Dear fellow sailing bloggers, I would like to enlist your help in a project. And there’s an incentive!
I got to thinking about my favorite sailing songs. Frankly compared to most categories, the list is short. Top 10 Car songs – the list is endless. Top 10 Soccer songs – I could go on forever.
When it comes to songs where sailing is an integral part of the song I really had to scratch my head. I came up with the following list. As you can see I was stretching. Some are just plain lame:
Southern Cross – Crobsy Stills Nash
Sailing – Chris Cross (laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame)
We are sailing – Rod Stewart
Dingle Regatta – The Pogues
Irish Rover – the Pogues with the Dubliners (My personal favorite)
Sloop Jonby – Beach Boys
Change in Latitudes – Jimmy Buffet
Wooden Ships – CSN again
Redemption Song – Bob Marley (Stretching…)
Fog on the Tyne – Can’t remember who
I’m shipping up to Boston – Dropkick Murphys
Down by the sea – Men at Work (Their worst song IMHO)
That was it. Pathetic really.
Email me your favorites. Thanks
I don’t know about sailing songs as such … but here in South Africa our favourite song has to be 99 red balloons by goldfinger … it’s pretty much legendary 😉
What do you do with a drunken sailor?
Fog on the Tyne: Lindisfarne.
I’d have to vote for Enya’s Sail Away. I used it in a video, which you can see here:
I also used Rod Stewart’s Sailing.
The link missing from my previous post.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y7u2yLR85sY
here’s some
Gordon Lightfoot—Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald, Ghosts of Cape Horn
Jefferson Starship—Santiago, Wooden Ships
Phil Ochs—Scorpion Departs, Thresher
Doors—Crystal Ship
Cream—Tales of Brave Ulysses
CSN—The Lee Shore
Joan Baez—Spanish Boots
Good lord, I can’t believe none of you have heard of Salty Dick’s sailing CD. HANDS DOWN, the best sailing CD out there. Here’s the link – http://cdbaby.com/cd/saltydick/from/mhn
Listen to the songs. Go buy it now.
So, from that CD, the best songs are:
1 – The Whores of Sailortown
2 – North Atlantic Squadron
3 – Priests and Nuns
4 – Christopher Columbo
5 – A Matlow Told Me
“If I had a boat” by Lyle Lovett – great sailing song. “Kiss my ass I bought a boat, I’m going out to sea!”
Son of a Son of a Sailor. Jimmy Buffet. All that is good about the sea and sailing. Freedom, Excitment The sea’s in my veins, My persistence remains, I am glad I don’t live in a Trailer”
What about “Six months in a leaky boat” by Split Enz
Sea of Heartbreak..J. Buffet
Capt. of Her Heart…Double
Orinoco Flow..Enya
Cool Change..Little Riv. Band
Sail Away Sweet Sister..Queen
Kokomo…Beach Boys
Come Sail Away..Styx
Pirate..J. Buffet
“Rock The Boat” By Aaliyah also a great music video to this particular song on a multihull sailing in the Bahamas.
fog on the tyne is by the excellent english band lindisfarne.
now let’s get randy newman’s sail away on some list!
Not sure it’s my favorite, but it does date me — 26 miles by 4 Preps. You know 26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me!
Into the Mystic – Van Morrison –
Try these:
Cool Change – Glen Shorrock/Little River Band.
Son of the Son of a Sailor – Jimmy Buffet.
Dock of the Bay = Otis Redding.
Sailing – Gavin Sutherland, Rod Stewart’s version.
South Australia – traditoinal shanty.
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot.
Ship of Fools – Rober Hunter and Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead version. s
Here you go! “I’LL SAIL MY SHIP ALONE” by Moon Mullican. It’s legendary!!!
Sailing songs:
Away Rio, Burl Ives
Day Oh (Banana Boat song), Harry Belefonte
Leave her Johnny leave her, Burl Ives
What do you do with a drunken sailor? Burl Ives
Definitely my favorite:
Brandy, The Looking Glass
… “But my life, my love and my lady is the sea”…
Ghosts of cape Horn, Gordon Lightfoot.
But NOT Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald! After all, I plan to keep floating.
