Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall
You've seen it all, you've seen it all
Watched the men who rode you switch from sails to steam
And in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen
Most of 'em dream, most of 'em dream
Yes I am a pirate, two hundred years too late
The cannons don't thunder, there's nothin' to plunder
I'm an over-forty victim of fate
Arriving too late, arriving too late
I've done a bit of smugglin', I've run my share of grass
I made enough money to buy Miami, but I pissed it away so fast
Never meant to last, never meant to last
And I have been drunk now for over two weeks
I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks
But I got stop wishin', got to go fishin'
Down to rock bottom again
Just a few friends, just a few friends
I go for younger women, lived with several awhile
Though I ran 'em away, they'd come back one day
Still could manage to smile
Just takes a while, just takes a while
Mother, mother ocean, after all the years I've found
My occupational hazard being my occupation's just not around
I feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown
I feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown
James William Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) was an American singer-songwriter. He was known for his tropical rock sound and persona, which often portrayed a lifestyle described as "island escapism" and promoted enjoying life and following passions. Buffett recorded many hit songs, including those known as "The Big 8": "Margaritaville" (1977), which is ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of "Songs of the Century"; "Come Monday" (1974); "Fins" (1979); "Volcano" (1979); "A Pirate Looks at Forty" (1974); "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (1978); "Why Don't We Get Drunk" (1973); and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" (1977). His other popular songs include "Son of a Son of a Sailor" (1978), "One Particular Harbour" (1983), and "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" with Alan Jackson (2003). Buffett formed the Coral Reefer Band in 1975.
Of the over 30 albums released by Buffett, eight are certified gold and nine are certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. In total, Buffett sold over 20 million certified records worldwide, placing him amongst the world's best-selling music artists. In addition to two Grammy Award nominations, Buffett will be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category in 2024.
Buffett also parlayed the "island escapism" lifestyle of his music into several business ventures, including Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant chain, the now-defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain, and ventures in hotels, casinos, liquor, and retirement communities. Buffett was one of the world's richest musicians, with a net worth of $1 billion. He was also a bestselling author. His devoted fan base are known as "Parrotheads".
This tune will always bring a soulful stillness and acres of goosebumps.
Pirate at heart.
Certainly 200 years too late for me....
They posted this 9 years ago... They're knocking on 50 now if they're still alive and kicking. Man how time fly's by.
I think you meant ARRRRR?
Plus it has some great lines:
"I have been drunk now for over two weeks,
I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks"
You will be shocked at how fast 31 becomes 41.
You'll think "Man, that guy on Radio Paradise was right!"
Update 15 years later: Happy 46th birthday Arbiter!
: )
you never can predict what Bill will play.
Precisely! That's one of the beauties of Radio Paradise!
I lived this life for about 7 years in the 70's, had too much fun but ended with a smuggling conviction for 15.000 lbs of pot and 25 months in Club Fed. If I could go back I wouldn't change a thing, totally worth it!
As a fairly big Buffett fan, I'd say he jumped the shark in the mid 90's. Barometer Soup was solid, but not to much after that. The earlier in his career the better, in my opinion. Many people don't look past the parrot head, bubble gum stuff of the last 20 years or so, and look at the good stuff from between '70 and '77. There were some good songs after this period, but that was when most of the good stuff happened. In my opinion anyway.
Good grief - Buffett is one of the world's richest musicians, with a net worth of $550 million. (according to Wiki)
All thanks to touring. Your point? The man brought the music to the masses, as did the Grateful Dead.
I love the Jack Johnson / Dave Matthews / Tim Reynolds slower paced version as well, probably even more so.