Sailing Songs – The Ultimate Sailor’s Playlist

Sailing Songs - 12º West - Ultimate Sailing Playlist

Sailing Songs – The Ultimate Sailor’s Playlist

Music and sailing just seem to go together – we all have our favorite sailing songs, right? There’s something about the wind and the water, the motion of the boat, and that laid back sailing lifestyle that begs to be put to music. A good sailing song can transport you to another time and place – where things are simpler, and your only worry is the strength and direction of the breeze.

One cold and snowy day last winter, I asked a group of sailors for their favorite sailing songs. I took their suggestions, added some of my personal favorites, and came up with Sailing Songs – The Ultimate Sailor’s Playlist – just in time to be the soundtrack for the rest of your summer sailing adventures.

This list covers a lot of ground – from Harry Belafonte to Jimmy Buffett to Led Zeppelin to Zac Brown. Because this playlist was generated by sailors, for sailors, there are songs about boats, sailors, the ocean, islands, and – of course – rum. From standards like “Sail On, Sailor” and “Southern Cross” to newer classics like (slightly profane, but hilarious) “I’m On A Boat” and the beautifully melancholy “Boat Song” there’s a little something here for everyone.

You can listen here by clicking on any of the songs in the list, or subscribe to the playlist on Spotify. And for you music nerds out there, here’s the complete list in alphabetical order by song.

Sailing Songs – The Ultimate Sailor’s Playlist

Song Artist
All At Sea Jamie Cullum
Back To The Island Leon Russell
Banana Boat (Day-O) Harry Belafonte
Banana Republics Jimmy Buffett
Beyond The Sea Bobby Darin
Boat Drinks Jimmy Buffett
Boat Song Woodkid
The Boat Song Set Sail
Boats To Build Guy Clark
Cabin By The Sea Dirty Heads
Cake By The Ocean DNCE
Castaway Zac Brown Band
Calypso John Denver
Coconut Harry Nilsson
Come Sail Away Styx
Cool Change Little River Band
Down By The Seaside Led Zeppelin
Drunken Sailor Glamrock Brothers
Edge Of The Ocean Ivy
Full Sail The Beach Boys
I’m On A Boat The Lonely Island
If I Had A Boat Lyle Lovett
Into The Mystic Van Morrison
Island In The Sun Weezer
Jamaica Farewell Harry Belafonte
Kokomo The Beach Boys
Landfall Jimmy Buffett
Lost Coastlines Okkervil River
Mutineer Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires
Nautical Wheeler Jimmy Buffett
One Particular Harbor Jimmy Buffett
Only The Ocean Jack Johnson
Orinoco Flow Enya
A Pirate Looks At Forty Jack Johnson & Dave Matthews
Rolling Sea Vetiver
Rum And Coca-Cola The Andrews Sisters
Sail Away Flipsyde
Sail Away David Gray
Sail Into The Sun Gentleman Hall
Sail On Commodores
Sail On, Sailor The Beach Boys
Sailboat Ben Rector
Sailboat For Sale Toby Keith & Jimmy Buffett
A Sailboat In The Moonlight Billie Holliday
Sailin’ Shoes Little Feat
Sailin’ The Wind Loggins & Messina
Sailing Rod Stewart
Sailing Christopher Cross
Sailing On The Seven Seas OMD
Sailor’s Blues The Strumbellas
Sailors Lament Credence Clearwater Revival
Sea Cruise Frankie Ford
Seaside The Kooks
Set Sail The Movement
Single-Handed Sailor Dire Straits
(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay Otis Redding
Sloop John B The Beach Boys
Something Bout A Boat Patrick Davis
Son Of A Son Of A Sailor Jimmy Buffett
Soul Of A Sailor Kenny Chesney
Southern Cross Crosby, Stills & Nash
Tin Cup Chalice Jimmy Buffett
When The Ship Comes In Bob Dylan

 

Hopefully you’ll find your favorite sailing songs here – and discover some new boat tunes as well. Enjoy, and happy sailing!

Get ready for sailing season! We’ve covered all the bases for you – our 3 part series will have you ready to get on the water asap. 

Part 1: Safety First

Part 2: Sailing Bag Essentials

Part 3: What to Wear Sailing