“If I had a boat” by Lyle Lovett and Jimmy Buffett
“Mother Ocean” by Jimmy Buffett
Dire Straits – Down To The Waterline
Jimmy Buffett – The Captain and the Kid
Jimmy Buffett – One Particular Harbor
My son was in the choral group in High School. They did a song called the Sky Boat Song. The King Singers have done it. I think it originated in Scotland. You’ll love it. I have it somewhere if you can’t find it.
Sloop John B —Beach boys
Sailin’ by Cecilio and Kapono (from Hawaii) – “Sailing’s his first love
It keeps him so free”
Midnight Sailing by Kalapana
(e-mail me at yotrasr@aol.com if you’d like either of these!)
“Lovely Cruise” by Jimmy Buffett
My all time favorite:
“Silver on the tree / angel tears ” by Maggie reilly
Album ; Midnight Sun
Loudan Wainwright’s III Good Ship Venus, from Rogue’s Gallery.
Too vulgar to quote here, but a lot of rousing fun.
There’s a celtic/pop band from Newfoundland called Great Big Sea that have released several great boating songs; Lukey, Captain Kidd, Boston & St Johns, Wave over Wave, and A Boat like Gideon Brown’s are my favs.
Valperaiso by Sting
Favorite sailing song:
On Moonlight Bay
Oh man! I see no reference to the great Stan Rogers, a Canadian songwriter/singer far beyond most on this list. He was AMAZING before his untimely death in an air accident back in the eighties. I think I have ALL of his albums, including “Home in Halifax”, recorded live.
Super songs include: White Squall, The Mary Ellen Carter, Barrett’s Privateers, Make and Break Harbor, Fogarty’s Cove, and The Bluenose, to name but a few.
Also, one should hear Eric Bogel’s tribute to Rogers entitled “Safe in the Harbor”, a song I’ve requested by played at my funeral.
Guaranteed satisfaction!
Rio – Duran Duran
How could you miss out Stan Rogers?
– Barret’s Privateers
– Mary Ellen Carter
– Flowers of Bermuda
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot
“Down Under” Men at work. For me at least is a great sailing song. It was played aboard Australia II in 1983 on the way out to the course. The song epitomizes the whole style of the campaign, one of pride in your country when abroad and keeping faith in your own abilities against the odds. I believe it helped win the cup.
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot
Landfall – Jimmy Buffett
Son of a son of a sailor – Jimmy Buffett
Any CD by Gene Mitchell has great sailing songs, also check out Jim Morris (Laid Back and Key Wasted) and don’t miss Glenn Yarborough (Chanteyman and I Could Have Been A Sailor).
The beautiful South: I sail this ship alone
All by Jimmy Buffet:
son of a sailor
pirate
mother ocean
if I had a boat
sea of heartbreak
one particular harbor
captain and the kid
landfall
changes in latitudes
fins
Sail On Sailor- Beach Boys
Southern Cross–CSN
Come Sail Away–Styx
Sloop Jonby–Beach Boys
The Drunken Sailor
Margaritaville–Jimmy Buffett
Kokomo-Beach Boys
Hot hot hot–Buster Poindexter
Brown-eyed Girl–Van Morrison
Pirate–Jimmy Buffet
Change in Latitudes–Jimmy Buffet
How about “Take It Back”—Jimmy Buffett
From Jimmy’s Notes:
I got a call one day to write a song for the Stars and Stripes challenge. The Americans were trying to win the American Cup back from the Australians. Soon after that, my first trip to Australia came together, and we opened the tour in Perth at the time of the race. For me, it was the party of the 80’s, and I think of this as the background music for an incredible stay down under.
Enya sang “Sailing” or “Orinonco Flow” which should be in the top 10.
My personal all-time favorite is The Wind by Cat Stevens
Sloop John B- Kingston Trio and others…
David Gray’s ‘Sail Away’ brings to mind a quiet beach sunset…
Alex Bevin, a musician that plays at Put-In-Bay,Ohio, wrote a song “Little Wings Upon the Water” inspired by our District’s Bemis, Symthe and Sear’s regatta. It’s incredible!
My favorites:
Mother Ocean, ( A pirate looks at 40)….
Son of A Sailor
Changes in Lattitudes…
Sailing, Christopher Cross
The Doors – Land Ho!
many good songs listed here, but this is my favorite, a classic tale.
Sunny Sailor Boy, by Luka Bloom is a fun one.
I’m glad someone finally mentioned Brandy by the Looking Glass. That’s my favorite and describes most sailor boys I know.
