1980....the year that seamlessly transitioned Americans from the Disco Era to the Decade of Decadence, and what some perhaps pinpoint as Yacht Rock's prime. In 1980, Vinnie Barbarino morphed into an Urban Cowboy, but one might ponder....what of the Urban Sailor? Does the soft amber glow of a SoCal sunset necessarily have to be the hallmark of what Generation Y has coined to be "Yacht Rock"? Must the nirvana of an ultimate mellow vibe only be achieved on the deck of a luxury liner docked at the marina? Apparently not, as some of Yacht Rock's most beloved anthems sprang from the chaotic cacophony of the concrete jungle. Blame it on an East Coast breeze of the late 70's/early 80's, if you will, but there was a definite urge to set some New York stories to the music of the mellow waters. What better way to kick off regatta season than to steal away with a few of the most popular ones. Let's sail the streets of the concrete jungle.....If you'll be the Captain, I'll be Tennille......
The Goodbye Girl (1977)
Neil Simon may not be the first name that comes to mind with the mention of smooth rock, but his award winning film "The Goodbye Girl" spawned a little gem of the genre - David Gates' sentimental love anthem of the same name. The Manhattan rom-com about a Broadway dancer, a precocious daughter, and Richard Dreyfuss being well.....very......Richard Dreyfuss-like, reminds us in an achingly heartfelt way that "goodbye doesn't mean forever." With almost as much quick repartee as a sweeps episode of "The Golden Girls," and enough 70's attire to help wardrobe a Richard Linklater film, this 1977 favorite is a real...... slice-of-life-of-an-actor/dancer-in-NYC-in-the-70's.....think "A Chorus Line," but replace Marvin Hamlisch with David Gates. The vote is unanimous that the chemistry between Marsha Mason and Richard Dreyfuss is as charming as it is comical, culminating in the obligatory yet indispensable "scene in the rain," but this is not the key ingredient in the magical formula. The sweet optimism of "The Goodbye Girl" - film and song respectively - somehow manages to dig up the warm and fuzzies amidst all of the polyester and bellbottoms, creating a genuine warmth of the sun on a blustery Manhattan day. No, goodbye certainly doesn't mean forever.....😊🌻🌼
Arthur's Theme (1981)
The fact that a nighttime plane ride into JFK International inspired the idea behind "Arthur's Theme," is not simply a potential story from Yacht Rock: Behind the Music, but the truth about perhaps one of the most famous easy listening lyrics of the early 80's. This explanation, while interesting fodder for a Jeopardy Daily Double, does not destroy the enigma of this smooth rock staple. The amusingly ambiguous meaning of "Arthur's Theme" has been shrouded in mystery for an entire generation of 80's kids. The song possesses the kind of reassuring familiarity of the soundtrack to a childhood dream: you may not be able to articulate the title or artist, but immediately recognize the melody and it's place on your memory hard drive....dentist's waiting room, hotel elevator, Aunt Linda's minivan radio? Before the days of Shazam and Siri, inquiring minds would have to guess song titles based on chorus lyrics - a definite problem with "Arthur's Theme." Still however, we all managed to figure out this one - most likely scrolling up and down the screen on a Time Life compilation commercial. Co-penned and performed by easy listening maven Christopher Cross specifically for the 1981 film, the hit song was apparently once actually performed by Cross and "Arthur" himself, Dudley Moore, at a London concert. Even if we're still a little unsure about how one can get caught between a celestial satellite and Manhattan, what it has to do with a carefree billionaire, and how Liza Minnelli fits into all of this, "Arthur's Theme" certainly deserves its place in Yacht Rock history. Just don't ask me if it's closer to the moon or New York City, because I'm still trying to figure that one out.
It Might Be You (1982)
This brings us to perhaps my personal favorite of the mix - the tune that makes us all a little verklempt while thinking of Dustin Hoffman in drag. How could a film named after Hoffman's mother's doggie not be too cute for words? The delightful cinematic namesake is certainly not the only endearing aspect of "Tootsie".......there is a special feel to the 1982 comedy that deserves a theme like tunesmith Stephen Bishop can provide. While the song can definitely be classified as smooth, I'll be so bold as to say that it sails even beyond the parameters of Yacht Rock classification. Call it the same bittersweet wave that Dan Fogelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne" rides, but "It Might Be You" instantly cradles our senses into a lull of warm nostalgia, whatever that may mean to the listener. This is perfectly illustrated during a 2016 performance of the song on "The Tonight Show." Singing in front of a moving puppet display of hearts and unicorns, Bishop takes what could be the ingredients of a Lisa Frank Pinterest board and creates a performance that is whimsical with an extra cushiony layer of tenderness and heart. While I don't believe that the actual word "Tootsie" is uttered in the film's dialogue, I can't think of a more appropriate title for this cute mixture of sentiment and sass. Just like the upstate New York cozy montage in which the song is featured, "It Might Be You" is a warm and comfortable musical companion to one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed films of the 80's.
One may ask, where does all of this discussion land a scholar of the easy-listening music genre? The blustery winds and charcoal hues of a New York City street scene....the curious thrill of the New York theatre world......the exhilarating romance of everyday life in the Big Apple itself. Is the charm found in any one ingredient or all of them mixed together? We could ride on the sails of speculation until the castaways get rescued from Gilligan's Island, but ultimately the magic sprinkles that rained down from the gods of smooth rock to create these little ditties are - like music itself - intangible and difficult to describe with words. Christopher Cross knew what he was talking about. You know it's crazy, but it's true.
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