Jimmy Buffett repertoire question

Cafe Society
1

I’m a singer/guitar player, and I have been offered a gig as part of a review (multiple performers playing short sets) at a ‘beach party’ next month.

I was told I would need a lot of Jimmy Buffett material. I know how to play “Margaritaville” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk…”, but that’s about it.

I was wondering if I could get advice from Buffet fans on what they consider his essential 10 or so songs. (With a bias towards stuff that would go over well at a beach party, and sound good played by a singer/guitarist performing solo).

2

Pirate Looks at 40
Come Monday
Dreamsicle
Cheeseburger in Paradise

Those are oldies that immediately come to mind.
From his new CD, I’d pick:

Far Side of the World
Tonight I Just Need my Guitar

3

Here’s his set list from the 2002 tour

Of that list - I’d consider learning the following (not sure what would sound good solo)

“Come Monday”,
“Boat Drinks”
“Cheeseburger in Paradise”
“Fruitcakes”
“Fins”
“Son of a Son” or “Pirate Looks at Forty”
“Volcano”

4

If you really want to impress the Parrot-heads, learn the whole A-1-A album, especially:

Door Number Three
Life Is Just A Tire Swing
Migration

5

If you’re looking for Buffett standards, take a look at the track listings on Songs You Know by Heart. Those are the ones that everyone knows. Don’t forget “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.”

6

Rabid Buffett fan here. A good friend of mine used to do an accoustic one man show with lots of Jimmy stuff in it; so I know these can be covered well without upsetting Parrotheads due to sacriledge.

Havana Daydreamin’
Pirate Looks at 40
Banana Republics (fairly obscure but ALWAYS a crowd pleaser)
La Vie Dansante
Boat Drinks
Manana
One Particular Harbor
Jolly Mon Sing
Quietly Making Noise
Ragtop Day
Distantly In Love
Coconut Telegraph
Who’s the Blonde Stranger
The Weather Is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful
Cuban Crime of Passion
Desperation Samba
Domino College

There’s enough variety of “type” in that list that you can pick a couple of party pleasers, a couple “swayers” and a couple funny pieces to mix and match.

Let us know how it goes.

7

Southern Cross and Brown Eyed Girl are always crowd favs too, though not Jimmy’s own songs.

I heard JB interviewed once on Chicago radio before a summer tour show and he said there are seven songs that must be played at every show, or the fans get pissed. see **Politzania’s
** list, I think those are the seven.

8

does he have 10 songs?

i thought he played the same two over and over and over and…

9

I’ll just comment that “The Weather Is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful” is my favorite Buffett song that you never hear on the radio. I’m delighted to see that it’s on his set list. Definitely one of his ten or twelve best, IMHO.

10

What ever you do, do NOT try to do ‘God’s Own Drunk’.

I think Fruitcakes (the album) has several great songs.

Of course you could do versions of Beach Boys songs.

11

Zebra:

I thought about that one, too: God’s own Drunk.

Don’t do it unless it’s REALLY late and everyone is REALLY drunk.

12

Everyone always leaves out My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I Don’t Love Jesus. :frowning:

13

also good is Another Saturday Night

14

I’d definitely go with Margaritaville and Fins; the crowd will be expecting those. For a change of pace, do Volcano and Pencil-Thin Moustache.

15

chique, I sing that everytime someone says they have a headache!

And I’m glad someone included “Pencil Thin Mustache” - one of my favorites. My hang out bar in college had a Buffett cover band that was amazing.

16

I like the song Math Sucks but I don’t know which album it is on.

hee hee hee I know some Doper will give the information to me instead of me getting off my lazy butt and finding out for myself.

17

Zebra: Beach House on the Moon

18

If they’re maudlin-drunk, any fathers of daughters will burst into tears if you play “Little Miss Magic.”

19

I vote for “Gypsies in the Palace”, in addition to the above suggestions. Great fun!