Cheeseburger in Paradise - Jimmy Buffett (1978) 7/1021

On the "Great Songs of the '70s" menu today: a tasty little tune inspired by a real life incident.

Once upon a time, Jimmy Buffett was boating in the Caribbean when some rough weather disabled his boat.

He was forced to eat canned food and peanut butter for several days until he limped into port on the lovely island of Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands.

As he docked at the marina, Jimmy spotted a bar at the end of the pier and made a beeline for some real food: a "Cheeseburger in Paradise."

The song only made it to #32 on the Hot 100, but as I've said many times: chart position doesn't always reflect how "great" a song really is! This is a perfect case in point.

Trivia: Did you know that lyric sheets for the song indicate that Jimmy sings "Cheeseburger IS Paradise" at least twice in the song? It's tough to determine on the record, but word has it that he definitely sings it that way in concert.

There's also a misheard lyric in the song! In the second chorus, he sings, "a cheeseburger with MUENSTER'D be nice." Most people hear "MUSTARD." It makes sense...but it's wrong.

"Cheeseburger in Paradise:" a "Greatly Delicious Song of 1978."