Oct 30, 2013

Sailing Songs, Anyone?

My October release, Countering His Claim, is finally on the shelves in Australia (Desires hit the shops mid-month Downunder), so to celebrate I feel like a song.

What sort of song, you ask? Why, a sailing song, of course! ;)

I played a lot of songs while writing this book (regular blog visitors will know I compile a playlist for each book) and many had a water / sea / sailing theme.

And now, for your listening and viewing pleasure, I've compiled a list of the top 5 songs about sailing and water.




5. The Beach Boys, Sloop John B 
(Though their video budget clearly didn't extend to an actual ship.)





4. Elvis, Bridge Over Troubled Water
(Because, well, it's Elvis.)





3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Ship Song
(This is a more mellow version than the one I have on my iPod. I love both.)





2. Robert Plant, Sea of Love
(There are lots of versions of this song, but this is the one I remember from my teenage years. Plus, it had a video.)





1. Rod Stewart, Sailing
(Look at how young he is. And that hair! I also really like David Campbell's version of this song -- it's the one I play on my iPod -- but I couldn't find a video of it.)




So, what do you think of my selection? Do you have another song about the sea or sailing to add to the list? I'd love to hear your suggestions!




EDITED TO ADD:

 Due to some stellar suggestions from commenters so far, I'm adding in a couple of bonus songs:

First up, courtesy of Valerie Parv, is John Denver's Calypso. I can't believe I forgot this one - I have about four versions of it on my iPod - just love it!





Next is Bobby Darin's Beyond The Sea - thanks to Helen Lacey for the suggestion. Such a classic!
 


And for a little light fun, we have ABBA's Tropical Loveland, suggested by Michelle Douglas. Apparently the footage in the clip was filmed while they were in Australia.



And your final bonus song is Rock The Boat by The Hues Corporation. It's time to get your disco on! Thanks to Louisa George for the suggestion.
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30 comments:

  1. Louisa GeorgeOctober 30, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    Ahoy there! Loving all your sailing songs, and Robert Plant's voice gets me every time, but what about Rock The Boat by The Hues Corporation? A true classic!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dndAXxqJbc0

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 9:54 AM

      Louisa, I didn't even think of that song! Fabulous suggestion.

      And what a glorious video that is - the costumes alone are worth watching it for!

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  2. Michelle DouglasOctober 30, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    Oh, Rach, I could play this game all day! I grew up on the Beach Boys (so I love your first song) and Jan and Dean, so I know oodles of beach songs. Sailing songs perhaps not so much. Still, ones that come to mind...

    The Waifs LIGHTHOUSE is a fab song full of conflict.

    Blondie's THE TIDE IS HIGH
    I have a real soft spot for MAN OVERBOARD by Do Re Mi (but it one angry, not to mention unromantic, song).


    And if we're going to bring ABBA into it (and as you know I will at every opportunity) sailing and the tropics seem to go hand in hand so TROPICAL LOVE LAND could be the go.

    Playlists are such fun. :-)

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 10:52 AM

      Michelle, I'm so glad you could play this game all day!

      I didn't include The Waif's LIGHTHOUSE on this playlist because I had used it for Million-Dollar Amnesia Scandal, which was set in a hotel that had a lighthouse. But, I did have The Waif's SAD SAILOR SONG, which I just love. I couldn't find a video for it this morning so it didn't make my top 5. We're clearly on the same *wave*length. ;)

      Oh, Blondie's THE TIDE IS HIGH - that's perfect! I've never really liked MAN OVERBOARD, though.

      Hey, how did I not know the existence of an entire ABBA song? I've just been to Youtube and watched a couple of different versions. Thank you for filling a gap in my music knowledge!

      Delete
    2. Michelle DouglasOctober 30, 2013 at 1:24 PM

      You didn't know Tropical Loveland? Rumour has it they wrote it for Australia because of the warm welcome they received here when they visited. I don't know if the story is true, but I like it.

