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Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett Lyrics


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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

Wastin' 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 I stayed here all season
Nothin' 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

Wastin' 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

Wastin' 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jimmy Buffett's song "Margaritaville" describe the life of a carefree, beach-loving man who spends his days in a state of permanent vacation in a tropical paradise. The song paints a vivid picture of him lounging on his front porch, strumming his guitar, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life, such as nibbling on sponge cake and watching the sun bake. He mentions the tourists who flock to the island, all covered in oil from the sun, and the smell of shrimp boiling nearby.


The chorus of the song chronicles his search for his lost shaker of salt, a symbol of the little things that are important to him in his nothing-to-do-but-relax lifestyle. While some people may blame a woman for his current state, he takes responsibility for his own choices and failures. He admits to having stayed in Margaritaville for the entire season, with nothing to show for it except for a brand new tattoo of a Mexican cutie.


The second verse of the song details a mishap he has, blowing out his flip flop and cutting his heel on a poptop. However, he remains undeterred, as there is always booze in the blender to make his favorite frozen concoction that helps him "hang on."


Line by Line Meaning

Nibbling on sponge cake, watching the sun bake
Leisurely relaxing under the sun, eating a snack, and enjoying a beautiful day.


All of those tourists covered with oil
Observing the behavior of visiting tourists who are sun tanning with excessive amounts of sunscreen lotion.


Strumming my six string, on my front porch swing
Playing his guitar and relaxing on his porch.


Smell those shrimp, they're beginning to boil
Noticing the aroma of shrimp being cooked nearby.


Wasting away again in Margaritaville
Losing track of time and responsibilities while living a carefree lifestyle.


Searching for my lost shaker of salt
Looking for something to add flavor and zest back into his life.


Some people claim that there's a woman to blame
Others try to assign fault for his choices and actions to external factors such as women.


But I know it's nobody's fault
Acknowledging that his choices are his own and taking responsibility for them.


Don't know the reason that I stayed here all season
Admitting uncertainty about why he has spent so much time in Margaritaville.


With nothing to show but this brand new tattoo
Having little to show for his time other than a permanent reminder of his carefree lifestyle.


But it's a real beauty, a Mexican cutie
Referring to his tattoo, stating that it looks good and recognizing the artistic ability of the Mexican tattoo artist.


How it got here I haven't a clue
Not remembering how he ended up getting the tattoo, suggesting he was drunk or under the influence.


Blew out my flip flop, stepped on a poptop
Ruining his flip-flops by stepping on a bottle cap from a soda or beer after a party.


Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home
Hurting his foot and deciding it's time to go back home and recover.


But there's booze in the blender
Deciding to mix some alcohol in a blender to help deal with the pain and stress.


And soon it will render, that frozen concoction that helps me hang on
Acknowledging the soothing and refreshing power of the frozen drink he’s about to make.


Now I think, hell it could be my fault
Realizing that he alone is responsible for the consequences of his actions.


Yes, some people claim that there's a woman to blame
Acknowledging that others continue to assign responsibility for his actions to women.


But I know it's my own damn fault
Stating that he is responsible for his own choices and mistakes.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jimmy Buffett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@shirleyjeffcoat7424

My heart still aches for the loss of Jimmy….so many wonderful memories of concerts and visiting Margaritavilles….my first stop in Vegas…Margaritaville

@antonioarzola4726

Un chingon

@allysonnewmans

Me too. It reminds me of the times my dad showed me love. I danced in the kitchen standing on his toes ( he was 6'7, and I was a little girl he didn't wanna hurt). Those were the happiest times in my childhood. My parents were alcoholics, and if my dad was listening to this when he came home, it was a good night. Jimmy Buffett spread peace and happiness with his songs- he is deeply missed! 💙

@edcpike

I’m heartbroken. I can’t believe my last Jimmy buffet concert was my last Jimmy Buffett concert. 🫧🦜✌🏽💕

@bethewalt7385

Well it is sad but none of us will live forever, he really had a big life, from running pot in cigarette boats in the Florida keys, to being a beloved troubadour to writing the single most profitable song known, Margaritaville, then died a billionaire with his family at his bedside, not a bad life

@edcpike

@@bethewalt7385 your right and I agree. But I’m selfish, I wanted him around a lot longer.

27 More Replies...

@EBrichardson

A True American Icon…You will be missed. Thank you for all your good vibes! Your music made all of us smile when we needed to.

@jefflawrence3846

Not only an American Icon,, FUCKING BRILLIANT For the rest of us as well

@andrewmullens9715

RIP to the Legendary Jimmy Buffet, A man who sung of the joys of Paradise, Cheesburgers, and a missing salt shaker. There won't ever be another one like you.

@alch8485

kanye

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