Christopher Cross: The Story of “Sailing”

In this clip Christopher Cross goes in-depth on the writing and recording of his hit song "Sailing".
Full Interview: • Christopher Cross: His...
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[@robdobson5056]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

[@TCGView]

When he picks up the guitar and starts playing and singing it, it's like magic.

[@user-ek2eb5md8g]

Yes.

[@babayaga4355]

His voice is so soothing

[@billmitchell2080]

It's not like magic.

[@TCGView]

@@billmitchell2080 You're right. It IS magic.

[@bennozoid1]

hearing 'Sailing' on the radio at a low point in my life actually set me off on a whole new existential mission to change my life, and it WORKED....A song as a magic spell, or incantation?.....

[@lyn2569akaLynette]

Beautiful 🙏🏼✌️

[@swinde]

Sailing is one of the very best songs of the 80s. I never tire of hearing it.

[@davidloftus300]

1979 i think

[@rightuppercut1426]

One of the very best popsongs ever imo. Once the song starts I get in such a relaxed state, knowing the next couple of minutes are going to be absolutely magical.

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Christopher f’ing Cross! Rick Beato knows how to interview and get the best out of these musicians.

[@tdz69]

There’s great music. Then there’s great songs. Sailing, in my opinion, is one of the best songs ever written and recorded.

[@mrLeesmyth]

AGREE 100%.🙂🇬🇧👍🏼

[@toneocaster]

Christopher had Covid 19 and then had Guillain-Barré syndrome. It affected his legs, speech, and memory. I read where he had to relearn how to play his guitar! I’ve been privileged to see him in 2022 and 2023 in concert in Lubbock Texas and he killed it at both shows! He’s a monster guitarist and his singing is superb! It was an honor to watch him perform and what an inspiration he is! Both shows were stellar! Bravo sir! 👏🏻🎸

[@crimfan]

I saw him in 2022 in NYC. He was great, though we could tell he was tired.

[@FredMacielMusic]

When I first heard Sailing I was having dinner at a hotel with my parents in São Paulo, Brazil where we had recently moved to. The intro just had a huge impact on me right away. I quickly asked my folks if I could hear the entire song and they patiently did not say a word through the entire song. After the song ended I just said OMG what a beautiful song. Sailing had a huge impact on me. When I bought the album, I was even more shocked: the entire album was a master piece. Christopher Cross is one of all time music heroes. Thank you!!! 🙏🎵💯🎵👏👏👏👏👏

[@glennanderson8981]

He is so down to earth and humble, nice man.

[@manfredoliveras3196]

Three seconds after Chris pick the guitar I was crying of emotion.

[@deepsix1827]

I wish all of these artists would play through one entire song each interview. I was really left painfully wanting to hear him play the whole thing.

[@justinsayin3979]

He would get a takedown notice from his record label.

[@RononCommissiong]

Sailing is the best best best tune ever in this world. I am a huge fan of Christopher Cross. He brings back great memories of my younger days. Long and joyous life to you Christopher

[@luiscruz7343]

Music has a magic to it that when you hear a song that you love. It brings you back to moments in your life. Sailing by christopher cross is a song my father used to play when we would drive to florida to see my grandparents. I hear the strings in the beginning and im right back to the back seat of my fathers car. Driving down and seeing the landscape change of the east coast. My parents are still together and my grandparents are still alive. Such a wave of emotions hit me when i hear it. And ill never stop. Thank you Chris and rick for this. Peace and love to all

[@MacBjorn]

Wait a minute. He's 72 years old? He looks younger than me. I'm only 55

[@matthew4694]

Well, the canvas can do miracles!

[@CodyCole80]

He really does look great for his age! 👍🏾

[@fear-naught1062]

It’s amazing what not laboring for a living can do for you.

[@CodyCole80]

@@fear-naught1062 💯

[@bherrin67]

@@fear-naught1062money for nothing and your chicks for free 🎸🕺

[@ericasusens3085]

I'm 42 and I'm a HUGE fan of Chris!! I love how he is wearing a Steely Tshirt!!❤❤

[@housinauthority5258]

Rafferty!

[@TSoneonetwo]

how does he sound that dang good just sitting there with an acoustic? that was absolutely incredible!!

