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.
Only Time Will Tell
Jimmy Buffett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keys and locks are destined to be busted
Metaphors were never made for keeping score
And I'm feeling for the sound of time
Is it the answer or just a suggestion
Is love what we truly want or merely a protection
Is this music made to last or crumble like a shell
(Chorus):
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong
Only time will tell, is there a message in this song?
Will it eve make sense, will it ever ring a bell?
Only time will tell.
Are we destined to be ruled by a bunch of old white men
Who compare the world to football and are programmed to defend
I'd like to try a princess or a non-terrestrial
Who is neither boat nor bashful
Is there really such a girl
Chorus
Only time will tell,....
I woke up this morning feeling absolutely grand
For nearly half a century I've been singing in a band
I'd like to think Ill make it to two thousand and one
Will the party be at my house?
God, I wonder who will come...
The lyrics to Jimmy Buffett's song Only Time Will Tell can be interpreted as a reflection on the unreliable nature of time and the uncertainty of life's many questions, including love, music, heaven, and earth. Scales and clocks can't be trusted, and keys and locks are destined to fail. Metaphors cannot keep score or provide definite answers to life's biggest questions. The singer is searching for the sound of time, hoping to find some kind of answer or guidance.
The singer questions whether love is a genuine desire or simply a form of protection, and whether music will last or crumble like a shell. They ask whether heaven exists on earth, or if this is, in fact, hell. The chorus repeats the phrase "Only time will tell," emphasizing the idea that answers to these questions cannot be found in the present but can only be revealed in the future.
The final verse shifts towards a political tone, as the singer questions whether society is destined to be ruled by a certain group of individuals, and voices a desire for something different, like a princess or a non-terrestrial. The chorus is repeated, further emphasizing the idea that only time will reveal whether or not these desires will be fulfilled.
Overall, the song's lyrics suggest that life is full of uncertainties and that many questions may only be answered with time.
Line by Line Meaning
Scales and clocks just can't be trusted
I can't rely on time or measurement to predict the future.
Keys and locks are destined to be busted
No amount of security can keep things safe forever.
Metaphors were never made for keeping score
Using figurative language can't accurately predict what will happen.
And I'm feeling for the sound of time
I'm trying to listen for clues about what will happen next.
Is it the answer or just a suggestion
I'm not sure if this is the solution or just a possible idea.
Is love what we truly want or merely a protection
I'm questioning whether love is a genuine desire or just a defense mechanism.
Is this music made to last or crumble like a shell
I'm unsure if my music will age well or fade over time.
Is there heaven here on earth or is this really hell?
I'm wondering if life is a beautiful paradise or a never-ending nightmare.
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong
I can't predict the future, so I have to wait to see if my predictions come true.
Only time will tell, is there a message in this song?
I hope my listeners can find meaning in my music, but only time will tell if they do.
Will it ever make sense, will it ever ring a bell?
I hope my music will eventually connect with people, but I can't force that to happen.
Are we destined to be ruled by a bunch of old white men
I'm examining power structures and questioning who holds the most influence in society.
Who compare the world to football and are programmed to defend
I'm criticizing those who place too much emphasis on sports and those who blindly follow authority.
I'd like to try a princess or a non-terrestrial
I'm open to the idea of exploring non-traditional relationships or looking beyond Earth.
Who is neither boat nor bashful
I'm seeking someone who is confident and independent.
I woke up this morning feeling absolutely grand
I'm feeling optimistic and full of energy.
For nearly half a century I've been singing in a band
I've dedicated my life to music and performing.
I'd like to think Ill make it to two thousand and one
I hope to live a long and fulfilling life.
Will the party be at my house?
I'm wondering if my success and longevity will lead to celebration.
God, I wonder who will come...
I'm curious about who will be a part of my life in the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM MAYER, JIMMY BUFFETT, PETER HAGEN MAYER, ROGER GUTH, RUSS KUNKEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind