motorboat country song

The Best Country Songs About Boats

By Jof Owen

From Chris Janson to Dustin Lynch, here's Holler's best country songs about boats playlist.

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“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats", wrote Kenneth Grahame in his enduring classic Wind In The Willows, and that's something country singers have been taking very much to heart over the years.

Chris Janson knows money can't buy him happiness, but he knows it could buy him a boat, and a truck to pull it and a cool box full of beers. What more could you really ever wish for in life?

So if you've got a boat get out in it and if you haven't got a boat, just close your eyes and turn up Holler's Best Country Songs About Boats playlist and imagine you do.

See the full tracklist for Holler's Best Country Music Songs About Boats Playlist below:

Buy Me A Boat

Chris Janson

If I Had A Boat

Lyle Lovett

Sea Stories

Sturgill Simpson

Sailin' Around

Redneck yacht club.

Craig Morgan

Boats To Build

Something 'bout a boat.

Jimmy Buffett

Drive (For Daddy Gene)

Alan Jackson

Tequila On A Boat

Dustin Lynch & Chris Lane

Carrie Underwood

Zac Brown Band

Boat Drinks

Florida Georgia Line

Kenny Chesney

Better Boat

Kenny Chesney & Mindy Smith

I Was On A Boat That Day

Old Dominion

Tennessee River Run

Darryl Worley

Fast Boat To Sydney

Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

Little Big Town

Brian Kelley

Where The Boat Leaves From

Drunk on a boat, lovely cruise, need a boat.

Morgan Wallen

Brad Paisley

Zac Brown Band & Jimmy Buffett

John Denver

A Pirate Looks At Forty

Sail away home, can't get away from a good time, that's my kind of night, i want to go home.

Johnny Cash

Save It For A Rainy Day

Paradise to me, changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, better on the water.

Ashley McBryde

Wish I Had A Boat

One particular harbour, boat in a bottle.

Eric Paslay

Rum Is The Reason

Soul of a sailor, son of a son of a sailor, pirate flag, nautical wheelers.

Jimmy Buffett & Alan Jackson

For more of Holler's playlists, see below:

• The Best Country Songs About Flying
• The Best Truck-Driving Country Songs
• The Best Country Songs About Dogs

Subscribe and Listen to Holler's Best Country Songs About Boats Playlist Above.

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Roll with these great songs about being on the water

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Whether you want a song to listen to on a boat or a song to remind you of life on the romanticized high seas, these country songs are a good fit. Following are the top 10, in reverse order—no life jacket required. Imagine you're with your sweetie on a serene blue lake, an expansive bay where you can see for miles, or way out in the ocean , waves crashing, sun high in the sky. Lean back, shut your eyes, and take a listen.

Darryl Worley: "Tennessee River Run"

Darryl Worley knows how he likes to spend his weekend, and it isn't getting started on some of that yard work, cleaning and organizing the garage, or having dinner with the in-laws. Released in 2003, the song reached #31 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

Kenny Chesney: "Boats"

Kenny Chesney loves the feeling of liberty he gets from being on H20. That's why he calls boats "vessels of freedom" and, yes, "harbors of healin'." "Boats" was released in 2008 on Chesney's "Lucky Old Sun" album.

Lyle Lovett: "If I Had a Boat"

Lyle Lovett is a lawn-chair surrealist in this song about a man who has it all: a boat, a pony, and a pony on the boat. Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Tonto each make cameos. The sea lends itself to daydreaming. The 1988 song was part of Lovett's album, "Pontiac."

Guy Clark: "Boats to Build"

Guy Clark  is fed up with the daily grind. Now he's set to go the way of Noah in this take-this-job-and-shove-it gem. "Boats to Build" was the title track on Clark's 1992 album.

Zac Brown Band: "Knee Deep"

Zac Brown Band and Jimmy (Buffett, as if you had to ask) take a boat for a permanent vacation to a tropical destination. It's a move that isn't exactly original, but it sure is pleasurable. This song reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2011.

Little Big Town: "Pontoon"

Little Big Town 's party barge is ready for boarding, and the grill's ready for a fiesta "in slow motion, out here in the open." You really should catch this scene. "Pontoon" was a No. 1 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2012.

Jimmy Buffett: "Lovely Cruise"

Jimmy Buffett  has a lot of great songs about boats, ships, and sailing. Among them are "A Pirate Looks Forty," "Boat Drinks" and "Son of a Son of a Sailor." But this one is particularly, well, lovely. "Lovely Cruise" is featured on Buffett's famous "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" album from 1977.

Craig Morgan: "Redneck Yacht Club"

Learn what happens when a trailer park gets its water wings. Don't miss the music video for this Craig Morgan boat-burner. The song peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2005.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: "Fishin' in the Dark"

According to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band , there's always a good excuse for going out on a boat at night when nothing but you and the fish are out. Oh, and maybe your baby, too. Wait, are we talking about fishing here? This was a No. 1 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart back in 1987.

