song” by Ocean Colour Scene is a high-energy Britpop/Rock anthem that oozes with swagger and attitude. With its infectious guitar riffs, driving rhythm, and powerful vocals, the song exudes a sense of rebelliousness and adventure. It’s a timeless and electrifying track that has become a staple in the Britpop genre, capturing the essence of the era with its raw energy and catchy hooks.
#17 “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (Rock)
“Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival is a timeless Rock classic that features an infectious rhythm, powerful vocals, and memorable guitar riffs. The song’s energetic and soulful vibe, along with its iconic “Rollin’ on the river” chorus, has made it a beloved anthem that continues to captivate listeners with its irresistible groove and catchy melodies.
#18 “Boat Trip” by Ziggy Marley (Reggae)
“Boat Trip” by Ziggy Marley is a vibrant Reggae tune that brings the laid-back vibes of the Caribbean to life. With its catchy rhythms, infectious melodies, and Ziggy Marley’s smooth vocals, the song creates a feel-good atmosphere that’s perfect for cruising on the waves or dancing along to the reggae beats.
#19 “Boat Drinks” by Alan Jackson (Country)
“Boat Drinks” by Alan Jackson is a laid-back Country tune that captures the carefree spirit of the beach and the joys of escaping to the water. With its catchy melody, twangy guitars, and Jackson’s smooth vocals, the song is a perfect soundtrack for kicking back, sipping drinks, and enjoying the sun-kissed vibes of a coastal getaway.
#20 “Boat Leaks” by Beastie Boys (Hip-Hop)
“Boat Leaks” by Beastie Boys is a high-energy Hip-Hop track from their album “The Mix-Up.” With its funky grooves, catchy samples, and clever wordplay, the song showcases the Beastie Boys’ unique style and wit. It’s a standout track that embodies their innovative approach to blending genres and pushing the boundaries of Hip-Hop music.
30 More Examples Of The Best Boat Songs
- #21 “Boat to Sail” by Loggins and Messina (Rock)
- #22 “Boat Behind” by Kings of Convenience (Indie Folk)
- #23 “The Boat That I Built” by Tom Chapin (Children’s Song)
- #24 “Boat on the Ocean” by John Butler Trio (Folk Rock)
- #25 “My Boat” by Little Joy (Indie Pop/Rock)
- #26 “Boats on the Water” by Gregory Page (Folk)
- #27 “Boat Drinks” by Zac Brown Band (Country)
- #28 “Boat of Love” by The B-52’s (Pop/Rock)
- #29 “Boat Song” by Woodkid (Indie/Pop)
- #30 “Boat on the River” by Baba Shrimps (Indie Folk)
- #31 “Yellow Boat” by Julia Holter (Indie Pop/Experimental)
- #32 “Boat Dance” by The Black Lillies (Americana)
- #33 “Boats Against the Current” by Eric Carmen (Pop)
- #34 “Boat Club” by Blood Orange (R&B/Pop)
- #35 “Rock the Boat” by Aaliyah (R&B/Pop)
- #36 “Boat to Nowhere” by Johnny Reid (Country)
- #37 “Boat” by Minus the Bear (Indie Rock)
- #38 “Boats and Trains” by George Michael (Pop/R&B)
- #39 “Boat” by Yusuf/Cat Stevens (Folk Rock)
- #40 “Boat Behind” by Lykke Li (Indie Pop)
- #41 “Boats on the Shore” by Adam Cohen (Folk Rock)
- #42 “Farewell to Tarwathie” by Judy Collins (Folk)
- #43 “The Boat is in the Barn” by Built to Spill (Indie Rock)
- #44 “Boats on the River” by Moon Taxi (Alternative/Indie)
- #45 “Shrimp Boats” by Jo Stafford (Jazz/Pop)
- #46 “Boat to Liverpool” by Nathan Carter (Country)
- #47 “Boats” by Kenny Chesney (Country)
- #48 “Boatman’s Call” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (Alternative Rock)
- #49 “Boats on a River” by Peter Gabriel (Progressive Rock)
- #50 “Boat to Nowhere” by Randy Travis (Country)
Zach VanderGraaff
Zach VanderGraaff is a K-5 music teacher in Michigan with 12 years of experience. He's the President of the Michigan Kodaly Educators and founder of the Dynamic Music Room.
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The Best Boating Playlists
What comes to mind when you think boating? Laid back times on the water, hot sun and boat drinks have never been more popular. In fact, interest in Boating and RVing are way up, with reports of sales up double digits and boat club membership booming. So whether you’re new to boating, a salty dog, or lover of 70’s Yacht Rock, we have you covered. See below for the best Boating playlists for a family cruise or sand bar BBQ.
