The 24 Best Jimmy Buffett Songs, from Come Monday to Cheeseburger in Paradise

What is Jimmy Buffett's most famous song?

"Margaritaville" is Jimmy Buffett's most famous song, a 1977 hit about a man killing time in a beach town that grew into a whole lifestyle brand. "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and "Come Monday" are other favorites, and "A Pirate Looks at Forty" is the song many fans call his finest.

Jimmy Buffett's early songs

1. "The Great Filling Station Holdup", 1973: a comic tale from his breakthrough album.
2. "Grapefruit, Juicy Fruit", 1973: a sunny early favorite.
3. "He Went to Paris", 1973: a moving story of a man's long life.
4. "Come Monday", 1974: his first top 40 hit, a love song from the road.
5. "A Pirate Looks at Forty", 1974: a wistful portrait of a modern-day drifter.
6. "Pencil Thin Mustache", 1974: a nostalgic look at old movies and TV.
7. "Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season", 1974: a Key West morning in song.

The classic Margaritaville era

8. "Margaritaville", 1977: his biggest hit and signature song.
9. "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes", 1977: the title track of the album that included Margaritaville.
10. "Son of a Son of a Sailor", 1978: a tribute to his seafaring family.
11. "Cheeseburger in Paradise", 1978: a joyful ode to a simple meal.
12. "Fins", 1979: a concert favorite with its own hand motions.
13. "Volcano", 1979: a playful song about not knowing where to go when it erupts.
14. "Boat Drinks", 1979: a song about escaping the cold for the tropics.

Later Jimmy Buffett songs

15. "Little Miss Magic", 1981: a lullaby for his daughter.
16. "One Particular Harbour", 1983: a dreamy song about a place to call home.
17. "Last Mango in Paris", 1985: a funny, rambling story song.
18. "Fruitcakes", 1994: a satirical title track about modern life.
19. "Barometer Soup", 1995: a laid-back song about weather and mood.
20. "Jamaica Mistaica", 1996: a funny song about the day his seaplane was shot at in Jamaica.

Jimmy Buffett collaborations

21. "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere", Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, 2003: a number one country hit.
22. "Hey Good Lookin'", 2004: a Hank Williams cover with Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and George Strait.
23. "Knee Deep", Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett, 2011: a beach anthem and country number one.
24. "Too Drunk to Karaoke", Toby Keith featuring Jimmy Buffett, 2011: a rowdy party song.

Who was Jimmy Buffett?

Jimmy Buffett was born in 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and grew up in Mobile, Alabama. After struggling in Nashville, he moved to Key West in the early 70s, and the island's laid-back life became the heart of his music. With his Coral Reefer Band he built a sound that mixed country, folk, rock and Caribbean rhythms, which fans call "gulf and western". He was also a best-selling author, with books such as Tales from Margaritaville and A Pirate Looks at Fifty, and built Margaritaville into restaurants, hotels and resorts. He died in 2023, mourned by fans who had followed him for half a century.

Jimmy Buffett's essential albums

• A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean (1973): the album that found his voice.
• A1A (1974): home of "A Pirate Looks at Forty".
• Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (1977): featuring "Margaritaville".
• Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978): with "Cheeseburger in Paradise".
• Volcano (1979): recorded on the island of Montserrat.
• Songs You Know by Heart (1985): the greatest hits album nearly every fan owns.

Who are the Parrotheads?

Jimmy Buffett's fans call themselves Parrotheads, a name that came from fans wearing parrot hats and Hawaiian shirts to his concerts in the 1980s. They became famous for elaborate tailgate parties before shows, and many local Parrothead clubs raise money for charity. For many fans, a Buffett concert was less a show than a reunion.

The story behind Margaritaville

Buffett said the idea for "Margaritaville" came after a margarita in Austin and was finished in Key West. The song's gentle humor about a man who keeps losing track of time struck a chord, and it reached the top ten in 1977. Decades later it became a brand of restaurants, resorts and even a retirement community.

Jimmy Buffett songs for a beach party

For a backyard luau or beach party, start with "Margaritaville" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise", add "Fins", "Volcano" and "Knee Deep" for the crowd and save "A Pirate Looks at Forty" for sunset. For more, see our songs about Florida and songs about summer.

Jimmy Buffett songs for a retirement party

For someone heading for the beach, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere", "Margaritaville" and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" set the perfect mood. See our retirement songs for more.

A song with island spirit

For a Buffett fan, a personalized song can bring that laid-back island feel to their own story: their name, their favorite beach and the memories that matter, in a country, folk or Latin style. It makes a fun birthday or retirement gift.

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