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Tropical Troubadour - Lyrics
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Tropical Troubadour - Lyrics
I finally got to Key West for the first time in November 2003. It was a near-religious experience. Despite living in some rather lovely country in northern California, I came very close to ditching my life and staying in the Keys.
I ran away; I wanted to play; my temper was too short At the end of Route 1 I went searching for fun down at that Last Resort Sitting on some beach, or in the bar at the Reach or biking down Duval Watching Conch ladies go a little bit crazy On the Friday Night Crawl When I got back home, my head started aching I couldn't sleep, and my hands started shaking CHORUS: I've got that Key West Habit I've got a tropical jones The song of the ocean sets that longing in motion deep within my bones I've got that Key West habit A tropical jones Pirate's Punch, Cuban sandwich for lunch; how I miss it all Tossing and turning, feeling that yearning; I'm going through withdrawal Under attack by this monkey on my back; this itch is more than I can stand I'm wearing tropical shirts as the weather's gets worse, Dreaming I'm back on that island Those Buffett songs are calling me; I think I know what's wrong with me REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE Doctor, Doctor, what do you say? Am I going crazy, or am I okay? Doctor tells me I'll be better soon He'll meet me at the bar in Captain Tony's Saloon FINAL CHORUS We've got that Key West Habit We've got a tropical jones The song of the ocean sets that longing in motion deep within our bones We've got that Key West habit A tropical jones We've got that Key West habit A tropical jones
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I don't know very many people who would turn down the opportunity to give up their Day Job if they didn't need the money. I'm thankful for having a good one at this time, but if I didn't need to come up with money to pay the bills...
Just got my paycheck; didn't get the raise My cube farm harvest has left a bitter taste Steely-eyed boss-man, stinking of gin Keeps me in meetings that just don't make much sense I'd like to let his wife know about that girl in Accounting Seems she gives his wedding picture a special kind of mounting CHORUS: Can I give it up yet? I think I'd like to retire Empty my desk and build a great big fire Can I give it up yet? I want to kiss it goodbye Enjoy parasol drinks and a tropical sky Can I give it up yet? Ain't no "rush" in "Rush Hour;" I'm going nowhere fast Creeping down this freeway watching bicycles blow past Brand new Beemer just cut off that Prism I'd like to fix his blinkers, then show him how to use 'em If I didn't need the money I'd be walking by the Bay Making plans for another lazy day REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE: All the long faces on the long drive home Something in common, it seems When it comes right down to it, I think they'd all like to do it Sing this song of freedom, sailing toward their dreams REPEAT CHORUS 2x
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The idea for this song started with that one mental image of a beer glass with drink parasol in it; the story sort of wrote itself from there.
The temperature is falling and the roads are slick with ice I drove down to the bar despite the weatherman's advice It's way too cold to stay at home Especially when I'm all alone So I'll nurse my drink and dream of paradise. CHORUS I see that little parasol Standing on its toothpick tall Taunting me with tropical ideas Waitress, bring another round I'm the new lost soul in town Don't forget that little parasol just stick it in my beer I just moved in the other day, about three miles down the road My stuff is all in boxes, stacked up in my new abode. The toilet leaks, the furnace died It smells like soggy dog inside I froze my California dreaming soul. REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE I don't know why we had the fight Don't think it matters who was right It's just a rotten time of year To move to Northwest Nowhere in the night REPEAT CHORUS
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(L. Davidson/K. Klover)
This song has been through multiple incarnations. I never could get it the way I wanted, but the title (from "Romancing the Stone") has always been something I wanted to explore musically. Roberta (my producer) said it needed to be more Celtic. I contacted Kristoph Klover, of Avalon Rising and Broceliade and a bunch of other musical endeavors, we sat down with a six-pack of microbrew, and came up with most of this song. I'm always honored and flattered when Kristoph is willing to work with me on a project.
Jeff, our pennywhistle player, really took this song to a whole new place.
