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It’s on the Coconut Telegraph

Communications, Philippine Culture / by

I admit it.  I’m a Parrothead.  Big time.

Oh wait… some of you are asking… what the heck is a “parrothead?”

Well, a Parrothead is a fan of Jimmy Buffett.  For the uninitiated, Jimmy Buffet is an American Singer.  His music is hard to categorize.  It is not quite rock.  It’s not quite country.  It’s somewhere in between the two.  Jimmy Buffett primarily sings island style music.  He is a man who loves the tropics.  He sails boats.  He flies a sea plane.  He parties a lot, or used to when he was younger.  A lot of Jimmy’s songs really sound a lot like the life that I lead here in the Philippines.  Songs about Coconuts.  Songs about the beach.  Songs about the ocean.  These are the things that surround me each and every day.  And, it would be rare that a day would pass that I don’t listen to some Jimmy Buffett music.  Usually, if I am in my office, I have some Buffett tunes playing in the background.  Sometimes, it’s a little more than just in the background too, admittedly.

In fact, there is one song that I consider as the “MindanaoBob Theme Song” which is “Far Side of the World” by Jimmy Buffett.  In Far Side of the World, Jimmy sings about spending his time on the “far side of the world” which, I suppose is where I am.  He sings:

Following my song line
Past bamboo shacks and shops
Behind a jitney packed like sardines,
With bananas piled on top.

I admit, though, when I sing it, I say “jeepney” instead of “jitney”.  So much of what Jimmy Buffett sings about rings true to my life here.

I have been a Jimmy Buffett fan for about 35 years now, since I was in high school.  I never dreamed at that time that I would end up living the life that Jimmy sings about, though.  I am glad that I do, though, because I have found that this is really the life for me.

Marvin Gaye told us about the Grapevine, Jimmy Buffett has his “Coconut Telegraph” which is much the same thing.  In the song Coconut Telegraph, Jimmy tells us about how the word can spread on the island:

Tuesday on the island
Not much goin’ on
The parties are all over
They ended just past dawn

The jungle drums are beating
With the tales from late last night
‘Cause stories bear repeating
For everyone’s delight

Chorus:
You can hear ’em on the coconut telegraph (telegraph)
Can’t keep nothin’ under their hat
You can hear ’em on the coconut telegraph (telegraph)
Sayin’ who did dis and dat
Dis and dat, Dis and dat

Now I’m not one to deal in gossip
But was he that big a fool
To do a belly-buster high dive
And miss the entire pool

And what became of sweet Melissa
And the boy nobody knew
Did Ricardo ever find her
I swear it’s just between me and you

Oh yes, it’s just between me an you! 😉  But, it’s true, we really do have a Coconut Telegraph here in the Philippines.  Even among fellow expats, we always hear all the gossip about the other expats!  I am just always happy that I am usually not mentioned on the Coconut Telegraph myself!  But, I always seem to hear from other expats whenever there is something notable to hear!

As far as I know, Jimmy Buffett has never been to the Philippines, but I expect that he would like it pretty well here.  Most of Jimmy’s songs revolve around the Caribbean, and a few in places like Fiji too.  I think the Philippines, particularly the more remote areas would be right up Jimmy’s alley, though.

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Comments

  1. Skip the coconut…pass me the Margarita ..in fact leave the pitcher and just give me a straw for it !! Ya know a cheeseburger would go with that drink…. Damn when did I get that tattoo???? hummphh….sure is a cutie……

  2. Anyone interested in REALLY good music that has stood the test of time, I have thousands of classical CDs (you know, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and the boys). Nothing can beat sitting on my back porch, listening to one of my CDs, looking out over “my” mountains in the distance, with a beer in one hand and a book in the other. Well, of course, one thing can berat this, but at my age I cannot do that for hours and hours, whereas with a book and music . . . . .

    • I hear ya ProfDon. A spot of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture while sitting on the balcony looking at “your” mountains sounds just magic. Couple that with an occasional canoodle, same place, same time, and you could be in heaven!! 🙂

  3. Hi Bob;
    As with you, I’m a die hard Parrothead (I even had the hat) I play his music all the time here at the house. Even my wife likes it now.
    The tourists would come into my bar in Puerto Rico and that would be the first question they’d ask, “Got any Buffett?” I’d answer, “Does Rum taste good with Coke?” And the party would start, of course with “Boat Drinks!”.
    Listening to Jimmy and having read Herman Wouk’s “Don’t Stop the Carnival” was a requirement to live in the Caribbean. And as you pointed out, it applies to here just as well. When I pass the song they will be playing from my Hearst will be “Sending The Old Man Home” from the 1979 Volcano album.