Alan Jackson: "Chattahoochee"

This boating song gives the title to Alan Jackson 's 1992 album. For the man in this song, swimming on the riverbank of the Chattahoochee is where you learn "a lot about livin' and a little 'bout love." A No. 1 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, it reached No. 46 on Billboard's Hot 100.

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The 6 Best 21st Century Country Songs About Boats

It's getting easier and easier to make a summertime playlist of 21st century country favorites that doubles as a list of boat songs. It's a trope at this point, but it's been done right several times in recent memory by clear fans of Alan Jackson (he couldn't water ski in the " Chattahoochee " video without a boat, after all) and his "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" collaborator, Jimmy Buffett .

A boating playlist not limited by genre or time frame could include everything from Styx's "Come Sail Away" and the Hues Corporation's "Rock the Boat" to Lyle Lovett 's "If I Had a Boat," Sheryl Crow 's "Soak Up the Sun," Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat (Day-O)" and the Beach Boys ' version of "Sloop John B." But for the sake of brevity and to keep the focus on country music, we selected these six boating songs that'll be stuck in your head the next time you party at a lake house or order a frozen concoction from Margaritaville .

"Knee Deep," "Zac Brown Band (with Jimmy Buffett)

The Zac Brown Band never stays in a particular musical lane, gifting us on occasion with such nautical-themed songs as this Buffett collaboration. ZBB tracks with similar vibes range from fan favorite "Toes" to the more recent allegory "Same Boat."

Read More:  Luke Combs Co-Wrote Zac Brown Band's New Songs, 'Out in the Middle' and 'Old Love Song'

"Boats," Kenny Chesney

Quite a few Kenny Chesney songs from the past 20 years qualify for this list, with "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" being the obvious choice. Yet we decided to go with this sentimental slow-burner about "vessels of freedom," co-written by Chesney, Scotty Emerick and George Strait 's go-to songwriter, Dean Dillon .

"Buy Me a Boat," Chris Janson

Wanna-be boat owners can relate to Chris Janson 's daydream about inheriting enough from a relative to trade in working 9-to-5 for a carefree life. It's a diamond from a time (2015, to be specific) some write off as offering nothing more than "bro-country" coal.

"Pontoon," Little Big Town

The vocal group that steals the show on most awards shows and televised specials celebrates country folks' typical weekends on the lake, not nautical getaway fantasies, with this No. 1 hit from 2012. Like many of the better country hits from the past 15 years or so, it connects with a broad audience because it deals with the simple pleasures of life.

"Redneck Yacht Club," Craig Morgan

Craig Morgan followed Travis Tritt 's lead and shared his club membership situation in song back in 2005. One of catchiest country hits from the early aughts brought us one of the few music videos that compares favorably to the visual accompaniment for Jackson's bottomless source of memes, "Chattahoochee."

"I Was on a Boat That Day," Old Dominion

The freshest cut on our list deserves consideration as one of 2021's songs of the summer, along with Willie Jones ' "Down By the Riverside" and its boat-themed music video. It's a healthy mix of fun in the sun vibes and biting, post-breakup sarcasm, reminiscent of Brad Paisley 's "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)."

Honorable mention songs: "Boat Names" by Brian Kelley and "For a Boat" by Luke Bryan

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Story Behind the Song: 'Pontoon'

What if someone heard Elton John's "Tiny Dancer," misheard the lyrics and wrote a hit song called "Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza?"

That's essentially what happened with Little Big Town's "Pontoon." Co-writers Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird and Barry Dean told the story behind the 2012 country hit to Bart Herbison of Nashville Songwriters Association International .

I get up this morning, and Little Big Town is on "Good Morning America." Of course they're doing that song. That song just keeps materializing; I hear it everywhere. It's already in some commercials, right?

Natalie Hemby: I don't know, but I hear it on the lake all the time, so that's a good sign.

This whole thing starts with the publisher confusing something that they thought you guys had written. Luke?

Luke Laird: Natalie and I had written a song that Miranda (Lambert) recorded called "Fine Tune." It was on her last album, and it's still one of my favorite songs the two of us have written. Somebody had overheard "Fine Tune" playing in an office at the publishing company or something, and another person came and asked Natalie, "What was that song of yours? 'Pontoon' or something?"

NH: It was kind of like that. It wasn't me. It was somebody else that they said it to. They called me and (said), "They thought that you were saying 'Pontoon.' " So I called Luke and said, "We should write this really obnoxious song called 'Pontoon,' to be funny.

LL: Of course Barry and I were like, "Yeah."

