20 Best Sailing Songs To Add To Your Playlist
Published January 15th, 2024
Whether you’re daydreaming about your next sailing adventure or putting together a playlist for your upcoming Florida yacht charter, this collection of sailing songs is for you!
Include some of these songs on your playlist if you enjoy listening to music themed around the experience of sailing. Some tracks incorporate sailing metaphors. They symbolize life journeys and relationships.
Dive Into Your Sailing Adventure With The Perfect Soundtrack
1. Enya — Orinoco Flow
This song by Enya from the late 1980s is undoubtedly a catchy tune. It continues to ring in the head of everyone who knows it each time the sail is set. Enya’s airy singing amplifies this song’s whimsical appeal, which complements the lyrics well.
2. Auli’i Cravalho — How Far I’ll Go
As one of the songs from the Disney film Moana; it’s a must-have in the list. It’s a great representation of what it’s like to be swayed by the water if you’re looking for songs about boats and sailing. It’ll always be an anthem to your adventurous spirit if you sing along to the lyrics.
3. Looking Glass — Brandy
This sailing song is one of the best of the 1970s, and it describes the lifestyle of a sailor. It’s about a girl who falls in love with a sailor that she can never steal from the sea. One of the song’s lines can be related to by anyone who has ever loved the ocean.
4. Van Morrison — Into The Mystic
This rock song about a homecoming sailor contains many hidden meanings and interpretations. The words in this piece have different interpretations for different people. This makes it a piece of excellent sailing music.
5. Crosby, Stills & Nash — Southern Cross
This song from the 1980s is about a failed relationship. It gained new life after Jimmy Buffett performed it live in the 1990s. This song’s sailing phrases and references make it an undeniable classic.
6. Christopher Cross — Sailing
This soft rock favorite from the 1980s reminds us that sailing is the ultimate freedom. It’s a song about sailing away from problems or worries. This song’s lovely melody and vocals make it difficult to forget.
7. Garth Brooks — The River
This country ballad employs the symbolism of a river and a boat. It expresses what it’s like to pursue your dreams and never give up. This concept resonates with so many sailors that it has to be included on this list!
8. Rod Stewart — Sailing
Even though this is not everybody’s favorite Rod Stewart song, it has earned a spot on this list. It’s an instant sing-along due to the song’s soft rock vibe and catchy chorus. Through and through, this is a classic sailing tune!
9. The Beach Boys — Sail on Sailor
The Beach Boys have many sailing songs, and this is the only perennial hit that’s still popular on the present FM radio formats. The theme of perseverance, both on the water and in life, is powerful in this song.
10. Dolly Parton — Islands In the Stream
Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees wrote this classic duet of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. It has all the emotions of a sailing love song and a karaoke appeal. Songs about sailing should include this one.
11. Zac Brown Band — Castaway
The song tells the story of a man longing to sail away to the Caribbean, influenced by Zac Brown’s love for Bob Marley’s reggae music.
12. Jimmy Buffett — Son Of A Son Of A Sailor
Jimmy Buffett has a remarkable career centered around sailing and beach life. “Son of a Son of a Sailor” is one of his most famous songs, beloved by his dedicated fanbase. The song tells the story of a man discovering his deep connection to the sea. This fuels his desire for legendary voyages.
13. The Beach Boys — Sloop John B
It recounts a tragic voyage on a sloop, which eventually grounds in Nassau. The Beach Boys’ rendition was previously beloved in the Bahamas. It gained widespread popularity due to its pop-infused, multilayered cappella treatment.
14. Gentlemen Hall — Sail Into The Sun
The song became famous after being featured in a Target commercial. It’s about escaping with a loved one, sailing into the sun, and floating through an “ocean” of clouds and light. The lyrics evoke vivid imagery, open to interpretation.
15. Loggins & Messina — Sailin’ The Wind
In the olden days, sailors relied on the wind to navigate their way. The song pays homage to the gentle breeze that cools the ocean and aids kite flying. As one of the sailor songs worth listening to, the singer wants to let the wind guide their boat freely.
16. Little River Band — Cool Change
One of the most popular singles by the Little River Band is “Cool Change. The lyrics depict the narrator seeking comfort, inner peace, and rejuvenation through sailing. They desire alone time to recharge and escape the hustle and bustle of life.
17. David Gray — Sail Away
Singers often fantasize about escaping the world’s pressures with their lovers. They want to live free from responsibilities. The hit song revisits this timeless trope, proving an enduring appeal as an international hit.
18. The Commodores — Sail On
This song beautifully captures the sentiment of embarking on a voyage. It encourages listeners to sail regardless of the circumstances. It’s not about sailing in the literal sense. Instead, it’s a metaphor for moving forward after a relationship ends.
19. Billie Holiday — A Sailboat In The Moonlight
One of the most well-known versions of A Sailboat In The Moonlight is Billie Holiday’s cover in 1937. This sweet jazz song vividly depicts a moonlit boat ride between lovers. It captures the warm summer night breeze over the water.
20. Chris De Burgh — Sailing Away
The song is about childhood dreams contrasted with the desire for new experiences as one grows up. The singer reminisces about watching ships as a child. He imagined the places he could visit. Now, as an adult in love, his dreams have shifted to sailing into the night with his partner.
There’s A Song For Every Sailing Mood
There have been numerous excellent sailing tunes throughout the years, both new and old. Furthermore, let’s not overlook the songs. They evoke feelings of freedom, adventure, and pushing one’s boundaries. It’s astonishing how you can stumble upon newfound favorite tunes about sailing. Simply tune into a serendipitous radio station while embarking on sea-bound escapades.
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About The Author
Krizzia Paolyn has a bachelors degree in Psychology and a passion for yachting in South Florida. She has a desire to be heard and to encourage others to make their voices heard as well.
