RIP Jimmy Buffett

Like 'Afternoon Delight,' an absolute natural for a chain of singles bars.

 

We saw him at Stubb’s in Austin a few years ago, and we were standing about 6 feet from the stage. He always kicked off his touts at Stubb’s. Austin had experienced some serious flooding after a bunch of rain earlier in the week, and Buffett donated his take from that show back to flood relief efforts.

RIP, indeed.

 

God forbid anyone should capitalize on his talent and popularity.

Maybe he was just smarter than those other acts.

 

I see your call and raise you this:

 

Wait, Magnum’s friend/antagonist made a hit song?

 

It's not a criticism, it's a question.

Even taking into account his business acumen, there's something in Buffett's music that accounts for the success and staying power of all the other enterprises.

What is it?

 

I have an old friend/former co-worker who wears the parrothead with pride -- he mixes in singing/songwriting with sportswriting and a day gig with the VA.

 

This one hurts. His concerts have been a staple of my summers since I was 16. His music since I was 12 or 13. His music caused me to read different books and study different maps. He was a hell of an author in addition to songwriter.

1. Come Monday
2. Stories We Could Tell
3. 12 Volt Man
4. If I Could Just Get It On Paper
5. Tin Cup Chalice

 

Buffett, like Tony Bennett and Gordon Lightfoot, was one of those singers you always hear in the background of life. You don't need to dissect every lyric like one would with, say, Bob Dylan. Just good listening.

No offense intended to Parrotheads, Tony fans on the sportsjournalists.com tradition that is "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," of course.

 

Branding, my friend.

 

Putting aside the entire escapism thing … his entire catalog encompasses every single emotion I have ever experienced. He did songs about his little kids, losing loved ones, lost loves, current loves, being dissatisfied at work, old friends, etc. I can find a Buffett song to fit any mood or life event.