Album: Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978)

Charted: 32

License This Song 

• Tried to amend my carnivorous habits
  Made it nearly seventy days
  Losin' weight without speed, eatin' sunflower seeds
  Drinkin' lots of carrot juice and soakin' up rays
  
  But at night I'd have these wonderful dreams
  Some kind of sensuous treat
  Not zucchini, fettuccine, or bulgur wheat
  But a big warm bun and a huge hunk of meat
  
  Cheeseburger in paradise
  Heaven on earth with an onion slice
  Not too particular, not too precise
  I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise
  
  I like mine with lettuce and tomato
  Heinz Fifty-seven and French fried potatoes
  Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer
  Well, good God Almighty, which way do I steer
  For my cheeseburger in paradise
  
  Heard about the old time sailor men
  They eat the same thing again and again
  Warm beer and bread they say could raise the dead
  Well, it reminds me of the menu at a Holiday Inn
  
  But times have changed for sailors these days
  When I'm in port I get what I need
  Not just Havanas or banana or daiquiris
  But that American creation on which I feed!
  
  Cheeseburger is paradise
  Medium rare with muenster'd be nice
  Not too particular, not too precise
  I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise
  
  I like mine with lettuce and tomato
  Heinz 57 and French fried potatoes
  Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer
  Well, good god Almighty which way do I steer
  
  For a cheeseburger in paradise
  Makin' the best of every virtue and vice
  Worth every damn bit of sacrifice
  To get a cheeseburger in paradise
  To be a cheeseburger in paradise
  I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 23

• Powell from Charlotte NcI first heard the song on the day it was released on WRPL in Charlotte. NC , known as the Ripple and then latter as Radio wilh Balls.
• Rob from CincinnatiThe lyrics printed on the record sleeve from the album clearly state mustard!
• Cas from Winter Haven, FlMyth originated in Roadtown, but song written at Stanley's
• Malcolm Boyes from Tortola Bvi/sonoma Ca.I met Jimmy back in 1984 after returning from my first trip to the BVI's..staying on Cane Garden Bay. I was invited to Jimmy's launch of his , then, Caribbean Soul clothing line. Jimmy put on a small show and then we got to meet and talk. Jimmy told me that he wrote " Cheeseburger in Paradise" after sailing into Cane Garden Bay and dining at " Stanley's Welcome Bar" right there on the sand. He told me how he rented the house at the West End of Cane..a place recently owned by baseball legend Sandy Koufax and his wife. Another friend told me he ran into Jimmy at Stanley's when he was jamming with Peter Tosh and he told him the same story ..that Stanley's was where it was written. I always wonder why Jimmy has changed the story. BTW..STanley's was changed to Tony's and then blown completely away in Hurricane Irma..After meeting Jimmy I returned to Tortols and bought my beachfront home there in 1989..
• Dj from Key WestDennis's Pharmacy
• Reyos from Windsor, OnLosing weight without speed likely refers to an early use of amphetamines as a diet aid.
• Chuck from South Deerfield, Ma, MaAlways one of the highlights of his live shows, lots of crowd participation
• Brian from Boston, MaI relize I went on an Anti pot law rant but I digress.This is an awsome song.I have been a fan of Buffett for about 10 years now.It is however only recently that I have fimiliarized myself with Jimmys' less than popular sons.I realize of course that this is on of his most popular so to those that enjoy this song I suggest listening to all of his music .I really enjoy Buffett.He never tries to anything but what he is
• Brian from Boston, MaTo me I always felt this song was written while Jimmy was high on weed .Jimmy smoked a lot of pot he will tell you so himself.When a person smokes weed they get what is known as the 'Munchies" wich is an increased appitite.The mere fact that weed increases ones appitite should be an indication of how harmless it is .As far back as 1969 scientists appointed by the Nixon administration concluded in a study that marijuana was"relativly harmless" Nixon however ignored these findings and declared war on pot considering it as dangerous as heroin and LSD.Which was all part of Nixons paranoia.He associated those that smoked pot with the anti war movement.This is rather ironic when you consider the fact that the original reason why pot was made illegal in the first place was also due to prejudice.Smoking pot was most commonly associated with Mexicans in the early 20th century when it was first made illegal.Making weed illegal was another way the goverment could harrass and arrest Mexicans.I was never a heavy pot smoker myself.I do not smoke it anymore because of the possibilitie of being drug tested at my job.I would smoke pot on only some occasions wich is perhaps why I enjoyed it so much I considered it a treat.I liked smoking it on vacation down Cape Cod before I went to the beach.Or perhaps before seeing a movie.Who is this hurting? If however I drank to excess on a particular weekend then I would have nothing to worry about.This law is ridiculous people.
• Sean from Altoona, WiI am going to see Jimmy Buffett in East Troy, WI on August 29th (Tomorrow). It is the same day as my birthday. I have never seen Jimmy Buffett before. It should be a great concert!!
• Thomas from Somerville, AlAnnabelles friend Richard is an IDIOT! Who in the H*ll would put Heinz 57 on a girl? Just when I thought I had heard all the stupidity there is to be heard in this world, somebody like Richard shows up and takes the cake.
• Michaela from Brooklyn, NyHey Jim;me too.Make that a double cheeseburger!:D
• Michaela from Brooklyn, NyI remember the first time I heard this song.on the radio.2003.I was listening to this song and I laughed.I said to myself,I can't believe someone made a song about cheeseburgers!This song is funny.
• Jim from Denver, CoJust reading the lyrics has giving me the craving for that cheeseburger. As soon as the local Pub opens I will be there.
• Maggie from Waynesville, OhRalph, its not about appeal but freedom and dreams. Its a nice escape.
  
