You Had To Be There

You Had To Be There Tracks

  1. Disc: 1 - Son of a Son of a Sailor
    SON OF A SON OF A SAILOR
    Jimmy Buffett

    As the son of a son of a sailor,
    I went out on the sea for adventure,
    Expanding their view of the captain and crew
    Like a man just released from indenture.

    As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man,
    I have chalked up many a mile.
    Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks,
    And I've learned much from both of their styles.

    Son of a son, son of a son, son of a son of a sailor.
    Son of a gun; load the last ton
    One step ahead of the jailer.

    Now away in the near future, southeast of disorder,
    You can shake the hand of the mango man
    As he greets you at the border.

    And the lady she hails from Trinidad,
    Island of the spices.
    Salt for your meat and cinnamon sweet,
    And the rum is for all your good vices.

    Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind that our
    Forefathers harnessed before us.
    Hear the bells ring as the tide rigging sings.
    It's a son of a gun of a chorus.

    Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends.
    If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.
    So I'll cruise along always searchin' for songs,
    Not a lawyer, a thief or a banker.

    But a son of a son, son of a son, son of a son of a sailor.
    Son of a gun, load the last ton
    One step ahead of the jailer
    I'm just a son of a son, son of a son, son of a son of a sailor
    The sea's in my veins, my tradition remains.
    I'm just glad I don't live in a trailer.

  2. Disc: 1 - Pencil Thin Mustache
    PENCIL-THIN MUSTACHE
    Jimmy Buffett

    Now they make new movies in old black and white,
    With happy endings, where nobody fights,
    So if you find yourself in that nostalgic rage,
    Honey, jump right up and show your age.

    I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache,
    the "Boston Blackie" kind, or a
    two-toned Ricky Ricardo jacket,
    and an autographed picture of Andy Divine.

    Oh, I remember bein' buck toothed and skinny
    Writin' fan letters to Sky's niece Penny.
    Oh, I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache,
    then I could solve some mysteries too.
    Oh it's Bandstand, Disneyland, growin up fast,
    Drinkin' on a fake I.D.
    And Rama of the jungle was everyone's Bawana,
    But only jazz musicians were smokin marijuana.
    Yeah, I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache,
    then I could solve some mysteries too.

    But then it's flat-top, dirty bop, copin' a feel'
    grubbin on the living room floor;
    They send you off to college to try to gain
    a little knowledge,
    But all you want to do is learn how to score.
    Yeah, but now I'm gettin' old, don't wear underwear,
    I don't go to church, and I don't cut my hair;
    But I can go to movies and see it all there,
    Just the way that it use to be.

    That's why I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache
    the "Boston Blackie" kind, or a
    two-toned Ricky Ricardo jacket,
    And an autographed picture of Andy Divine.

    Oh, I could be anyone I wanted to be,
    Maybe suave Eerol Flynn or the Sheik of Araby.
    If I only had a pencil-thin mustache,
    then I could do some crusing too.

    Yeah, Brylcreem, a little dab'll do yah,
    Oh, I could do some cruising too.

  3. Disc: 1 - Wonder Why We Ever Go Home

    WONDER WHY WE EVER GO HOME
    Jimmy Buffett

    Years grow shorter, not longer,
    the more you've been on your own.
    Feelin's for movin' grow stronger'
    so you wonder why you ever go home,
    wonder why you ever go home.

    People are movin' so quickly.
    Humor's in need of repair.
    Same occupations and same obligations;
    they've really got nothing to share,
    like drivin' around with no spare.

    River gets deeper not shallow,
    the further you move down the stream.
    Wonderin'if I can keep her as I
    race to keep up with my dreams.
    How they shine and glitter and gleam.

