Episode 36 Recap

🎶 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 36: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett 🎸🌴

Welcome to Episode 36 of Songs That Don’t Suck, where this week, we press pause on new releases and instead raise a margarita to the sky in memory of the one and only Jimmy Buffett—a man who made escapism into an art form and gave millions of us the soundtrack to our sandy daydreams. 🌊🌞🦜

🎩 Remembering Jimmy Buffett (1946–2023)

Waking up to the news of Jimmy Buffett’s passing on Labor Day weekend—yes, the same weekend immortalized in “Come Monday”—was a gut punch to Parrotheads and casual fans alike.

“It’s hard to imagine another artist who’s brought so much joy, laughter, and fun into the world.”

Whether you knew him as the mayor of Margaritaville, the barefoot philosopher, or just that guy who wrote the summer song, Buffett was a genre-blending pioneer. Over his 50+ year career, he:

Released 31 albums with a 32nd on the way
Charted nearly 70 singles
Built an empire that spanned books, restaurants, and resorts
Delivered legendary live shows that were half concert, half tropical carnival

From steel drums to soul-cleansing lyrics, he taught us how to live slowly, laugh often, and never take life too seriously.

“If good time was a genre, Jimmy Buffett would be the standard bearer.”

🎸 Brain-Bending Cover of the Week

Jimmy Buffett – “Southern Cross” (Crosby, Stills & Nash cover)

One of Buffett’s most beloved live staples, this CSN cover was reborn in the easy, ocean-breezy hands of Jimmy and his Coral Reefer Band. Sure, the original is iconic, but when Buffett sings it, it becomes his.

🎤 “I’ve heard this version more than the original—and honestly, I prefer it.”

With Buffett’s signature tropical instrumentation and that unmistakable vocal warmth, it’s like watching a sunset with your toes in the sand.

🏖 Deep Cuts That Don’t Suck – Buffett Edition

In honor of Jimmy’s legacy, Mark skips the new release radar and highlights five Buffett songs you probably don’t know by heart—but should.

1. 👶 “Little Miss Magic” (1981 – Coconut Telegraph)

A tender, deeply personal track written for his daughter, Savannah. It’s a quiet lullaby wrapped in parental wonder.

“I used to hum this while rocking my daughters to sleep. I didn’t realize at the time how much it would mean.”

🎧 For fans of: Harry Chapin, James Taylor, tearjerkers that sneak up on you.

2. ⚓ “Nautical Wheelers” (1974 – A1A)

A Jimmy deep cut that hits like a warm Caribbean breeze. Simple, breezy, and anchored by one of Buffett’s greatest lyrical gems:

“Contented to be living and dying in three-quarter time.”

🎸 This was a guitar-learning favorite for Mark—and the kind of song that makes you want to learn just so you can sing along.

3. 🌀 “Permanent Reminder of a Temporary Feeling” (1999 – Beach House on the Moon)

Buffett at his cheeky best. The lyrics are clever, the phrasing’s got punch, and the storytelling? Peak Buffett.

“This is what I always loved—he could sneak wisdom inside a one-liner.”

Also worth checking from this album: “You Call It Jogging” (spoiler: it’s not about exercise 😏).

💬 A Buffett Memory: Accidental Dinner with a Legend

Yes, you read that right. While working a 1995 concert at Buckeye Lake, Mark found himself in the VIP catering tent, only to be joined—accidentally—by Jimmy Buffett himself. Steak. Baked potato. And a bodyguard named Slice. 🥩😮

“I was speechless. Just me, Jimmy, and this massive dude sharing dinner. And I couldn’t say a word.”

It’s awkward. It’s hilarious. It’s unforgettable. And it perfectly sums up the kind of surprise magic Jimmy brought into people’s lives.

4. 🌧 “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On” (2006 – Take the Weather With You)

Written in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this song is a calm voice in the storm. It’s Buffett at his wisest.

“The rain is going to come. All you can do is breathe in, breathe out, and move on.”

A mantra we all need sometimes—especially now.

5. 📚 “Book on the Shelf” (2020 – Life on the Flip Side)

If this had been Buffett’s final track, it would’ve been the perfect send-off. Gentle, reflective, and filled with gratitude, it reads like the final page of a well-lived life.

“I write what I know / About where I’ve been / I put my truths in a melody.”

And that he did.

🌅 Final Thoughts

There will never be another Jimmy Buffett. He wasn’t just a musician—he was a movement. A lifestyle. A reminder that it’s okay to take your shoes off, pour a drink, and just… exist.

“Rest in peace, Jimmy. Sail on, sailor. Thank you for the music and the memories.”

🎙 Until next time… keep searching for—and listening to—songs that don’t suck.
🕊 And may we all live a little more in three-quarter time.