Why Should I Cry for You? –Sting.
The Wild Wild Sea– Sting
Sailing to Philadelphia — Mark Knoppfler and James Taylor
I’d add these two to your list: “If I had a boat” by Lyle Lovett, and “American Tune” by Paul Simon (Oh we come on a ship they call the Mayflower, we come on a ship that sailed the sea …”
“Take It Back” by jimmy buffet has to make the list!
How about any song on The Waterboys “Fisherman’s Blues” album?
‘In the Lee of Christian Island’ by Gordon Lightfoot
Ride Captain Ride by Blues Image
Home by Carbon Leaf (a Virginia band that’s starting to make it big)
A few Great Big Sea songs that have already been mentioned
Coast of Malabar, Ry Cooder/Chieftains
BArrett’s Privateers and The Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Rogers – I have never understood why Stan Rogers (no longer with us) did not get more air time. These songs are GREAT!
Jimmy Buffett – Boats To Build (with Alan Jackson)
OK, you can’t forget:
1. Brandy by Looking Glass. (That goes at the top of my lame list)
2. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot
3. American Tune by Paul Simon (OK, T.J. beat me to that one)
4. La Bamba by Richie Valens
5. Yo ho ho, it’s a pirate’s life for me (traditional)
6. Sailor’s Bonnett by Arlo Guthrie
7. Shelter from the Storm, by Bobby Dylan
8. Longer Boats by Cat Stevens
9. Singlehanded Sailor by Dire Straits
10. Ship of Fools, by the Greatful Dead
I must add “Vahevala” – Loggins and Messina, the live version is 10 minutes long.
Sail away with me – by David Grey
2 that are on my pre-race set are:
Franklins Tower – Grateful Dead
Lost Sailor – Grateful Dead
Son of a sailor –J. Buffet
The Horizon has been defeated – Jack Johnson
The list goes on and on however. Good work
Here are the sailing songs on my iPod.
Sail Away by Sonia Dada
White Sail by Cowboy Junkies
Sail Away Joe Cocker
Sail On, Little Girl, Sail On by Leadbelly
Sail Away by David Gray
Southern Cross by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Smooth Sailing by Ella Fitzgerald
A Pirate Looks at Forty by Jack Johnson
Son of a Son of a Sailor by Buffett
Avalon by Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot
Sloop John B by The Beach Boys
If I Had A Boat by Lyle Lovett
Lee Shore, CSN&Y, Four Way Street Album, yes, album, i’m dating myself…
This list is nowhere near complete without
Gordon Bok. Isle a Haut is one song, but
he has lots. “I got an old fat boat, she’s
slow but handsome; hard in the chine and
soft in the transom… ”
1) Roger & the Goosebumps singing the words to ‘Gilligan’s Island’ to the tune of ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Hilarious mixture.
2) Mountain (live version) of ‘Nantucket Sleighride’
3) (if you can find it) Every Mother’s Son w/ ‘Come on Down to My Boat Baby’
reading these posts, i am reminded of my best sailing memories… what a great regatta party compilation cd that would be!
did you see this site? It lists most everything you guys already have…
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/trails/2625/5shanty.html
Sailing Away – Chris De Burgh
Waiting at the water’s edge,
Watching all the ships as they are heading for the harbour wall,
I was just a boy, I was just a boy,
Dreaming of the wide world, dreaming of the wide world;
Watching as they disappear,
Reading out the names of all the places I have never been,
Looking out to sea, staring out to sea,
Dreaming of a wide world, dreaming of the wide world;
I wish I was sailing away, sailing away,
Sailing away, with you tonight, with you tonight;
Walking down another street,
Underneath the red lights, I am watching where the shadows fall,
Looking at the girls, listening to the girls,
Dreaming of a new world, dreaming of that new world;
I wish I was sailing away, sailing away,
Sailing away, in your arms tonight,
In your arms tonight;
I wish I was sailing away, sailing away,
Sailing away, with you now, with you now…
Please, PLEASE, never let me hear Saiiiiiiling, Southern Cross, or anything by Buffet within spitting distance of water again!
