Buffett began playing guitar during his first year at Auburn University before continuing his college years at Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He began his musical career in Nashville, Tennessee, during the late 1960s as a country artist and recorded his first album, the country-tinged folk rock record "Down to Earth" in 1970.
Moving to FLorida, Buffett's second release was 1973's A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean. Albums Living & Dying in 3/4 Time and A1A both followed in 1974, Havana Daydreamin' appeared in 1976, and Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes followed in 1977, which featured the breakthrough hit song "Margaritaville".
Buffett's album License to Chill, released on July 13, 2004, topped the U.S. pop albums chart for the first time in his career.
Buffett continued to tour regularly until shortly before his death, although later in his career, he shifted to a more relaxed schedule of around 20–30 dates, with infrequent back-to-back nights, preferring to play only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This schedule provided the title of his 1999 live album.
In August 2006, he released the album Take the Weather with You.
On April 20, 2010, a double CD of performances recorded during the 2008 and 2009 tours, called Encores, was released.
In 2020, Buffett released Songs You Don't Know by Heart, a fan-curated collection of his lesser-known songs rerecorded on his collection of notable guitars.
Illness and death:
In May 2023, Buffett was hospitalized to "address some issues that needed immediate attention" and rescheduled tour dates. In late August, he entered hospice care and had a final meeting with family and friends, in which his last words to his sister were "have fun". Buffett died on September 1, 2023, age 76, at his home in Sag Harbor, New York, due to complications from Merkel-cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer, with which he had been diagnosed four years earlier. He was surrounded by his family, friends, music, and dogs at the time of his death.
Happy Xmas
Jimmy Buffett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
The lyrics of Jimmy Buffett's song "Happy Xmas" reflect the essence of the Christmas season, that it's a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year. The opening line, "So this is Christmas and what have you done, Another year over, a new one just begun," signifies that the holiday season is a time for introspection and taking stock of our lives. The singer then goes on to wish that the listener has fun during the holiday season, with their loved ones, whether they are old or young, rich or poor.
The song's message is one of hope and unity, which is especially poignant with the lyrics, "And so happy Christmas for black and for white, For the yellow and red ones, let's stop all the fights." The singer implores the listener to put aside their differences and celebrate the season together, wishing for a peaceful and fear-free future. It's a reminder that Christmas is not only a time for receiving gifts but also for spreading love and happiness to others.
Overall, the lyrics of "Happy Xmas" carry a strong message of hope for a brighter future, unity among people of different races and backgrounds, and a joyous celebration of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas and what have you done,
Acknowledging Christmas, the question posed is what contribution one has made in the past year and what new beginnings lie ahead.
Another year over, a new one just begun.
Stating the fact that a new year has begun, while reflecting on the ending of the previous year.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
Wishing joy to all, to those close and far, young and old, for happy celebrations.
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
Describing people who are valuable and loved, irrespective of age or proximity.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Extending warm wishes for Christmas and New Year.
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
Expressing the hope that the upcoming year may be a joyous and fret less one.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
Portraying Christmas, as a celebration for all kinds of people, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses.
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
Infering that the road of life is long, which includes both rich and poor people.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
Wishing a joyous festival to people of all races, Black and White and all others.
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
Calling for harmony among people from different nationalities and races.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
A call to fight against wars and embrace peace in life, as it's in one's control.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josephhenderson5800
Somewhere in heaven, Jimmy Buffett and John Lennon are performing this song in a duet
R.I.P. to Both
@AndrewBrown-tv9tl
RIP Jimmy and thank you for this awesome version!
@danielbuchanan7058
Merry Christmas. RIP Margarita Man❤❤
@patrickmichael3384
My FAV cover of Happy Xmas (best song Lennon EVER wrote) suddenly just got harder and harder for me to listen to this and every other Christmas after this. Miss ya, Jimmy. I always will.
@heidizumbrunnen7561