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It’s one of the most recognizable sounds in all of New England. For decades, it has served as the official signal of the summer season. Every local in the region knows that when you hear those calypso-inspired steel drums and that iconic intro, good times are coming:

“Sail Away on the Block Island Ferry…”

And just like that you’re transported back to the Rhode Island summers of your past! The waves. The sunshine. The gulls calling. And now—you can’t get it out of your head! Any timeless jingle has that quality and the Block Island Ferry Jingle is no exception.

While most people in Southern New England hear the dreamy lyrics and cool-breeze vibes of the jingle and instantly think of the Ferry, not many know the story of how it came to represent a summertime tradition.

That story starts in the late 1980s. The Block Island Ferry owners wanted to create a song that they could use to brand the whole experience. The Block Island Ferry team had an idea of what they were looking for: something that could capture the feeling of an island getaway, with the spirit of a trip to the Caribbean.

This is the part that has made people pause in wonder over the past 25 years. “This is New England! Why does it sound so Caribbean?” The goal was to create something that did what Block Island and the Ferry did for travelers—provide the feeling of a summer fun destination, right here at home. They needed a song that conjured images of the vacation hotspot that locals needed, but that was only 45 minutes away. Something magical, nostalgic, and accessible.

That search brought them to a popular New England band called RazMaTaz. The band was known for playing shows in the area and had a following. A married couple by the name of Robert and Cindy Kelly were members of the band and it is their voices that you hear in a layered duet, calling you across the water on the iconic jingle!

Rob Kelly, in addition to playing shows with RazMaTaz, also happened to create and sell original jingles. He and Cindy got right to work and crafted what is now the calling card of Memorial Day weekend in Rhode Island. They both worked on the vocals and played all of the instruments heard. Everyone at Block Island Ferry loved it immediately and knew that they had found their signature sound.

That sound is still being hummed and sung by just about everyone in Rhode Island. In this day and age, some wonder why not update the song for modern times? Well, the answer is perfectly in line with just about everything else about a trip to Block Island: some classic experiences are meant more than they seem. A few short minutes of Caribbean harmony have transcended the boat trip itself and have grown to represent summer and nostalgia for multiple generations in the region. When a child, their parents, and their parents walk up to the ticket booth, humming or whistling the song—the timelessness of the jingle is plain to see. And hear.

Keep Sailing Away!

https://www.blockislandferry.com/about