"Desdemona's Building A Rocket Ship" by Jimmy Buffett

This is just such a haunting, fantastical song when you listen to it.

Desdemona's building a rocket ship
Desdemona's going away
Desdemona's building a rocket ship
Blasting off today
She's got a passion for cookies
A crew full of rookies
It's going to be a hell of a blow
Desdemona's building a rocket ship
And I've got to go

A women on a mission
Quite familiar with quasars
Her heart is in a kitchen
But her soul is in the stars
Crystal clear on logic
But short on expertise
This is a very ancient puzzle
She feels herself a piece

Desdemona's building a rocket ship
Desdemona's going away
Desdemona's building a rocket ship
Blasting off today
She got a passion for cookies
A crew full of rookies
It's going to be a hell of a blow
Desdemona's building a rocket ship
Guess I've got to go

She was down in Puerto Rico
Doing a scientist
True, he was no geek though
She was taken with his kiss
It was under the giant telescope
Where she heard the calling voice
It came screaming through the light years
She never had a choice

Pleiades calling her home
Seven sisters, she hears her distant sisters
Pleiades calling me home
Seven sisters, she hears her seven sisters

Pleiades calling her home
Seven sisters, she hears her distant sisters
Pleiades calling me home
Seven sisters, she hears her seven sisters

A woman on a mission
Quite familiar with quasars
Her heart's still in the kitchen
But her soul is in the stars
Her engine fuel with logic
And navigation expertise
It's a very distant puzzle
She gonna to get her piece

Desdemona's building a rocket ship
Desdemona's going away
Desdemona's building a rocket ship
Blasting off today
She got a passion for cookies
A crew full of rookies
It's going to be a hell of a blow
Desdemona's building a rocket ship
I've just got to go

"Knees of My Heart" by Jimmy Buffett

I love this song. It's so sweet.

I've got a question for you
Please grant me an interview
Don't want to read it in a magazine
Don't want to see it on the silver screen
Don't let the craziness tear us apart

I'm down on the knees of my heart
Down here on the knees of my heart

This comes from deep in my soul
Your sweet love has taken control
I'll swim across the ocean if you tell me so
I'll take you to the jump up if you want to go
It never is too late to make a brand new start

I'm down here on the knees of my heart
Down here on the knees of my heart

Oh how I will sing if you give me everything
I live for the day when there's nothing in our way

I will be waiting tonight
You'll find my boat by the light
I'm gonna show you what my love can do
Out on the ocean all alone with you
We'll find a desert island on an ancient chart

Take me from the knees of my heart
Take me from the knees of my heart
Take me from the knees of my heart
Take me from the knees of my heart

"Fruitcakes" by Jimmy Buffett

I love this song. It always makes me grin. Especially imagining someone "struttin' naked through the crosswalk". What gets me is that the loon is "struttin" as opposed to just walking. Man, this song is good.

Fruitcakes in the kitchen
Fruitcakes on the street
Struttin' naked through the cross walk
In the middle of the week

Half baked cookies in the oven
Half baked people on the bus
There's a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us

Paradise - Lost and found
Paradise - take a look around

I was out in California
Where I hear they have it all
They got riots, fires and mud slides
They got sushi in the mall
Water bars and Brontosaurs
Chinese modern lust
Shake and bake
life with the quake
The secret's in the crust

We lost our Martian rocket ship
The high paid spokesman said
Looks like that silly rocket ship
Has lost it's cone-shaped head

We spent ninety jillion dollars
Tryin' to get a look at Mars
I hear universal laughter
Ringing out among the stars

Fruitcakes in the galaxy
Fruitcakes on the Earth
Strut naked towards eternity
We've been that way since birth

Half baked cookies in the oven
Half baked people on the bus
There's a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us

Religion, religion
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

Where's the church, who took the steeple
Religion's in the hands of some crazy ass people
Television preachers with bad hair and dimples
The God's honest truth is it's not that simple

It's the Buddhist in you, it's the pagan in me
It's the Muslim in him, she's Catholic ain't she?
It's that born again look, it's the Wasp and the Jew
Tell me what's goin on, I ain't got a clue