- Family Boat Trip – Family-friendly classics from Marley to Nemo
- Laid Back Boat Trip – Our favorites from the beach to the bay
- Boating Music – 17hrs of music for the boat, over 20,000 followers
- Boating Songs – 13hrs of good times, drinking, and sun
- Spotify’s Summer Party – That modern summer sound, still a classic
- Spotify’s Sunny Day – Jack Johnson is perfect for the boat
- Spotify’s [Seasonal] Acoustic – Mellow vibes updated for each season
- Spotify’s Yacht Rock – Smooth rock for your smooth sail
Apple Music
- Fami ly Boat Trip – Family-friendly classics from Marley to Nemo
- Beach Chill – Chill ambient background beach club vibes
- Ibiza Risers – Lil Yachty and the Ibiza crew for a modern take
- The Sand Bar – Country goes sunny with Cole Swindell
- Summer Waves – Ideal for pool lounging or summer cruising (Explicit)
- Yacht Rock Essentials – We’re on a boat! Who knew this was a genre?
- Sunkissed – Instrumental driven background music for the night
- Feeling Good – Mixing feel-good songs from across the decades
- Lake Life – a mashup of country, reggae, and classics for the lake
- Boating Instrumental – background instrumental for cocktail cruises
- Life’s a Beach – Put your toes in the sand with this beachin’ country
- Modern Yacht Rock – A contemporary take on the 70’s genre
- Jimmy Buffett – For the best cheeseburgers and country crossovers
- Summer Hits from the 90’s – From Boyz II Men to Britney with a splash of Nirvana
Did we miss any of your favorites? Share in the comments as we’ll update the list.
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The Top 1,659 Boat Songs To Rock Out To
There is no such thing as a boat day that is silent unless fishing is involved, and back in the day we had to curate lists and prepare endlessly for a boat trip. Today, we have Spotify and Pandora, so we can always get the right vibes and set the right tone for a perfect day on the lake.
Music is extremely personal and is the fastest way to set a mood, on or off the water. Party boat songs are in their own class though, and most listeners’ tastes can be categorized into four groups: bangers, country, classic, or yacht rock.
We combed through hundreds of Spotify playlists to share our favorite party boat songs, and the most requested lists from our excursions.
Behold the top 1,659 boat songs to rock out to:
Boat Party 2023: Party Hits
This year’s easiest to grab party boat playlist, these songs are what’s hot this year.
Boat Party Bangers Music 2023
If you plan on hitting up Devil’s Cove and getting loud, this is THE list for that.
From Journey and Diana Ross to Steely Dan, this list has it all and is perfect for a multi-generational outing.
25 of the Best Boating Songs
While it’s the shortest playlist on our list, it’s pretty fricken’ good and just sounds like boating - Jimmy Buffett, Katy Perry, The Beach Boys, and Van Morrison? Yessir.
Boat Party Jamz
Okay look, we’ve invested in our sound systems more than any other fleet on the lake, so we absolutely love bass-heavy music - most systems fall flat, but we can bump so hard your sunglasses fall off.
Boating Country Music
From old to new, this list has it all: Johnny Cash to Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, it invokes the feeling of a hot summer day on the water.
Over 600 Boat Jams
If country music is what you’re looking for while floating on Lake Travis, this is the ultimate list. It’s diverse and classic, and they keep adding songs to it. We love it!
90s/00s Boat Jams
For some of us, a day in the sun isn’t complete without some Nsync and Britney or Ludacris yellin’ about Southern Hospitality (throw them ‘bows!!), so this is where we head on those days.
80s/90s Jams
And for others, the 80s and 90s are the sweet spot for a fun day, so this list is ready to scratch that itch!
Remixes & Mashups 2023
One of the more creative ways to enjoy music on the lake is with a list of remixes and mashups to keep it unexpected yet still familiar.
These are all Spotify playlists, but we also have Pandora on all of our boats, so you can tell us an artist and we can take it from there. But we find that today, most folks have a playlist ready, and we’re equipped for that.
We hope this list of playlists suits all of your needs, or gets you inspired to create your ultimate playlist of boat songs for your next outing on the water!
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Lone Star Party Boats Lake Travis
17141 Rocky Ridge Road,
Austin, Texas 78734
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The Perfect Boating Music Playlist: 10 Classic Songs For A Trip
Posted on November 27th, 2023
Imagine the gentle sway of waves, a cool breeze brushing against your skin, and the sun setting over a tranquil sea.
This is the essence of a memorable boat trip, made even more enchanting with the perfect boating music playlist. Music has the power to transform moments into memories, elevating your experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
A well-curated sailing songs playlist is not just a background element; it becomes the heartbeat of your journey.
Whether you're planning a lively boat party or seeking a peaceful escape on the water, the right songs to listen to on a boat can set the tone for every wave and whisper of the wind.
In this article, we'll dive into the ultimate boating music playlist, featuring classic tunes that resonate with the rhythm of the seas.
From upbeat anthems to mellow melodies, these tracks are handpicked to complement every moment aboard. So, as you prepare for your next maritime adventure, let's explore the magic of music that can turn a simple sail into an unforgettable experience.
Setting the Scene for a Sunset Cruise
There's something magical about a family cruise at sunset. As the sky paints itself in hues of orange, pink, and purple, the ocean becomes a canvas of ever-changing beauty. It's a time when families come together, sharing moments of laughter and serenity, all while cruising along the gentle waves. The perfect soundtrack enhances this picturesque setting, creating an ambiance of joy and tranquility.