    Repeat First Verse

  4. Disc: 1 - Landfall
    LANDFALL

    Now what do they do if I just sailed away
    Who the hell really compelled me to leave today
    Runnin' low on stories is what made it a ball
    What would they do if made no landfall

    I lived half my life in eight by five room
    Just crusin' to the sound of the big deisel boom
    It's not close quarters that would make me snap
    It's just dealing with the daily unadulterated crap

    Sail away for a month at a time,
    Sail away I've got to recharge my mind
    Then you'll find me back at it again

    Oh I love the smell of fresh snapper fried lite
    What'd you say, pouilly fuisse could round out the night
    The mid morning watch is the best time to look
    Oh what would they do if I wrote the big book

    `Cause I've seen incredible things in my year
    Somedays were laughter, others were tears
    If I had it all to do over again
    I'd just get myself drunk and I'd jump right back in

    Sail away, that's the way I survive
    Sail away, that's just no shuck and jive
    It just makes my whole life come alive

    The wind whistled threw the cool rigging at night
    Crazy crowds boogie to the sound and the lights
    down in he's just havin a ball
    What would he do on another landfall
    What would they do if I made no landfall
    Oh what would they do if I flew to Nepal
    What would I do if I met Lucille Ball
    Tryin' to make a little sense of it all
    Just tryin' to make a little sense of it all

  5. Disc: 1 - Miss You So Badly
    MISS YOU SO BADLY

    I guess it all blew up in Missoula
    There just was no other way
    After months of going crazy
    There was nothing left to say
    But when the dust had finally settled
    And the air had quickly cleared
    Things were better off than I had feared

    And I miss you so badly
    Girl I love you madly
    Feelin' so sad now since I been gone
    Gone, gone
    And it gets quite confusin'
    It seems that I'm loosin' track of
    the long days since I been home

    Were stayin' in a Holiday Inn full of surgeons
    I guess they meet there once a year
    They exchange physician stories
    And get drunk on Tuborg beer
    Then they're off to catch a stripper
    With their eyes glued to her G
    But I don't think that I would ever let them cut on me

    And I miss you so badly
    Girl I love you madly
    I think I been had tho, for stayin so long
    Long, long
    And I'm just watchin' the Gong show
    Waitin' for Zorro
    Loosin' the long day since I been home

    I got a head of full of feelin' higher
    And an ear full of Patsy Cline
    There is just no one who can touch her
    Hell I'll hang on every line
    Oh crazy how things happen
    It's incredible but true
    Oh the longer I'm gone the closer I feel to you

    And I miss you so badly
    Girl I love you madly
    I'm feelin' so glad just to be headin' home
    Home, home
    And I been battling hotel maids
    Chewin' on Rolaids
    Countin' the hours `til I get home
    Oh I been counting the hours `til I get home

  6. Disc: 1 - Margaritaville
    MARGARITAVILLE
    Jimmy Buffett

    Nibblin' on sponge cake,
    watchin' the sun bake;
    All of those tourists covered with oil.
    Strummin' my six string on my front porch swing.
    Smell those shrimp--
    They're beginnin' to boil.

    Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
    Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.
    Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
    But I know it's nobody's fault.

    Don't know the reason,
    Stayed here all season
    With nothing to show but this brand new tattoo.
    But it's a real beauty,
    A Mexican cutie, how it got here
    I haven't a clue.

    Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
    Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.
    Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
    Now I think,-- hell it could be my fault.

    I blew out my flip flop,
    Stepped on a pop top;
    Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home.
    But there's booze in the blender,
    And soon it will render
    That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.

    Wasted away again in Margaritaville
    Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.
    Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
    But I know, it's my own damn fault.
    Yes, and some people claim that there's a woman to blame, And I know it's my own damn fault

  7. Disc: 1 - Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
    CHANGES IN LATITUDES, CHANGES IN ATTITUDES
    Jimmy Buffett

    I took off for a weekend last month
    Just to try and recall the whole year.
    All of the faces and all of the places,
    wonderin' where they all disappeared.
    I didn't ponder the question too long;
    I was hungry and went out for a bite.
    Ran into a chum with a bottle of rum,
    and we wound up drinkin' all night.

    It's those changes in latitudes,
    changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same.
    With all of our running and all of our cunning,
    If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane.

