1981 Yacht Rock Smash From Oscar-Winning Film Turns 45-You Still Know Every Word

By Lucille Barilla Parade - Trending Stories

Updated April 28, 2026 4:38 AM

This No. 1 yacht rock hit paired a breezy melody with an unforgettable chorus, defined an era, won an Oscar, and still sticks in your head today, 45 years after its release.

Released in 1981, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross became an instant classic, topping the charts and capturing the era's signature sound. Written for the hit film Arthur, the song blended cinematic charm with effortless pop appeal, helping cement its place as a defining yacht rock anthem.

The song was crafted by Cross and a legendary lineup of songwriters including Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. The result was a rare pop moment where top-tier songwriting talent aligned perfectly with a major motion picture.

According to Rhino Records, Cross was asked to score the 1981 comedy classic Arthur, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli. The singer/songwriter was riding high on the success of his 1980 hit "Sailing" when the film's director Steve Gordon tasked him with the role.

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However, Gordon reportedly changed his mind, and handed the job to Bacharach and Sager. The famed songwriting duo kept Cross on as a songwriter, added Allen to the mix, and together, they created an unforgettable collaboration, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)."

"I went up to Burt and Carol's and, you know, it was pretty intimidating," Cross told Popdose in 2011, as reported by Rhino. "I mean, certainly Carol I have tremendous regard for, but in the case of Burt, it was very intimidating."

Cross continued, "He was a huge influence on me and my craft throughout, as I think he is on just about all songwriters, and, fortunately, he's intimidating because of the immense talent he has, but he's not personally. He's very warm, and he made me feel about as comfortable as I could…considering I was sitting with Burt Bacharach!"

"But it was very wonderful. I got there about midnight, and it was about five in the morning when we finished the song. We ended up collaborating with Peter (Allen) over the phone, in Australia. So it was a wonderful opportunity for me. It's a moment I'll always remember."

"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" would become a huge hit for Cross and his fellow songwriters. It landed at the top of Billboard's Hot 100 for three weeks in October 1981 and remained a chart mainstay for 24 weeks.

The song would go on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1982. Their award was presented by Bette Midler.

The film the song soundtracked told the story of Arthur Bach, played by Moore, a carefree yet deeply dependent New York millionaire whose lavish lifestyle is funded by a vast family fortune. When his relatives pressure him to secure his inheritance through a strategic marriage to a wealthy socialite, he finds himself torn between duty and love after meeting Linda Marolla, (Minnelli), a down-to-earth woman from Queens who offers him a very different kind of life.

Guiding and constantly challenging Arthur is his sharp-tongued but loyal butler Hobson, played by Sir John Gielgud. He serves as both caretaker and reluctant moral compass throughout Arthur's increasingly complicated choices.

The 1982 Oscar ceremony proved to be a major night for the film, with Gielgud earning a Best Supporting Actor alongside the theme song's win. The movie itself picked up two additional nominations, including Best Actor for Dudley Moore and Best Original Screenplay for Steve Gordon.

Christopher Cross is actively touring throughout 2026. He is embarking on a major North American summer tour with Toto and The Romantics.

MORE: 1980 Soft Rock Smash Became a Chart-Topping Phenomenon

This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 3:30 AM.

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