Soft Rock's Unexpected Journey: From Chart Dominance to Cultural Punch Line—And Back Again

The rise, fall, and spectacular comeback of soft rock is getting the documentary treatment it deserves. Sometimes When We Touch, a three-episode series dropping on Paramount+, tells the untold story of how a genre conquered the world in the '70s, became the punchline of music history in the '80s, and is now experiencing one of pop culture’s most improbable revivals.

The Title Track: A Love Song That Didn’t Quite Deliver

The documentary’s title comes from a 1973 ballad written by Canadian musician Dan Hill and Barry Mann. Here’s where it gets interesting—Hill penned the song hoping it would convince his girlfriend to drop her other boyfriend and commit to him exclusively. Plot twist: it completely backfired. She left Canada anyway, moving to the United States with the other guy. Yet somehow, the song became timeless.

When Soft Rock Took Over Everything

The '70s belonged to soft rock. Artists like Air Supply (“All Out of Love”), Kenny Loggins (“This Is It”), Ray Parker Jr. (“A Woman Needs Love”), Rupert Holmes (“Escape: The Piña Colada Song”), and Toni Tennille with Captain & Tennille (“Love Will Keep Us Together”) dominated radio waves and dominated pop charts worldwide. The genre seemed unstoppable—until it wasn’t.

The Documentary Deep Dive

Structured around three powerful chapters—“Reign,” “Ruin,” and “Resurrection”—the series features rare archival interviews and conversations with the legends who created these anthems. Beyond the original hitmakers, contemporary artists like LA Reid, Richard Marx, Sheryl Crow, Stewart Copeland, Susanna Hoffs, and John Ondrasik reflect on the genre’s legacy and influence.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from exploring controversial moments either, including the turbulent partnership between Captain & Tennille. It also gives proper recognition to Ray Parker Jr., proving he’s far more than just the guy who sang the Ghostbusters theme. The collaborations between Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald get special attention as pivotal moments that shaped the singer-songwriter movement.

Air Supply emerges as perhaps the most emblematic band of soft rock’s golden era, with the group essentially defined by their mastery of power ballads. Their presence throughout the documentary underscores how the genre wasn’t about heartbreak or despair, but rather celebrating love and human connection—a theme that ultimately united audiences across generations.

How Hip Hop and Yacht Rock Sparked the Revival

The comeback story is as fascinating as the fall. According to the documentary, a combination of factors—including 9/11, Broadway’s renaissance, and ironically, the emergence of Hip Hop itself—created a cultural shift that made audiences reconsider soft rock with fresh ears. A viral YouTube series helped rebrand the category under the now-iconic term “Yacht Rock,” spawning both devoted new fans and touring tribute bands.

One particularly revealing moment involves Run DMC’s Daryl ‘DMC’ Daniels explaining how jazz keyboardist Bob James indirectly influenced Hip Hop’s birth. “Without Bob James, there would be no hip hop,” he argues—a connection few would naturally draw.

Why This Documentary Matters

Sometimes When We Touch succeeds because it reveals the hidden stories behind beloved songs. Learning why a track was written, who influenced its creation, and how it evolved over decades adds emotional weight to music you thought you already knew. The series also tackles an intriguing trivia question: which soft rock song has been covered the most? (Spoiler: the answer surprises even hardcore music fans.)

Ultimately, the documentary celebrates a genre that was dismissed and derided for years, yet continues shaping American culture in ways many listeners never noticed. Whether you’re a devoted soft rock fan or someone who’s been dismissive of the genre, this three-episode journey on Paramount+ offers genuine insight into why these melancholic melodies have endured.

Series Title: Sometimes When We Touch
Episodes: 3
Genre: Documentary
Featured Artists: Air Supply, Ambrosia, Captain & Tennille, The Carpenters, Christopher Cross, Hall & Oates, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie, Michael McDonald, and more
Streaming Platform: Paramount+