Hi, I’m Matt. Welcome to Steady Beats, a newsletter about chasing the good life at midlife: exercise, education, and eighties music. Music Beats: The Captains of Our Hearts A human Spotify playlist. That’s how co-frontman Nick Niespodziani describes
The playlist is absolutely magnificent! Pablo Cruise, Seals and Croft, Dancin' in the Moonlight, Paul Simon's Train in the Distance...you got it all! Thank you!!!
Some call it Yacht Rock, I call it Blue Eyed Soul. Baby Come Back, What You Wont Do For Love, How Long, She's Gone, Deacon Blues...all those songs and groups on FM radio that you liked and were excited to hear Black DJs slip into rotation - and even more excited to realize people you never expected like the same songs. The gruff coworker who lit up when the Bee Gees came on. That cool chick in the all black everything that sang along to the Doobie Brothers. Whatever you call it it opened ears and eyes to the beauty of good music that reached all kinds of people.
James Taylor's version of a Woman's gotta have It or Bobby Womack's? Both are great!
Such a great read, Matt. Loved the rollicking detour through the origins and influences of Yacht Rock. Thanks for giving us that piece of music history, but also a view into your excitement for it all. Definitely putting together a little Spotify list.
This is spot on, and the chart is simply brilliant! Well said Matt.
The playlist is absolutely magnificent! Pablo Cruise, Seals and Croft, Dancin' in the Moonlight, Paul Simon's Train in the Distance...you got it all! Thank you!!!
Some call it Yacht Rock, I call it Blue Eyed Soul. Baby Come Back, What You Wont Do For Love, How Long, She's Gone, Deacon Blues...all those songs and groups on FM radio that you liked and were excited to hear Black DJs slip into rotation - and even more excited to realize people you never expected like the same songs. The gruff coworker who lit up when the Bee Gees came on. That cool chick in the all black everything that sang along to the Doobie Brothers. Whatever you call it it opened ears and eyes to the beauty of good music that reached all kinds of people.
James Taylor's version of a Woman's gotta have It or Bobby Womack's? Both are great!
I’ve been listening to Yacht Rock without realizing it! Listening now to your Yacht Rock Adjacent playlist on Spotify 👍🏻🎵
Such a great read, Matt. Loved the rollicking detour through the origins and influences of Yacht Rock. Thanks for giving us that piece of music history, but also a view into your excitement for it all. Definitely putting together a little Spotify list.
The lyrics/critical data line is gold.