“Shipbuilding” by Elvis Costello
“It must be Luff” by Michelle Shocked
“Fishin Blues” by Taj Mahal
“Six Months in a Leaky Boat” by Split Enz
“Birdhouse in your Soul” by They Might be Giants
“The Ship Song” by Nick Cave
“Silent Sea” by KT Tunstall
a jazzy set of Ella Fitzgerald performing
“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” “Smooth Sailing” and “Paper Moon”
Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Little Wing”
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
This is a fun idea, and here are just a fewmore songs no one’s mentioned yet, with asterisks beside those I like:
* keep on sailing – ian matthews
* sail away to the sea – sandy denny and the strawbs
red sails in the sunset – by many, many artists
sail away – Peter Frampton
Not to be superstitious, but I am somewhat wary of even thinking about shipwreck songs while on the water. The Gordon Lightfoot one is great, if you dare, and here’s another nice tune:
* the wreck of the jeanie c. – stan rogers
On another note, how about compiling our favorite sailing-related movies? Captain Ron gets my top vote, though it’s not everyone’s thing. – Linda
I know Jimmy Buffet sounds repetitive but my favorite is: “Son of a Son of a Sailor”
Guess I get this backwards, but I would suggest the tone of the artist may have as much to do with it all as anything, and offer Roger Whittaker performing either ‘The Last Farewell’ or ‘Durham Town’, for that seafaring sense.
My favorites:
Son of a Son of a Sailor by Jimmy Buffett
Yo Ho, Ho (and A Bottle of Rum) by Craig Toungate
Sailing for Adventure by the Muppets (from Muppet Treasure Island)
Looks like you are going to have to revise the goal to the top fifty, and would appreciate a simple e-list of that if it becomes reality.
Sailin’ shoes by Little feet (lowell George)
The Voyage by Christie Moore
Your request on Scuttlebutt prompted me to try and remember a couple little known songs by Al Stewart. One such refrence is Life In Dark Water about the Mary Celeste wreck. He also did a song called Old Admirals.
I hope that helps your cause.
Bernie
try some of Stan Rogers, unfortunately deceased,with Barrett’s Privateers, Mary Ellen Carter and Sailing Down to Ol’ Maui
How about Jimmy Buffet’s “Landfall” and “Lovely Cruise”
I had a long list for you, but all were repeated above, except “Pissn’ in the Wind” by Jerry Jeff Walker.
come sail away — styx
Glad to see Buffett’s Taking it Back was finally mentioned later on in the comments, especially this year with the Cup in action, although the American entry is out.
How about some Frank Sinatra – Summer Wind
…or Billie Holiday – A Sailboat in the Moonlight, & Summertime
Jamaca Farewell – Harry Bellefonte
Come Sail Away – Styx
I see that some of the songs I had in mind have been mentioned (Brandy, Ride Captain Ride). There is one that I can’t remember the name or the group, but is from the late 60’s/early 70’s, and goes something like “Come on down to my boat baby; come on down where we can play. Come on down to my boat baby; come on down and we’ll sail away.”, or something like that. Know it? How do I get my free CD?
In southern California I have always found Van Halen and surfing at 15kts works.
My favorite sailing songs are “Vahevala” by Loggins and Messina and “Son of a son of a sailor” by Jimmy Buffet.
“Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison is my favorite.
the way we sail it’s Tubthumping by Chubawumba
The godfather of sailing songs is Jimmy Buffet. All favorites are good. Top of the list:
1. Son of a son of a sailor. Jimmy Buffet
2. Jimmy Buffet “favorites.”
3. Somewhere in the sun. Kenny Chesney
4. “Be as you are” album (the rest). Kenny Chesney
Jimmy Buffet’s the “Captain and the Kid” and “One Particular Harbor” are two of my favorite.
go to http://www.eileenquinn.com and buy all of her cd/s they are ALL sailing or sailing related songs!
We named our First 36.7 Southern Cross for two reasons. We love the song and Stephen Stills is a real sailor, while the words of his song comes from his heart and true emotions that he experienced at the time. 90% of the celestial navigation I have done involved the Southern Cross off the South African coast and those memories come alive when I hear the song
“Blue Wind” By Jeff Beck; Reminds me of sailing hard & fast to weather across the Molokai channel
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
We like “Sailing Away” by Chris de Burgh; also does his “Ship to Shore” count? These are our 2 favourites.
Good luck with your list.
