Pirate Looks at Forty

Jimmy Buffett

About Pirate Looks at Forty

"A Pirate Looks at Forty" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1974 album A1A and "Presents to Send You" is the B-side of the single. Buffett wrote the song about Phillip Clark, at the Chart Room where Buffett first performed after his move to Key West, Florida. The song contains the bittersweet confession of a modern-day, washed-up drug smuggler as he looks back on the first 40 years of his life, expresses lament that his preferred vocation of piracy on the high seas was long gone by the time he was born, and ponders his future. For radio play, the song was shortened by deleting the fourth verse for the single release. The song is one of Buffett's more popular, and is part of "The Big 8" that he has played at almost all of his concerts, and always during the second set. more »

Year:: 2004
: 4:59
: 526 Views
Playlists:: #3

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Jimmy Buffett

James William "Jimmy" Buffett (born December 25, 1946) is an American singer–songwriter, author, and businessman. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett has recorded hit songs including "Margaritaville" (ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of "Songs of the Century") and "Come Monday". He has a devoted base of fans known as "Parrotheads". more »

9 fans

Genre »

Classical, Folk, World, & Country, Rock

Style »

Classic Rock, Country Rock

11 facts about this song

Song Theme "A Pirate Looks at Forty" is one of Jimmy Buffett's most popular songs. It expresses the lamentations of an aging oceanic pirate on his momentous 40th birthday.
Album Information The song was included in Buffett's 1974 album titled "A1A." This album marked a major turning point in the singer's career where he started building his unique blend of country and coastal music.
Song Inspiration Buffett has often mentioned that "A Pirate Looks at Forty" was inspired by a friend named Captain Tony Tarracino, who was a famous seafarer and bar owner in Key West, Florida, and who played a big part in Buffett's life.
Live Performances As of today, "Pirate Looks at Forty" continues to be a fan favorite, frequently being played at Jimmy Buffett’s live concerts and sometimes combined with some of his other hits like "Mother Ocean” in medley performances.
Cultural Impact This song has created a massive cultural impact, noticeably contributing to the beach-loving, carefree "Parrothead" subculture around Jimmy Buffett and his music.
Literary Connection "A Pirate Looks at Forty" is also an essay title in the collection "A Pirate Looks at Fifty" by Jimmy Buffett. It draws parallels between the song and the author's own life.
Influence The song has been covered by many famous artists, including Jack Johnson, which indicates its lasting influence on popular music.
Music Style "Pirate Looks at Forty" follows typical Buffett's style of storytelling with a blend of country, pop, and folk music, with its lyrics painting a vivid picture of a free-spirited, vagabond pirate lifestyle.
Critical Reception The song is critically acclaimed for its unique and introspective lyrics, as well as Buffett's laid-back performance style.
Song Length “A Pirate Looks at Forty” is 3 minutes, 52 seconds long, although live versions can often extend past this length.
Song Writing Buffett solely wrote the song reflecting his songwriting skills, especially in incorporating detailed narratives within the song's theme.

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"Pirate Looks at Forty Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 7 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6881006/Jimmy+Buffett/Pirate+Looks+at+Forty>.

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