The stress of Thanksgiving is behind us, and now it’s time to relax, heat up leftovers, and unwind to the smooth sounds of yacht rock—a genre that has often been misunderstood. The latest Max documentary, Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary, shines a light on this much-mocked but beloved style, exploring its origins and legacy through interviews with musicians, fans, and the creators who coined the term.
Directed by Garret Price, the documentary delves into the music of artists like Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, and Toto, examining how their polished, jazz-infused pop songs became the soundtrack to an era. Price reflects on how yacht rock, often taken for granted, remains ever-present in places like grocery stores and doctor’s offices, and he hopes the documentary will encourage viewers to rediscover its charm.
The film traces the roots of yacht rock to artists such as McDonald, Cross, Loggins, and Steely Dan, calling them the “primordial ooze” from which the genre emerged. Iconic tracks like “Ride Like the Wind” by Cross, “Reelin’ In the Years” by Steely Dan, and “Rosanna” by Toto exemplify the sound, while the documentary makes clear that other bands like the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac don’t fit the strict definition of yacht rock.
The documentary features conversations with some of yacht rock’s biggest figures—Cross, McDonald, Loggins, and Toto’s David Paich and Steve Porcaro—discussing their experiences with the genre and its label. Though Donald Fagen of Steely Dan only spoke briefly with Price, he gave permission for the band’s music to be used, making for a pivotal moment in the film’s production.
Musician-comedian Fred Armisen, Questlove, Thundercat, and other music experts offer additional perspectives, with Questlove expanding the genre’s scope to include artists like Al Jarreau, George Benson, and the Pointer Sisters, showing that yacht rock is not confined to just white artists. Price embraces the genre’s fluidity, acknowledging the fun and debates surrounding its definition.
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Though yacht rock briefly flourished in the late 1970s, the genre’s appeal waned with the rise of MTV, which many yacht rockers were unwilling or unable to embrace visually. Over time, the music became a target for ridicule in pop culture, appearing in shows like 30 Rock, Family Guy, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, where it was often used for comedic effect. Price, however, wanted his film to celebrate the music without mocking it.
The term “yacht rock” itself originated as a tongue-in-cheek label from the 2005 web series created by J.D. Ryznar and Steve Huey, who were fans of the music and wanted to showcase its quality. They drew inspiration from the smooth, sophisticated image evoked by albums like Full Sail by Loggins and Messina and Cross’s hit “Sailing.”
Now, the film arrives just in time for post-Thanksgiving relaxation. Price suggests it’s the perfect family film to wind down after a busy holiday, inviting viewers to “chill out, vibe out, and just smile” to the soothing sounds of yacht rock.