Smooth Sailin'

Album: Coming Home (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was inspired by some old gospel songs that Bridges had been listening to. "They were using this ship metaphor talking about God coming back," he told Radio.com. "I started writing and I turned it into seeing a nice girl and you want to say hello to her."
  • Leon Bridges made his Saturday Night Live debut on December 5, 2015 when he performed this song and "River" on the prime time show.
  • President Obama included this in his summertime playlist in 2016. Earlier that year, Bridges performed at the White House as part of a Smithsonian tribute to Ray Charles.
  • This was a #1 hit on the Adult Alternative Songs chart.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.