Rock Me Softly

Lite rock (also known as soft rock, or yacht rock) surfaced in the early ‘70s and was invented for casual music fans- parents, kids, yuppies, playboys, office workers- who wanted to feel cool and rock out in their own way but without all the noise and yelling. Lite rock’s early flag bearers were ‘70s album acts like Bread, Chicago, and Loggins and Messina but there were also plenty of one hit wonders hopping aboard the post-Vietnam soft rock gravy train (even the Brady Bunch formed a rock band). My earliest listening exposure to lite rock was in our family car where it was either dad’s Bread or mom’s Air Supply.

Bread

Many people today make fun of lite rock but I remember listening to these songs as a child without irony. The best of lite rock taught me a lot about love, heartache, hope, and joy. These songs were popular for a reason. They pack elaborate, meticulous production that reaches deep down and grips the human condition without mercy. Most lite rock songs are about love but may also flirt with such themes as astrology, sailing, escaping, and getting back to nature. So let your guard down, come aboard, and set sail with some of my favorite lite rock tunes. Enjoy!

Loggins and Messina (Is that Hawaii?)

01. Jay Ferguson – “Thunder Island” (1977)
02. Kenny Loggins feat. Stevie Nicks – “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend’” (1978)

03. Bread – “Everything I Own” (1972)

04. Air Supply – “All Out of Love” (1980)

05. Little River Band – “Cool Change” (1979)

06. Dave Mason – “We Just Disagree” (1977)

07. Boz Scaggs – “Lido Shuffle” (1976)

08. Christopher Cross – “Sailing” (1980)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...