Tagged: Coral Reefer Band

#108 – It’s My Job

“Keep the party going” is a quote that’s been rolling through my mind the last several days, and it’s been in relation to my blog posts about Jimmy Buffett’s music. At the beginning of the year, I planned on a song post every Monday, keeping the song sharing going, that I started last year, as a tribute after Jimmy’s passing…
“It’s my job to be better than the best, and that makes the day for me…”
It’s My Job was released on JB’s 1981 album Coconut Telegraph, and it happens to be one of two songs on that album that Jimmy did not have any part of writing. It was written by Lyman Corbitt McAnally Jr. Yes, that’s Mac’s full name, the incomparable Mac McAnally, long-time friend, writing partner, bandmate, and stage side kick of Jimmy Buffett…

#105 – Down At The Lah De Dah

Everybody has at least one place, and if we are lucky, we have more than one place, which is our oasis at the end of the road. That place where we want to spend time at the start, in the middle, or at the end of a beautiful day. And perhaps even into the starry nighttime. And Down At The Lah De Dah sums up that place perfectly. It’s like “everyone’s” beach bar/perfect place song, and it connects with us on so many levels. Perhaps in fond memories from the past, a place we have known our entire lives, a connection with a recent holiday weekend, or even in a special place that we are striving to find in the future. Down At The Lah De Dah means something special to each person who listens and sings along.

#99 – The U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile

The U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile…There are fun songs, there are colorful songs, there are songs that make you want to tap your feet or dance, and this is certainly one that fits all those requirements. Even if you are not quite aware of what all the lyrics or story is about, people will still connect to the sound, the rhythm, and the energy of the music. Jimmy Buffett covered this song, which was written by the fabulous slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, placing in on a studio album and playing it multiple times in his live shows. When Jimmy covered a song, it was because he both loved the song and admired the writer, and this song is no exception, and it’s all wrapped up in a fun story of a car and its path pursuing the road to zydeco music hot spots.

#97 – University Of Bourbon Street

University Of Bourbon Street is a song that seems to encapsulate just about everything that Jimmy Buffett loved and admired about New Orleans, combined into one rollicking, Jazz anthem that could lift the heart and soul of every person that hears it. There are mentions of voodoo and gris gris, pirates and streetcars, hurricanes and riverboats, Po’Boy’s and Muffaletta’s, and if that doesn’t capture your attention, then the brass band, dancing feet, second line imagery certainly will. A song that is so personal to Jimmy’s life that his parents’ names are even in the lyrics. Then, there is the actual music, which will absolutely have your feet tapping and your hands clapping and your soul lifting up, all wrapped into a nice little “how to” package of fun!

#94 – Tides

Tides is one of those types of songs that feel like it fits Jimmy Buffett and his lifestyle perfectly. There is the ocean and waterways, there is travel and adventure, there is friendship and stories, there is a gentle lyrical quality that touches on Jimmy’s introspection and appreciation for the beautiful currents, both in life and on the water, and all the gifts and adventure that those tides can bring.