[@kellylaflash1016]

raw talent 🙃

[@vickielawson3114]

His voice still sounds fantastic. It’s hard to believe it’s 40-something years since his early hits. His voice still sounds great.

[@aleksamrkela831]

An absolutely phenomenal song. It's the epitome of serenity and soothing.

[@danieladdison5731]

I love to hear these stories of studio “mistakes” and creative ideas. I wish we had this creative studio work now.

[@intertubicular]

So awesome! Sailing was and is such a beautiful song. Loved the insight on the song from Christopher.

[@mrLeesmyth]

LOVE!!!!!! WE ALL NEED TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND STOP HATING!!!!THEY WANT TO DIVIDE US.EVIL WILL NOT WIN!!!!LOVE AND LIGHT CONQUERS EVERYTHING!!!!!BEAUTIFUL SONG!!!!FROM A TIME WHEN EVERYTHING WAS SO MUCH BETTER!!!!! I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!❤❤❤🇬🇧🇺🇸🙏🙏

[@or2ak]

LOL

[@travelbuddiesexcellentadve4117]

I listened to this beautiful song while catamaran sailing off the coast of Belize and picnicking on small islands in the clear blue waters with a few billowing white clouds overhead. That was in 2014. I lived in paradise for an entire year. Great memories now at 76! You gotta do it at least once before your memory and body decides to revolt on you!

[@mary-kittybonkers2374]

It’s fantastic to hear Chris speak so warmly and humbly about his work and the artists and musicians he’s worked with. His songs had a huge impact on me. As a British teenager punk did nothing for me(as he said about punk at 10:44)but his beautiful songs and the arrangements spoke to me viscerally, to my heart and soul, in the same way Bach and 16th Century Polyphony did and still does.

[@clementemergence]

Such a humble LEGEND 👍🏼🥲🙏🏻

[@pamr4040]

Loved hearing the backstory on this song! So happy he's still out there sharing his music with us! ❤

[@WmRob]

One of the nicest, humblest musician I have ever met.

[@shiloeldridge3177]

Everytime , as a musician , I hear Christopher cross sailing I automatically pan straight back to my 80's. Well done guys freaking highly fantastic

[@user-mc4ew2bx9d]

When he started playing sailing that was heaven sent. Timeless, beautiful song.

[@nickk9285]

Christopher describes writing Sailing as one big Giant Mystical Vomit, with so many little incidents along the way, l say the Universe had a major part of putting this Mystical Magical Song together. First time l heard Sailing all those years ago l got Goose Bumps and a feeling of contentment right down to the core of my soul and to this day whenever l hear “SAILING” it just transports me back in time and to that very moment ……

[@robowenmikels]

I still get the same feeling, when I hear it, too. I had tears in my eyes, within seconds of Christopher playing the first verse in this video. As soon as his voice mixes with those chords, it's magical!

[@titotequilamusic]

Nice touch that Rick put a little reverb and compression on in post. Beautiful.

[@johnnymoraes23]

Man... what a voice. Beautiful voice; crispy cristaline notes, such an interesting voice tone and a contratenor range. Chris Cross is such an amazingly talented musician. And, of course, the harmony for Sailing is just so sublime, well done and beautiful chord progressions, tasty.

[@hitsonacousticguitar]

I always loved that song and to learn that this was inspired by Joni Mitchell was really news to me. The voicings of Joni's tunes always inspired me. Thank you Rick for making these videos and thanks to Christopher Cross.

[@jimkelseymusiccjh]

Neat story on the strings - one of my favorite parts of the entire song. Sailing is one of the most relaxing songs in my collection. Cross is such a humble guy.

[@marcellemay7721]

Some songs are just divinely inspired...this one happens to be one of them. The way it just came out of him in one moment and then the way the beginning arrangement just kinda fell on their lap by "mistake" ... Some would say "THat's not odd, that's God." Every time I listen to that song it takes me off to another place and brings a welling up to my soul. There are very few songs that can do that to me.

[@briannual7015]

This song is still fresh. riff ahead of its time. could drop today. Christopher looks and sounds great.

[@ZombieXee]

Christopher Cross! OMG, thank you so much for interviewing him. I have always loved his music. Now I'm off to the full interview.

