Boating is already a fun activity in itself for most people, but accompanying it with good music would surely enhance the experience and might transform it into a party enjoyed by friends and loved ones on the boat. You can play any type of music or any song that you want to on the boat, but the best songs that you can play that further elevate the mood of the activity are the ones that have lyrics about boating or the different bodies of water, or just the ones that have the perfect beat and tempo for relaxing on the boat. Here are some of the best songs to listen to while boating.
Come Sail Away – Styx
One of the most popular songs by the progressive rock band Styx is Come Sail Away, which was released in September 1977 to critical acclaim. The song was written by the primary singer of the group, Dennis DeYoung, and it is included as the fourth track for the band’s 1977 album The Grand Illusion. There are different versions of Come Sail Away that you can play, with the most commonly played being the single version that is three minutes long, while the longest is the album version that is six minutes long because of the long instrumental added to the track.
Redneck Yacht Club – Craig Morgan
Redneck Yacht Club is considered to be one of the best country songs released in the 2000s, as it peaked at the second position in the US Billboard Hot Country Songs after its release in 2005. This song is sung by Craig Morgan, a popular country music singer, although it was written by Steve Williams and Thom Shepherd. The lyrics of the song talks about Morgan being part of a fictional group called the “Redneck Yacht Club,” wherein members can enjoy boating while socializing with other people, playing the guitar, and just enjoying the lifestyle of being a regular boater.
When the Ship Comes In – Bob Dylan
Written by prolific folk singer Bob Dylan, When the Ship Comes In became an instant classic for many of his fans because of its deep lyrics, which is believed to have been written by Bob Dylan during a night on August 1963 when he was refused admission in his hotel room when the clerk mistook him as a burglar or a homeless person because of his “unruly” appearance. Because of that encounter, Bob Dylan became inspired to write a song about ending “oppression” from people that abuse their powers. This great song can be played if you want a more relaxing vibe on the boat since it is a folk song.
A Pirate Looks at 40 – Jimmy Buffett
A Pirate Looks at 40 is a popular song in the 1970s that was written by Jimmy Buffet, an American pop singer known for portraying an “island escapism” lifestyle in his live performances, which is mainly the reason why most of his songs are perfect for boating. A Pirate Looks at 40 was written by Jimmy Buffett after his conversation with a man named Philip Clark, a drug smuggler that is already in his 40s. The song is written as a confession by Clark during his days of smuggling or pirating drugs and his regrets on doing the heinous profession.
Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
While almost all songs by the Beach Boys are perfect for boating, the most suitable one has to be their cover or adaptation of a classic Bahamian folk song titled Sloop John B, which was first sung in the city of Nassau in the Bahamas. The version sang by the Beach Boys was arranged by Brian Wilson, a member of the group that also served as their primary songwriter and producer. Sloop John B was the lead single for Pet Sounds, the band’s 11th album that is considered to be not only the best album made by the band but also one of the greatest albums in music history.
I’m on a Boat – The Lonely Island
If you want a more upbeat song for boating, then you should play I’m on a Boat by The Lonely Island, which also features famous rapper T-Pain. The song was released in 2009 and is supposed to be a parody of most pop and rap songs during the late 2000s that have lyrics focusing on the lavish lifestyle of the singers. If you just want to enjoy a good rap song, although its lyrics are mocking the popular hip-hop songs of its era, you can blast this track through your speakers to emphasize that you are truly “on a boat.”
These are a few of the best songs that you can play while boating, but there are still hundreds of boating songs or tracks out there that you can discover by playing random playlists on Spotify or other music streaming apps. So, make your boating days livelier by playing these great songs.