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Quizzes > Entertainment & Pop Culture > Music

Test Your Jimmy Buffett Knowledge with Our Trivia Quiz

Ready to Ace Margaritaville Trivia and the Ballad of Spider John Jimmy Buffett? Take the Quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration for Jimmy Buffett trivia Margaritaville Spider John on golden yellow background

This Jimmy Buffett quiz helps you see how much you remember about his songs, shows, and stories, from Margaritaville to Spider John. Play for fun, learn a fact or two, and spot the gaps you can brush up on before your next sing-along. Want more? Try the warm-up trivia or take a quick bonus quiz .

In which Florida city is Jimmy Buffett's song "Margaritaville" set?
Orlando
Tallahassee
Miami
Key West
The lyrics of "Margaritaville" reference Key West, Florida, as the laid-back setting where the narrator spends his days. Buffett has often associated the song with Key West's island lifestyle and bar scene. The real-life Margaritaville restaurant in Key West further cemented this connection.
What type of food is celebrated in "Cheeseburger in Paradise"?
Cheeseburger
Pizza
Hot dog
Tacos
"Cheeseburger in Paradise" is Jimmy Buffett's ode to the perfect cheeseburger after too many bland meals on the road. The song describes toppings like lettuce, tomato, and special sauces. It became one of his signature tunes and even inspired a restaurant chain.
What is the name of Jimmy Buffett's backing band?
The Coral Reefer Band
The Wailers
The Beach Boys
The Rockers
Jimmy Buffett's backing band has been known as The Coral Reefer Band since the mid-1970s. The playful name blends tropical imagery with the musical term "reefer." They have backed Buffett on studio albums and extensive tours for decades.
What term is used to describe Jimmy Buffett's fans?
Deadheads
Trekkies
Parrotheads
Beatniks
Jimmy Buffett's devoted fan base calls themselves "Parrotheads," a playful nod to tropical parrots and tailgating culture. The term became popular in the late 1980s as fans brought leis and beach gear to concerts. Parrothead clubs now exist worldwide, celebrating Buffett's music and lifestyle.
Which of these songs is by Jimmy Buffett?
Sweet Home Alabama
Hotel California
Born to Run
Margaritaville
"Margaritaville" is Jimmy Buffett's signature song, originally released in 1977. The other tracks are hits by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bruce Springsteen, and the Eagles, respectively. Buffett's tropical style is distinct from Southern rock and classic rock staples.
Which instrument is Jimmy Buffett best known for playing?
Drums
Violin
Saxophone
Guitar
Jimmy Buffett is primarily known as a guitarist and singer-songwriter. He often performs on acoustic guitar, crafting his laid-back Caribbean-infused songs with it. Though he sometimes incorporates other instruments on recordings, guitar remains his main instrument.
What genre best describes Jimmy Buffett's music?
Heavy metal
Hip hop
Country rock
Classical
Jimmy Buffett's style blends country, rock, folk, and tropical themes into what many call "Gulf and Western." It's a form of country rock with beachy, escapist lyrics. His music rarely crosses into genres like metal, hip hop, or classical.
Which compilation album includes many of Buffett's greatest hits?
Floridays
Greatest Hits
Songs You Know by Heart
Rum Journals
Released in 1985, "Songs You Know by Heart" is Jimmy Buffett's official greatest-hits collection, featuring classics like "Margaritaville" and "Come Monday." The title plays on Buffett's tropical themes and the familiarity of his fan favorites. Other albums listed are studio releases rather than compilations.
In what decade was "Margaritaville" first released?
1960s
1980s
1970s
1990s
"Margaritaville" was released in 1977, during the late 1970s. It became Buffett's breakout hit and remains his most enduring song. The track's laid-back vibe helped define his signature style in that era.
Which sea creature is evoked in the song "Fins"?
Sharks
Seals
Dolphins
Whales
In "Fins," Buffett uses shark fins as a metaphor for women in the crowd moving toward the narrator. The repeated chorus warns listeners about the approaching "fins." The imagery captures the playful and suspenseful tone of the song.
Jimmy Buffett recorded "Why Don't We Get Drunk" under what pseudonym?
Marvin Gardens
Captain Gumbo
Sam the Sailor
Billy Boat
Jimmy Buffett released the single "Why Don't We Get Drunk" under the pseudonym Marvin Gardens in 1973 to avoid his record label's restrictions. The name comes from a Monopoly board property in Atlantic City. This allowed Buffett creative freedom for the risqué track.
Which country artist did Buffett duet with on "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"?
Kenny Chesney
Tim McGraw
Alan Jackson
Garth Brooks
Jimmy Buffett teamed up with country star Alan Jackson for the hit "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" in 2003. The song topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for eight weeks. It won the CMA Vocal Event of the Year and became one of Buffett's biggest chart successes.
What northern city inspired the song "Boat Drinks"?
Seattle
Chicago
Boston
Minneapolis
Jimmy Buffett wrote "Boat Drinks" in Boston during a cold winter, longing for tropical warmth. The upbeat tune captures his homesickness for island life. It was released on the 1979 album "Volcano."
"Come Monday" was written for whom?
His agent
His tour bus driver
His wife
His daughter
Jimmy Buffett wrote "Come Monday" about his long-distance girlfriend (and eventual wife) Nancy at the time, missing her while on tour. It became his first Top 40 hit in 1974. The tender ballad contrasts his usual upbeat, island-inspired songs.
On which album did "Son of a Son of a Sailor" first appear?