1) Sail on Sailor (Beach Boys)
2) I’m Your Captain / Closer To Home (Grand Funk Railroad)
3) Boats Against The Current (Eric Carmen)
4) One Particular Harbor (Jimmy Buffet)
5) The Tide Is High (Blondie)
6) Come On Down To My Boat, Baby (not sure of the artist)
One that I don’t see showing up so far is:
Closer to my Home by Grand Funk Railroad
“Wooden Ships” (CSNY)
“Rolling Down to Old Maui” (Stan Rogers)
“Changes in Latitudes”
best sailing songs: Safe in the Harbor, a song written by Australian folksinger Eric Bogle
I thought of 2 more. Very different sounding ones.
Feels So Good, by Van Halen
The River, by Garth Brooks.
One Particular Harbor is my favorite Buffet Song of all time.
Coming up with only 10 is tough….
ALL JIMMY BUFFET SONGS….and then…especially
1. Mother Ocean – Buffet
2. Son of a Sailor – Buffet
3. Changes in Latitudes – Buffet
4. Land Ho – Doors
5. Vahevala – Loggins and Messina
6. Sloop John B – Beach Boys
7. Drifting – Jimi Hendrix
8. Shadow Captain – CSN
9. If I had a Boat – Lovette
10. Come Sail Away – Styx
“Sailing” by Christopher Cross…not!!
Arrrr!
How about:
Sail Away – David Gray
If I had a boat – Lyle Lovett
In my quick scan I didn’t see either of these mentioned but I may be wrong.
Jimmy Buffet…
Boats to Build
A Pirate looks at 40
Southern Cross
Captain and the Kid
Looking Glass…
Brandy (one hit wonder)
Wind (movie soundtrack)…
The Dingy Race
If you like the movie, you’ll like it all.
Beach Boys…
Sloop John B
Enya…
Sail Away
Eric Stone…
Sailing Life
Eileen Quinn…
The Golden Days of Sail (a little rough)
Am I limited to ten?
“The Sailor Race” by Jim Morris
“Splendid Adventurer” by James White
“Sailing Solo” by Eric Wakely from the album, “Just Another Day in Paradise.”
(Keeper of the) Eddystone Light is a good one.
Congratulations! 105 comments on one post on a sailing blog. You have smashed all previous records for audience participation.
I was going to suggest some Jimmy Buffett songs but I see others have beat me to it. And also a few JB haters. Oh well, you can’t please all of the people…
So I’ll suggest Kenny Chesney’s French Kissin’ Life of which the worst thing is that title. But how can you not include a song with the lines…
I’m floating ’round
Through Gorda Sound
With a cooler and a bong
‘Kay, this is what’s on my Sailing iPod mix…
Big Ship Sailing Freddy McGregor (reggae)
Mary Ellen Carter Stan Rogers
Barrett’s Privateers Stan Rogers
Sailing Rod Stewart
Ride Captain Ride Blues Image
Beyond the Sea Bobbie Darin
Cool Change Little River Band
Come Sail Away Styx
Southern Cross CSNY (or Jimmy Buffett, but I prefer CSNY)
Oronoco Flow Enya
Closer to Home Grand Funk Railway
Caribbean Blue Enya
Wooden Ships CSNY (Jefferson Airplane does a credible cover)
What do you do with a Drunken Sailor Various
Come on Down to my Boat Baby Every Mother Son
Angel Sea Cat Stevens
Big Boat Peter, Paul & Mary
Where the Ocean Toni Childs
Swimming in your Ocean Crash Test Dummies
Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay Otis Reddin
Sail on Sailor Beach Boys
Sailing Christopher Cross
Sail On Commodores
And, specifically for days of big winds:
Ride of the Valkyries Wagner
Mal!
Thanks for reminding me!
The Dinghy Race (Senta) Basil Poledouris.
That goes on my sailing mix!
Proud Mary (Tina Turner live) is our team Racing Theme…
Thanks to all for songs I’ve forgotten but will now add to my list…
Mal!
Thanks for reminding me!
The Dinghy Race (Senta) Basil Poledouris.
That goes on my sailing mix!
Proud Mary (Tina Turner live) is our team Racing Theme…
Thanks to all for songs I’ve forgotten but will now add to my list…
Southern Cross is at the top of my list as well, but I can’t believe you didn’t mention these;
Dire Straits – Single Handed Sailor
Grateful Dead – Ship of Fools
Mary Black – Columbus
Little Feat – Sailin’ Shoes
Morcheeba – The Sea
So, have you checked out Stan Rogers, yet? I know only a few folks mentioned him, but those who did RAVED. Check this guy out and I’ll bet money that a couple of tunes, at least, end up in your top 10.