[@rosafernandes2071]

Ele é fantástico! Suas músicas são lindíssimas sua luz não apagará nunca! infelizmente estas doenças afetou muitos!!!! Deus deu nova oportunidade e ele está levando majestosamente! Desejo sucesso continuo para este gigante da música ! Todos te amam e isto vai perdurar para sempre. Cristopher cante e encante como sempre!!! Parabéns!!!!! Você é magnífico!!!!!!

[@jerryramsey4236]

Still sounding great and I always loved his guitar style of playing, absolutely perfect.

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

I don’t want to sound weird but he’s one of the few artists I would love to shake his hand and tell him thank you.

[@RobertEMuir]

Such a pure voice that sounds amazing just sitting across from him...

[@FrankValchiria]

leans towards guitar , starts playing, and i get goosebumps right away, what a song and great artist, makes it sound so easy to be great.

[@user-iy1qf6fq9w]

Christopher is at the epicenter of so many great musicians, it just reflects his huge creativity.

[@rhino202]

I always loved fhis song. The DJ playing it at my wedding will forever implant it as a good memory during the best of times. Finally just bought that album on vinyl and it is wonderful!

[@liguard]

So many emotions! Genius!

[@stfranckmusic]

Cross is one of those heroes ! Chill Af !! super cool songs

[@crimfan]

I love what he says about modal tunings... they can induce a feeling of trapped.

[@catmblack4]

Gave me goosebumps when he started singing ❤

[@ShaunaMarieSings]

WOW...what an amazing conversation...I LOVE Christopher Cross! 💗💗💗

[@nathanielapostol6432]

CC is one of my best musician since I was a kid. Keep going buddy. Thank you for sharing your gift to the world. God bless you more.

[@tk423b]

Goosebumps

[@JeremyCarlstedt]

Met him at the Iridium a few years ago, and he was one of the nicest folks I've met - especially considering his success, Also, what an amazingly knowledgable musician.

[@robinelfstrom]

I’m 41 and I only discovered Cristopher last year and been a huge fan ever since. It is quite crazy that I managed to miss out on his stuff for all these years! I’ve been listening to TOTO, Maxus, Steely Dan etc. and still didn’t discover him til 2023. The Joni influence is definitely noticeable in Sailing, but haven’t thought of it til I saw this video. May you live long and tour the globe until you’re at least a 100 years old. You look 50 after all.

[@2Wheels_NYC]

Absolutely awesome! Arthur's Theme is still one of my favorites as well!

[@cpace4031]

I love this song. It's in my top 3 of all time. Amazing!

[@user-jp9cn9gv1g]

He looks amazing, and his singing voice sounds just like it did forty years ago.

[@Cre8tvMG]

Michael Omartian’s string parts, that were meant to be buried under the entire instrumentation of the chorus, are so beautiful that when you hear one on its own at the start of a song you drop everything and listen. Genius.

[@tedyalamsyah1451]

Mr. Cross + Aja tshirt, both amazing

[@Kenneth-qd3js]

Both of these guys are legendary I went to one of his shows in the 80s and it was outstanding the set was great the musicians were great just a fantastic show and ride like the wind was his encore and his guitar playing was just amazing

[@shanghunter7697]

Saw him in 85, great performance. Jake Gyllenhaal aged mighty quick as some of us do.

[@joshuacasper7181]

Seems like a really cool dude, very humble for a mega star.

[@Budmetro]

Great artist. Terrific guy. Classic.

[@ozymandiaspbs]

Rick - It's too bad you are unable to interview John Denver. He was another AMAZING guitarist with an equally amazing voice. I love watching him in concert - just him & his guitar for a lot of his songs. Have you done any reviews of John Denver's songs?

[@Dragonballguy270]

Protect this man - he has all the sounds of my teen years

[@buck65100]

When he picked up that guitar and started playing I got instant goosebumps, I was moved, wow!

[@qbitsday3438]

Love Sailing , Arthur , love Chris!