Coconut Telegraph
Son of a Son of a Sailor
Volcano
Riddles in the Sand
The song "Son of a Son of a Sailor" is the title track of Buffett's 1978 album of the same name. The album continued his string of mid-1970s successes following "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes." It underscores Buffett's maritime themes and storytelling style.
What position did "Cheeseburger in Paradise" reach on the US Billboard Hot 100?
#10
#32
#1
#50
"Cheeseburger in Paradise" peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Although not a top-ten hit, it became one of Buffett's most enduring songs. Its popularity led to a successful restaurant chain bearing its name.
Which instrument, not commonly found in rock bands, prominently features in Buffett's music?
Banjo
Mandolin
Steel drums
Tuba
Steel drums (steel pans) are a hallmark of Buffett's tropical sound, evoking Caribbean islands and beach life. They appear on many of his recordings and in live performances. This instrument is rare in mainstream rock but central to Buffett's style.
Buffett's song "He Went to Paris" tells the story of a veteran of which war?
World War II
World War I
Vietnam War
Korean War
"He Went to Paris" chronicles the life of an old World War I veteran reflecting on his experiences abroad. The wistful ballad appears on Buffett's 1973 album "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean." It showcases his storytelling prowess and poignant lyrics.
Which album features the song "One Particular Harbour"?
Banana Wind
Meet Me in Margaritaville
Floridays
One Particular Harbour
The title track of Buffett's 1983 album "One Particular Harbour" is featured on the same-titled release. The song became one of his most beloved later-career anthems. The album blends steel drums, calypso rhythms, and Buffett's reflective lyrics.
The song "Pencil Thin Mustache" nostalgically references which decade?
1970s
1940s
1950s
1960s
In "Pencil Thin Mustache," Buffett fondly recalls 1950s pop culture - poodle skirts, TV dinners, and rock'n'roll. The song, from his 1974 album "Living and Dying in 3/4 Time," celebrates mid-century American nostalgia. Its playful lyrics highlight the decade's icons.
"A Pirate Looks at Forty" first appeared on which Jimmy Buffett album?
Fruitcakes
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
Son of a Son of a Sailor
License to Chill
"A Pirate Looks at Forty" debuted on Buffett's 1978 album "Son of a Son of a Sailor." The introspective track deals with aging and longing for a lost era. It became one of his most critically acclaimed songs.
Jimmy Buffett co-wrote the song "Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season" with which longtime band member?
Michael Utley
Roger Bartlett
Russ Kunkel
Mac McAnally
Keyboardist Michael Utley has co-written several songs with Buffett, including "Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season." Utley has been a key Coral Reefer Band member since the early 1970s. Their collaborations blend lyrical themes and island-infused melodies.
Which Buffett song features the lyric, "I don't know where I'm going, but I sure know where I've been"?
Margaritaville
A Pirate Looks at Forty
Come Monday
Cheeseburger in Paradise
The line appears in "Come Monday," a heartfelt song Buffett wrote about missing his loved one on tour. Released in 1974, it remains one of his most enduring ballads. The lyric captures a mix of uncertainty and nostalgia that defines the track.
Buffett's cover of which John Prine song appears on his album "Off to See the Lizard"?
Hello in There
Angel from Montgomery
Paradise
Spanish Pipedream
On his 1989 album "Off to See the Lizard," Buffett covered John Prine's "Spanish Pipedream." Buffett's laid-back delivery complements Prine's whimsical lyrics. The track stands out among the album's originals.
What was the B-side of the original 1977 "Margaritaville" single?
Volcano
Wonder Why
Miss You So Badly
Why Don't We Get Drunk
The B-side to the 1977 "Margaritaville" single was "Miss You So Badly," a lesser-known Buffett track. While "Margaritaville" became a global hit, the flip side remains a deep cut cherished by fans.
The song "Tin Cup Chalice" references which Southern US state?
Florida
Louisiana
Texas
Georgia
In "Tin Cup Chalice," Buffett sings about living life in Louisiana, noting its bayous and Southern hospitality. The song appears on his 2004 album "License to Chill." Its vivid references root it firmly in the Bayou State.
Buffett's song "Railroad Lady" was co-written with which fellow songwriter?
Guy Clark
Jerry Jeff Walker
Townes Van Zandt
Steve Goodman
"Railroad Lady" was co-written by Jimmy Buffett and folk-country songwriter Steve Goodman. Goodman originally recorded the song before Buffett included his version on a later release. Their collaboration highlights Buffett's connections to the singer-songwriter community.
What was Jimmy Buffett's debut studio album?
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
Banana Wind
A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean
Down to Earth
Jimmy Buffett's first studio album, released in 1970, is titled "Down to Earth." It marked the beginning of his recording career before he developed his signature tropical style. Later albums shifted to his more familiar island themes.
Which Jimmy Buffett song was banned by some radio stations due to its explicit content?
Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw
Come Monday
Margaritaville
Fins
"Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw" was controversial for its explicit lyrics and was banned by several radio stations upon release. Buffett issued it under a pseudonym to avoid backlash. The song has since gained cult status among fans.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic Songs -

