Sailing – Christopher Cross | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1); 1980
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
At 29, the former Christopher Geppert clearly wasn’t young enough to qualify as a teen idol, nor did he have the chiseled good looks needed to become one. One thing Christopher Cross did have, however, was a prodigious songwriting ability.
That talent prompted Warner Brothers to sign him in 1978. The label execs then waited two years, until they felt the time was right for Cross’ brand of melodic pop, to release his debut. First out of the box was Ride Like The Wind, a radio-friendly track that was blocked from reaching #1 by Blondie’s Call Me.
His sophomore single wasn’t going to be similarly denied. Sailing – inspired by Chris’ boyhood memories of boating in Texas – blasted Olivia Newton-John’s Magic out of the top spot in August, and went on to win Record and Song of the Year Grammies. Chris also the awards for Best Album and Best New Artist of the Year.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Michael Omartian
Lyrics Written by:
- Christopher Cross
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).