  I like this song. I think its funny and upbeat. I fell better when i hear it.
• Ralph from Newton, MaI don't get the appeal of this guy at all.
• Alex from Loveland, CoI like this song. I think it might mean something else. . .
• Zack from Buffalo, Nythis is one of my favorite songs I sing it so often. Plus its unique what other songs are there about cheeseburgers! I haven't come across another one
• Geno from Peoria, IlCan't count how many times I've sung:
  "I like mine with lettuce and tomato
  Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes
  Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer
  Well good God almighty which way do I steer for my..."
  
  
• Mark from Outside Kc, KsI agree Jen... see "Why Don't We Get Drunk" for an illustration of his hidden sexual meanings. Richard needs a girlfriend.
• Jen from Boulder, CoOh come on, your friend Richard is just a pervert. Jimmy would've made it much, much more direct had that been the truth.
• Annabelle from Eugene, OrI don't know if this is true, but my best friend Richard once told me that "Cheeseburger In Paradise" meant, a boy is eating out a girl! Filthy, Dirty, Dirty, nasty, dirty interpretation!
• Paul from Memphis, TnKen, it couldn't have been said better! That is a quote included with the new Buffet cd "License to Chill".
  paul g., memphis

More Songfacts:

We Are All Made Of StarsMoby

Moby says that "We Are All Made Of Stars" is scientifically accurate, since all matter originates from stardust.

TitaniumDavid Guetta

Sia Furler wrote "Titanium" and wanted to give the tune to Katy Perry. She turned it down, so David Guetta recorded it instead using Sia's original demo guide vocal. It became a big hit, especially in the UK, where it went to #1.

You Are Not AloneMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson's 1995 song "You Are Not Alone" was the first single in US history to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #1

Heart Of GlassBlondie

"Heart of Glass" was Blondie's first foray into disco, which turned off some fans. Debbie Harry said they did it because they "wanted to be uncool."

End Of The RoadBoyz II Men

"End Of The Road" by Boyz II Men comes off a bit thirsty, especially when we find out the girl cheated on him. The sketch show In Living Color parodied the song, with the group as "Boyz II Wimps."

Wild BoysDuran Duran

Duran Duran's "Wild Boys" is based on the book of the same name by William Burroughs.

Editor's Picks

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?