Son of a Son of a Sailor (song)
Encyclopedia
"Son of a Son of a Sailor" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett
. It's the opening track of the 1978 album of the same name. The song is a fan favorite, although it wasn't a concert staple until the 2005 Salty Piece of Land tour.
opened with an upbeat version of the song. The opening riff was extended about thirty seconds while introductions were being made. The line at the end of the song, "The seas in my veins, my tradition remains, I'm just glad I don't live in a trailer" was changed to "This cast
is no blast, but it's comin' off fast, and I feel like I'm pullin' a trailer". This is a reference to having a broken knee during his performance. Buffett also makes several references to his broken leg throughout the album.
chose to play this song on their only appearance on Saturday Night Live
. Actor Richard Dreyfuss
hosted the show on May 13, 1978. During the performance, Buffett's leg was still broken. He sat on a chair, while his casted-leg rested on a boat. This is the same rendition of the version that appears on You Had to Be There.
". After performing the final song, "Margaritaville
", the band leaves then returns (Buffett with a beer) and starts to play "Son of a Son of a Sailor". Live By the Bay was edited to make the song appear as an encore, but it was actually performed at the beginning of the show between "Door Number 3" and "Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit
".
was featured, the song was excluded from that album. However, a live version was included on the following live release Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. The performance was slowed down, having a much closer sound to the studio recording. While it's in the same key, the melody has changed somewhat. Nadirah Shakoor
sings the second half of the second verse. A couple of corners were cut, particularly the final chorus and outro. This is the version that Buffett continues to play, and is what the re-recording on Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
and the sound board live albums
sound like.
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
. It's the opening track of the 1978 album of the same name. The song is a fan favorite, although it wasn't a concert staple until the 2005 Salty Piece of Land tour.
Notable Live Performances
Although Buffett has excluded this song at many shows (especially in the mid and late 90s), it has gone through several changes during live performances.You Had to Be There (1978)
Buffett's first live album, You Had to Be ThereYou Had to Be There
You Had to Be There: Recorded Live is a live double album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in October 1978 as ABC AK-1008/2 and later re-released on ABC's successor label MCA...
opened with an upbeat version of the song. The opening riff was extended about thirty seconds while introductions were being made. The line at the end of the song, "The seas in my veins, my tradition remains, I'm just glad I don't live in a trailer" was changed to "This cast
Orthopedic cast
An orthopedic cast, body cast or surgical cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster, encasing a limb to hold a broken bone in place until healing is confirmed...
is no blast, but it's comin' off fast, and I feel like I'm pullin' a trailer". This is a reference to having a broken knee during his performance. Buffett also makes several references to his broken leg throughout the album.
Saturday Night Live Performance
Buffett and the Coral Reefers'Coral Reefer Band
The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Originally it was a fictional band consisting of the imaginary members Marvin Gardens, Kay Pasa, Al Vacado and Kitty Litter....
chose to play this song on their only appearance on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. Actor Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Stephen Dreyfuss is an American actor best known for starring in a number of film, television, and theater roles since the late 1960s, including the films American Graffiti, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Goodbye Girl, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, Stakeout, Always, What About...
hosted the show on May 13, 1978. During the performance, Buffett's leg was still broken. He sat on a chair, while his casted-leg rested on a boat. This is the same rendition of the version that appears on You Had to Be There.
Live By the Bay (1985)
Although the tracklisting doesn't include it, the first two verses of the song was included on the VHS Live By the Bay. This was also done with "Gypsies in the PalaceGypsies in the Palace
"Gypsies in the Palace" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1985 album Last Mango in Paris and was his first of three charting singles off that album...
". After performing the final song, "Margaritaville
Margaritaville
"Margaritaville" is a 1977 song by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. This song was written about a drink in Austin, Texas, and the first huge surge of tourists who descended on Key West almost two decades ago. He wrote...
", the band leaves then returns (Buffett with a beer) and starts to play "Son of a Son of a Sailor". Live By the Bay was edited to make the song appear as an encore, but it was actually performed at the beginning of the show between "Door Number 3" and "Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit
Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit
"Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean and was his third single from that album...
".
Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays (1999)
While the song was performed during the tour that his second live album Feeding FrenzyFeeding Frenzy: Jimmy Buffett Live!
Feeding Frenzy: Jimmy Buffett Live! is a live album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in October 1990 as MCA 10022...
was featured, the song was excluded from that album. However, a live version was included on the following live release Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. The performance was slowed down, having a much closer sound to the studio recording. While it's in the same key, the melody has changed somewhat. Nadirah Shakoor
Nadirah Shakoor
Nadirah Shakoor is an American vocalist, best known for her work in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, which she joined in 1995, and is still touring with it as the featured female vocalist. "Nod to the Storyteller" is Nadirah's tribute to Jimmy Buffett, who for the last 13 years has featured her...
sings the second half of the second verse. A couple of corners were cut, particularly the final chorus and outro. This is the version that Buffett continues to play, and is what the re-recording on Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection is a Jimmy Buffett greatest hits compilation album consisting of 2 compact discs and 38 songs. The album is notable for several newly recorded and updated versions of songs considered as classics in his repertoire...
and the sound board live albums
Jimmy Buffett sound board live albums
Jimmy Buffett sound board live albums are a series of live albums by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett recorded directly from the sound board without further editing thus resembling bootleg recordings...
sound like.