Barry Dean: For Natalie that probably is lyrically not the most meaty song, but she takes a special angle on the lyric, and we shaped it that way. And Luke had that groove, and the production of the record (by) Jay Joyce. It's hipper than you think it would be. It's kind of built like an old country song, and then produced like something a little fresher.

LL: It literally is one of those songs that we never could have imagined. It started in the room. We all reacted to it, and I feel like as a writer, you have to trust that.

Now, there's a story after the song. You (Natalie) went to buy a pontoon. This is priceless to me.

NH: Oh yeah. Well, if you're going to write a song about a pontoon, someone has to buy one. My husband loves boats, so we took the plunge. These two still haven't bought one, and now we're probably going to end up selling ours. We went to go buy a boat, and it's a nice new boat a guy was selling. He had to sell it because his wife was pregnant and they just moved here. We took a ride on the boat, and we loved it. We had my in-laws on there, and just as we were about to leave ... we came back to the dock, and I have to leave because my daughter is getting a little fussy. She sings, "Motorboatin' " as we're getting off the boat, and the guy was like, "Oh my God, that song is so awful." (laughs) ... Not everybody likes your song, and that's OK.

— Compiled by Dave Paulson, [email protected]

About the series

In partnership with Nashville Songwriters Association International , each week we will release a video interview with a songwriter about his or her work. See the full interview with Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird and Barry Dean at www.tennessean.com/music along with past installments.

The Meaning Behind the Song Lyrics: “Pontoon” by Little Big Town

by Alex Hopper August 25, 2022, 9:53 am

Songs of Summer Barbecues, Sponsored by Jack Daniel’s

American Songwriter has partnered up with Jack Daniel’s across Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama to identify some favorite Songs of Summer Barbecues. During the series, American Songwriter will be taking a deeper dive into songs that have become as essential to barbecues as grills, good food, and friends. If you’re 21 and older, be sure to make Jack Daniel’s part of your next summer barbecue, and please remember to always drink responsibly!

Videos by American Songwriter

For many people, summertime means heading to the lake just as soon as the weather hits the upper 80s. It turns out, that’s Little Big Town’s version of summertime bliss, too, as evidenced by their 2012 track, “Pontoon.”

The song, originally released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Tornado , earned the band their first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot Country charts and remained at the top spot for over a week. “Pontoon” also clinched LBT several awards, including a Grammy for Best Country Group Performance.

Throughout the foot-tapping country track, Little Big Town paints the perfect summer day, complete with soaking in rays, floating, and taking an easy-breezy ride on a pontoon. Let’s dive into the lyrics behind the track.

Songwriters Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, and Barry Dean reportedly came up with the title after a publisher asked about a track the trio wrote for Miranda Lambert called “Fine Tune.” The publisher seemed to only get the gist of the title correct, calling it “Pontoon” instead. Laird and Hemby liked the sound of the new title and decided to make the flubbed song name a reality soon after. 

“It was started in a writing room at Universal Music, but we didn’t get very far—first verse, a few lines of chorus, but the music was clear,” Dean told American Songwriter in 2020 regarding the origins of “Pontoon.”

“It was months later before the three of us got back together because our calendars were crazy,” he continued. “We met at Luke’s office and it was right around the time Natalie was going to have her baby. We got together for a few hours, finished the chorus first, then wrote the second verse and bridge. They were both fun days.”

Looking Into the Lyrics

Swapping speed for an easy-cruising ride, the song fully leads into the comfort-first mentality of a pontoon boat. Unlike its Ski boat counterpart, pontoons are made for a gentle romp around the lake, perfect for enjoying a drink and relaxing with friends. Little Big Town sets that same scene with the opening lines.

Back this hitch up into the water / Untie all the cables and rope / Step onto the astroturf / Get yourself a koozie / Let’s go / Who said anything about skiing? / Floating is all I want to do / You can climb the ladder / Just don’t rock the boat while I barbeque

By the time the chorus hits, the listeners are headed straight toward carefree elation. Across the instant ear-worm refrain, they move into a “slow-motion” party, making waves and catching rays.

On the pontoon / Making waves and catching rays up on the roof / Jumping out the back, don’t act like you don’t want to / Party in slow motion / Out here in the open

Music Video

The accompanying video is exactly what you’d expect it to be. The four-piece heads out to the harbor, with coolers and instruments in tow, ready to live out the day they sing about in the song. Their pontoon is a double-decker cruiser named “Boondocks”—a reference to another classic LBT song of the same name.

As the video croons on, the party grows bigger without ever losing that gentle breeze. Check it out below. 

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Alan Jackson Drive For Daddy Gene (Music Video and Lyrics)

by steve ‐ May 17, 2022

photo: YouTube

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The Alan Jackson Drive for Daddy Gene song was released in January 2002 as the second single from his album, Drive. This song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart starting May 25, 2002.