[@lyn2569akaLynette]

I love Christopher Cross! I remember the flamingo and green background album cover! I used to play Sailing over and over. So happy to see that Christopher is a good human too 🥰🌺✌️

[@mk-421]

My Dad used to listen to this album all the time growing up. Being a drummer and hearing a lot of the music session players did from that era, I always assumed that Steve Gadd and Jeff Porcaro pulled drumming duties on that album. When I moved out, I bought my own copy and, to my surprise, find that it was Tommy Taylor (Eric Johnson "Cliffs of Dover" drummer) who played on the entire album. One of my all time favorite drum albums because he makes every song feel so good. Some really tasty drum tracks on there. Kudos, Tommy!

[@stealthshinobi3310]

One of my all time favorite musician

[@rodrigocarneiro2100]

Christopher is amazing. Great interview Rick!!!

[@robowenmikels]

Back when I was playing acoustic, a lot more, and was still writing songs, I used to employ some alternate tunings, too. I can't really remember the tunings, per say, because it's been over a decade+ but I remember the process and the outcome. Even simply tuning down a step and a half, puts you in a different musical range with different tonal characteristics. It's like painting with new colors, you're still painting (or playing guitar), it just feels different. I do still like to play utilizing, open strings and fingerpicking, alternating off of open strings - which is done utilizing a form of clawhammer/travis picking that I learned 20 years ago to play Dust In The Wind.

[@trillion42]

Love the interviews!!

[@shawncat65]

Excellent idea Rick with this type of platform. This should definitely have more subscribers!

[@sheckyfeinstein]

Genius. Need more of him.

[@dextertonyascott9996]

Amazing!!!! Love this song 🎵

[@JGH1708]

These interviews always seem to add songs to my spotify like lists. 😊

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

Always loved JONI as the music master she was .... a GREAT SONGWRITER, INCREDIBLE MUSICIAN & PHENOMENAL SINGER ..... interesting that Chris Cross - a guy I saw as a quality music maker in that light .... though friends saw him as soft rock ..... Great to know he is justifiable in being considered great on electric guitar. GBjj

[@NoMeWithoutYou1]

Wow! Chris sounds fantastic. Lovely song.

[@user-iy1qf6fq9w]

A great song can be stripped down to a voice and a guitar and i 7:42 t's still full impact. Add the strings (AN ACCIDENT!) and OMG! Sublime!

[@teal76]

Amazingly good interview with one of the best.

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

Christopher! I am inspired by your enthusiasm and gifts. Thank you

[@ReginaldKSon]

Chris is a brilliant songwriter. Definitely underrated.

[@trackmastersdj]

Great interview. Such a beautiful, timeless song.

[@dinarivas626]

Awesome interview. Sailing is a beautiful song, it’s so iconic.

[@BigEdWo]

wow. what a performance.

[@marcschelz]

so good, makes me cry every time i watch it 3:34

[@raymond7451]

Whenever people talk about songwriters and guitar players . I love this guy , I will always remember watching my dad and uncles jamming his songs at home as a kid . I then as an angry Metallica passed this on to my mates . To a man , they all went who the fuck is playing guitar on his songs . Then there's his lyrics , poetic and they stand the time . Fan for life

[@mpojr]

Rick this was a great interview, Christopher Cross is such a nice guy and a great talent,,,really enjoyed it,,,

[@haff9227]

First time I heard it in a TDK tape High quality sound I remember

[@haff9227]

Me too Amazing sounds at that time

[@skdesign98]

Incredibly talented musician!

[@bryankburrows]

Omg , a slice of Americana , and how sweet it is … Christopher Cross , genius …!!!

[@JamesMay-mn3lw]

Chris In😢my opinion he is by far the best singer. Love you chris

[@vinzanity68]

The way he talks confirms what he already seems to be...a genius.😮

[@visionandvoice]

Love that song! ❤ After watching this interview clip I played the original 1979 vinyl album.

[@victoriajones5274]

Love his songs thank you Chris ❤

[@luke3501]

Such a real guy.

[@thaumaturgeishere331]

Great interview!

[@PhilTaylorGuitar]

Great song and its fascinating how songs develop.

[@karlhouseknecht]

Dude in his 70's is in better shape than me 20 years younger.

[@MacBjorn]

I just had the same thought he looks incredible

[@markwaldron8954]

Yep, he looks amazing for 72!

[@housinauthority5258]

You've got time to get in shape and catch up then!

[@craigtittsworth9440]

Another GREAT GUY & Interview!

[@buffdoc46]

Goosebumps ❤