Psychology Commons^™

Songs You Know By Heart: Alcohol, Promiscuous Sex, Drugs, And Escape In Jimmy Buffett’S Music, Eve M. Brank, Kathleen A. Fox, Victoria Kaspar

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Some researchers argue singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett’s lyrics focus on alcohol, promiscuous sex, and drugs, while others say Buffett’s music has changed since he sold out to corporate sponsorship. Results from a systematic coding of all 386 of his songs released since 1969 indicate Buffett’s music is more about escape and irony than deviant behaviors. Furthermore, lyric themes remain largely unaltered even through an increase in his popularity and corporate sponsorship.