    These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes;
    Nothing remains quite the same.
    Through all of the islands and all of the highlands,
    If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane

    Reading departure signs in some big airport
    Reminds me of the places I've been.
    Visions of good times that brought
    so much pleasure
    makes me want to go back again.
    If it suddenly ended tomorrow,
    I could somehow adjust to the fall.
    Good times and riches and son of a bitches,
    I've seen more than I can recall...(to chorus)

    I think about Paris when I'm high on red wine;
    I wish I could jump on a plane.
    And so many nights I just dream of the ocean.
    God, I wish I was sailin' again.
    Oh, yesterdays are over my shoulder,
    So I can't look back for too long.
    There's just too much to see waiting in front of me,
    and I know that I just can't go wrong
    with these...(to chorus)

  8. Disc 1: - Come Monday
    COME MONDAY
    Jimmy Buffett

    Headin' up to San Francisco
    for the Labor Day weekend show,
    I've got my hush-puppies on,
    I guess I never was meant for
    glitter rock and roll.
    And honey I didn't know
    that I'd be missin' so.

    (Chorus)
    Come Monday It'll be all right,
    Come Monday I'll be holding you tight.
    I spent four lonely days in a brown L.A. haze
    and I just want you back by my side.

    Yes it's been quite a summer,
    rent-a-cars and west bound trains.
    And now your off on vacation,
    somethin' you tried to explain.
    And darlin' I love you so that's
    the reason I just let you go.

    Chorus

    I can't help it honey,
    your that much a part of me now.
    Remember the night in Montana when
    we said there'd be no room for doubt.

    I hope your enjoyin' the scen'ry,
    I know that it's pretty up there.
    We can go hikin on Tuesday,
    with you I'd walk anywhere.
    California has worn me quite thin,
    I just can't wait to see you again.

    End Chorus

  9. Disc 1: - Perrier Blues
    Perrier Blues

    Ridin' high atop the main mast
    Harbor stretched out below
    All day I've been feelin' kind of half-assed
    So I asked the boy to lower me slow
    Lower me slow

    Sat down and drank me some Perrier
    Watched the seaplane disappear out of sight
    Confused in my head well I jumped back in bed
    Wondering who's at the fronton tonight
    Shinin' bright

    I know the night and I miss it
    I've got this thing for applause
    But like a cat on my rockin' chair cushion
    I've got to stretch my claws
    Move my jaw

    I know I've got the best of both worlds
    Though that sounds like a TV. show
    When that anchor goes down and the sails are all furled
    Well it's back on the road I go
    Back I go

    Well I bitch about the food and the weather
    Wondering why the hell I ever came back
    But knowing deep down I love this merry-go-round
    And I can't wait to lay down this track
    When I get back

    Yeah, I know the night and I love it
    I've got this thing for a show
    If the ball's hit my way I'm going to glove it
    'Cause that's the only thing I know
    All I know

    Yeah, I know the night and I miss it
    I've got this thing for applause
    But like a cat on my rockin' chair cushion
    I've got to stretch my claws
    Move my jaw
    Move my jaw

    Can't seem to lose those Perrier Blues
    Can't seem to lose those Perrier Blues
    Can't seem to lose those Perrier Blues

  10. Disc 2: - Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit
    GRAPEFRUIT-JUICY FRUIT
    Jimmy Buffett

    Grapefruit
    Bathing suit
    Chew a little Juicy Fruit
    Wash away the night

    Drive-in
    Guzzle gin
    Commit a little mortal sin
    It's good for the soul.

    (Bridge)
    And oh, it gets so damn lonely
    When you're on the plane all alone
    And if I had the money, Honey
    I'd strap you in beside me
    And never ever leave you
    Leave you at home all alone and crying.

