Not necessarily the only choices of the sea, these are great songs of sailing and traveling on the water. The voyages may be spiritual or physical, but the intent remains true. Here are a few maritime tunes for your consideration at Boating & Sailing.
Son of a Son of a Sailor: Jimmy Buffett - Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band are known for encouraging escapes to the islands. A song about his grandfather, this is the one song Buffett performed in his only appearance on Saturday Night Live. Alternative songs to consider are Boats to Build, Margaritaville and Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.
Southern Cross: Crosby, Stills & Nash - A constellation familiar to sailors in the southern hemisphere, it is known outside of Australia as Crux. Sailors navigated to the Southern Cross much like higher latitude mariners use the North Star. Focused in part in counterculture issues of the 60's, the band also released a tune titled Wooden Ships.
Sloop John B: The Beach Boys – This tune is of a West Indies sponger boat and its wayward crew that has been covered by many groups. Recorded versions of the original folk tune go back to 1927. The Beach Boys stylize many aspects of life on the Southern California waterfront.
Sailing: Christopher Cross - Relegated by many to the realm of easy listening music, Sailing was a phenomenal hit for Christopher Cross in October of 1983. This Song of Year recalls Cross' fond memories of sailing at Lake Travis in Texas as a teenager.
Sail On: The Commodores - Lionel Richie and his fellow students at the Tuskegee Institute formed the Commodores in 1967 and the group went on to the one of the most successful Motown bands of all time. Sail On was released in 1979 and is one of many major hits the group enjoyed in the late 70's.
Orinoco Flow: Enya - Irish singer Enya released Orinoco Flow in 1988. It mislabeled by many as Sail Away. Venezuela's Orinoco River is only one of many maritime locations mentioned in the song. Among them are Tripoli, Bissau, Palau, Fiji, Tiree, Isles of Ebony, Cebu, Bali, Peru and the Coral Sea.
If I Had a Boat: Lyle Lovett - Lovett claims this song based on a childhood experience were he tried to ride a pony across a small pond with little success. This song helped boost Lovett's popularity beyond only fans of country music. There is a Dave Matthews Band cover of this tune.
The Downeaster "Alexa": Billy Joel - Joel is known for the influence maritime New England has on his music. Any potential skipper sitting for their Coast Guard Masters examination is familiar with the landmarks used in the song. Montauk, Block Island Sound, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and the light at Gardiner's Bay all appear on the practical navigation test. Storm Front is an additional choice for Billy Joel fans.
Cool Change: Little River Band - Cool Change was one of six consecutive hits in the United State for this Australian band between 1978 and 1981. The Little River Band was one of the first bands from Australia to be commercially successful in the US.
Beyond the Seas: Bobby Darin - Kevin Spacey directed and stared in the same named movie about Bobby Darin of Mack the Knife fame in 2004. Darin was known for introducing new talent in his opening acts at the Copacabana and breaking the barrier of nightclub segregation in Las Vegas. Richard Pryor, Flip Wilson, Wayne Newton and Nipsey Russell were among the unknowns that benefited from knowing Bobby Darin.
Well here you have it, a list of ten nautical songs that bring us closer to our thoughts of sailing and traveling upon the water. Which nautical tunes would you suggest to readers of Boating & Sailing at Suite101?
