About the song
“Sailing,” a soft rock masterpiece written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, was released in June 1980 as the second single from his self-titled debut album, which had already achieved gold certification by that time. The song quickly became a monumental success in the United States, soaring to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on August 30, 1980, where it held the position for one week.
Christopher Cross’s “Sailing” is celebrated for its soothing melody and introspective lyrics. The song earned Cross immense recognition and accolades, including Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Arrangement of the Year. Additionally, it helped Cross secure the prestigious Best New Artist award at the Grammys. VH1 later named “Sailing” the most “softsational soft rock” song of all time, a testament to its enduring charm and appeal.
“Sailing” was recorded in 1979 using the 3M Digital Recording System, making it one of the first digitally recorded songs to chart. In his Grammy acceptance speech, Cross revealed that “Sailing” was his favorite track on the album and mentioned that it was initially not intended to be released as a single. The song has since been identified as an archetype of the yacht rock genre, a style known at the time as the West Coast sound.
The inspiration behind “Sailing” stems from Cross’s high school friendship with an older friend named Al Glasscock. During his teenage years, Cross would escape the trials and tribulations of adolescence by going sailing with Glasscock, who served as a surrogate older brother during an emotionally challenging period. These serene sailing trips left a lasting impression on Cross, ultimately inspiring the heartfelt lyrics and tranquil mood of the song.
In a touching moment of reunion, The Howard Stern Show in April 1995 brought Cross and Glasscock back together after 28 years of lost contact. During this reunion, Cross acknowledged that his sailing adventures with Glasscock were the true inspiration behind “Sailing.” To honor this significant influence, Cross later sent Glasscock a copy of the platinum record he earned for selling over five million copies of the song.
“Sailing” remains a quintessential example of soft rock and yacht rock, with its gentle harmonies and reflective lyrics continuing to captivate listeners across generations. For older and educated audiences, the song serves as a nostalgic reminder of the timeless power of music to evoke memories and emotions, making “Sailing” a beloved classic in Christopher Cross’s musical legacy.
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Lyrics
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
It’s not far to never never land
No reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy
Of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see, believe me
Sailing
Takes me away to where I’ve always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
Soon I will be free
Fantasy
It gets the best of me
When I’m sailing
All caught up in the reverie
Every word is a symphony
Won’t you believe me?
Sailing
Takes me away to where I’ve always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free
Well, it’s not far back to sanity
At least it’s not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away
And find serenity
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see, really, believe me
Sailing
Takes me away to where I’ve always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free