      Of course you used The Waif's LIGHTHOUSE in Million-Dollar Amnesia Scandal. *Slaps palm to head* I should've realised. ;-)

      Although it's not a sailing song Dido's SAND IN MY SHOES has potential (but then so does WHITE FLAG). Told you I could play this all day.

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    3. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 1:50 PM

      Michelle, I choose to believe it's all about Australia. :)

      Ah, Sand in My Shoes. Yes, that could work too (though I find the song a bit annoying).

      What about Enya's Ornico Flow, with its powerful chorus of "Sail away, sail away, sail away"? It's been over-played but wow, was it amazing when I first heard it.

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    4. Michelle DouglasOctober 30, 2013 at 2:21 PM

      I haven't listened to Enya in ages. Ornico Flow is fab. Must go hunt out my CD. You are collecting the most fabulous assortment of sailing songs! Next time I need to create a playlist I'm coming here for help and suggestions. :-)

      You also made me go and hunt out an old Petula Clark song that I loved called SAILOR. I smiled all the way through it. I'll stop now, but in case you wanted to go listen...

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERy5sp3-jf0

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    5. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 3:10 PM

      Thanks for the link - loved it. Petula Clark - what a voice!

      And since we're talking sailors, how about WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH A DRUNKEN SAILOR? :)

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf0E_PJtJWg

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    6. Michelle DouglasOctober 31, 2013 at 12:23 PM

      LOL. Now I'm channelling the Ted Mulry Gang's JAMAICAN RUM. Talk about ear worms!

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    7. Rachel BaileyOctober 31, 2013 at 8:15 PM

      You know, if you want a sailing ear worm, how about Sailor's Hornpipe? We love it when they play it at the end of The Last Night of the Proms each year and the audience gets right into it. Hang on, will see if I can find a clip...

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cZyNtZtSqE

      Now it will be in my head all night!

      Delete
  3. valerie parvOctober 30, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    My favourite sailing song, in fact my favourite song of all, is Calypso sung by John Denver. Was thrilled to see the actual Calypso anchored in Cairns Harbour when I was on holiday there one year.

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 12:44 PM

      Valerie, I can't believe I forgot Calypso!! I swear I have about four versions on my iPod. I might have to edit the post above to sneak in a few more songs...

      How fabulous to have seen the real Calypso. I'm jealous!

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    2. valerie parvOctober 30, 2013 at 4:38 PM

      Thank you for putting this up, Rachel. One earworm I'm more than happy to have. Always makes me feel inspired. XXX

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    3. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 5:20 PM

      Valerie, I'm a huge John Denver fan (my mother played his records a lot when I was a wee thing. Also Evita).

      Love, love Annie's Song, Sunshine on My Shoulders, Country Boy, Country Roads - I could go on!

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  4. Helen LaceyOctober 30, 2013 at 12:36 PM

    Hi Rachel - I think Bobby Darin's Beyond The Sea and Sailing by Christopher Cross....are my two favourite 'sea' songs....but I just saw Valerie's suggestion of Calypso....so hard to choose. Great blog :)

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 1:11 PM

      Oh, yes, Helen! Beyond The Sea is a classic. Yeah, I think I'm going to have to update the post with a couple of bonus songs. :)

      Christopher Cross's Sailing is so beautiful - I just played it again on youtube. Relaxing and inspiring at the same time. :)

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  5. UnknownOctober 30, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    Nooooo ... pleeeeeease. Spare me from Sailing. It's an ear worm and it's overstayed its welcome. Many years ago when the cursed song first came out I went to a pub with a juke box. The juke box didn't play the songs paid for in the order they'd been ordered, but in the numerical order they were on the juke box. Clearly Sailing must have been the first record in the machine, or the ones above it were deeply unpopular. We had Sailing almost wall to wall all night. But what was weird is that people still kept putting money into the blasted machine. Either they were utterly optimistic that at some point the orders for Sailing would end or THEY WERE ORDERING THE SONG WE HAD JUST LISTENED TO FOR THREE HOURS NON STOP. We were way out into the country, so couldn't just abandon this pub and go elsewhere. It was torture.

