Soft Rock's Unlikely Journey: 'Sometimes When We Touch' Documentary Traces the Genre's Dramatic Evolution

The world of soft rock has experienced one of music’s most improbable transformations—from chart-dominating phenomenon to cultural mockery, before witnessing an extraordinary comeback that continues to shape modern entertainment. A new three-part documentary series titled Sometimes When We Touch chronicles this fascinating narrative, exploring how a musical genre captivated millions, faded from prominence, and ultimately found renewed appreciation among contemporary audiences.

The Story Behind the Title

Interestingly, the documentary’s title carries its own compelling backstory. Canadian artist Dan Hill co-wrote the 1973 ballad “Sometimes When We Touch” with Barry Mann, originally penned as a romantic gesture toward someone special. At just 19 years old, Hill composed the track hoping to convince his girlfriend to end her relationship with another man and commit exclusively to him. As fate would have it, the romantic gambit failed—his love interest ultimately relocated to the United States with the other man in question, leaving Hill with what would become a timeless classic.

From Reign to Resurrection: The Documentary’s Three-Act Structure

The series unfolds across three thematically titled episodes: “Reign,” exploring soft rock’s dominance throughout the 1970s; “Ruin,” documenting the genre’s precipitous decline during the 1980s; and “Resurrection,” examining its unexpected cultural revival in recent decades. This three-chapter approach effectively captures the genre’s dramatic arc across several generations of music history.

A Who’s Who of Soft Rock Legends

Sometimes When We Touch assembles an impressive roster of industry legends who shaped the soft rock landscape. Legendary performers including Air Supply (known for “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 (“Love Will Keep Us Together”) participate in candid interviews. The documentary also features contributions from contemporary artists such as LA Reid, Richard Marx, Sheryl Crow, Stewart Copeland, Susanna Hoffs, and John Ondrasik, among numerous others.

Hidden Stories and Cultural Connections

Beyond celebrating iconic melodies, the documentary unveils compelling behind-the-scenes narratives. It examines the complex partnership between Captain and Tennille, reevaluates Ray Parker Jr.'s multifaceted career contributions beyond the Ghostbusters theme, and explores how Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald’s collaborations catalyzed the singer-songwriter movement within soft rock.

Air Supply emerges as a central figure throughout the series, rightfully positioned as the ensemble that arguably benefited most profoundly from the power ballad phenomenon. Yet the documentary challenges lingering stereotypes, illustrating that soft rock fundamentally celebrates love and human connection rather than mere sentimentality—a unifying theme that initially attracted devoted listeners worldwide.

The Genre’s Cultural Resurgence

The documentary traces soft rock’s unexpected comeback to a convergence of cultural moments: the emotional aftermath of 9/11, Broadway’s enduring influence, and interestingly, hip hop’s emergence as a dominant force. A viral YouTube series proved instrumental in revitalizing interest, simultaneously introducing the term “Yacht Rock” into popular discourse—a designation that evolved beyond its original context to spawn dedicated fan communities and touring acts specializing in era-specific hits.

The documentary includes a particularly enlightening observation from Daryl ‘DMC’ Daniels of Run DMC, who asserts that “Without Bob James, there would be no hip hop.” This statement underscores jazz keyboardist and producer Bob James’s profound influence on contemporary music—a connection that highlights soft rock’s often-underestimated cultural impact.

Intriguing Discoveries for Music Enthusiasts

One of the documentary’s most engaging revelations concerns a seemingly obscure question: which soft rock composition has inspired the most cover versions? The answer, while available within the series, promises to surprise even seasoned music historians and devoted genre enthusiasts.

Final Verdict

Sometimes When We Touch succeeds brilliantly in rehabilitating and celebrating a maligned musical genre. While soft rock faced decades of dismissal and underappreciation, the documentary demonstrates its profound and enduring influence on American popular culture. By connecting overlooked artists, revealing untold origin stories, and contextualizing the genre within broader musical movements, the series offers both newcomers and lifelong fans compelling reasons to reconsider soft rock’s legitimate place in music history.

Documentary Details:

• Title: Sometimes When We Touch
• Format: 3 episodes
• Genre: Documentary series
• Featured Artists: Air Supply, Ambrosia, Captain & Tennille, The Carpenters, Christopher Cross, Hall & Oates, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie, Michael McDonald, and additional performers
• Streaming Platform: Paramount+