The song is a tribute to Alan’s father, Eugene Jackson, who passed away on January 31, 2000. In the song, Alan recalls his childhood with his father driving around the countryside in an old beat up truck that they fixed up together, as well as a boat they would drive around the lake.  Watch the official music video and see the written lyrics below.

Alan Jackson Drive Music Video

This song was written by Alan Jackson.

Alan Jackson Drive for Daddy Gene Lyrics

It’s painted red, the stripe was white It was eighteen feet, from the bow to stern light Secondhand, from a dealer in Atlanta I rode up with daddy, when he went there to get her Put on a shine, put on a motor Built out of love, made for the water Ran her for years, ’til the transom got rotten A piece of my childhood, will never be forgoten It was, just an old plywood boat A ’75 Johnson with electric choke A young boy two hands on the wheel I can’t replace the way it made me feel And I would turn her sharp And I would make it whine He’d say, You can’t beat the way an old wood boat rides Just a little lake across the Alabama line But I was king of the ocean When daddy let me Drive Just an old half-ton shortbed Ford My uncle bought new, in ’64 Daddy got it right, ’cause the engine was smoking A couple of burnt valves, and he had it going He’d let me drive her when we haul off a load Down a dirt strip where we’d dump trash off of Thigpen Road I’d sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedels Smiling like a hero that just received his medal It was just an old hand-me-down Ford With three-speed on the column and a dent in the door A young boy, two hands on the wheel I can’t replace the way it made me feel and And I would press that clutch And I would, keep it right He’d say, “a little slower son; you’re doing just fine” Just a dirt road with trash on each side But I was Mario Andretti When daddy let me Drive I’m grown up now Three daughters of my own I let them drive my old jeep Across the pasture at our home Maybe one day they’ll reach back in their file And pull out that old memory And think of me and smile And say It was just an old worn out jeep Rusty old floor boards Hot on my feet A young girl, two hands on the wheel I can’t replace the way it, made me feel And he’d say turn it left And steer it right Straighten up girl now, you’re doing just fine Just a little valley by the river where we’d ride But I was high on a mountain When daddy let me Drive Daddy let me drive Oh he let me, drive It’s just an old plywood boat With a ’75 Johnson With electric choke

Remember to “share” the Alan Jackson Drive song with other Country Music fans.

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• Your Ultimate Summer Boating Playlist: 25 of the Best Songs for the Waves

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Picture this: a day on the water, a full tank of gas in your boat, and vibes set by the perfect soundtrack. Boating songs are a mixed bag — Jimmy Buffett caters toward the lower and slower southern boater, while new tunes from popular country artists can get any party going.

Because boaters come from all walks of life, we’ve separated our list of the best boating songs ever into categories:

Top Summer Boating Songs

Top party boating songs, top country boating songs.

• top-songs-about-boats-and-water

Turn up the volume and set sail with this curated list of the best boating songs.

We’ve crafted a list of five upbeat and energetic songs perfect for setting a lively atmosphere for your summer boating trip.

1. “Soak Up the Sun” – Sheryl Crow

This is a country anthem about enjoying life’s simple pleasures, starting with the summer sun. With uplifting lyrics like “I don't have digital / I don't have diddly squat / It's not having what you want / It's wanting what you've got,” this song is a classic feel-good tune.

2. “Summer” - Calvin Harris

This one is an electrifying dance hit that captures the essence of the season. Something about it carries the euphoria of late summer nights and carefree moments on the dancefloor. Its lyrics are about hitting it off with a summer fling and falling in love “while the leaves turn brown.”

3. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock

Kid Rock blends rock and country in this nostalgic ode to carefree summers. Its easy melody takes listeners down memory lane of sun-kissed days and youthful adventures.

4. “When the Sun Goes Down” – Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker

A slow, laid-back country jam, this tune has breezy melodies and easy sing-along lyrics. “Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down” is a bumper sticker-worthy lyric.

5. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bob Marley

Bob Marley is known for his soothing lyrics that make you feel like you’re right down in Jamaica with him. There’s nothing better than sitting on a boat, looking out at the horizon, and remembering that all is well.

1. “Sunroof” - Nicky Youre Loud Luxury Remix

Los Angeles-based Nicky Youre writes youthful, romance-filled lyrics in this happy-go-lucky summer song. There’s a reason the song blew up so swiftly - it’s infectiously positive.

2. “Island in the Sun” - Gamper & Dadoni, Conor Byrne

Need a musical escape to paradise? This combination of laid-back beats and tropical sounds creates the perfect summer backdrop to your boating day, whether you’re fishing, partying, or just chilling.

3. “Welcome to Jamrock” - Damian Marley

This classic reggae jam samples an even more well-known hit, “World-a-Reggae” by Ini Kamoze. With an upbeat spin on a timeless throwback, partiers around the world love this jam.

