There seem to be lots of songs about sailing and or the sea.
I think this is clearly just another reason why sailing is so fantastic. I mean, you don’t hear people singing songs about jet-skiing now do you?
Here are some of my favourite sailing songs. You can click on the Apple music icon to listen or download them and create your own sailing playlist.
There are plenty of other sailing songs out there, I have only included the ones that I like.
Let me know if I have missed any!
Listen to my sailing songs Spotify playlist here.
Chill Out Sailing Songs
Sailing – Christopher Cross
Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills & Nash
In to the Mystic – Van Morrison
Sailboat – Ben Rector
Only the Ocean – Jack Johnson
Sailboats – Brooke Fraser
Orinoco Flow – Enya
Wild World – Cat Stevens
Sail Away – David Gray
Cruisin – Huey Lewis & Gwyneth Paltrow
Sailing – Rod Stewart
Sail On – The Commodores
The Tide is High – Blondie
Distant Sun – Chris Cheney
Why Should I cry for You – Sting
Cool Change – Little River Band
Sittin on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Waves – The Cruise
Drifting Away – Faithless
If I had a Boat – James Vincent McMorrow
All At Sea – Jamie Cullum
Swear Like a Sailor – Tep No
Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin
Ride like the Wind – Christopher Cross
Float On – Modest Mouse
All this Time – Breaks Co-op
On the Beach – Chris Rea
Home, Land & Sea – Trinity Roots
Sailing to Philadelphia – Mark Knopfler
Anchor Me – The Muttonbirds
Six Months in a Leaky Boat – Split Enz
Ship of Fools – Robert Plant
Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crowe
Single Handed Sailor – Dire Straits
Oh Sailor – Mr Little Jeans
Deep Wide Ocean – The Jezebels
The Seaside – The Kooks
Oceans – Hillsong United
El Marinero y La Sirena – Patricia Vonne
Dreamboat Annie – Heart
The Lighthouses Tale – Nickel Creek
Sail on Sailor – The Beach Boys
If I had a Boat – Lyle Lovatt
Shark in the Water – VV Brown
Wide Sargasso Sea – Stevie Nicks
God Of Ocean Tides – Counting Crows
Calypso – John Denver
The Downeaster Alexa – Billy Joel
Legolas’s Song of the Sea – The Return of the King
Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
Song to the Siren – This Mortal Coil
Catch the Wind – Donovan
Lost Sailor – Grateful Dead
Changes in Latitudes – Jimmy Buffett
Magic – Kenny Chesney
Sweet and Low – The Americans
Sinking – A3
Sailor’s Song – Dana Beeler
Sail ebration – Gene Mitchell
I’m Your Captain – Grand Funk Railroad
Sail Away – The Rasmus
Sail Away – Randy Newman
Rock the Boat
Every Breaking Wave – U2
Against the Wind
Sail Away – Deep Purple
Eileen Quinn
Louder Sailing Songs
Sail – Awolnation
Post Blue – Placebo
I’m on a Boat – Incredibad (explicit)
Weird Fishez – Radiohead
Sailing – Nsync
Sailin on – No Doubt
Oceans – Cold Play
Oceans – Pearl Jam
Classics
Minnie the Mermaid – Phil Harris
Country
Knee Deep – Zac Brown Band
No Shoes No Shirt No Problems – Kenny Chesney
Save the Whales – Country Joe
Son of a sailor – Jimmy Buffett
A Pirate looks at Forty – Jimmy Buffett
Music By Sailors!
So there are my music sailing playlist picks – I am sure there are plenty more. anything you love that I have missed?
Astrolabe Sailing 
Very well done!
Gwyneth Paltrow? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boat Song by Woodkid 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have just looked it up on iTunes – yes I like that one too! 🙂
LikeLike
great list! I’ve got a few different ones I’ve been posting a “Songs of the Sea” series on my blog. They’re not all about sailing, but they all have to do with boats, the ocean, etc. They’re at http://captainjillsjourneys.com/category/good-music/songs-of-the-sea/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe I forgot “If I had a boat” by Lyle Lovett (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpM8FjO4Vko) not the same as the James Vincent McMurrow one. The Lovett song is great… funny lyrics and beautiful tune. Who has never dreamed of having a pony on their boat ? Thanks for pulling this together, Viki !
LikeLiked by 1 person
“…left of Jimmy Buffet…” Really? I’m shocked! Good list. Check out Eileen Quinn though – she’s a cruiser with 5 albums, and counting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! I’m sorry – I’m trying to like Jimmy. I’ll get there I’m sure 😉
LikeLike
I’ve got a list of songs that get me in the sailing mood. I listen to a very wide range of music styles. I don’t know if you’re into ‘country’ music, but there’s a few songs by the Zac Brown Band that strike a chord (lol) with me. Knee Deep, Toes, Quiet Your Mind, and Free.
I haven’t been sailing lately due to a knee injury….now with this post and listening to the music I’m feeling the loss. 😦 Hopefully back out soon!
Great post!
Mike
http://www.FillingTheSails.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I forgot to mention….You have Wild World by Cat Stevens. Great choice.
There’s a remake of the song by Mr. Big that is very well done!
Check it out: https://youtu.be/31k_DB8KVQM
Miike
http://www.FillingTheSails.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes that is good!
LikeLike
Song to the Siren- This Mortal Coil
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Come sail away” by Styx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fab! Adding now 🙂
LikeLike
I think Minnie the Mermaid is an important classic
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m adding it now to its own sub-category – Classic Songs!
LikeLike
I see you found my Songs of the Sea. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes a fantastic list Capt Jill! Thanks for sharing. I am just adding some to the playlist now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
downeaster Alexa? 🙂 That is were that many sailing songs!! awesome post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes I love that one too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun list! A lot to listen to there 🙂 Also you had me laughing trying to imagine jet-skiers coming up with romantic tunes…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sail Away- Deep Purple, classic!
LikeLike
Oh yes great suggestion! thanks
LikeLike
A Pirate looks at forty ~Jimmy Buffett
Son of a Sailor~ Jimmy Buffett
Against the Wind~ Bob Seger
Every Breaking Wave~ U2
Just a couple more from my playlist
LikeLike
Thanks Bill! 🙂
LikeLike
Nantucket is an old sailing town here in the U.S., and there’s a limerick that begins, “There once was a man from Nantucket.” But it doesn’t end well.
LikeLike
Pingback: Awesome Apps for Sailors | Astrolabe Sailing