Selecting Your Sunset Soundtrack
When choosing your boating music playlist for a sunset cruise, consider songs that reflect the beauty and peace of the setting sun. It's about finding a balance between joyful tunes that capture the spirit of togetherness and softer melodies that complement the natural splendor around you.
The Power of Music in Family Bonding
Music is a universal language that connects people. On a family cruise, a carefully selected playlist can bring generations together, bridging gaps and creating shared experiences. It's an opportunity to introduce children to classic hits, relive memories with nostalgic songs, and create new moments that will be cherished for years to come.
Crafting the Perfect Playlist
Crafting the perfect sailing songs playlist for a sunset cruise requires a mix of genres and tempos. From the timeless classics to modern hits, each song should contribute to the overall experience, making your time on the water even more special and memorable.
Top 10 Songs for Your Boating Playlist
Embarking on a boating adventure calls for a soundtrack that captures the essence of the sea and the joy of the journey. A perfect boating playlist can elevate your experience, syncing with the rhythm of the waves and the mood of your adventure. In this section, we explore ten classic songs that are ideal for any boating excursion. These tunes range from relaxing melodies to upbeat rhythms, each selected to enhance different moments of your voyage. Whether you're in the mood for a serene sail or a lively boat party, these tracks are sure to complement your nautical journey.
1. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet
"Margaritaville" is the quintessential boating anthem, encapsulating the relaxed, beachside lifestyle. Its catchy lyrics and laid-back melody are perfect for setting a carefree tone on your trip.
2. Boats – Kenny Chesney
"Boats" by Kenny Chesney celebrates the beauty of sailing and the deep connection many feel with the ocean. Its reflective tone is ideal for peaceful moments on the water.
3. Banana Boat – Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat" song, with its vibrant "Day-O" chorus, brings an energetic and fun vibe, perfect for lifting spirits and adding a tropical flair.
4. Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
"Sloop John B" from The Beach Boys tells a tale of sailing adventures with harmonious vocals, evoking a sense of wanderlust and the joy of exploring the seas.
5. Rock the Boat – Hues Corporation
A classic disco-era tune, "Rock the Boat" by Hues Corporation, features a catchy beat ideal for creating a lively, high-energy atmosphere during a boat party.
6. The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Otis Redding's "The Dock of the Bay" is a soulful and mellow track, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the tranquility of being out on the water.
7. No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problems – Kenny Chesney
Another hit from Kenny Chesney, "No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problems," brings a country vibe to your boating playlist, ideal for those who love a laid-back, rustic boating experience.
8. How Deep Is Your Love – The Bee Gees
For a touch of romance or a serene evening sail, The Bee Gees' "How Deep Is Your Love" offers a soft melody and heartfelt lyrics that add a romantic essence to your journey.
9. Sunshine and Summertime – Faith Hill
"Sunshine and Summertime" by Faith Hill captures the essence of a summer boat trip with its upbeat tempo and lyrics that celebrate the season's joys.
10. Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
Ending the playlist with an energetic note, "Surfin’ USA" by The Beach Boys is perfect for those moments when you want to amp up the fun and enjoy the lively spirit of a day on the water.
These ten songs, each with its unique flavor and mood, create a diverse and engaging boating music playlist. They blend seamlessly into the backdrop of your sea voyage, enhancing every moment, from the quiet sunsets to the lively gatherings on deck.
Creating the Perfect Boat Party Playlist
The right playlist is crucial in setting the tone for a boat party. It's not just about selecting individual songs, but about creating a musical journey that complements the ebb and flow of the day. Whether you're hosting a lively get-together or a relaxed gathering on the water, the music you choose can transform the atmosphere on board. In this section, we offer tips on how to curate a boat party playlist that caters to a variety of tastes and moods, ensuring every guest enjoys the ride.
Crafting a Diverse Playlist
Variety is key in a successful boat party playlist. Mix different genres and eras to keep the playlist interesting and engaging. Include classic hits that everyone knows and loves, as well as some unique tracks to surprise and delight your guests.
Balancing Tempo and Mood
It's important to balance upbeat songs with slower tunes. Start with more energetic tracks to get the party going and gradually transition to more mellow songs as the evening progresses, mirroring the natural shift from day to night.
Interactive Music Choices
Consider adding songs that encourage interaction, like sing-alongs or dance numbers. This not only livens up the atmosphere but also fosters a sense of community and fun among your guests.
Personalizing Your Playlist
Tailor the playlist to your guests. If you know their music preferences, include songs that you know they'll enjoy. This personal touch can make the experience more memorable for everyone on board.
The Unique Experience with Enticement Charters
Enticement Charters offers more than just a boat ride; it's an experience that combines the beauty of the sea with the joy of music. Our Sunset Cruise is an opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones, enhanced by the perfect soundtrack. In this section, we delve into what makes a cruise with Enticement Charters a unique and unforgettable adventure.
The Allure of the Sunset Cruise
Our Sunset Family Cruise is tailored to provide families with an intimate and beautiful experience. The cruise starts an hour before sunset, offering a breathtaking view of the sun dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant colors.
