George Benson "Breezin'"

Yacht Rock fans now can sport t-shirts and earrings while sipping Bartles & Jaymes from their nautical-themed mugs thanks to the revival of the smooth sounds of Yacht Rock music. The genre that features soft rock of the late-'70s and early-'80s enjoyed a renaissance during the mid-2000s thanks to the web-based Yacht Rock series from J.D. Ryznar. Even today, the format continues to ride the wave throughout the country. Sirius/XM, Pandora, Spotify, and even traditional radio stations now feature the nautical sounds of Yacht Rock music on their respective channels and playlists. The first episode of the web-series featured the strangely-addictive "Breezin'" from George Benson in an episode all about the birth of The Doobie Brothers' "What A Fool Believes"--the song, according to the show's founders, is the purest form of smooth music ever created. Sail on...

George Benson "Turn Your Love Around"

Would you believe me if I told you "Turn Your Love Around" was composed in the bathroom?  It's true.  According to Jay Graydon, the song's co-writer, the melody and chorus for the song came to him while he was sitting on the toilet.  While the perfect end to this story would be that the song went to #2 on the charts, it actually only peaked at #5 on the Hot 100 (#1 on the R&B Chart).

George Benson - "This Masquerade"

Despite earlier versions by Leon Russell and The Carpenters, it was George Benson who made "This Masquerade" into a hit song.  In fact, the song launched Benson's career in 1976.  In 1977, Benson and "This Masquerade" won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

George Benson - "Give Me The Night"

Patti Austin of "Baby, Come to Me" fame provides backup scat vocals to George Benson's "Give Me The Night".  The year was 1980 and the last of any disco singles to become a big hit.

Billy Joel - "Hey Girl"

"Hey Girl" was one of the few '90s songs from Billy Joel that didn't make me reach to change the radio station.  Originally written by Carole King, Freddie Scott made the song a hit in 1963 and Donny Osmond did the same in 1972.  The Righteous Brothers, The Temptations, and George Benson are just a few of the others to also record the tune.

Glenn Medeiros - "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You"

The intoxicating sound of Glenn Medeiros' voice filled doctors offices all across the globe in 1987 thanks to "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You".  The song was originally recorded by George Benson two years prior, but was never released in the states.  

George Benson - "Lady Love Me (One More Time)"

I dare you NOT to turn this song up.  You can't do it.