Casual Jimmy Buffett fans will know his biggest hits. “Margaritaville.” “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.” But, few know the depths of his songwriting. While his most successful songs were certainly those about his time seaside, drink in hand, he has a plethora of tracks that take an entirely different approach. Find three unconventional Buffett songs that prove he was about more than just the beach, below.
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“The Captain And The Kid”
Unsurprisingly, Buffett came from a long line of maritime men. He put his experience of being the grandson of a sailor in “The Captain And The Kid.” While that title denotes something playful, this Buffett song is actually a powerful display of grief. Buffett sings about losing one of his father figures with marked poignancy. It’s a far cry from his usual, blithe musicality.
His experience with this song pushed him to become the beach bum hero we all know and love today. As the story goes, a producer in Nashville wanted him to give this song a lighter tone. Buffett, refusing to compromise the integrity of the story, decided to shun Music City in favor of Florida. It was there that he adopted his sun-soaked persona.
He died about a month ago
While winter filled the air
And though I cried, I was so proud
To love a man so rare
“The Night I Painted the Sky”
We don’t know if “The Night I Painted the Sky” is based on a true story, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Buffett sings about his fascination with fireworks, plotting to set off a few on the beach. The overarching idea of this Buffett song is the unifying effect of pyrotechnics. People tend to put away their differences for a while and enjoy the colorful display going on above them.
The rockets in the air and the people everywhere
Put away their differences for a while
Yes, I am still a child when it comes to something wild
Oh that was the night I painted the sky
“Death of an Unpopular Poet”
Not everyone is appreciated in their own time. While many say “Better late than never,” it’s a little heartbreaking when an artist doesn’t get to revel in their fame while they are alive. Buffett sings about such occurrences in “Death of an Unpopular Poet.”
In this Buffett song, a poet dies without recognition, only to be “discovered” posthumously. As it often goes, the poet’s work booms and becomes an overnight sensation. Buffett perfectly captures the at-times ironic connection between fame and timing.
He left all of his royalties
To Spooner his ol’ hound
Growin’ old on steak and bacon
In a doghouse ten feet ’round
And everybody wonders
Did he really lose his mind
No he was just a poet who lived before his time
(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
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