Customizable Music Experience
We understand the importance of a great playlist in enhancing your cruise experience. Guests are encouraged to bring their personalized playlists, allowing them to set the tone for their journey. Whether it’s the songs from our recommended boating playlist or your own selection, the music will be a central part of your experience.
Comfort and Convenience
The cruise is designed for comfort and convenience. You can bring your cooler full of favorite items, ensuring that your snacks and drinks are exactly to your liking. This personalized touch extends to every aspect of the cruise, making it a truly bespoke experience.
Booking Your Journey
Embarking on a Sunset Family Cruise with Enticement Charters is easy. With a capacity of 1-4 persons, it’s perfect for small family gatherings. The cost-effective pricing and the ability to customize your trip make it an ideal choice for a unique family adventure.
The combination of a stunning natural backdrop, the comfort of a private cruise, and the joy of a handpicked music playlist creates an unparalleled experience. Enticement Charters is not just about exploring the beauty of St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Gulfport; it's about creating moments that turn into cherished memories, accompanied by the soundtrack of your life.
In conclusion, the power of music to elevate a boating experience is undeniable. From the tranquil rhythms of a sunset cruise to the vibrant beats of a lively boat party, the right playlist can transform any journey on the water into an unforgettable adventure. As we explored the top 10 classic songs for your boating playlist, we hope you found inspiration for your next maritime excursion. Remember, the perfect playlist reflects not just your taste in music, but also the spirit of your voyage.
At Enticement Charters, we are dedicated to providing experiences that are not only breathtaking but also deeply personal. So, as you plan your next trip with us, don't forget to bring along your favorite tunes. For more information, or to book your next unforgettable Sunset Cruise , reach out to us at captainrich@enticemen tcharters.com or call (727) 390 9999.
Set sail with Enticement Charters, where every journey is a melody, and every sunset is a song.
Posted on February 28th, 2024
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Egmont Key State Park, a pristine jewel nestled off Florida's Gulf Coast.
This secluded island, accessible only by boat, offers a tranquil escape into nature's embrace, where the azure waters o…
Posted on February 27th, 2024
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Posted on December 27th, 2023.
In today's hyper-connected world, the constant stream of notifications, emails, and screen time can leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained. It's essential to take a break from the digital hustle and bustle and reconnect with the s…
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Soundtracks
- I Got You (I Feel Good) Written by James Brown Performed by James Brown Courtesy of Polydor Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
- Get on Down Written by Dr. Luke Performed by Dr. Luke (as Dr. Luke) Courtesy of Dr. Luke Enterprises
- Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Written by Jerome Kern , Oscar Hammerstein II Performed by Liza Minnelli Courtesy of A&M Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
- Maneater Written by Daryl Hall , John Oates and Sara Allen
- Hip Hop Written by Carmen Carter and Kevin Nadeau Performed by Carmen Carter and Lynn Watson Courtesy of Sierra Music and Promotions, Inc.
- Sunset and Roses Written by Diane Stewart Performed by Didi Stewart Courtesy of Barbara Jordan / Heavy Hitters
- I Will Survive Written by Freddie Perren (as Frederick J. Perren), Dino Fekaris
- New Attitude Written by Sharon Robinson , Jon Gilutin (as Jon Gilytin) and Bunny Hull
- Shake Up the Party Written by D. Christopher Jennings, Eric Donovam Johnson, Marti Sharron and Danny Sembello Performed by Joy Enriquez Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.
- Est-Ce Que Tu? Written by Nic. tenBroek & Brad Segal Sung by Jenny Meltzer Courtesy of FT Music
- Coconut Written by Harry Nilsson Performed by Sprung Monkey Courtesy of Surfdog Records / Redline Entertainment
- Stand by Your Man Written by Billy Sherrill and Tammy Wynette Performed by Me First and The Gimme Gimmes Courtesy of Fat Wreck Chords
- Businessman's Bounce Written by Robert Hackl and Ken Stange Courtesy of DreamWorks Songs
- Kissing You Written by Angela Via (as Angela Trullinger), Michael Smith, Brian Steckler and Clark Gorder Performed by Angela Via Courtesy of Lava / Atlantic Recording Corp. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
- I'm Coming Out Written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers
- You Can't Hurry Love Written by Brian Holland , Lamont Dozier , Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.) Performed by Carmen Carter Courtesy of Sierra Music and Promotions, Inc.
- Cool Island Breezes (uncredited) Written by Wayne Jones Performed by Wayne Jones
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Former Seattle teacher on a journey to circumnavigate the world in a sailboat
by Kelly Koopmans, KOMO News
SEATTLE — Last year, Luke Hartley was teaching music at Washington Middle School in Seattle. But this year, he's on a journey to circumnavigate the world in a sailboat.
"I had the dream of sailing around the world," said Hartley. "I came across a YouTube video a couple of years ago that was just like a boat tour of a vessel that was fully equipped to live off-grid and I became just fascinated with sailing and kind of obsessed with it."