    Ten speed
    No need
    My pick-up gets me where I please
    Shuggin' sown the street.
    But I'll be leavin'
    In a little while
    So close your eyes and I'll
    Be back real soon

    (Repeat bridge)
    (Repeat first verse)

    1973 ABC/Dunhill Music Inc (BMI)
    All Rights Reserved

  11. Disc 2: - He Went to Paris
    HE WENT TO PARIS
    Jimmy Buffett

    He went to Paris looking for answers
    To questions that bothered him so
    He was impressive, young and aggressive
    Saving the world on his own.
    But the warm Summer breezes
    The French wines and cheeses
    Put his ambition at bay
    And Summers and Winters
    Scattered like splinters
    And four or five years slipped away.

    Then he went to England, played the piano
    And married an actress named Kim
    They had a good life, she was a good wife
    Bore him a young son named Jim.
    And all of the answers and all of the questions
    He locked in his attic one day
    'Cause he liked the quiet clean country living
    And twenty more years slipped away.

    Well the war took his baby, the bombs killed his lady
    And left him with only on eye
    His body was battered, his world was shattered
    And all he could do was just cry.
    While the tears were falling, he was recalling
    The answers he never found
    So he hopped on a freighter, skidded the ocean
    And left England without a sound.

    Now he lives in the islands, fishes the pilin's
    And drinks his green label each day
    He's writing his memoirs and losing his hearing
    But he don't care what most people say.
    Through eighty-six years of perpetual motion
    If he likes you he'll smile then he'll say
    Jimmy, some of it's magic, some of it's tragic
    But I had a good life all the way.

    And he went to Paris looking for answers
    To questions that bother him so.

    1973 American Broadcasting Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
    All Rights Reserved

  12. Disc 2: - The Captain and the Kid
    THE CAPTAIN AND THE KID
    Jimmy Buffett

    I never use to miss the chance
    to climb upon his knee and listen
    to the many tales of life upon the sea.

    We'd go sailing back on barkentines and
    talk of things he did, tomorrow just a
    day away for the Captain and the Kid.

    His world had gone from sailing ships
    to raking mom's back yard;
    he never could adjust to land although
    he tried so hard.

    We both were growing older then and
    wiser with our years;
    that's when I came to understand
    the course his heart still steers.

    He died about a month ago
    while winter filled the air,
    and though I cried, I was so proud
    to love a man so rare.

    He's somewhere on the ocean now,
    the place he ought to be;
    with one hand on the starboard rail,
    he's waving back at me.
    For the Captain and this kid.

  13. Disc 2: - A Pirate Looks at Forty
    PIRATE LOOKS AT FORTY
    Jimmy Buffett

    Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call,
    Wanted to sail upon your waters
    since I was three feet tall.
    You've seen it all, you've seen it all.

    Watch the men who rode you,
    Switch from sails to steam.
    And in your belly you hold the treasure
    that few have ever seen, most of them dreams,
    Most of them dreams.

    Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years too late.
    The cannons don't thunder there's nothin' to plunder
    I'm an over forty victim of fate
    Arriving too late, arriving too late.

    I've done a bit of smugglin'
    I've run my share of grass.
    I made enough money to buy Miami,
    But I pissed it away so fast,
    Never meant to last, never meant to last.

    I have been drunk now for over two weeks,
    I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks,
    But I've got to stop wishin',
    Got to go fishin', I'm down to rock bottom again.
    Just a few friends, just a few friends.

    Instrumental

    I go for younger women, lived with several awhile
    And though I ran away, they'll come back one day.
    And still could manage a smile
    It just takes awhile, just takes awhile.

    Mother, mother ocean, after all these years I've found
    My occupational hazard being my occupations
    just not around.
    I feel like I've drowned,
    Gonna head uptown.

  14. Disc 2: - Tampico Trauma
    TAMPICO TRAUMA

    I must look a mess I must admit
    But I have been traveling quite a bit
    South of the border
    where the law and order
    Is kept by Federales who just grin
    And tell you they just want to be your friend
    They tell you they just want to be your friend
    I left for Tampico last July
    I jumped off that boat I almost died

    There to greet us were pretty senioritas
    I swore that I would not go home them
    All those lovely ladies were my friends
    All those sweet chiquitas they don't pretend
    Como esta, Senorita?