4. “Potion” - Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa

As you drink your potions by the ocean, groove to the sound of energetic beats and intoxicating vocals. Calvin Harris, the master of producing dancefloor-worthy songs, created the perfect “song of the summer” boat party jam with this one. Play it to liven up your bachelorette boat party or to make the most of your Saturday out.

5. “Red Solo Cup” - Toby Keith

Name a better way to bring people together than with the universal red solo cup. As catchy as a nursery rhyme but with lyrics you wouldn’t play around mixed company, “Red Solo Cup” is one of the best party boat songs out there. Play it at your bachelor boat party or a simple weekend get-together.

1. “Pontoon” - Little Big Town

Full of puns and witty lyrics, Pontoon makes you want to drop what you’re doing and rent a pontoon boat with friends. With lyrics like “5 mile an hour with aluminum side

/ Wood paneling with a water slide / Can't beat the heat, so let's take a ride,” it’s a chill country boating song for lower and slower boating days. Pour up your boat drinks and soak up the sun.

2. “No Shoes, No Short, No Problems”- Kenney Chesney

Chesney channels a work hard play harder attitude; we can all relate to wanting to unwind after a long work week, kick back, and chill on the beach. He really said it perfectly: ”Wanna soak up life for a while, and lay back low / No boss no clock no stress, no dress code.”

3. “Buy Me A Boat” - Chris Jansen

Money might not buy happiness, but it can buy a boat…and a truck to pull it. Enjoy your boat ride with a country song that makes you appreciate just being there.

4. “Redneck Yacht Club” - Craig Morgan

Fun is universal and you don’t need a huge, suped-up boat to do it (although yacht rentals can be really fun). This country boating song reminds us that life is what you make it, and it doesn’t matter if you’re boating on rivers, lakes, or oceans - what matters most is being on the water.

5. “Cruise” - Florida Georgia Line

Every boating song playlist needs a sing-songy melody like Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise.” Whether cruising on a boat or the road with the windows down, this country-pop fusion is infectious.

6. “Where The Boat Leaves From” - Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band has mastered the summer boating vibe. This one mixes folk, country, and reggae beats, inviting you to escape the daily grind and embrace the tranquil beauty of seaside retreats.

7. “Somethin' 'Bout a Boat” - Jimmy Buffett

The open waters are, as this song reminds us, calming. “Somethin bout a boat” gives you hope - it can take you home, or take you around the world.

8. “Knee Deep” - Zac Brown Band

Another carefree hit from Zac Brown Band, “Knee Deep” paints a picture of blue waters, sandy beaches, and carefree living. Full of easygoing optimism and mellow sounds, it’s a warm invitation to disconnect and enjoy your day on the water.

9. “Lovely Cruise” - Jimmy Buffett

With deeper undertones than most of Buffett’s vacation-vibed songs, “Lovely Cruise” connects the end of one of life’s chapters with the bitter-sweet ending of a trip at sea. “We'll bid our farewells much too soon / So drink it up, this one's for you / Honey, it's been a lovely cruise.”

10. “Water” - Brad Paisley

As a kid, water means inflatable pools and rope swings. As we get older, our “love affair with water” grows up with us, from “Daytona Beach on spring break” or “driving until the map turns blue.”

Songs About Boats and Water

1. “(sittin' on) the dock of the bay“ - otis redding.

What better way to waste time than enjoying a sweet sunset cruise? This song beautifully carries deeper meanings about life, time, and how we spend it.

2. “Son Of A Son Of A Sailor” - Jimmy Buffett

“The sea's in my veins, my tradition remains.” For some of us, boating is in our blood, a family tradition that reminds us where we came from. It’s a lyrical voyage about heritage and freedom.

3. “The Downeaster 'Alexa'” - Billy Joel

Joel’s evocative voice crafts a powerful ode to fishermen’s struggles and resilience. As you set sail toward the horizon, this boat song will provide a motivational and emotional tone.

4. “Sailor’s Lament” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Inspiring reflection, this song captures a yearning for change. Somewhat somber lyrics with an upbeat classic rock tune make this a good boating song for sailing alone.

5. “Single Handed Sailor” – Dire Straits

The line "Single-handed sailor, go out and get the hidden hoard" evokes a sense of solitary adventure. The song's moody melody and Mark Knopfler's distinctive vocals create a mysterious aura for boat music on the sea.

As you prepare for your day on the water, use these songs about boats and water as a starting point to create your ultimate boating playlist. From upbeat party boat songs to heartfelt melodies of sailors past, our selection embraces the diverse community that makes up the boating world. Happy Boating!