So, Hartley said he sold what little he had and bought a boat. Right now, he's in Mexico before eventually setting off to French Polynesia to begin his trip around the world -- a trip he expects to last for about five years.
It's a big change from the classroom where he taught orchestra and choir.
"My classroom last year didn't have any windows,” said Hartley. “So, I was getting to school in the dark and leaving in the dark every day.”
Hartley is new to sailing. His only prior experience was hitchhiking around Mexico on other people's boats.
"I never grew up sailing," he explained. "That's really the only practical experience I got other than Google and YouTube."
Hartley knows there are challenges ahead like dealing with storms, high winds, high seas, migration by sea, and other logistics, but he said they're challenges he's willing to face to live out what he feels is his calling.
"If you have a dream then you can do it," said Hartley. "There's so much time and if you use that time well, you can achieve any dream that you have."
Outdoors | Explore the history of downtown Norfolk, art of…
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Outdoors | explore the history of downtown norfolk, art of the neon district with free walking tours.
The Downtown Norfolk Council has partnered with Norfolk Tour Company to offer 21 free monthly walking tours of the downtown and the Neon District.
The Saturday tours run through December and include notable public art in the Neon District, the importance of the Granby Street corridor, a history of downtown theaters, an urban design-themed tour focusing on downtown’s redevelopment, the Elizabeth River Trail, as well as tours of historic homes and churches.
The Neon District tours explore more than 100 pieces of public art and many local businesses that make up the neighborhood fabric.
All tours begin at The Plot at the corner of Granby Street and Olney Road. Neon District public parking is available on the street, at the Plot’s parking lot and the Harrison Opera House lot.
For a detailed schedule and more information, see www.downtownnorfolk.org .
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Georgetown canal boat tours face uncertain future after NPS ends partnership
Scott Gelman | [email protected]
April 11, 2024, 8:00 PM
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There are lingering questions about the future of Georgetown’s C&O canal boat tours, after the National Park Service announced it’s ending its philanthropic agreement with the nonprofit Georgetown Heritage .
Last month, NPS said the agreement is being terminated effective April 29. However, in a statement, the agency said the move doesn’t “change the operation of the canal boat in Georgetown.”
D.C.’s government paid for the construction of the canal boat and Georgetown Heritage, the nonprofit that works to improve National Parks in Georgetown, owns it. The organization operates the boat under a separate agreement with the Park Service.
Maggie Downing, Georgetown Heritage’s executive vice president, said the group’s ownership of the boat isn’t in jeopardy, “but what it will take for us to be able to raise the money and keep this organization going is certainly going to be challenging in the next couple of years,” she said.
“We do remain committed to owning and operating the boat,” Downing said. “But I think it may be a difficult path getting there.”
The nonprofit will have some time to work toward that goal. The boat won’t be operating for the next two years while repairs are made to the canal. The soonest the boat would be able to return to the canal is 2026, Downing said.
About 40,000 people have participated in the tours over the two seasons they were offered, according to Downing.
“It’s a really leisurely experience to look out and see Georgetown from a different vantage point, and to learn about the history, to hear the stories of the people who built the canal and who lived their lives along the canal,” Downing said.
Georgetown Heritage operates the boat under a cooperating agreement with the Park Service. The Philanthropic Partnership Agreement allowed the nonprofit to fundraise for projects in the park.
The group had plans to make accessibility improvements along the towpath, and to install “recreational opportunities down at the aqueduct, a dock for canoeing and kayaking along the canal,” Downing said.
“The cancellation of the Philanthropic Partnership Agreement really puts the future of any of those improvements to the park in danger,” Downing said.
In its March statement, the Park Service said terminating a philanthropic agreement is rare and happens “only after exhausting all other avenues to try to resolve the issues.”
“There have been multiple violations of the Philanthropic Partnership Agreement that have led to irreconcilable differences in the partnership, making it impossible to maintain the collaborative relationship necessary to accomplish mutually identified goals as required by the PPA,” the Park Service said in a statement to WTOP. “Georgetown Heritage has promoted actions that disregard the NPS mandate to protect park resources.”
The agreement, Downing said, was terminated because “current leadership at the park no longer wants to pursue these projects.”
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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. A South Florida native, Scott graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019. During his time in College Park, he worked for The Diamondback, the school’s student newspaper.
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5 Great Ideas for a Music-Themed Road Trip in the U.S.
Posted: February 7, 2024 | Last updated: February 8, 2024
From Kurt Cobain’s stomping grounds to Robert Johnson’s crossroads, America is full of significant musical sites.
Photo by Heidi Besen/Shutterstock
There may be no better way to experience the soundtrack of America than on a leisurely, music-themed road trip, with the windows (or convertible top) down and the hits blasting. And while cities like Nashville, New York, and New Orleans will always be celebrated for their music heritage, you’ll need to head for small towns to truly immerse yourself in the juke joints and honky-tonks, the farms and rural recording studios, where icons honed their craft and invented new forms of expression. Load up a playlist and get ready to hit the road.