    That is all I really want to say
    I was thrown out of the country yesterday
    You see I was drinkin' doubles
    Causin' lots of trouble
    When the man looked in the window of the bar and he grinned
    And said if you come back we just may not be your friend
    I don't want to see you around here again
    You come back next time we may not pretend
    Hi Dee Ho Boys!

  15. Disc 2: - Morris' Nightmare
    Morris' Nightmare

    Down in the islands where the happy folks stay
    Everybody do what Bwana Jim say
    He say its ok, it's ok

    You can do what you wanna
    Do what you like
    Twist a big ol' number
    Ride a motorbike
    It's alright, It's alright

    Dance to the drum
    Drink a lot of rum
    Love till you come to a stop

    Swing like a monkey in a coconut tree
    Sing like the dolphins in the deep blue sea
    Sing it's alright, it's alright

    "How does Fred Neil do it? Come on Jay Spell"

    You know people in the city got nowhere to go
    They used to go to bars now they go to Discos
    No, no, no disco (uh-uh, no)

    They never see the sun
    They hardly see the moon
    They barely see the ground 'til the snow melts in June
    Uptight, It's out of sight

    So they save a little money
    Take a little trip
    They only see the islands from a tacky cruise ship

    Buy a little liquor
    Buy some sea shells
    Husband tries to sleep
    Wife just yells
    Morris, you can sleep when you get home

    Down in the islands where the happy folks stay
    Everybody do what Biwana man say
    He say its ok, it's ok

    It's alright, it's alright
    Do what you wanna, do what you like

  16. Disc 2: - Dixie Diner
    Dixie Diner

    "yeah, yeah, yeah. wooo. we're going to take you up that Mississippi river
    Now one time. yeah one time. up to an old favorite town of mine where i
    Visit now and then just for one special reason, that's good eatin'. 'cause
    I know a place on Tillman St. between ***** and ***** that can't be beat.
    Emma Mae been cookin' there for forty-eight years and she ain't missed a
    Lick yet baby. she's got hot sweet potatoes and cracklin' bread. ooh. and
    Mulligan stew to turn Jimmy Buffett's head. woo, black-eyed peas and them
    Good ol' collard greens, wooo. you know...
    You know what...

    What? That nothin' could be finer than to sit down and eat'n at the dixie diner."

    "Alright Miami give it up. rock and roll on a Monday night."

    "Help this skinny boy out. we've got two more days."

    "Good rockin' tonight."

    "I hear you professor."

    "Thank you, thank you very much. God bless you. you're still the greatest.
    We love ya."

  17. Disc 2: - Why Don't We Get Drunk (And Screw)
    WHY DON'T WE GET DRUNK
    Jimmy Buffett

    I really do appreciate the fact you're sittin' here
    Your voice sounds so wonderful
    But your face don't look too clear
    So, Barmaid, bring a pitcher, another round of brew
    Honey, why don't we get drunk and screw.

    (Chorus)
    Why don't we get drunk and screw
    I just bought a waterbed filled up for me and you
    They say you are a snuff queen, Honey, I don't think that's true
    So, why don't we get drunk and screw.
    (Instrumental)
    (Repeat chorus)

    1973 Let There Be Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
    All Rights Reserved

  18. Disc: 1 - Havana Daydreamin'
    HAVANA DAYDREAMIN'
    Jimmy Buffett

    Stashed his trash in Ecuador, bought a good suit of clothes.
    Flew on up to Mexico, standin' by the shore.
    Waiting for some mystery man, to pay him for his time.
    Thinkin' about all the money he made,
    couldn't help to ease his mind
    Havana daydreamin' oh he's just dreamin' his life away.

    Daddy shucked that sugar cane,
    One day he fell dead.
    Jesus had a wanderin' feelin'
    Swimmin around in his head.
    Sailin' on a midnight boat,
    There were no questions asked,
    Water's so green and the air was so clean
    That he stuck right to his task, Havana daydreamin',
    Oh he's just schemin', his life away.