    • Hi Paul – Like you, I have also read Wouk’s “Don’t Stop the Carnival”. It’s a good book, and I also believe it to be required reading for an expat here. Even though it is set in the Caribbean, much of what Wouk talks about can easily apply here as well! Jimmy Buffet’s own book, “A Pirate looks at 50” is a great read too!

      • Bob;
        The last line in Wouk’s book is the funnest, “Thank God, we didn’t sell the Condo”
        I’m waiting for “A Pirate looks at 60” since Jimmy and I are close to the same age.

        • Hi Paul – I hear ya…. Jimmy’s a little older than me (as you are!) but I won’t hold that against either of you! I was taught to respect my elders! 😉

  5. Hey Bob
    I am a pretty big Buffet fan. If there is no snow on the ground chances I am in shorts and sporting my genuine Margaritaville Sandals.
    If its summer I have been known to sit back with a frozen cocktail in one hand and a fatty in the other.

    I like mine with lettuce and tomato heinz 57 and french fried potatoes

    • Hey Neal – I didn’t know that there were genuine Margaritaville Sandals! I gotta get some of them!

      I personally own every Jimmy Buffett album that he has put out, what is it like 50 or 60 different albums? I never run low on Buffett tunes to listen to! 😉

      • Bob
        Actually they are the most comfortable sandals I ever had they are a bit fancier than the standard flipflop, the sole has a palm tree on the botton, the cost me 50 bucks at dsw shoes here in RI but I had a 10 coupon.
        They may go on clearance sale soon as summer winds down here, I will keep my eye out for possible pasalubong Im guessing a size 12.

        Dam you own every album, its gotta be at least 50ish

        • Hi Neal – I usually wear a size 11, but on a flip flop, a 12 wouldn’t be a big deal. If you see a nice pair on clearance like that… go ahead pick one up for me! I’ll pay you for it when I see you on your visit!

  7. Hi Bob,
    A funny thing happened a while back. I was listening to some Jimmy Buffet music and Come Monday was playing, my wife said “Oh that is one of my tatay’s favorite songs”. They used to listen to it on the radio in the province when she was growing up.

  9. Hi Bob;
    You guys just reminded me of some music stuck away in my vinyl record collection. It is Martin Denny’s album of Quiet Village, (1956). The song Quiet Village is accessable with a nice video on YouTube. I just played it on another browser. The whole album of the same name has similar music.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpFdUNWYGjQ

    Larry Saum

  10. Hello Bob & all,

    Not meant to hijack your Jimmy Buffet column Bob which I enjoyed, but I just want to share this youtube link. It’s about an American who, among others, managed to learn tagalog in his 3 years stay in the Philippines. I am so impressed in his tagalog. I don’t think I speak english the way he speaks tagalog.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTsj8k2iJDw

    • Ha ha.. he is pretty good, roy! Not many Americans choose to learn other languages… I think we all should if we choose to live abroad. Congrats to this “basketball scholar”!

    • BTW, roy… you are not hijaking my post… you are just putting some news on the “coconut telegraph” for all of the other readers to enjoy! 😆

  12. Bob,

    Great article! Well, now I can say we have two things in common, my friend. We are both in love with a filipina and Jimmy Buffett’s music. I first saw Jimmy perform in Philly in 1977 at the Tower Theatre. (I was in high school) It was his Son of a Son of a Sailor Tour. I’ve read his books, too.

    It is true that his music definitely resonates with the islands of the Philippines, too. It’s not rock n’roll and it sure ain’t country. It’s what we DJ’s that spin his songs over the airwaves call Island Rock. Though many would consider taggin’ it as Americana, too.

    Anyway you slice it, it’s all good! Juicy like a ripe mango.

    He was just in Philly last week and I was not able to make either of the two shows. Which is okay because I get to play him for my world of listeners whenever the mood strikes.

    Sometimes we just need to get on that Slow Boat To China to search for that Cheeseburger in Paradise.

    I’ve always wanted to interview him because I only have one question to ask him. “Did you ever pay the mini mart back?”

    Thanks for another great story.

    • Hello Greg! Absolutely, we seem to be brothers from different mothers! 😆 Which do you love more… Buffett music, or your Filipina wife? 😯 ha ha….

      I have seen Jimmy Buffett in concert many times. One time, I saw him in Baton Rouge, Louisiana one night, and the next night I saw him in Gulfport, Mississippi! That was something!

      I once saw Jimmy on Larry King Live, some years ago, and he talked about the Mini Mart! They both had a laugh!