Feel the blues in the Mississippi Delta
- Start: Tunica, Mississippi
- End: Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Distance: About 180 miles
- Recommended time: Two to three days
Memphis may be a major blues hub, but true aficionados know that you have to make a pilgrimage to the genre’s birthplace in the Mississippi Delta. Highway 61 weaves through the flat, fertile fields and historic farming communities that birthed legends like Muddy Waters and B.B. King—and that have earned the Delta the nickname “the Most Southern Place on Earth.” Get your bearings at the Gateway to the Blues Museum , housed inside the town of Tunica’s 1890s train depot, near the boyhood home of Robert Johnson, and then continue along to Clarksdale , where he reportedly sold his soul to the devil at the Crossroads. (While the exact location has always been up for debate, there’s a popular Crossroads Monument at the intersection of Highways 61 and 49.) After wandering through the Delta Blues Museum , immerse yourself in the sounds of the South at the Morgan Freeman–owned Ground Zero Blues Club or the cash-only juke joint Red’s Lounge , before checking in at the Travelers Hotel . The hotel originally opened in the 1920s as a bathroom-down-the-hall stopover point for railroad workers, but it’s been reimagined as a shabby-chic boutique hotel decorated with quilts and artwork from Mississippi artists.
As you continue driving south, each town reveals a new chapter in the story of the blues. Rural Cleveland is home to the Grammy Museum Mississippi (the state is home to more Grammy winners per capita than anywhere else in the USA) and Dockery Farms , a cotton gin where blues pioneers like Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Brown worked as they wrote songs. Pick up some hot tamales (a local Delta specialty) at Airport Grocery and make a detour to the gravesite of Robert Johnson in Greenwood and the birthplace of B.B. King in Berclair, 15 miles away, before checking out a museum in King’s honor in nearby Indianola. Back on Highway 61, Leland is home to its own scrappy Highway 61 Blues Museum , a worthy stopping point before finishing up in Vicksburg . The riverside birthplace of Willie Dixon is now a buzzing city of riverboat casinos and restaurants like 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill , which offers sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the Yazoo Canal.
Embrace the Summer of Love on California Highway 1
- Start: San Francisco, California
- End: Big Sur, California
- Distance: About 150 miles
Channel your inner hippie with a ’60s-themed road trip that kicks off in San Francisco. A morning stroll through Golden Gate Park will put you in the mindset of the Human Be-In, which unofficially kicked off the Summer of Love in 1967, but the best place to embrace the spirit is the still-groovy Haight-Ashbury, where the psychedelic sounds of Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and the Grateful Dead used to ring out. (Be sure to pick up a few of their albums at the cavernous Amoeba Music , which is stocked with hundreds of thousands of albums and feels like a cathedral dedicated to the religion of popular music.) After dark, see who’s headlining at the Fillmore , a century-old venue where the Dead played 51 concerts in the late ’60s.
The next day, wake up early at the boho Hotel Zeppelin and begin your drive south along Highway 1, stopping at the Grateful Dead Archive at UC Santa Cruz before continuing along to Monterey, the site of the Monterey International Pop Festival, which set the template for Woodstock. Visit shops like Recycled Records , which opened in 1975, and Siren Records Monterey , which only stocks new vinyl, CDs, and cassettes.
Farther down the coast in Big Sur, stop at the Henry Miller Memorial Library , which honors the frequently banned author of Tropic of Cancer ; the cultural center hosts occasional musical gigs and has welcomed the likes of David Crosby and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. And then finish by getting mindful at Esalen , a retreat center where you can take wellness workshops and follow in the footsteps of George Harrison, Mama Cass Elliot, Joni Mitchell, and Joan Baez, all of whom sought enlightenment on these wild cliffs.
Honor folk pioneers in New York
- Start: New York City
- End: West Saugerties, New York
- Distance: About 175 miles
- Recommended time: Two or three days
Begin your celebration of the 1960s folk scene in Bob Dylan’s Greenwich Village. After recreating the album cover of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan with a photo on the corner of Jones Street and West Fourth Street, catch a set at his old stomping grounds, such as the Bitter End , where Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell used to perform, or Café Wha? , where Dylan played on his first night in the city in January 1961 after hitchhiking across the country from Minnesota. Crash at the recently revamped Hotel Chelsea , which opened in the 1880s and has counted the likes of Patti Smith and Leonard Cohen among its regulars. Now home to a swanky lobby bar and revived Spanish restaurant El Quijote, the hotel has shaken off the seedier side of its reputation (it’s the site, for instance, where Sid Vicious allegedly killed his partner Nancy Spungen).
The next morning, chart a course upstate toward Bethel Woods Center for the Arts , a performing arts center and museum on the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair, which includes the land that used to be Max Yasgur’s dairy farm. New this year, you can camp on site, including a glamping option with in-tent bathrooms. If not, cut back east through the Catskills toward the town of Woodstock. Try to time your visit to a performance at the warmly collegial Levon Helm Studios , an acoustically engineered barn built by the legendary drummer of the Band, where his family is keeping the legacy of his famed Midnight Rambles alive. And there’s only one natural place to stay the night: Big Pink , an unassuming house in nearby West Saugerties where Dylan and the Band recorded The Basement Tapes .