    Ceilin' fan stirs the air
    Cigar smoke did swirl,
    A fragrance on the pillow case
    And he thinks about the girl.
    Spillin' wine wine and sharin' good times
    She sure could make him smile.
    He pays her well but what the hell
    He'll be movin' in a little while, Havana daydreamin',
    Havana daydreamin'
    Oh he'll be dreamin' his life away.

  19. Disc 2: - God's Own Drunk
    GOD'S OWN DRUNK
    By: Lord Buckley

    Well, like to explain to you all before,
    I ain't no drinkin' man
    I tried it once and it got me highly irregular
    And I swore I'd never do it again
    I promised my brother in-law that I'd go up watch his still
    While he went in to town to vote
    It was right up on the mountain
    where the map said it would be
    Friends let me tell you one thing,
    tho it wasn't no ordinary still
    It stood up on that mountainside
    like a hugh golden opal
    God's yeller moon shinin' on the cool clear evenin'
    God's little lanterns twinklin' on and off in the heavens
    Like I explain'd to you once before I ain't no drinkin' man
    But temptation got the best of me
    And I took a slash
    That yella whiskey runnin' down my throat
    like honey dew vine water
    And I took another slash,
    Took another'n an another'n an another'n
    For you knew I'd downed one whole jug of that shit
    and commenced to gettin' hot flashes
    Goose pimples was runnin' up and down my body
    And a feelin' came over me
    like somethin' I'd never experienced before
    It was like, like I was in love
    In love for the first time, with anything that moved
    Animate, inanimate it didn't matter
    It's like there's a great neon sign flashin' on an' off
    in my brain sayin' "Jimmy Buffett there's a great day a comin'"
    `Cause I was drunk
    I wasn't knee crawlin', slip slidin', Reggie Youngin'
    Commode huggin' drunk
    I was God's own drunk and a fearless man
    And that's when I first saw the bear
    He was a Kodiak lookin' fella `bout nineteen feet tall
    He rambled up over the hill
    expectin' me to do one of two things,
    Flip or fly, I didn't do either one
    It hung him up
    He started sniffin' around my body tryin' to smell fear
    But he ain't gonna smell no fear `cause
    I'm God's own drunk and a fearless man
    It hung him up
    He looked right in my eyes, and my eyes
    was a lot redder than his was
    It hung him up
    So I approached him, I said "Mr. Bear, I love
    every hair on your twenty-seven acre body
    I know you got a lot of friends over there
    on the other side of the hill
    There's ole' rare bear, tall bear, Freddy bear, Kelly bear
    Really bear, smelly the bear, smokey the bear,
    pokey the bear
    I want you to go back over there tonight
    And tell them I'm feelin' right
    You tell them I love each and everyone of them
    like a brother and a sister
    But if they give me any trouble tonight
    I'm gonna run every God damn one of them off the hill"
    He took two steps backwards and didn't know what to think
    Neither did I but bein' charitable and cautious
    Well hell I approached him again
    I said "Mr. Bear, You know in the eyes of the Lord
    we're both beasts when it comes right down to it
    So I want you to be my buddy, Buddy bear"
    So I took ole' buddy bear by his island size paw
    and I led him over to the still
    He's a sniffin' around that thing cause
    he's smellin' somethin' good
    I gave him one of them jugs of honey dew vine water
    He downed it up right
    Looked like one of them damn bears in the circus
    Sippin' sasparilly in the moonlight
    I gave him another'n an another'n an another'n
    For I knew it he downed eight of them
    and commenced to doin' the bear dance
    Two snips, a snort, a fly turn, and a grunt
    It was so simple like the jitter bug
    It plum evaded me
    We worked ourselves into a tumultuous uproar
    And I was awful tired and went over to the hillside
    and I laid down and went to sleep
    Slept for four hours and dreampt me some tremulous dreams
    When I woke up, there was God's yeller moon
    shinin' on the clear cool evenin'
    God's little lanterns twinklin' on and off
    in the heavens
    My buddy the bear was a missin'
    Want to know something else friends and neighbors
    So was that still