MY VIEW
Music: 'Songs You Know By Heart' by Jimmy Buffet
Editor's note: Jimmy Buffett will perform Tuesday at the Waikiki Shell. Here's a review of a classic Buffett album, from the perspective of a music fan who wasn't even born when the album was released.
By Jeremy Castillo
Special to The Advertiser
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The Verdict: 
THE RATINGS 5 — Outstanding: Add it to your collection now. A must-have. 4 — Great: Buy it or rent it — definitely listen to it. 3 — Good: Worth listening to despite some flaws. 2 — Fair: Unless you're a fan of the group or singer, don't bother. 1 — Poor: Save your money (and your ears). |
Release: Oct. 28, 1985
Style: Country, rock
Rewind: "Cheeseburger In Paradise," "Margaritaville," "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes"
My take: Although he was born in Mississippi, Jimmy Buffett could just as easily have been from Hawai'i.
He performs concerts in Hawaiian-print T-shirts, always has a smile on his face and has made a career writing songs about such simple pleasures in life as sailing, beautiful women, and drinking beer and eating cheeseburgers on the beach.
"Songs You Know By Heart" was released in 1985, a year before I was born. Before this album's release, Buffett only had one actual hit, which made the idea of having a greatest-hits compilation seem unnecessary to him. After his record company shot down the idea of re-releasing the single under the title "Jimmy Buffett's Greatest Hit," Buffett observed the crowd during concerts to see which songs they were singing along to most — and, voilà, an album was born.
That one hit is, of course, "Margaritaville," the hallmark of his catalog. While the other songs are not as famous, they are just as good. "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" sums up the laid-back lifestyle we'd all love to have but few get to enjoy; "Why Don't We Get Drunk" needs no further discussion.
"Cheeseburger In Paradise" is my personal favorite on the CD. Buffett's ode to the classic American concoction is descriptive and catchy enough to make anybody want to rush out to their nearest fast-food joint to get their hands on one — even if you've read "Fast Food Nation" or seen "Super Size Me."
In the 20 years since this album's release, Buffett has recorded several new albums and released a two-disc greatest-hits album. However, fans unfamiliar with Buffett's music won't find a better place to start a collection of his music than this. Thirteen songs at a brisk running time of 43 minutes are the perfect amount. Much less would feel like you're getting short-changed, while much, maybe any, more would be overkill for newcomers.
The hardest thing to do with Buffet's music is label it. It's too laid-back to be considered rock and doesn't have the right feeling to be labeled folk or country, although that's what he's been pegged for years. I asked an employee at a record store what genre he thought the music fell under and he said, "Man, he's in his OWN genre." Works for me.
All the songs on this CD capture his famous laid-back, sometimes irreverent, attitude and aloof sense of humor, although being pegged as a country artist might be a deterrent for younger fans. Here in the Islands, I can't think of a better album to listen to on the drive to the beach than this.
Jeremy Castillo is a student at Windward Community College. Have a game or CD you want to review? Reach Island Life deputy editor Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com.