He grew up on stories of dragons and maidens Romances that transcended time Entrancing a lover with sweet serenading And loves who read each other's minds And all that he wanted was one special someone To share all the joys of his life And passionate nights CHORUS: And he still believes in moonlight and roses Following daydreams and love songs He's a hopeful romantic, living his story Still searching for happily ever after She was tired of bar scenes and Internet dating Of playing those sad social games Of chat rooms and mixers and six-person dinners And suitors who weren't what they claimed And all that she wanted was one special someone Sensitive, strong, and sincere To enrich all her years CHORUS: But she still believes in moonlight and roses Candlelit dinners and love songs She's a hopeful romantic, living his story Still searching for happily ever after BRIDGE He dreams of slaying a monster and setting a damsel free She hopes for a hero who'll stay They met at a party; they moved in together They seem to be happy so far Sometimes she complains that he's too much the dreamer He's afraid that he can't reach her heart And every new day's an adventure together As they both learn what it means To live storybook dreams CHORUS: For they still believe in moonlight and roses White picket fences and love songs They're hopeful romantics, living their story Still working toward happily ever after
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I've known some rather special ladies in my life. This song is part of my way of saying "thank you for sharing part of your life with me" to one particular one.
INTRO She's an angel in the morning and a devil at night I love her once; I love her twice Bright hair haloed 'round her face Heavenly eyes and a dancer's grace I find little love notes packed with my lunch I've counted my blessings more than once I must have done something to deserve this reward She's good enough to be true, but she's so much more. CHORUS: She's an angel in the morning and a devil at night She's sweetness and spice, naughty and nice She's an angel in the morning and a devil at night I love her once; I love her twice Tousled hair and knowing smile Tempting me to linger for a while Her eyes say "I want you;" I check the time We just might make it; I'd be a little behind I feel her passion, her secret fire Enjoying the warmth of her desire REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE: So many faces to discover So many things she does so well Some kind of magic in her fingers Wrapping me inside her spell REPEAT CHORUS 2x & end
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Some songs require many drafts and a lot of work; this one didn't. When I lived in southern California, many years ago, I ended up going on a number of "Wednesday Night Beer Races" out of Channel Islands Harbor. These were my first sailing experiences, and I had a lot of fun. This song isn't about any particular race, but I think it captures the feel of many of them. It's also the first time I've successfully merged a Celtic-style riff with boats and beer.
The Wednesday workday's dragging; seems like it never ends At 6:00 I head down to the dock to meet my friends We change into our sailing clothes, stow the beer on board Slip the lines and set the sails; it's time to journey forth CHORUS: And we don't care if it's cold or hot And it don't matter if it's blowing or not We'll set sail for the sunset, open up a brew It's the Wednesday Night Regatta, out on the ocean blue It was me and Phil and Cap'n Bob, Jennifer and Lou And two guys from the parking lot, because they brought more brew We laugh and wave at all our friends as we tack before the start And when we hear that horn blow, we'll be hell-bent for the mark REPEAT CHORUS We cinch the sheets up tighter as we point into the wind And Cap'n Bob says, "Bottoms up; it's time to tack again!" The taste of beer and salt spray makes me glad I'm on the sea And for a couple hours, I'm pretending that I'm free REPEAT CHORUS The spinnakers were flying as we rode the breezes home We lost to Dove and Winsome, cutting knifelike through the foam We tied up at the dock, stowed the sails and drank a toast Because it's not the winning, but the sailing we love most REPEAT CHORUS
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This one is a true story, I swear to God.
I was out at a bar one night, on the dance floor by myself. I said hi to a pretty young lady next to me; she smiled and wrapped her arms around me in that amiable yet unsteady manner of someone who has consumed just a few too many tequila fanny-bangers. I introduced myself; she turned to a guy standing next to us. He was swaying a bit and grinning like Jack Nicholson on a first date. She said to me, "I wanna introduce you to my new boyfriend." "New boyfriend?" I replied. "How long have you known each other?" "Two hours." I can't make up stuff this good.
The music was loud in the heart of the crowd I felt someone clutching my arm She smiled and she giggled with a half-drunken wiggle Full of rum and feminine charm And I said, "How you feeling this magical evening?" My arms helped her stay on her feet She said, "It's so lovely to finally know you And there's someone that I want you to meet." CHORUS: She said, "He's my two-hour boyfriend We just got together tonight And we may not know what we're doing But I know it'll be all right." He was young and unsteady, and a little bit heady Smiling like he'd won a new car He gave no resistance when I offered assistance Propping him up at the bar He said he'd been dancing, but nothing real fancy, when This woman started moving against him He leaned over close while his eyes tried to focus Like a man stumbling in from confession CHORUS: He said, "I'm her two-hour boyfriend " Well, I looked at her and then I looked at him And thought about giving them warning They'll be so surprised when they open their eyes In the same bed in the morning And I couldn't help thinking, because I'd been drinking And because I'd enjoyed holding her How things might be different if I'd met this young lady Just a couple of hours earlier CHORUS: 'Cause then I might have been her two-hour boyfriend Just getting together tonight
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(J. Buffett/W. Jennings/M. Utley)
This has always been one of my favorite Buffett songs. I hope you like what we've done with it. And when I look up at the wintertime sky, I smile to see the Jolly Mon looking back at me.