I am too computer illiterate to send you copies electronically.
To select ONLY 10 for your blog is a diabolical challenge; I have compiled my own CDs with my top 150 sailing songs, and have perhaps twice that number on my MP3 player! But in deference to your suggestion that we limit ourselves to a carefully considered few, here are my candidates for the Top Ten:
1. A Sailboat In The Moonlight And You (Sammy Kaye Orch)
2. Barnacle Bill The Sailor (Paul Whiteman Orch)
3. The Roving Kind (Guy Mitkchell with Mitch Miller Orchestra)
4. Song Of The Volga Boatment (Glenn Miller Orch)
5. Beyond The Sea (Bobby Darin)
6. Red Sails In The Sunset (Guy Lombardo Orch)
7. Moonlight Bay (Doris Day)
8. Mother Ocean (Jimmy Buffet)
9. The Summer Wind (Frank Sinatra)
10. Gone With The Wind (Ella Fitzgerald)
Fairport Convention: Lalla Rookh, The Wounded Whale, The Frozen Man, in that order.
I”m not a sailor;
but these are some of my all time favorite songs.
Well done, I love your site!
I can’t believe that in all of these posts Eileen Quinn wasn’t mentioned. She’s not famous, except among us cruisers, but she has several (5, I think) CD’s all about the cruising life – some funny stuff, some poignant stuff. Check her out – http://www.eileenquinn.com/
Another, kind of obscure, I think, is Brooks Williams. His ‘Tidal Pulls’ albums is almost all about sailing. There’s even one about traveling the Intra Coastal Waterway. He has some fantastic guitar work.
http://www.brookswilliams.com/
I can’t believe that in all of these posts Eileen Quinn wasn’t mentioned. She’s not famous, except among us cruisers, but she has several (5, I think) CD’s all about the cruising life – some funny stuff, some poignant stuff. Check her out – http://www.eileenquinn.com/
Another, kind of obscure, I think, is Brooks Williams. His ‘Tidal Pulls’ albums is almost all about sailing. There’s even one about traveling the Intra Coastal Waterway. He has some fantastic guitar work.
http://www.brookswilliams.com/
A salty dog – Procol Harum
Don’t pay the ferryman – Chris De Burgh
Sailing nights – Bob Seger
The ferry – Runrig
Farewell to Tarwarthie – Judy Collins
Fiddler’s green – Steeleye Span
Rolling Sea – Eliza Carthy
Fisherman’s blues – Waterboys or Young Dubliner’s cover
Lorelei (ok it’s on a river but…) Pogues
Rime of the Ancient Mariner – Iron Maiden
Cool Change is definitely the best sailing song.
Friggin’ in the Riggin’ Sex pistols LOL and don’t forget STAR SAILOR, and GUY Clark did ‘Boats to build’ as well.
One of my all time favorite sailing songs is ‘Song of the Sea’ by the late Dan Fogelburg, I can’t believe it hasn’t been on anyone’s list.
First three are also my all time favorite super collection, Southern Cross – Crobsy Stills Nash
Sailing – Chris Cross (laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame)
We are sailing – Rod Stewart are awesome. Cruise Forums
I love my sailing songs
This is so exciting! Highly informative. Look forward to more from you, soon. This is quality Work! Keep posting always.
I may have missed one or two, but how is it that all these songs were overlooked…
Emerson, Lake & Palmer “Pirates”
Allman Brothers “Sail Away”
Bob Seger “Ship Of Fools”
Deep Purple “Sail Away”
Echo & The Bunnymen “Ocean Rain”
Elton John “Dixie Lily”
Genesis “Shipwrecked”
Harry Chapin “Dance Band On The Titanic”
John Fogerty “Sail Away”
Kansas “Point Of No Return”
Loggins & Messina “Sailin’ The Wind”
Mick Jagger “Handsome Molly”
Monty Python “Cannibalism” (ok, it’s a comedy skit)
Morphine “Sharks”
Paul McCartney “Winedark Open Sea”
Robin Trower “Sailing”
Sammy Hagar & The Wabos “Sailin'”
The Stranglers “And The Boat Sails By”
Tiesto – Sail!