    After completing the Jimmy Buffett trivia quiz, you will be able to recall key facts and lyrics from legendary tracks like Margaritaville and the Ballad of Spider John.

  2. Identify Album Details -

    Learn to identify release dates, album names, and chart performance for your favorite Coral Reefer band hits in this engaging Parrothead quiz.

  3. Distinguish Trivia Facts -

    Sharpen your knowledge by distinguishing true trivia about Jimmy Buffett's songs versus common misconceptions.

  4. Assess Parrothead Knowledge -

    Gauge how you stack up against fellow fans by testing your mastery of Jimmy Buffett songs trivia and beach-y lore.

  5. Evaluate Quiz Performance -

    Use your quiz results to pinpoint areas for improvement and plan your next deep dive into Margaritaville trivia and beyond.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of "Margaritaville" -

    "Margaritaville" debuted in 1977 on the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes and became Buffett's signature song, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. A handy mnemonic to remember its year is to think "MARG" (Moving A Rhythmically in '77 Groove). According to Billboard archives, it epitomizes Buffett's blend of country, pop, and tropical rock.

  2. The Coral Reefer Band's Formation -

    Founded in 1975, the Coral Reefer Band evolved from a rotating cast of Gulf Coast musicians into a tight”knit ensemble featuring steel drums, saxophone, and pedal steel guitar as highlighted in the International Music Folk Library. Recall "CAB" for "Coral Acoustic Brass" to remember its diverse instrumentation. Musicology research in the Journal of Popular Music Studies notes their role in popularizing "tropical rock."

  3. Decoding "Ballad of Spider John" -

    This track narrates the adventures of real”life fisherman Spencer "Spider John" Lawton and appears on the 2013 Live in Anguilla album. A simple trick is linking "Spider John" to "Lobster Don" (both coastal characters) to recall the storyline. The song's A - B - A folk progression makes it a staple in modern maritime ballad analyses (University of Miami Folk Music Archive).

  4. Parrothead Culture and Community -

    "Parrotheads" are Buffett's devoted fans - named in a 1985 Rolling Stone profile - who organize tailgate fiestas and beach cleanups under the "Tidy Up The Beach" initiative. Remember the rallying cry "Party with Purpose" to capture their philanthropic spirit. Fan Studies research highlights how Parrothead clubs blend music enjoyment with civic engagement.

  5. Key Discography Milestones -

    By 2020, Buffett released 31 studio albums and 41 live records; use the equation "31 + 41 = 72" to recall his total major releases. His album Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978) hit No. 10 on the Billboard 200, cementing his chart success. The RIAA database shows over 25 million U.S. album sales, underscoring his enduring appeal.

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