Classic Album Review-Jimmy Buffett “Songs You Know By Heart”

One of my favorite album titles is the subject of today’s Classic Album Review. In 1985, Jimmy Buffett’s label, MCA, released a package of Buffett’s best known material, titled “Songs You Know By Heart, Jimmy Buffett’s Greatest Hit(s)”. The title poked fun at the fact that only one of his songs to that point, “Margaritaville”, had been a top twenty hit on any charts. In reality, though, Jimmy Buffett hasn’t needed hit singles to build his incredible career. His albums are unique words of art, almost always enjoyable from the first to the last cut. They are a unique mixture of country, folk, pop, rock, reggae, even some jazz. He has a large, loyal fan base that buys the albums and the concert tickets, that any performer must envy. As for the album, a bit surprising that it only peaked at twenty-seven on the country bestseller list, and only one-hundred on the pop chart.

The album kicks off with one of his classics, “Cheeseburger In Paradise”. After listening, I’m ready to head to the local 5 Guys! Fun song to enjoy.

It could be argued that Jimmy is an underrated ballad singer. Exhibit A would be “He Went To Paris”. Arguably one of his best vocal performances, on one of his best songs.

Things kick back up with favorite among Jimmy Buffett fans, “Fins”, great melody and beat. If you ever go to one of his concerts, this song will be preceded by the “Jaws” theme.

“Son Of A Son Of A Sailor” is another favorite among Parrotheads. It’s an okay track, but I have to admit, though, that it really doesn’t do anything for me.

Another ballad follows with “A Pirate Looks At Forty”. Here, he looks back at his life up to his fortieth year, examining all he’s done, good and bad, and one actually detects a level of sadness that perhaps, more could have been done, to that point. Something that just about all of us who are now 40 or older, can relate to.

Of course, we all know the classic “Margaritaville”. A big country and pop hit in 1977. Really, what can you say about it? It’s a classic that I still love to hear and still the first song that comes to mind for most people when they think of Jimmy Buffett.

Side two begins with another of his best cuts, “Come Monday”. A top forty pop hit in 1974, it also made a brief appearance on the lower echelons of the country charts. A couple of our local radio stations still give this significant airplay. Again, we are hearing Jimmy’s ability with a ballad; a great, often underrated ability.

Another Buffett must is “Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes”. You can’t help but to hum or sing along with it’s catchy melody and easy beat.

Jimmy gave his 1973 recording of “Why Don’t We Get Drunk” a traditional country sound. More of a novelty song, one that should be passed over when youngsters are around. Again, a song that really doesn’t do much for me.

On the other hand, I especially like “Pencil Thin Mustache”. Best description I can use is a fun song. It’s Jimmy Buffett at his best.

“Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit” is an interesting track, especially arrangement-wise. First off, it’s a great song that you can’t help but tap toes, snap fingers, or bob your head with. The arrangement, though, is what catches my attention. First, there’s a strong element of jazz, but then, there’s also the steel guitar that sounds as if it came directly from an Ernest Tubb recording. Only Jimmy Buffett could make a combination like that, work.

Add “Boat Drinks” to my list of Jimmy Buffett songs that I like. Great beat and melody make for a great track, and like many of his tracks, it just captures the feel of the Florida coast, a place I love, particularly the Sarasota area.

And the perfect way to end a fun album is with a fun reggae-styled song, “Volcano”. A word of warning, though, if you listen to nothing after this song, it will be stuck in your head the rest of the day, as it will be in mine, now.

Still readily available on both CD and MP3 download, some CD editions include a gold disc, and those copies are in the neighborhood of $40-$50. I also found several used cassette copies, but amazingly, hardly any used vinyl copies. Perhaps Parrotheads are also “Vinylheads”, and want to hang on to those 12” discs.

This is a nice overview of Jimmy Buffett’s work from the first half of his career, and contains most of his best known work. There are other collections that include most of these, along with some later works, which I recommend, if you are looking for a complete overview of his career. That being said, this is still a good album, that is fun to listen to. A 4.5 out of 5.