    • Hi Frank – That’s Jimmy Buffett, and your question is answered right in the article… he’s an American Singer. Give him a listen… maybe you’ll like him!

  15. Hi Bob,

    I’m a fan of Jimmy Buffett too. My favorite song is Boats to Build , this is a part of it and it says it all. Take care.

    It’s time for a change
    I’m tired of that same ol same
    The same ol words the same ol lines
    The same ol tricks and the same ol rhymes

    Days precious days
    Roll in and out like waves
    I got boards to bend I got planks to nail
    I got charts to make I got seas to sail

    I’m gonna build me a boat
    With these two hands
    It’ll be a fair curve
    From a noble plan
    Let the chips fall where they will
    Cause I’ve got boats to build

    Shores distant shores
    There’s where I’m headed for
    Got the stars to guide my way
    Sail into the light of day

    • Hi Ronny – I also like that song! It’s a duet with Alan Jackson, in case you were unaware. You probably already knew that, though! 😉

      Actually, out of every song Jimmy ever came out with, there are only 2 or 3 of them that I don’t enjoy, and he has hundreds and hundreds of songs!

      Have a good day, my fellow Parrothead!

  16. hello bob just here for short chat from ozamis,i am also music lover and music collector,being once am antique dealer in states,i still have am couple old juke box and hundreds of 45’s in storage in usa,along with 33 records and players,but i found there are many music choices on the internet but best i found that is simple to use and care free and free is….PLAYA COFI JUKEBOX ..and yes i believe it has jimmy buffett …lot of old music …..better than having lot of disc to buy and am add on speakers for your computer is not so expience………….enjoy all your and others input on the site ,read each day….don’t agree with all but enjoy …but thats just me …an’t life grand

  17. He’s a hell of a business man, seems to truly appreciate his fans, and an overall cool dude. I was only familiar with his radio hits but a few years ago my cousin gave me a couple of his albums and he’s quite a song craftsman. I wouldn’t call myself a parrot head, but I’ve been to a few Dead shows lol

    • Hi Gary – I agree with you on all accounts. He is a heck of a businessman. And, seems to be a good guy too. I don’t agree with is politics… but I sure enjoy his songs!

  25. I like all kinds of music from Aerosmith to Zappa, Motown to Mendehlson, Akon to New Orleans Jazz. I guess it comes from growing up in a family of musicians. You were just as likely to hear Bing Crosby or Dean Martin as Bob Marley or The Rolling Stones when you popped in on us. Buffett will always have a special place in my own musical Hall of Fame. His music was part of my coming of age. Margaritaville, the Volcano Song, Cheeseburger in Paradise! Such great music and so many good memories (or at least partial memories, lol) associated with it. Thanks for reminding me Bob!

    • Hi Mark G – Like you, I enjoy many genres of music. There are a few that I don’t enjoy, but I do like most music! But, I am very partial to Jimmy!

  26. By the way I think ‘Come Monday’ has been covered a zillion times, lol. I bet there’s a Pinoy version of it out there. I’m curious now so I’ gonna Google it and see what I can find, hehe.

  27. Since you brought up the topic, let’s get to the heart of it..
    How to make a great margarita in the Philippines?

    I always have plenty of great tequila on hand in Iligan: Don Julio, Tres Gerationes, Herradura…

    But the limes! There in lies the issue. The rough skin limes (kaffir) are no good for drinks, and island lime isn’t cutting it. I am at a loss.

    But our back yard man-hut is always rockin out to Jimmy . The family now recognizes and like his music, and have been in a futile search for his best music on karaoke chips.

    Good topic BOB!

    • Hi rovineye – I don’t drink, so I’ve never tried to make a Margarita in the Philippines before. However, I suspect that a lot of experimentation would not disappoint you, right? 😉

      • Hi Bob;
        Margarita’s are a gift from high above. rovineye is right about the limes, but at the Royal Store, I can get the Margarita Mix in a Big Bucket 96 FL OZS. just add triple sec and tequila put on the the Jimmy, and enjoy the tropical weather the Philippines blesses us with. Even rain is Okay! The next thing you know. It’s Tomorrow! (I also get the Strawberry Margarita mix for the lady’s, they love it.)

