The Top Songs About Sailing and the Sea

Ahoy, fellow sailors and sea enthusiasts! Welcome to our new section on Entertainment and Hobbies. In this article, we’ll be exploring the world of music and its connection to our beloved sailing lifestyle. We’ve compiled a list of the top songs about sailing and the sea, perfect for setting the mood as you embark on your next adventure.

These songs capture the essence of the open sea, the freedom of sailing, and the bond between sailors and their vessels. So, hoist the sails, sit back, and let these tunes transport you to the vast, blue horizon.

1. “Sailing” by Christopher Cross

This 1980 Grammy-winning hit is a classic sailing anthem that perfectly captures the serenity and freedom of being out on the water. With its soothing melody and heartfelt lyrics, “Sailing” is a must-have on any sailing playlist.

Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see
Believe me

2. “Come Sail Away” by Styx

Another classic from the 1970s, “Come Sail Away” is an epic rock ballad that invites listeners to embark on a journey across the sea. With its soaring vocals and powerful instrumentals, this song is sure to inspire a sense of adventure and wanderlust.

I'm sailing away, set an open course for the virgin sea
I've got to be free, free to face the life that's ahead of me
On board, I'm the captain, so climb aboard
We'll search for tomorrow on every shore

3. “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash

This folk-rock classic tells the story of a sailor who sets out on a journey to find love and redemption under the Southern Cross constellation. With its beautiful harmonies and poetic lyrics, “Southern Cross” is a timeless ode to the allure of the open sea.

So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody fine will come along, make me forget about loving you
At the Southern Cross

4. “Sail Away” by David Gray

In this soulful ballad, David Gray invites listeners to escape the troubles of the world and sail away to a place of peace and tranquility. With its soothing melody and heartfelt lyrics, “Sail Away” is a perfect song for those quiet moments spent gazing out at the horizon.

Sail away with me honey
I put my heart in your hands
Sail away with me honey now, now, now
Sail away with me
What will be will be
I wanna hold you now, now, now

5. “A Pirate Looks at Forty” by Jimmy Buffett

No sailing playlist would be complete without a song from the king of beach music himself, Jimmy Buffett. In “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” Buffett reflects on the life of a modern-day pirate, longing for the days of old when the open sea was a place of adventure and freedom.

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call
Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall
You've seen it all, you've seen it all
Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam
And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen

6. “Orinoco Flow” by Enya

This ethereal hit from Enya is a celebration of the world’s oceans and the sense of wonder they inspire. With its enchanting melody and dreamy lyrics, “Orinoco Flow” is sure to transport you to a place of peace and serenity.

Sail away, sail away, sail away
From Bissau to Palau, in the shade of Avalon
From Fiji to Tiree and the Isles of Ebony
From Peru to Cebu, feel the power of Babylon
From Bali to Cali, far beneath the Coral Sea

7. “The Downeaster ‘Alexa’” by Billy Joel

In this heartfelt ballad, Billy Joel pays tribute to the hardworking fishermen of the East Coast, whose livelihoods are threatened by the changing tides of the modern world. With its powerful lyrics and haunting melody, “The Downeaster ‘Alexa’” is a poignant reminder of the connection between sailors and the sea.

Well I'm on the Downeaster Alexa
And I'm cruising through Block Island Sound
I have charted a course to the Vineyard
But tonight I am Nantucket bound

8. “Sail” by AWOLNATION

This modern rock hit is a powerful anthem for those who dare to defy convention and chart their own course. With its driving beat and soaring vocals, “Sail” is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you embark on your next sailing adventure.

Sail!
This is how I show my love
I made it in my mind because
I blame it on my A.D.D. baby
This is how an angel dies
I blame it on my own sick pride
Blame it on my A.D.D. baby

9. “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin

This classic swing tune is a romantic ode to the allure of the open sea and the promise of adventure that lies beyond the horizon. With its catchy melody and timeless charm, “Beyond the Sea” is a perfect addition to any sailing playlist.

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing

10. “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison

In this soulful classic, Van Morrison invites listeners to join him on a spiritual journey into the mystic, where the boundaries between the earthly and the divine become blurred. With its poetic lyrics and soothing melody, “Into the Mystic” is a perfect song for those quiet moments spent contemplating the mysteries of the sea.

We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic

These songs are just a few examples of the countless tunes that have been inspired by the sea and the sailing lifestyle. As you set sail on your next adventure, let these songs serve as the soundtrack to your journey, reminding you of the freedom, wonder, and fulfillment that can be found on the open water. Fair winds and following seas, fellow sailors!