Jamaica Mistaica
Jimmy Buffett
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Some folks say that I've got the perfect life Three swell kids, lots of toys and a lovely wife I fly, I sail, I throw caution to the wind Drift like a stratus cloud above the Caribbean But every now and then, the dragons come to call Just when you least expect it you'll be dodgin' cannonballs I've seen too much not to stay in touch With a world full of love and luck I've got a big suspicion 'bout ammunition I never forget to duck [Chorus:] Come back, come back back to Jamaica Don't chu know we made a big mistaica We'd be so sad if you told us good-bye And we promise not to shoot you out of the sky It was a beautiful day, the kind you want to toast We were tree top flyin' movin' west along the coast Then we landed in the water, just about my favorite thrill When some asshole started firing as we taxied to Negril Just about to lose my temper as I endeavored to explain We had only come for chicken we were not a ganja plane Well, you should have seen their faces when they finally realized We were not some coked up cowboy sporting guns and alibis [Chorus] They shot from the lighthouse, they shot from highway They shot from the top of the cliff, they had all gone haywire We're catchin' fire, and there wasn't even a spliff Well, the word got out all over the island Friends, strangers, they were all apologizin' Some thought me crazy foe being way too nice But it's just another shitty day in paradise [Chorus]
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Written by: JIM MAYER, JIMMY BUFFETT, PETER HAGEN MAYER, ROGER GUTH, RUSS KUNKEL
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
22 facts about this song
Release Date"Jamaica Mistaica" is a song by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from his 1996 album, "Banana Wind."
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Genre ClassificationThe song falls under the genre of Country and Gulf and Western, a genre that originated in southern Florida in the United States and fuses country, rock, folk, pop and Caribbean musical influences.
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Incident InspirationThe song was inspired by an incident that occurred in 1996 where Buffett’s seaplane, the Hemisphere Dancer, was shot at by Jamaican police because they suspected it was being used for drug smuggling.
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Personal InvolvementOnboard the seaplane during the incident were Buffett, U2's Bono, his family, and Island Records producer, Chris Blackwell. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the shooting incident.
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Wider SignificanceThe event is historically significant as it increased awareness about the misunderstandings and stereotypes associated with popular musicians like Buffett.
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Lyric ContextBuffett uses the lyrics of "Jamaica Mistaica" to humorously share his perspective of the incident that questioned the professionalism of the Jamaican police.
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Cultural ImpactDespite the incident, Buffett continues to have a strong relationship with the Caribbean, particularly with Jamaica. In fact, the song, though poking fun at the situation, contributes to his overall beach and island-themed discography.
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Live Performance"Jamaica Mistaica" is popular during Buffett’s live shows and is a favorite amongst fans often being accompanied by a story recounting the incident.
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Inclusion in Buffett's WorkApart from the song's album, "Banana Wind," it's also included in "Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays," a live album by Jimmy Buffett released in the year 1999.
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Influence on Other WorksThe Jamaica incident also inspired the title for a live DVD and CD, "Welcome to Fin City," which refers to the shooting incident by using a pun on the word "Fin," a part of a plane, underscoring Buffett's ability to take a potentially negative event and create something positive and entertaining from it.
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Artist Background"Jamaica Mistaica" is by Jimmy Buffett, a well-known American singer-songwriter popular for his "island escapism" lifestyle and music. His devoted fans are referred to as "parrotheads".
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Album DetailsThis song is from the album "Banana Wind," which was released in 1996. It is his 20th studio album.
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Song InspirationThe song was inspired by an incident that happened to Buffett and his seaplane, the Hemisphere Dancer, in Jamaica in 1996. Jamaican police mistook the plane for a drug trafficker's plane and fired at it.
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Impact of the IncidentNo one was injured in the incident, but it led to an international controversy between the United States and Jamaica. Buffett wrote "Jamaica Mistaica" as his response to the incident, blending humor with serious criticisms.
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Reggae Influence"Jamaica Mistaica" is an interesting mix of Buffett’s usual beachy, rock style with touches of reggae influence, reflecting the location that inspired the song.
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Impact on FansAfter the incident and release of the song, Buffett's fans often bring water guns to Buffett’s concerts and squirt each other during the song as a playful homage.
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Storytelling through SongLike many of Buffet's songs, "Jamaica Mistaica" tells a story. Buffett is widely appreciated for his storytelling ability which is very much alive in this song as he recounts the harrowing incident in a humorous way.
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Concert FavoriteDespite the serious incident that inspired the song, "Jamaica Mistaica" has become a fan favorite at concerts thanks to its catchy tune, vivid storytelling, and the playful tradition of the water gun fight that often accompanies the song.
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Features in Live AlbumA live version of "Jamaica Mistaica" can be found on Buffett's 2003 album "Live in Auburn, WA."
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Narration in the SongThe song starts with a spoken narration where Buffett sets up the story of the song, speaking about landing the airplane onto the water in Jamaica, which is then interrupted by gunfire, immediately grabbing the listener's attention.
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Humor ElementWhile describing the events, Buffett humorously refers to the shooters as "big shot" in the song, showcasing his typical sarcastic and jaunty style even in adverse circumstances.
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Use of Backup VocalsThe song employs backup vocals to enhance the reggae feel and adds to the cultural setting of the song. "Jamaica Mistaica" is noted for its musical complexity compared to some of Buffett's other work.
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Citation
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