Jimmy Buffett celebrated throwback Thursday by sharing the lyrics to a languid song he released way back in 1976.
Without mentioning the name of the song, Buffett tweeted the lyrics to “Defying Gravity.” It’s a song from his album, “Havana Daydreamin.'”
“Defying Gravity” does sound like a hazy, lazy daydream of a song. Buffett sang “I don’t even know where we are. They tell me we’re circling a star. Well I’ll take their word, I don’t know. But I’m dizzy so it may be so.”
Maybe the guy in the song has enjoyed a few too many adult beverages. He’s trying to stay in that happy space of consciousness before real life slips in to spoil the buzz.
Buffett Never Released “Defying Gravity”
Buffett never released “Defying Gravity” as a single. He wrote most of the songs on the album.
But “Defying Gravity” was written by Jesse Winchester, one of Buffett’s good friends. Winchester was an interesting character. He was a singer who ended up in Canada after dodging the draft for the Vietnam War. However, President Jimmy Carter granted amnesty to draft evaders, allowing Winchester to return to the United States.
Winchester, who died in 2014, primarily was known as a songwriter. He wrote for a host of musical stars from pop to country. They included George Strait, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Lyle Lovett, the Everly Brothers, Joan Baez and Jerry Garcia.
Pandemic Allowed Singer to Focus On Past, Lesser Known Songs
Buffett has been on a nostalgia kick for much of the year. He said the Covid-19 quarantine allowed a lot of time for reflection. He turned that inward to think about his past work.
He’s lingered over his lesser known songs. Like “Defying Gravity.” He’s also asked his fans to suggest songs to include on an album collection.
“The interesting thing about being quarantined and not being out there running at full speed is to do this and look back on these songs. Because I forget I’ve been doing this for 45 years,” says Buffett, who will be 74 on Christmas Day. “I’ve written a lot of songs. And it’s kind of having a little vacation with my former self to play these songs.”
Last month, Buffett released 15 of his lesser-known tracks. The collection is called “Songs You Don’t Know By Heart.” Earlier, Buffett and his daughter, Delaney, released videos of Buffett playing the songs and telling the stories that inspired him.
“Defying Gravity” didn’t make the collection. But we have you covered. Here’s Jimmy Buffett singing it.