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Boat Songs: The Ultimate Boating Playlist

Boat songs are a dime a dozen—and for good reason. Every boater loves to crank up the volume and blast a good boating playlist while enjoying a beautiful, sunny day on the water.  If you need some boating tunes to add to your playlist, we're here to help. In this post, we've broken our favorite 24 boating songs into categories that will work for however you feel at the helm on any given day.  It doesn't matter whether you're aboard a 60-foot motor yacht , a 30-foot sailboat , or a 13-foot center console : This playlist works for anyone who has boating in their heart.

Boat Party Playlist

1. boat drinks” by jimmy buffett.

Choosing just one Jimmy Buffett song is hard, but if you must, go with "Boat Drinks." This tune captures the essence of a carefree day out on the water, sipping your favorite refreshment while enjoying the soothing rhythm of the waves.

2. “Redneck Yacht Club” by Craig Morgan

Even if you’re not a regular fan of country music, you’ll find yourself singing along to this toe-tapping tune that name-drops everything from Evinrude and Mercury to Bayliner and Bass Tracker.

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3. “Rock the Boat” by the Hues Corporation

With its infectious rhythm and feel-good vibe, this song is a timeless disco classic that gets people dancing.

4. “Banana Boat (Day-O)” by Harry Belefonte

There are countless covers of this crowd-pleaser, which is based on a Jamaican folk song, but Harry Belafonte's version from 1956 is the one that still rings true to most fans' ears.

5. “Buy Me a Boat” by Chris Janson

While money can't buy everything, it can certainly buy me a boat. Who can resist belting out this sentiment at the top of their lungs?

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6. “I’m on a Boat” by The Lonely Planet and T-Pain

This song provides satirical commentary on music videos featuring rappers on yachts. While the lyrics are explicit (don't listen to this one with the kids), the catchy hook will undoubtedly stay with you.

Name That Boating Tune

7. “where the boat leaves from” by the zac brown band.

You know the feeling: It's 4:45 p.m. on Friday, your buddies have the coolers stocked with ice and brewskies, and you'll climb over traffic to get to the marina. Because, as the song goes, that's where the boat leaves from.

8. “Pontoon” by Little Big Town

It's hard not to love a song about the everyday boats on lakes across America where families and friends gather every weekend. Three cheers for Little Big Town and their homage to the pontoon .

9. “Orinoco Flow” by Enya

It's hard not to remember this catchy tune, which repeats, "Let me sail, let me sail." Bet your pals $5 that they can't name the actual song title, even if they can sing every word of the chorus.

10. “When the Ship Comes In” by Bob Dylan

The master of poetry and song released this single on his album "The Times They Are a-Changin'." It's forever entwined with the spirit of that era: Dylan and Joan Baez performed it together at the March on Washington in 1963.

11. “Sail Away” by David Gray

You may remember David Gray from his single "Babylon," which hit No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in 1999. "Sail Away" was on the same album, "White Ladder," with Gray crooning, "Sail away with me honey."

12. “Captain Jim’s Drunken Dream” by James Taylor

No less than Art Garfunkel contributed vocals on this song when Taylor was in the studio recording it. "Shower the People" became the big hit on the album, with this song appearing on side two.

The Real Deal

13. “the downeaster alexa” by billy joel longtime.

Billy Joel enjoys cruising on New York's Long Island Sound, which inspired him to write this tune from the perspective of a fisherman who was having trouble paying the bills.

What Is a Downeast Boat and Is It Right for You?

14. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot

Commemorating the sinking of a carrier ship on Lake Superior, this song was written with an eye toward historical accuracy. Lightfoot changed some lyrics for live shows after new information about the sinking was uncovered.

15. “Boats” by Kenny Chesney

Chesney sings about Ol' Joe and his Boston Whaler in this song, which evokes the true love of boating that we all feel—no matter how much of a pain in the neck (and back) the boat can sometimes be.

16. “Sinking of the Reuben James” by Woody Guthrie

The USS Reuben James was a destroyer with the sad distinction of being the first U.S. Navy ship sunk in Europe during World War II. In this song, Guthrie immortalized the crew members who died fighting for freedom.

17. “Pay Me My Money Down” by Bruce Springsteen

This originally was a work song that could be heard on the docks, and that later was popularized by Pete Seeger. Springsteen released his version in 2006—on the only album he ever made of material he didn’t write himself.

18. "On The Boat Again" by Jake Owen

When he's not writing country music tunes, Jake Owen loves spending time out on the water. In "On the Boat Again," Jake blends his love for country music with the joy of being out on the water, encapsulating the longing for a picture-perfect day beneath the sun.

Karaoke Jams

19. “ride captain ride” by blues image.

How this song only made it to No. 4 on the charts is a true mystery, given that its chorus, introduced to the world in 1970, is still on the tip of countless tongues today.

