1980 Yacht Rock Hit Became an Ultimate Love Anthem

Robbie Dupree's 1980 soft rock hit "Steal Away" is being recognized for its romantic lyrics 46 years after its release.

American Songwriter recently included the song, off his self-titled record, on a list of "four soft rock songs to listen to performatively (if you're trying to impress your crush)." According to the publication, the sweet number is ideal in the background during a romantic moment.

Robbie Dupree Shared Some Insight Into Recording the 'Robbie Dupree' Album in 2023

In a 2023 interview with Meredith Marx, Dupree, now 79, opened up about becoming a mainstream success following the release of his record, Robbie Dupree, which featured other yacht rock hits like "Hot Rod Hearts" and "Lonely Runner." Dupree recalled being "dead broke" living in Los Angeles before he embarked on making the record. He said that he was able to " finance the recordings of four or five of the songs that eventually became the album" because he was "doing pretty well," while working as a host "in a bar restaurant out in Venice, California."

Dupree said, however, that "every record company passed" on the songs he recorded, making him feel like his career as a musician was over. He then decided to move back to New York and worked "loading carpets on a truck in Long Island."

However, his drummer's brother called him "a few months later" to let him know that he, "in a social setting, had played a cassette of [his] songs," catching the attention of an individual "who worked at Elektra [Records]." Dupree said he "flew to California the next week and got [a record] deal."

According to Dupree, he and his bandmates "finished the record in a hurry" and soon found success with "Steal Away." He also said he didn't expect the song to be such a hit.

"I was really quite surprised by all of it," said the musician in the 2023 interview.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 4:58 PM.