Jimmy Buffett Albums Ranked

James William Buffett (born December 25, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, author, actor, and businessman. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an “island escapism” lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett has recorded hit songs including “Margaritaville” (ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of “Songs of the Century”) and “Come Monday”. He has a devoted base of fans known as “Parrotheads”. Aside from his career in music, Buffett is also a best-selling author and is involved in two restaurant chains named after two of his best-known songs; he owns the Margaritaville Cafe restaurant chain and co-developed the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain. Buffett is one of the world’s richest musicians, with a net worth of $550 million. Here are all of Jimmy Buffett’s albums ranked.

10. Down To Earth (1970)

“There is not a weak spot on this one. The Christian is the first track and a scathing hit out at Western religious hypocrisy. Ellis Dee (AKA: LSD) looks at the plight of a Black man down on his luck, again social commentary. The Missionary is related to the Christian, an indictment of the values an American missionary is preaching, while at home things are less than pretty”

9. License To Chill (2004)

“License to Chill is different from his last few ventures. Jimmy never sings a bad song. Pairing him with some of the strongest voices in County showcases his talents. He holds his own very well. This album reflects what Jimmy has become: a well-traveled, experienced musician.”

8. Volcano (1979)

“”Volcano” is the album to have!!!! To newer JB fans, this is a great start to a collection. It has so many great songs, and many of the songs we do know by heart! “Fins”, “Volcano”, and “Boat Drinks” are all staples of Buffett’s, but let’s not overlook “Treat her like a lady” and “Survive”( I Have heard this one in concert, amazing!!!), and “Sending the old man home”. For the Parakeets there is “Chanson Pour les Petits Enfants”, which has a very childlike quality to it. “

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7. Havana Daydreamin’ (1976)

“”Havana Daydreamin'” is widely regarded as Buffett’s “storytelling” album. Indeed, most of the songs have a ballad-feel to them and many of the tales Buffett tells are thought to be autobiographical. Fans of Buffett’s signature songs (Margarittaville, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Come Monday, Son of a Sailor, etc.) will most likely find familiarity in songs like “Woman Goin’ Crazy on Caroline Street,” “The Captain and the Kid,” “Defying Gravity,” and the title track “Havana Daydreamin’,” as they have a very standard Buffett feel to them. Other songs such as “Big Rig” and “Kick it in Second Wind” sound a little more 70s, almost like Buffett is trying his hand at the Allman Brothers/Steve Miller sound.”

6. Living And Dying In 3/4 Time (1974)

“This album represents Buffett’s art long before he attained the near-universal fame that he now enjoys. While I have enjoyed many of his more recent songs, I still hold that the quality of the cuts here remains unsurpassed. They do not even hint of the “beaches, boats and bars” themes that pervade the majority of Buffett’s later repertoire. The sound here is largely country/folk-rock and the themes are varied, perhaps the most persuasive focused on the travails of being an itinerant performer, as is evident in the still moving “Come Monday” and “Ringling.” Though this album is over thirty years old, it offers extraordinarily compelling lyrics and music. Check this out and meet the original Jimmy Buffett.”

5. Son Of A Son Of A Sailor (1978)

“These songs all tell a story both musically and lyrically. The title track that opens the album,along with perhaps “Coast Of Marseilles” and the closer “African Friend” are the only softer and acoustic sounding tracks that harken to what was done on the previous recording. There’s “Fool Button”,an underrated song with a strong funk/rock bent with a tight,gritty groove and typically jesting tale. The fierce rock and roller “Livingston Saturday Night” and the gospel/soul oriented “The Last Line” are additional highlights as well as the similarly jaunty combo of the two “Cheeseburger In Paradise”,where his wordplay could mean anything from an argument over dinner or the lag of success and performing-maybe both I am not him.”

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4. A White Sport Coat And A Pink Crustacean (1973)

“The album’s title shows the humor that courses throughout the album as it is a take off on the old Marty Robbins’ hit A White Sport Coat & A Pink Carnation. Mr. Buffett is a pre-eminate storyteller and the songs on the album sound like you could be sitting at a bar listening to him hold court. The album starts off with the hilarious “Great Filling Station Holdup” which tells of a small-time robbery gone wrong. “Railroad Lady” is a great country song that has been covered by Lefty Drizzel & Willie Nelson. “He Went To Paris” is a beautifully sad song while “Grapefruit (Juicy Fruit)” is a fun and goofy song. “Cuban Crime Of Passion” is one of his first songs to incorporate the Caribbean sounds that would become his signature sound.”

3. A1A (1974)

“This is a wonderful album of tracks that take you into the soul, places visited and experiences of the writer. This came out way before the whole “Parrothead” stuff came around. This album is true Jimmy Buffett. You get this feeling that these songs were not made for huge arenas but were made for listening while chilling and doing your own thing. Also, these songs sound more appropriate for a corner bar rather than a stadium holding 40,000 people. I would really like to see Jimmy Buffett get back to his “roots” and record an album like this again.”

2. Songs You Know By Heart (1985)

“How could anyone not like this album! This is one of the best albums of all time and Jimmy Buffett is one of the best singers. It has all of his greatest hits that will put you in the mood to be happy again.”

1. Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes (1977)

“This album is great with the original Margaritaville, Changes in attitudes, Changes in latitudes, but it is Banana Republics that makes it worth the buy. This is the only album with this song and it is outstanding! Should be on his greatest hits and the boxed set, but it wasn’t written by him. Still it is super song you can’t forget!!!! If you love Jimmy give Brent Burn’s new Cd “Livin’ The Life Jimmy Buffet Only wrote About” a try. A super album loaded with great new original songs like Jimmy did in the 70’s and 80’s.”