Behind the party-hard imagery and island escapism, there are some good nuggets of wisdom in the lyrics of Jimmy Buffett.
Some selections:
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, 1977
If we couldn’t laugh we would go insane.
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, 1977
If we weren’t all crazy we would go insane.
My Lovely Lady, 1973
All I want’s the quiet and the comforts / that livin’ with my lovely lady brings.
Son of Son of Sailor, 1978
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks / and I learned much from both of their styles.
Cowboy in the Jungle, 1978
(On Americans on vacation) Tryin’ to cram lost years into 5 or 6 days / Seems that blind ambition erased their intuition / Plowin’ straight ahead, come what may.
Cowboy in the Jungle, 1978
I don’t want to swim in a roped-off sea … I’ve got to be where the wind and the water are free.
Cowboy in the Jungle, 1978
Spinning around around in circles / Living it day to day / And still 24 hours maybe 60 good years / It’s really not that long a stay.
Six String Music, 1994
Turn of the TV / Turn off the crap.
Six String Music, 1994
Keep it simple stupid.
Carnival World, 1989
Spend it while you can … you can’t take it with you when you go.
Carnival World, 1989
There’s no free ride.
Carnival World, 1989
Everybody’s got something to sell.
No Plane on Sunday, 1986
Make the best of it’s ’bout all you can do.
Barefoot Children, 1995
Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been.
Great Heart, 1987 (Johnny Clegg)
The world is full of strange behavior
Every man has to be his own savior
I know I can make it on my own if I try
Holiday, 1996
Find a place to find yourself
Take your life down off that shelf
Quit acting so blase
Growing Older But Not Up, 1980
I’m growing older but not up.
Growing Older But Not Up, 1980
I’d rather die while I’m livin’ than live while I’m dead.
That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It, 1989
Women always know before you tell them.
Fruitcakes, 1994
I don’t want other people thinking for me.
Fruitcakes, 1994
There’s a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us.
Fruitcakes, 1994
Religion is in the hands of some crazy-ass people.
If It All Falls Down, 1986
(On consumerism) We had people to make us things
We had people to sell us those things
Didn’t have enough room for those things
We build lots of self storage
One Particular Harbor, 1983
I got too much stuff.
Love and Luck, 1988
With a little love and luck you will get by.
That’s What Living Is To Me, 1988
Be good and you will be lonesome; be lonesome and you will be free.
That’s What Living Is To Me, 1988
Live a lie and you will live to regret it.
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(image source)
Two more – “Life is just a tire swing”; “Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”
Yes!
Until you’re out back of the outhouse countin’ your cash, you ain’t got a deal.
There’s a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning
Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but I’ve had a good life all the way
Sometimes more than others, you see who and what and where you are
You treat your body like a temple, I treat mine like a tent.
“But one has to learn how to run before walkin’ ’round breathin’ that million air.”
“Take it from me ’cause I’ve found, If you leave it then somebody else is bound to find that treasure, that moment of pleasure, when yours, it could have been.”
“I just want to live happily ever after every now and then.”
ALL FROM HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Perfect reminder of a temporary feeling tattooed!!!