Jimmy Buffett’s legacy lives on with the release of three new songs and the announcement of a posthumous album, Equal Strain On All Parts.
As the world continues to mourn the loss of the late Jimmy Buffett, a beloved singer-songwriter, performer, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and the Mayor of Margaritaville, three new songs were released to fans on Friday (Sept. 8) to keep his memory alive.
The news comes just days after Jimmy Buffett died of a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. Buffett, 76, died on September 1 after a four-year battle with the disease.
Listen to the three new songs, including “Like My Dog,” “My Gummie Just Kicked In,” and “Bubbles Up,” below.
“Like My Dog”
Buffet was an avid animal lover and owned several dogs including Lola, Kingston, Pepper, Rosie, Ajax, and Kody.
Throughout his career, he featured his pups on album covers and in music videos, so it’s no surprise that he’d release a song titled, “Like My Dog.” The track was written by Scotty Emerick and Harley Allen and Buffett knew he had to record it the moment he heard it.
“My Gummie Just Kicked In”
This tune came about during an unforgettable dinner party with Jimmy Buffett, his wife Jane and Paul McCartney and his wife, Nancy.
Nancy stumbled while heading to the dinner table, and when a concerned Buffett inquired if she was okay, she replied: “Oh, no — I’m perfectly fine. My gummy bear just took effect!” The group shared a laugh, and they playfully suggested they should compose a song titled “My Gummy Bear Just Kicked In.” True to their word, Buffett went on to create the song, with McCartney contributing on bass. McCartney fondly recalled the experience in his Twitter tribute to his friend Buffett, stating, “I had the pleasure of playing on one of his latest songs, ‘My Gummy Bear Just Kicked In.’ Our session was truly enjoyable, and he even shared some of his new songs with me.”
See a behind-the-scenes clip of the recording of “My Gummie Just Kicked In” HERE.
“Bubbles Up”
Buffett teamed up with “honorary Coral Reefer,” Will Kimbrough to write the poignant “Bubbles Up.” The track delivers a message of hope for listeners as Buffett sings, “Just know that you are loved, there is light up above, and joy, there’s always enough.”
His longtime friend, McCartney, shared his love for the song in a statement released on Friday. “One [new track], in particular, I loved was the song, ‘Bubbles Up’. And I told him that not only was the song great but the vocal was probably the best I’ve heard him sing ever. He turned a diving phrase that is used to train people underwater into a metaphor for life when you’re confused and don’t know where you are just follow the bubbles – they’ll take you up to the surface and straighten you out right away.”
New Album, Equal Strain On All Parts
The three new songs will appear on Buffett’s posthumous new album, Equal Strain On All Parts, which is set to arrive on November 3 via Mailboat Records and distributed by Sun Records.
The connection with Sun Records is serendipitous: Sun Records, renowned as the birthplace of rock and roll and the label where Elvis Presley famously launched his career, has consistently fascinated Buffett. Both Buffett and Presley hail from Mississippi, with Buffett even performing a cover of Gillian Welch’s “Elvis Presley Blues.” Hence, it’s clear why Buffett saw Sun Records as the ideal destination for his latest album.
“It is a privilege to welcome Jimmy Buffett among the legends who have released their music through Sun Records,” said Dominic Pandiscia, Chief Strategy Officer, Primary Wave/Sun Label Group. “Jimmy’s music truly stands for something – as does the Sun Records legacy – and having this album join that lineage is a special moment that honors his enduring impact.”
14 New Songs
Equal Strain On All Parts will “keep the party going” just as Buffett requested. The title of the 14-track project was inspired by Buffett’s grandfather’s description of a good nap.
The record, co-produced by longtime Coral Reefers, Michael Utley and Mac McAnally, features well-known friends, including Paul McCartney, Emmylou Harris, Lennie Gallant, Angelique Kidjo, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Equal Strain On All Parts was recorded this year and overflows with Buffett’s trademark lighthearted tunes while also showcasing a more contemplative aspect.
Fans can pre-order/pre-save the album now HERE.