Embark on a greatest hits drive through Tennessee
- Start: Memphis, Tennessee
- End: Bristol, Tennessee
- Distance: About 500 miles
- Recommended time: Five to seven days
Although it’s the 36th largest state by area and the 15th by population, Tennessee has always punched way above its weight class musically . This eastbound itinerary starts in Memphis, where you can choose your own adventure: Honor rock history with tours of Sun Studio and Graceland , listen to the blues on Beale Street , or feel the spirit at the Stax Museum of American Soul . Drive about 60 miles east to Brownsville’s West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center , which is housed in the one-room schoolhouse Anna Mae Bullock (later Tina Turner) attended as a child and is now filled with her memorabilia—the only Tina Turner museum in the world.
Begin the countrified portion of your trip by paying your respects at the spot in Camden (85 miles farther east) where Patsy Cline died in a 1963 plane crash, and then drive another 40 minutes and drop into Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills for a guided tour. When you finally get to Nashville, you could stay for a day or a week or a month and still not see all the greatest hits: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , National Museum of African American Music , Ryman Auditorium , the Bluebird Café . . . . On the northeastern outskirts of town, take a backstage tour at the Grand Ole Opry and overnight at the adjacent Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center .
As you make your way into the Appalachian half of the state, you can finish up in downhome style in Pigeon Forge at Dollywood , which welcomes a new Dolly Parton Experience this spring, highlighting her work as a songwriter, style icon, and philanthropist. If you don’t stop and stick around a while at her new HeartSong Lodge & Resort , you can continue along to the place where it all started: Bristol, Tennessee, along the Virginia border, is home to the Smithsonian-affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum . It tells the story of the 1927 recording sessions that are considered the “big bang” of the country music genre.
Go on a three-city tour across the Midwest
- Start: Cleveland, Ohio
- End: Chicago, Illinois
- Distance: About 450 miles
- Recommended time: At least four days
The shores of the Great Lakes and the Rust Belt cities that surround them have been the site of some major musical innovation. Begin your tour of the Midwest in Cleveland, the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame , which has a new exhibit honoring 2023 inductees like Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Chaka Khan, and Rage Against the Machine. If you’ve ever wondered how the city earned the honor of hosting the I.M. Pei–designed museum, it’s because of DJ Alan Freed, who promoted the new genre and broke down racial barriers in music in the 1950s. Honor his legacy with a visit to his jukebox-shaped grave in Lake View Cemetery .
Drive westward along I-90, cutting north at Toledo toward Detroit , where the Motown Museum is set to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion. The museum incorporates Hitsville U.S.A., the record label’s first headquarters, in a white house on West Grand Boulevard that founder Berry Gordy bought in 1959. Enjoy a meal at the Black-owned Waffle Cafe at 18685 Livernois Avenue and see the Motown mural on its exterior wall by artist Fel’le , featuring the likenesses of Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, the Supremes, and more.
Continue westward through Michigan, and blow into the Windy City. Chicago is associated with so many forms of music, including blues, gospel, and modern jazz, but Gen X-ers and elder Millennials will love it for its contribution to the indie rock scene of the past three decades—it is the home to both Lollapalooza and Pitchfork Music Festival, after all. Snap an obligatory shot of the corn-cob-shaped Marina City towers, which graced the cover of Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot ; stop for a pint at the Rainbo Club , a dive where Liz Phair took her iconic Exile in Guyville album cover shot in the photo booth; and then see who’s playing at the Empty Bottle , Lincoln Hall , Riviera Theatre , or the Metro . Or for something a little more classic, end your night at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge , a bebop and free jazz club that’s been going so long that Al Capone used to be a regular. While not Chicago’s most luxurious stay, Hotel Versey , is steeped in rock history; it used to be nicknamed the Rock and Roll Days Inn and has welcomed Greg Allman, Nirvana, Radiohead, and more. Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love dyed their hair in the bathtubs here, and Sheryl Crow rollerbladed through the lobby. (Don’t do that, it’s not allowed.)
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Recorded in 1968, the soul jam dedicated to the dock is ideal for a sunset ride. "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" by Kenny Chesney. Less is more for the country superstar, whose play on the popular "no shirt, no shoes, no service" saying sums up the perfect boat excursion. "How Deep Is Your Love" by Calvin Harris and Disciples.
18. "On The Boat Again" by Jake Owen. When he's not writing country music tunes, Jake Owen loves spending time out on the water. In "On the Boat Again," Jake blends his love for country music with the joy of being out on the water, encapsulating the longing for a picture-perfect day beneath the sun. Karaoke Jams 19. "Ride Captain Ride" by ...
Here are 22 of the best songs for your boat party playlist. Kokomo - The Beach Boys. Sailing - Christopher Cross. It's Five O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet. Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet. Boats - Kenny Chesney. Banana Boat - Harry Belaforte. Sloop John B - The Beach Boys. Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation.
