My ‘Jimmy Buffett’ lifestyle
By: J. David Chapman/September 8, 2023
Jimmy Buffett was more than just a singer-songwriter to me. He was a lifestyle, a philosophy, a way of looking at the world. I was first exposed to Jimmy Buffett while stationed at Homestead Air Force Baase, just on the entry to the Florida Keys. We shared a love of boats, airplanes and people. His music has been a soundtrack for my life, and it has taught me many valuable lessons along the way. Much to the chagrin of my students, I play Jimmy Buffett music before every UCO real estate class. It changes my attitude and prepares me for the day.
One of the first things I learned from Jimmy Buffett is to embrace the simple pleasures of life. Whether it’s a “cheeseburger in paradise,” “a pencil thin mustache,” or “a boat drink,” he knew how to enjoy the little things that make life worth living. He also reminds me to not take life too seriously and to laugh at myself and my mistakes. As he sings in Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”
Another thing I learned from Jimmy Buffett is to follow my dreams and passions, no matter how crazy they may seem. He went from being a struggling musician in Nashville to becoming a billionaire entrepreneur with his own empire of restaurants, resorts and radio stations. He did it by staying true to his vision and his voice and by creating his own genre of music. He also inspires me to explore new places and cultures, and to seek adventure and wonder in every corner of the world. As he sings in One Particular Harbor, “There’s one particular harbor / So far yet so near / Where I see the days as they fade away / And finally disappear.”
The most important thing I learned from Jimmy Buffett is to appreciate the people I love and the moments we share. He sang about friendship, family and romance, such as Come Monday, Son of a Son of a Sailor, and He Went to Paris. He also created community with fans he referred to as “Parrotheads.”
Thank you, Jimmy Buffett, for living your life like a song till the very last breath. You will be missed beyond measure by so many.
J. David Chapman is a professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).