20. “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys

When they took a break from singing about California surfers, the Beach Boys recorded this track based on a Bahamian folk song. It reached number one in numerous countries, including Germany, South Africa, and New Zealand.

21. “I’m Your Captain” by Grand Funk Railroad

At 10 minutes, this is the longest studio recording that Grand Funk Railroad ever did. It's not as long as the 13-minute "Pirates" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, but it'll do fine for a karaoke finale.

22. “Come Sail Away” by Styx

Go ahead: Try to name another song that has made as many TV show appearances as this one, whose credits include "South Park," "ER," "Glee," "The Goldbergs," and "Freaks and Geeks."

23. “Brandy” by Looking Glass

You may know all the words to this one, but we'll bet you didn't know that Barry Manilow reportedly changed the name of his song of the same name to "Mandy" so fans wouldn't get the two tunes confused.

24. “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills and Nash Stephen

Stills based this song on "Seven League Boots," adding lyrics and a chorus about a boat trip he took after his divorce. He says the song is about the power of the universe to heal—something every boater knows to be true.

Create Your Own Boating Playlist

Crafting the perfect boating playlist is an art that combines the rhythm of the water with the beats of your favorite tunes.  Whether you're cruising along a serene lake or on a yacht in the open sea, the right playlist can elevate your boating experience. So, grab your sunglasses, turn up the volume, and let the music complement the splendor of the waves for an unforgettable day on the water.

Read Next: Find Local Boat Rentals Near You

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The Top 11 Best Songs About Motorbikes

The essential playlist for all motorbike enthusiasts and those too chicken to get one

It’s from the association of motorbikes and rock music that heavy metal was born. Steppenwolf’s cry of “heavy metal thunder!” on their 1969 Easy Rider soundtrack anthem gave us a description of both the bike and the sound of distorted electric guitars and drums, spearheading the imagination of an entire genre. The look and attitude of 50s and 60s biker gangs – denim, leather, studs, patches, long hair - remains a crucial element of metal’s aesthetic, but the lyrical obsession with these iron horses and stallions of the highway was largely confined to the 1969-82 period. Possibly something to do with Evel Knievel.

11. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Sweet Hitch-Hiker (1971)

A fair old rocking headbanger from Creedence Clearwater Revival , paying tribute to a massively popular 70s pastime that’s now almost totally defunct, thanks to serial killers. The rider spots a sexy lady thumbing a lift, is distracted at high speed, comes off his bike and is later passed by the hitchhiker with another ride. ”We could make music at the Greasy King,” he implores, referencing a burger stall near the band’s rehearsal space (Cosmo’s Factory) in Berkeley, California.

Key lyric: “Was busted up along the highway, I’m the saddest ridin’ fool alive/Wond’ring if you’re goin’ in my way, won’t you give a poor boy a ride?”

10. Judas Priest – Desert Plains (1981)

There are more obvious Priest biker songs – Hell Bent For Leather , Heading Out To The Highway , Freewheel Burning - but none have the dusky emotive surge and mesmeric transportive qualities (or funky bassline) of Desert Plains . The biker embarks on an overnight ride across deserts and mountains, to the lover awaiting his return. This steady, elegant biker ballad remains a live favourite, and was a mainstay on Priest’s most recent tour.

Key lyric: “The road is straight cast, wind’s in my eyes/The engine roars between my thighs”

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9. Meat Loaf – Bat Out Of Hell (1977)

This Meat Loaf classic is a divisive beast, but there’s no denying, or taking for granted, its outlandish majesty and power. A ribald tribute to 1960s ‘teenage tragedy’ songs (usually girls widowed by bike crashes) from the perspective of the doomed rider, upping the ante beyond its logical conclusion. The climax – where the heart bursts out of his chest and flies off – still seems like a surprising turn of events, even after 40 years.

Key lyric: “I’m gonna hit the highway like a battering ram/On a silver black phantom bike”

8. Dumpy’s Rusty Bolts – Box Hill Or Bust! (1982)

Since 1981, Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts have been an ebullient mainstay of the UK biker circuit, generally having too good a time on the road to bother releasing records. A shame, as this early seven-inch paean to the popular Surrey biker run should have been a Top Ten hit; with its infectious chorus chant and good-time delivery, it nails the sweet spot between heavy metal and Chas & Dave. DRN even changed their name to Bolts for the single release, fearing they wouldn’t say Nuts on the radio. Didn’t make a difference, alas.

Key lyric: “A cup of splosh and a greasy dog/I’m ‘appy when I’m ridin’ me ‘og!”

7. Jimi Hendrix – Ezy Rider (1971)

A Band Of Gypsys original from 1969, first released on posthumous collection Cry Of Love , there’s a manic, propulsive energy to this heavy funk/proto-metal scorcher, Jimi’s reflection on 1969’s hit biker movie. Tackling the film’s jaded nihilism, Hendrix brings his own radiant positivity to the theme, helping to cement the crucial early association of hard rock and motorbikes.

