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The Margaritaville
Dillema
by the KLC Staff
 For
some people, this classic Jimmy
Buffett song is the absolute embodyment
of all things island. For others,
the mere mention of the song sets
them to fits of anger and hysteria
at the anthem-like status it has
attained and the pseudo-island lifestyle
it represents. Whatever you think,
Margaritaville is closely associated
with the tropics, tequila drinks
and sunshine.
The song has the unique status
of being one of Jimmy Buffett's
few radio hits - ironic for a guy
who still sells out summer tours
year after year while the latest
radio bands come and go. At its
core, Margaritaville is a song about
escapism and acceptance of responsibility
- a guy running away from his problems
with a woman only to realize eventually
through the subtle changing of the
last line of each chorus that even
though "...some people claim
that there's a woman to blame I
know it's my own damn fault."
Over the years, however, it has
become the national anthem for legions
of Jimmy Buffett fans and the only
song non-fans seem to know. It has
spawned a whole lifestyle, restaurants,
and even a new tequila while being
the driving force behind many a
fan's pilgrimage to Key West (which
is often incorrectly identified
as 'Margaritaville.'
Certainly it has become the battle
cry of many a tacky tourist to the
tropics, causing many locals to
hate the song. It has also been
played so often and mentioned so
frequently as to become a cliche
of itself as well as the symbol
for all things "pseudo-tropical."
Yet for many, Buffett's music and
this song opened the door to a more
legitimate island experience and
to artists as diverse as Robert
Greenidge, Bob Marley and more.
Yes, it portrays an idealized verion
of reality, but perhaps it's meant
to be all about the dream of escapism
rather than the reality.
. . . . .
Love it? Hate it? Vote for it in
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Songs Poll!
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