Here come the big ones - Relationships -
We all got 'em, we all want 'em. What do we do with'em?
Here we go I'll tell ya

She said you've got to do your fair share
Now cough up half the rent
I treat my body like a temple
You treat yours like a tent

But the right word at the right time
May get me a little hug
That's the difference between lightning
And a harmless lightning bug

Fruitcakes in the kitchen
Fruitcakes on the street
Struttin' naked through the cross walk
In the middle of the week

Half baked cookies in the oven
Half baked people on the bus
There's a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us

The future, Captain's log, Star date 2000 and somethin'

We're seven years from the millennium
That's a science fiction fact
Stanley Kubrick and his buddy Hal
Now don't look that abstract

So I'll put on my Bob Marley tape
And practice what I preach
Get Ja lost in the reggae mon
As I walk along the beach

Stay in touch with my insanity
Really is the only way
It's a jungle out there kiddies
Have a very fruitful day

"Volcano" by Jimmy Buffett

I'm feeling saucy this morning, so I thought I'd do a fun Jimmy song.

Now, I don't know, I don't know where I'm a gonna go
when the volcano blow.
Let me say it now,
I don't know, I don't know where I'm a gonna go
when the volcano blow.

Ground, she movin' under me.
Tidal waves out on the sea.
Sulphur smoke up in the sky.
Pretty soon we learn to fly

[Chorus:]
Let me hear you, now
I don't know, I don't know where I'm a gonna go
when the volcano blow.
Let me hear you now.
I don't know, I don't know where I'm a gonna go
when the volcano blow.

My girl quickly say to me,
"Mon you better watch your feet.
Lava come down soft and hot.
You better lava me now or lava me not."

[Chorus]

No time to count what I'm worth,
cause I just left the planet Earth.
Where I go I hope there's rum.
Not to worry monsoon come.

[Chorus]

But I don't want to land in New York City,
I don't want to land in Mexico.
I don't want to land on no Three Mile Island;
I don't want to see my skin a-glow.

Don't want to land in Comanche Sky Park,
or in Nashville, Tennessee.
I don't want to land in no San Juan airport
or the Yukon Territory.

Don't want to land no San Diego.
Don't want to land in no Buzzards Bay.
I don't want to land on no Ayatolla.
I got nothin' more to say.

"Jamaica Mistaka" by Jimmy Buffett

I love this fun little song. It's actually a true story. He did get shot at by the Jamaican police who thought he was carrying drugs aboard his plane. It wasn't true (the drugs) and they did apologize and he got a hell of a song out of it.

Some folks say that I've got the perfect life.
Three swell kids, lots of toys and a lovely wife.
I fly. I sail. I throw caution to the wind.
Drift like a stratus cloud above the Caribbean.

But every now and then
The dragons come to call.
Just when you least expect it you'll be dodging cannon balls.
I've seen too much not to stay in touch with a world full of love and luck.
I've got a big suspicion 'bout ammunition.
I never forget to duck.

Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don't you know we made a big mistaka
We'd be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you out of the sky

It was a beautiful day
The kind you want to toast
We were treetop flyin'
Movin' west along the coast
Then we landed in the water
Just about my favorite thrill
When some asshole started firin'
When we taxied to Negril

Just about to lose my temper
As I endeavored to explain
We had only come for chicken
We were not a ganja plane
Well you should have seen their faces
When they finally realized
We were not some coked up cowboys
Sportin' guns and alibis

Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don't you know we made a big mistaka
We'd be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you out of the sky

They shot from the lighthouse
They shot from the highway
They shot from the top of the cliff
They'd all gone haywire
We're catchin' fire
And there wasn't even a spliff

Well the word got out
All over the island
Friends, strangers, they were all apologizin'
Some thought me crazy for bein' way to nice
But it's just another shitty day in paradise
Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don't you know we made a big mistaka
We'd be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you out of the sky

Come back
Come back
Back to Jamaica
Don't you know we made a big mistaka
We'd be so sad if you told us goodbye
And we promise not to shoot you, promise not to shoot you,
Promise not to shoot you out of the sky

"Barefoot Children In The Rain" by Jimmy Buffett

Scratch my back with a lightning bolt
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note
The sound of the weather is Heaven's ragtime band
We all fell down from the Milky Way
Hangin' round here till Judgment Day
Heaven only knows who's in command

Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swingin' on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain

Show me yours and I'll show you mine
Take me back to days full of monkeyshines
Bouncin' on a bubble full of trouble in the summer sun
Keep your raft from the riverboat
Fiction over fact always has my vote
And wrinkles only go where the smiles have been

Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swingin' on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain

Barefoot children in the rain

Scratch my back with a lightning bolt
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note
The sound of the weather is Heaven's ragtime band
The sky turns blue and the sun appears
But the question's still what are we doin' here
I don't think the answer's close at hand

Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swingin' on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain
In the rain...
In the rain...

I Used to Have Money One Time by Jimmy Buffett

I had Cadillac's in my future
Debutantes in my past
I made a deal with the devil for a whole lot of money
Thinkin' it would last and last
But a fool and his money are bound to part
And what goes up must come down
So take my advice, don't trust the roll of the dice
Keep your feet on solid ground

I used to have money one time
Life of adventure and crime
I used to have money one time
Lots of women and wine
But who's gonna tell a fool? Who's gonna tell a fool?
Who's gonna tell a fool?
That he ain't cool

Now thems were hard times back in the eighties boys
People barely had enough to get by
But oh not me foot loose and fancy free
There was nothing to myself I'd deny
So fellas listen to my story now
Though you have heard this tale before
Take care of your needs and watch out for your greeds
Or that wolf will be at your door

I used to have money one time
Life of adventure and crime
I used to have money one time
Now I ain't got a dime
But who's gonna be the fool? Who's gonna be the fool?
Who's gonna be the fool?
It still ain't cool.

Who's gonna tell a fool?
Who's gonna tell a fool?
Who's gonna tell a fool?
It still ain't cool

Stars On The Water-Jimmy Buffett

Down in Louisiana, bayous by and by
Perogue pole or your natural soul
Keeps you tied to a tree high tide
Beer joint lights come on
And then the crowd starts rollin' in

(Pretty soon you got) stars on the water
(Just like) stars on the water
You got stars on the water, let it rain

Beaumont to Biloxi
Sea breeze at your door
Gypsy rains, dang hurricanes
White silver sandy shores
The "Blue Light" lounge is shinin'
Way out on the view

(It looks just like) stars on the water
(Just like) stars on the water
Looks like stars on the water, let it rain

When it's midnight down in Mobile
Shinin' moonbeams on the bay
They come from miles around to dance the jukebox down
And dig the good time sounds they all play
And all across the harbour
Night lights shinin' in

(It looks just like) stars on the water
(Just like) stars on the water
(Feels like) stars on the water, let it rain

Distantly In Love by Jimmy Buffett

Pay phones all were ringing as the crowd went roarin' by
Lovely dancers swaying to an island lullaby
Beside the southern ocean taking stock of what's to be
Writing you this letter that you'll probably never see

But I can't help but be
Ruled by inconsistency
Not unique just distantly in love

Tried to phone from Paris thinking
Things could be arranged
Me and you could rendezvous
But I found your number changed
So I drove to San Remo where
The crazy painter dwells
And toasted our old photographs
Still up there on his shelf

But I can't help but be
Ruled by my antiquity
Not unique just distantly in love
I can't be the one to fill
Your times and all your places
I can't be the one to fill
Your blanks and empty spaces

I heard it from a friend of ours
I saw in Timber Bay
That you had a new lover who had
Stolen you away
That could be be the reason that
I never got in touch
And may present slight problems
If he loves you half as much

As I who can't help but be
Ruled by my antiquity
Not unique just distantly in love
You know I can't help but be
Part of my own philosophy
Not unique just distantly in love

Jolly Mon by Jimmy Buffett

There is a tale that the island people tell
Don't care if it is true 'cause I love it so well.
Jolly Mon sang for his supper every night
The people fed him well 'cause he treated them so right

Oh Jolly Mon sing
Oh make Orion ring

And they wanted him to sing on the islands near and far
He always found his way by Orion the lucky star
He'd tell them of their joys, he'd tell them of their woes
They'd love to see him come and hate to see him go

Oh Jolly Mon sing
Oh make the music ring

He was making his way home on a dark and stormy night
When he heard a cry for help, he saw a flashing light
When he reached the other boat and offered him a hand
They said, "Give us all your cargo." as they took a pirate stand

Oh Jolly Mon sing
Oh give them everything

"Jolly Mon we know you - Sing your last song very well"
They tossed him in the ocean cause their hearts were made in hell
Came along a dolphin, he said, "Jolly Mon Hello"
"I've always loved your singing - climb on board and don't let go."