Key lyric: “Don’t you worry ‘bout today/We got freedom coming our way”

• The Story Behind The Song: Judas Priest's Breaking The Law
• Q&A: Lemmy
• Buyer's Guide: Blue Öyster Cult
• The 10 Best Jimi Hendrix Covers

6. Richard Thompson – 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (1991)

“A simple boy meets girl story, complicated somewhat by the presence of a motorcycle,” says RT of this dramatic folk take on the dead biker motif. With scintillating finger-picking, soulful vocals and dark romantic lyrics, 1952VBL has become one of the first Fairport Convention guitarist’s best loved works. RT remembered the titular vehicle from his childhood as “the exotic bike… The one you went ‘ooh, wow’.” Built in Stevenage, Vincent Black Lightning was the world’s fastest standard motorbike.

Key lyric: “I’ve fought with the law since I was seventeen/I’ve robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine.”

5. Blue Öyster Cult – Golden Age Of Leather (1979)

Opening with a bit of comedy modernist plainsong, Golden Age Of Leather is a thrilling apocalyptic narrative about an apparent suicide pact between a gang of old bikers, riding their Harleys into a massive collision during a desert storm. Musically it’s quite a journey too, after two minutes of Blue Öyster Cult’s sprightly AOR it gets darker and faster with an eerie guitar motif, stopping and starting from hard chords to soft harmonies, ending with a mournful slow fade.

Key lyric: “Bodies and bikes beyond repair/Smell of oil and gas in the air”

4. Captain Beefheart – Owed T’Alex (1978)

Originally written by the Magic Band in the mid 60s, the song didn’t emerge on record until 1978 (rerecorded from a 1976 version, unreleased due to a financial dispute with Frank Zappa), in the middle of the biker song’s golden age. And it’s a raucous, swampy slab of prime Beefheart madness , opaquely documenting the tale of the Magic Band’s original guitarist, Alex St Clair, motorbiking the 900-mile round trip from California to visit his mother in Carson City, Nevada.

Key lyric: “Engine hot, pipes burn white/Glad I’m not home tonight”

3. Motörhead – Iron Horse / Born To Lose (1977)

There’s an odd one-off songwriting collaboration behind this abiding anthem from the earliest days of Motörhead : drummer Phil Taylor, roadie Mick Brown and Guy ‘Tramp’ Lawrence, a London Hell’s Angel and pal of the band. On the evidence of this lumbering classic they should have written more together, although the original 1975 On Parole recording is far lighter and funkier than the greasy thud we know and love.

Key lyric: “Wasted forever on speed, bikes and booze/Yeah us and the brothers say we’re all born to lose”

2. Saxon – Motorcycle Man (1980)

We’re spoilt for choice with NWOBHM motorbike songs. Urchin’s Black Leather Fantasy , Centurion’s Two Wheels and Samson’s mind-boggling I Wish I Was The Saddle Of A Schoolgirl’s Bike are worthy contenders, but there’s no denying the champion. Saxon already penned a worthy biker anthem in1979’s Stallions Of The Highway , but Motorcycle Man is arguably a contender for the band’s best song; infectiously basic riff, relentless momentum, powerful vocals, and a beserk solo preceded by a cheeky wolf-whistle.

Key lyric: “I can beat your street machine/I’m taking risks, that’s what I mean”

1. Steppenwolf – Born To Be Wild (1968)

Some biker playlists drop this one altogether, reckoning it ‘too obvious’ and ‘dated’. No short shrift here: Born To Be Wild is not only the definitive proto-metal text on the subject, it’s still got palpable attitude and swagger, a driving riff and irresistible scream-along chorus, plus limitless versatility; it’s the only song ever covered by both Slade and Slayer, and so far the only musical collaboration between Ozzy Osbourne and Miss Piggy.

Key lyric: “I like smoke and lightning/Heavy metal thunder!”

Chris has been writing about heavy metal since 2000, specialising in true/cult/epic/power/trad/NWOBHM and doom metal at now-defunct extreme music magazine Terrorizer. Since joining the Metal Hammer famileh in 2010 he developed a parallel career in kids' TV, winning a Writer's Guild of Great Britain Award for BBC1 series Little Howard's Big Question as well as writing episodes of Danger Mouse, Horrible Histories, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed and The Furchester Hotel. His hobbies include drumming (slowly), exploring ancient woodland and watching ancient sitcoms.

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Motorboat, Motorboat go so slow (hold child's hands, spread eagle legs, and seesaw back and forth) Motorboat, Motorboat go so fast (seesaw faster!) Motorboat, Motorboat step on the gas! (go really fast!)

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