#68 – It’s Midnight And I’m Not Famous Yet
Day #68 – It’s Midnight And I’m Not Famous Yet
Jimmy Buffett and Steve Goodman became friends early in Jimmy’s music career. I don’t know if I ever heard any details about a legendary first meeting, or if such a thing exists. When Jimmy talked about Steve, he talked about him like an old, dear friend, someone who has been part of your life forever. He would tell stories clubs they played in, of the Cubs and visits to Wrigley Field, of songs they wrote together, such as this one. Honestly, I wish I could have been around while they were writing this one together, to hear and watch that process, the humor, the lyrics, what inspired a line or word in this amped up song.
Steve Goodman also recorded a version of this song. It sounds different than Jimmy’s, but I like it too. Different artists put a different spin and sound on stuff, which makes music a fabulous and ever-changing show. Steve’s version seems to be acoustic which gives it more of a folk version, a little less of the driving rock version of Jimmy’s studio version. But the humor and truth in the lyrics still ring true.
In his version, Steve mentions that he and Jimmy wrote this song for a casino in Lake Tahoe that Jimmy was playing at. I had never heard that before, and it was dropped so casually into the recording, that it felt right. Steve says he lost $40 at the craps table but got a song, so it worked out.
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Original post from 11/8/2023
Day #68 – It’s Midnight And I’m Not Famous Yet
It’s Midnight And I’m Not Famous Yet is from JB’s 1982’s album Somewhere Over China.
If this record cover feels familiar, it’s because we stopped here yesterday. Yesterday’s song was soft and lyrical and today’s song is about as rock song as Jimmy did.
“We’ll it’s midnight and I’m not famous yet, Trying to win it all with one more bet, Nothing can stop my thirty-two hop, Or my ten dollar yo-yo-yo, It’s midnight and I’m just getting ready to go…”
This song has been on my list since near the beginning of the thing, this ever-growing tribute to Jimmy and his music, but I wasn’t sure about sharing it. I love this song and always have but it’ll a different sound than much of his music. I think the first time I heard it was on his Live from Las Vegas album. He didn’t play it much in concert, but I have caught it on concert replays.
This was the first single Jimmy released on this record and it made it to 32 on the Billboard Rock Chart, not the Top 100 or Easy Listening, where JB’s music usually was placed. Record World describes this song as a “sharp rocker” and that seems to describe it well.
I’m down to a shorter list of songs now, but that’s almost making it harder, because I still have more songs than days, and last night at 11ish, I still didn’t know. So, I left it up to the Universe, and the Universe delivered this song. And I laughed out loud at myself and my rather silly process, but I was happy for the opportunity to share.
This song was written by Jimmy and his great friend Steve Goodman. Steve was Jimmy’s friend and connection in the early days playing in Chicago. He was a huge Cubs fans and turned Jimmy into a diehard Cubs fan as well. They used to spend their afternoons in the Bleachers at Wrigley then play their gigs at night.
In 1984, the Cubs made the playoffs and Chicago was wild about it. Steve, famous for many songs, but certainly for penning the Cubs anthem, Go Cubs Go, had been asked to sing the National Anthem at the game. Tragically, Steve died from cancer complications days before the game, and his great friend Jimmy was asked to step in. Jimmy immediately agreed, seeing it as a way to honor his dear friend. Jimmy’s rendition is considered memorable in Cubs history, and the Cubs won that game 13-0.
Steve certainly loved his hometown of Chicago, but he must have liked Vegas, and Elvis, because he actually wrote a song called Elvis Imitators, which Jimmy later covered; it’s quite a humorous song, although not every JB fan loves it.
This song has nothing to do with Chicago or the Cubs and everything to do with Las Vegas, that shining, neon mecca in the desert. And this song feels like Vegas; it’s got a driving rhythm, unfettered energy, and sharp lyrics, with Jimmy and Steve’s trademark quirky humor.
“Lester Polyester signs another marker, Like the high rollers do…”
And this song stars our Vegas hero Lester Polyester, acting like a high roller! He’s got a brand-new girlfriend who wants some new Gucci shoes…
“It’s midnight and Lester’s getting ready to roll...”
Craps is not my game, too much luck and no skill involved, but it’s a wild, live by the seat of your pants or the roll of the dice kind of game. But it’s Lester’s game!
“Trying to break the bank with one more bet…”
I hope you enjoy It’s Midnight And I’m Not Famous Yet. Truly, it’s a fun song! I have included the link in the comments below.
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This song was released as a single in May of 1982, and that seems like prime music video possibility, but if a music video exists for it, I have never seen it. And I would think this song had the potential for a great music video, with both the eighties and Vegas and a man in polyester in starring roles. If anyone knows of one, please drop me a comment below and help me find it. And maybe a music video was never made, and I will have to rely on my own imagination as Jimmy playing both the role of Lester and the man leading the casino band.
I opened with mentions of Steve’s version, but end with discussion of Jimmy’s song, which is absolutely my favorite version of this song.
I have a deep, dark love for this song. I can’t really explain it, and I don’t know that I really need too! Great song… I love it… period!
Stacy
Please enjoy It’s Midnight And I’m Not Famous Yet. I have included the link below. Enjoy!
The link is from Jimmy’s official YouTube channel, which I have no personal affiliation with.