Oh Jolly Mon sing
Oh make the oceans ring

The night was filled with magic as they bid the sea goodbye
They swam into the heavens - they stayed up in the sky
And all the island people when they wish upon a star
See the dolphin and the Jolly Mon who tell them where they are

Oh Jolly Mon sing
Oh make the heavens ring
Oh Jolly Mon sing
Oh make the magic ring

This is by far, my favorite Jimmy Buffett song. It tells such a sweet tale of the Jolly Mon. I can just picture this story happening. The lyrics are sweet but when you hear it put to music, it's so beautiful. If you can find this on-line to listen to, please do so. I wish I had known about this song when light of my life was small. I would have played this for her every night before she went to bed. Keep in mind, this is my favorite song. It's not one of his most popular but I just love it.

Enjoy!!!!

Later,

Mama Dawg

Jimmy Buffett Reminds Me of Lazy Days in Florida

I am a huge Jimmy Buffett fan. I even go so far as to call myself a Parrothead although I’m not as gung ho as many out there.

I love all his work. His old stuff and his new.

However, the old stuff still holds a special place in my heart.

I attended my first Jimmy Buffett concert when I was 9 years old. I can remember sitting there by mom at the concert and being ecstatic that I could actually say the word “damn” since it was in a Jimmy Buffett song (“Margaritaville” for those of you not in the know). Yes, I know, it’s silly, but when you’re 9, that’s cool.

I mostly liked his songs because my mom liked him so much and would play his music in the car and at home. We didn’t listen to him constantly, but enough that I knew a couple of his songs.

When I was about 13 or so, I really started to get into his music. I was living in Florida then. I didn’t get any tapes (this was before c.d.’s were prolific) of his until I was about 15 but of course, the first one I got was “Songs You Know By Heart”. It has his most famous songs (up to the release date of the tape/c.d.) which includes “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, “Brown-Eyed Girl”, “A Pirate Looks at Forty”, “Margaritaville” and others. The title of the album is spot on as all Parrotheads know ALL these songs by heart.

I’ve attended probably half a dozen Jimmy Buffett concerts in my 30 years. I know that there are others out there that have attended much more than I have, but I’m not a big concert person. It’s too expensive and usually the seats are not worth the money.

However, this is one concert that I will gladly pay money for. Jimmy is renowned for putting on a hell of a show. He has yet to disappoint.

I’m such a fan, I even wrote a college paper on him. I got an A.

My hands down all time favorite album is “One Particular Harbor”. It was probably the second c.d. I bought but it touched me like no other album has. I can’t put my finger on what it is about the album that touches me. It’s like coming home. Actually, all his music does that to me. I just feel complete when I listen to it. If I’m agitated, it calms me. If I’m in a good mood, it enhances my good mood, if I’m in a bad mood, it immediately uplifts me.

His music takes me back to Florida. Anytime I hear his music, I conjure up images of beaches, Hawaiian shirts, Corona beer, palm trees, clear water, boats, sand, sand dollars, tropical fish, alligators, etc….

His songs are so true. If you really listen to the lyrics and the music that accompanies them, it just……I can’t even explain it. His songs are sweet, funny, sad, honest…just awesome (do kids these days still say that?). They tell stories, they make you think, they make you laugh….they make you feel.

There are very few “things” in life that I can truly call my favorite. I’m all over the board when it comes to the types of movies, music and books that I enjoy.

I can say, without any doubt or hesitation, that Jimmy Buffett is my favorite recording artist….period.

Once a week, I’ll post the lyrics to one of his songs. If you’re not into Jimmy, that’s fine. Just skip the post that day. If you’ve never been in to him before but like the lyrics, you can go on line and check him out.

Later,

Mama Dawg