  28. Hi Bob;
    I need help I’ve searched the internet to find any missing Jimmy Buffett albums. These are the ones I Have. What do I need?
    1. A1A
    2. Banana Wind
    3. Barometer Soup
    4. Beach House On The Moon
    5. Before The Beach
    6. Buffett Hotel
    7. Changes in Latitude…
    8. Christmas Island
    9. Coconut Telegraph
    10. Don’t Stop The Carnival
    11. Floridays
    12. Havana Daydreaming
    13. License To Chill
    14. Live In Anguilla
    15. Living and Dying in ¾ time
    16. Son of A Sailor
    17. Songs You know By Heart
    18. Take The Weather With You
    19. Volcano
    20. Parakeet Album (Songs of Jimmy)

    I know I Don’t Have: A White Sports Coat…, Down To Earth, High Cumberland Jubilee, Hot Water, Last Mango In Paris, Off To See The Lizard, One Particular Harbor, Riddles in the Sand, Somewhere Over China, You Had To Be There , and Far Side Of The World. I’ll work on finding these. So my fellow Parrothead, what do I need?????

    • Hi Paul – Here is a list of all Jimmy Buffett albums in the order that they were released:

      Regular Albums
      1. Down to Earth (1970)
      2. High Cumberland Jubilee (1971)
      3. A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean (1973)
      4. Living’ and Dyin’ in 3/4 Time (1974)
      5. A1A (1974)
      6. Havana Daydreamin’ (1976)
      7. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (1977)
      8. Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978)
      9. Volcano (1979)
      10. Coconut Telegraph (1981)
      11. Somewhere over China (1982)
      12. One Particular Harbour (1983)
      13. Riddles in the Sand (1984)
      14. Last Mango in Paris (1985)
      15. Floridays (1986)
      16. Hot Water (1988)
      17. Off to see the Lizard (1989)
      18. Fruitcakes (1994)
      19. Barometer Soup (1995)
      20. Banana Wind (1996)
      21. Don’t Stop the Carnival (1998)
      22. Beach House on the Moon (1999)
      23. Far Side of the World (2002)
      24. License to Chill (2004)
      25. Take the Weather with you (2006)
      26. Buffett Hotel (2009)

      Live Albums
      27. You had to be there (1978)
      28. Feeding Frenzy (1990)
      29. Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (1999)
      30. Live in Auburn, WA (2003)
      31. Live in Las Vegas, NV (2003)
      32. Live in Mansfield, MA (2004)
      33. Live in Cincinnati, OH (2004)
      34. Live in Hawaii (2005)
      35. Live in Fenway Park (2005)
      36. Live at Texas Stadium (2007)
      37. Live in Anguilla (2007)
      38. Encores (2010)

      Compilation and Specialty Albums
      39. Songs you know by heart (1985)
      40. Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads (1992)
      41. Before the Beach (1993)
      42. Margaritaville: Late Night Menu (1993)
      43. Margaritaville: Late Night Gumbo (1995)
      44. Christmas Island (1996)
      45. Great American Summer Fun with Jimmy Buffett (1996)
      46. Biloxi (1998)
      47. Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection (2003)
      48. Now You’re Sqawkin’ (2005)

      Jimmy’s best performing release was Songs you know by heart – it went 7 times Platinum!

      Wow – huge list, and great music! Good luck in finding them, Paul! Especially here in the Philippines!

      • Bob;

        I download from the internet, e-Music.com and mp3shake.com. (see I pay for my music)
        I’ll cut and paste your list and go looking on line. Thanks I’ve never seen a more complete list than yours. Fantastic my friend!!! I’ll work on the regular albums first.

  29. Hi Bob,

    Sorry, I could not reach you on the coconut telegraph, must have been water in the coconuts… So I sent this message instead. This site has been a regular favorite of mine for some time and I enjoy the informative articles, great pictures and interesting comments.

    I recently got my wife here in the states from Davao this past March. Like you and Feyma, Rovi and I have property on Samal that we plan to build on. So I especially like reading the articles about Samal.

    Last Christmas when I called Rovi, I played her Jimmy Buffett’s song “Christmas Island”, which she loved. By the way I just got through watching a rebroadcast of Jimmy Buffett’s, “Save the Ocean” concert from Gulf Shores. John’s idea of a parrothead club sounds like fun, save us a seat for when we get there!

    • Hi Edwin – Oh man… I picked up my coconut just as somebody was hanging up! It must have been you! I don’t have my coconut answering machine installed yet! 😉

      Wow, we already have 3 potential members for the Davao Parrothead club! You’re sure welcome aboard! Or.. should we be more exclusive and have the “Samal Parrothead Club”? 😆

  30. Hi Bob,
    Well,i had never heard of Jimmy Buffet before i got to know you.
    Talk about coincidence though,when i finally got around to reading this article,guess what was playing on my radio? “Its 5,o’clock somewhere”.
    regards,Chas.