There is a tale that the island people tell Don't care if it is true, 'cause I love it so well. Jolly Mon sing for his supper every night People fed him well, 'cause he treated them so right CHORUS Wo-wo-wo-wo Jolly Mon Sing! Wo-wo-wo-wo make the music ring! He always used to play round the islands, near and far He always found his way by Orion Lucky Star He'd tell them of their joys, tell them of their woes They'd love to see him come and they'd hate to see him go Wo-wo-wo-wo Jolly Mon Sing! Wo-wo-wo-wo make Orion ring! He was making his way home on a dark and stormy night When he heard a cry for help, and he saw a flashing light When he reached the other boat and offered them a hand They said, "Give us all your cargo!" as they took a pirate stand Wo-wo-wo-wo Jolly Mon Sing! Wo-wo-wo-wo give them everything! Jolly Mon, it's over; 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 aboard and don't let go!" Wo-wo-wo-wo Jolly Mon Sing! Wo-wo-wo-wo give them everything! The night was filled with magic; they bid the sea goodbye They swam up in the heavens and they stayed up in the sky And all the island people, when they wish upon a star See the Dolphin and the Jolly Mon, to show them where they are. Wo-wo-wo-wo Jolly Mon Sing! Wo-wo-wo-wo make the heavens ring! Wo-wo-wo-wo Jolly Mon Sing! Wo-wo-wo-wo make the magic ring!
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Daytime talk shows, people having affairs with close relatives, ah, the joys of American life! From Springer to Williams to Rivera, the old Roman arenas have found a new idiom in our culture. And how could I resist the artistic challenge?
Didn't feel like working, so I stayed at home Did some channel surfing, on the sofa alone I watched Bobby Flay make a chocolate souffle Animal Planet and Our Nation Today CMT, Game Show TV, and VH1 I watched more Gunsmoke reruns than I care to tell Then I tuned into a scene from some Technicolor Hell A woman in a too-tight leopard-print skirt Called her husband a fairy and his boyfriend a jerk And her sister's lover's mother started to yell CHORUS I saw in-laws, outlaws, troubles galore Debutantes wrestling right on the floor Screaming at the top of their lungs; it's a White Trash Opera I saw heroes, villains, lovers and losers Trailer-park queens and substance abusers Everybody's singin' the blues in this White Trash Opera Then a man in a suit, wearing a too-wide grin Was hit by a folding stage chair right on his chin He chased a cross-dressing hooker OD'd on liposuction With a DVD called "Weapons of Ass Destruction" A woman in the third row said, "You're goin' to Hell for your sins!" REPEAT CHORUS They've got in-laws, outlaws, troubles galore BRIDGE So I answered their ad, something I had to do I'll be appearing tomorrow, and maybe calling on you REPEAT CHORUS We'll be with in-laws Everybody's singing the blues in this White Trash Opera
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This one is dedicated to someone whom I shared many sunsets with, over a nine year period. You know who you are.
We watched Divine reflections in an iridescent sky We drove from day to nighttime through a magic countryside Pastels turned to scarlet quiltwork, then to starry night We shared our wonder at the fading light CHORUS: Now I'm on my way with bright fire in the sky around me Awestruck, just the way you found me Many years ago Sunsets on the Road When you left last winter, it was foggy, cold and grey I drove alone, the colors seemed to all be drained away Veils of dreary monochrome, sorrow stretching miles I couldn't see the sunsets, or your smile REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE Brilliant, blazing colors in the sky I still see the sparkle of your eyes I finally found the sunset in the Keys at Mallory Square With fire eaters dancing, and calypso in the air The cosmic dance of day and night will never cease its show The empty place you left heals in its glow REPEAT CHORUS OUTRO: Brilliant, blazing colors in the sky Sunsets on the Road I still see the sparkle of your eyes In Sunsets on the Road
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