Every boating song playlist needs a sing-songy melody like Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise." Whether cruising on a boat or the road with the windows down, this country-pop fusion is infectious. 6. "Where The Boat Leaves From" - Zac Brown Band. Zac Brown Band has mastered the summer boating vibe.
Making a killer boating playlist isn't easy - so we did it for you. Use these 40 hits to complete your perfect day at the lake! To see the original article, ...
Boating songs can add energy and excitement to your boat party, make a sunset cruise extra special, and turn any boat trip into an unforgettable experience. These 30 best boat songs will make the perfect addition to your boat playlist. So turn up the music, get out on the water, and enjoy these upbeat boating songs. Similar Playlists:
10. Day O (Banana Boat Song) - Harry Belafonte. Day O (Banana Boat Song) Also known as Banana Boat Song, Day O came out in 1956, and everyone seems to still know it. The simple tune about dock workers loading bananas onto ships contains the often-repeated refrain "Daylight come and we want go home.".
We asked our fellow boaters and followers to share some of their favorite songs to listen to out on the water and they did not disappoint. Included are some staple boating songs, some modern tunes, and a variety of songs in-between. Here are our top 25 songs that belong on your boating playlist: 1. "Buy Me a Boat" by Chris Janson.
Preview of Spotify. Sign up to get unlimited songs and podcasts with occasional ads. No credit card needed. Sign up free. -:--. -:--. 2024 Boating Playlist · Playlist · 280 songs · 1.1K likes.
1. Master and Commander: "The Battle"/Best played when hooked up. 2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Theme song/Best played when leaving port. 3. Gilligan's Island: Theme song/Best played when returning to port. 4. Lyle Lovett: "If I Had a Boat"/Best played when anchored at sunset. 5.
Here are YachtWorld's top songs to add to your yachting playlist. 1. "Beach Cowboy" by Brian Kelley. A Floridian boating track with oodles of sportfish appeal. Brian Kelley of the band Florida Georgia Line, AKA 'The Beach Cowboy', proud owner of a custom-built 56-foot Sunny Briggs sportfish, released "Beach Cowboy" back in 2021 ...
With its unforgettable hooks and emotive performance, "Dock of the Bay" remains a beloved song that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate audiences with its soulful sound. #5 "I'm On a Boat" by The Lonely Island feat. T-Pain (Comedy Rap) "I'm On a Boat" by The Lonely Island feat. T-Pain is a comedic rap song that ...
Apple Music. Fami ly Boat Trip - Family-friendly classics from Marley to Nemo. Laid Back Boat Trip - Our favorites from the beach to the bay. Beach Chill - Chill ambient background beach club vibes. Ibiza Risers - Lil Yachty and the Ibiza crew for a modern take. The Sand Bar - Country goes sunny with Cole Swindell.
There is no denying that music choice can really set the mood on a boat. Whether you're offshore fishing on a big center console boat, or hanging out on a lake aboard a luxury pontoon boat, music is an essential part of the day.There have been plenty of times I've been out on the water with somebody, and they crank the perfect song at the right volume, and it genuinely adds to the ...
The Top 1,659 Boat Songs To Rock Out To. There is no such thing as a boat day that is silent unless fishing is involved, and back in the day we had to curate lists and prepare endlessly for a boat trip. Today, we have Spotify and Pandora, so we can always get the right vibes and set the right tone for a perfect day on the lake.
1. Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet. "Margaritaville" is the quintessential boating anthem, encapsulating the relaxed, beachside lifestyle. Its catchy lyrics and laid-back melody are perfect for setting a carefree tone on your trip. 2. Boats - Kenny Chesney.
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Dancescene from Boat Trip. Can anyone tell me the musictitle?
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises. Maneater. Written by Daryl Hall, John Oates and Sara Allen. Hip Hop. Written by Carmen Carter and Kevin Nadeau. Performed by Carmen Carter and Lynn Watson. Courtesy of Sierra Music and Promotions, Inc. Sunset and Roses. Written by Diane Stewart.
Boating Music 2024 · Playlist · 146 songs · 22.7K likes
Setting Off On Your Trip. The Music Boat is one of the most unique and amazing experiences London has to offer: an entrancing boat ride along the most beautiful stretch of regents canal with a live musical performance on board by some of the city's most spellbinding talent. Although most passengers just turn up to The Music Boat as we are ...
Deep Water Adventure - Ambient Underwater Music. JuliusH. 1:58
SEATTLE — Last year, Luke Hartley was teaching music at Washington Middle School in Seattle. But this year, he's on a journey to circumnavigate the world in a sailboat. "I had the dream of ...
The music clip trimmed from the movie, in HD. I'm comin' out,I want the world to know...
The Neon District tours explore more than 100 pieces of public art and many local businesses that make up the neighborhood fabric. All tours begin at The Plot at the corner of Granby Street and ...
Questions linger about the future of Georgetown's C&O canal boat tours, after the National Park Service said it's ending an agreement with Georgetown Heritage.
The U.S. offers plenty of opportunities for music-themed road trips, through the Mississippi Delta, on the California coast, and beyond. AFAR. 5 Great Ideas for a Music-Themed Road Trip in the U.S