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 1:38 PM

      Sara, I saw your comment after I updated the post and added a few new ones in - luckily, I didn't adding Sailing. Actually... I'm assuming you mean the Christopher Cross one, not the Rod Stewart one?

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  6. Annie WestOctober 30, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    Rachel, what fun! I'm afraid my suggestions have been mentioned. I'm so slow off the mark. Great news about the book being out here now!

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 5:32 PM

      Annie, there have been so many suggestions, haven't there?

      Yes, I'm thrilled about it being on the shelves downunder. It makes it more real to see them in the shops. :)

      Delete
  7. Tori ScottOctober 30, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    My all time favorite sailing song is Brandy by Looking Glass (1972). I have it on CD and still play it often.

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 5:31 PM

      Tori, I've never heard that song before - thanks so much for suggesting it. I've just listened to it through twice: once with them performing it, and once with the lyrics written on the screen. You know, I really like the sound of this new group, Looking Glass. ;)

      Might have to look them up on iTunes and see what I can buy for my iPod!

      Delete
  8. HelenOctober 30, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    Rachel

    What great songs and I have to say I am a huge Rod Stewart fan I have all of his albums and have seen him every time he has toured Australia since I was 15 (and that is a lot LOL) so Sailing would be my favourite followed by Claypso by John Denver and The Beach Boys I can't think of anymore that I would add.

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 30, 2013 at 10:36 PM

      Helen, I thought of you when I posted that Rod Stewart clip! I remembered you'd mentioned him in other discussions about music, but I had no idea you were *such* a big fan. Seeing him every time he's been in Australia is such a cool record!

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  9. UnknownOctober 31, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    These are all fabulous songs, Rachel! "Calypso" and "Don't Rock the Boat" would have to be my favourites, but Christopher Cross singing "Sailing" makes me goose bumpy too. Because I'm a patriotic Kiwi I'd have to say Six Months in a Leaky Boat by Split Enz is a goody but might not have worked for "Countering His Claim"!

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 31, 2013 at 8:23 AM

      Barb, Six Months in a Leaky Boat - great suggestion! Yep, not quite a romantic setting, but a fabulous song!

      Delete
  10. Melanie MilburneOctober 31, 2013 at 12:49 PM

    I'm with Barbara on Christopher Cross's "Sailing". I get all nostalgic and misty eyed when I hear it.
    Lovely blog!

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 31, 2013 at 8:03 PM

      Melanie, it's a powerful song, isn't it? I've just listened it through again on youtube because you and Barbara both mentioned it. In retrospect, it should have made my list.

      Actually, I think my list should have been a top 10, not top 5!

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  11. Sharon ArcherOctober 31, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    Ooo, nice selection of sailing songs, Rachel!

    Isn't there an Enya song called "Sail Away"... should go and look it up before I comment, shouldn't I! LOL

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    1. Rachel BaileyOctober 31, 2013 at 8:10 PM

      Sharon, Enya has a song where the chorus is "Sail away, sail away, sail away." It's called Orinoco Flow, from the Watermark album (which I played over and over in the 90's and still play occasionally).

      Just checked Wikipedia (what did I ever do before Wikipedia?):

      "Orinoco Flow is a 1988 song written and recorded by Irish singer Enya. The song is often incorrectly referred to as "Sail Away", a phrase repeated during the chorus. However, the song was actually retitled, Orinoco Flow (Sail Away).[citation needed] Released as the lead single from Enya's second studio album in October 1988, the song became a success for the singer-songwriter, and achieved global recognition."

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orinoco_Flow

      You know what? I'm in the mood to hear it again. I might pull the CD out and play the whole thing. :)

      Delete

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