Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
Encyclopedia
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes is the breakthrough 1977
album by American
popular music singer-songwriter
Jimmy Buffett
. The album, his eighth, remains the best-selling album of Buffett's career, and contains his biggest single, "Margaritaville
". It was initially released in January 1977 as ABC
AB-990 and later rereleased on its successor label, MCA
.
Changes was very popular and critically well received and was a transitional album on several levels for Buffett. In a commercial sense, it ushered in Buffett's greatest period of chart and airplay popularity - changing him from an FM cult favorite and minor hitmaker to a top-draw touring artist whose albums sold in the millions, receiving regular AM airplay at the time. Changes would be followed by equally popular and more grandiose expressions of Buffett's "Caribbean Soul" on Son of a Son of a Sailor
(1978) and Volcano
(1979). All of these albums would combine pop, bar-band rock, country, folk, and reggae influences with the professional production of Norbert Putnam
.
Changes also represented the beginning of the end of the "Key West Albums": the Don Gant
-produced A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean
(1973), Living & Dying in 3/4 Time
(1974), A1A
(1974), and Havaña Daydreamin'
(1975). It is these four albums that capture the feel of early 1970s Key West, Florida
and Buffett's experiences as a struggling musician and storyteller. Although the albums are not exclusively about Key West, they detail the laid back island ethos of the small island city and its pre-"condo commando" status as an American Casablanca...a place where no one knows your name and would not care if they did. At the time, Key West was a derelict navy town looking for a direction and was filled with small bars and restaurants craving troubadours like Buffett, Steve Goodman
, Jerry Jeff Walker
, and others who would play for bar money. The albums document life in the Gulf of Mexico
Region ("Biloxi", "Banana Republics", "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home") with displays of touring craziness ("Miss You So Badly"). After Changes, Buffett's scope grew to include the entire Caribbean and, later, the vast expanse of what would become "world music." Buffett's Key West experiences would pepper his later work (even recording his albums in Key West's Shrimpboat Sound), but not like it did in the 1973-1977 period. It is this period, along with the 1978 and 1979 albums that created the mythos Jimmy Buffett has parlayed into icon status as a performer, restaurateur, entrepreneur, author, and celebrity.
album chart and #2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album was also certified "Platinum" by the RIAA
.
Two singles from the album charted including "Margaritaville
" (#8 on the Billboard Hot 100
; #13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart; #1 on the Billboard Easy Listening
chart) and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" (#37 Hot 100; #24 Country; #11 Easy Listening).
s: Steve Goodman
's "Banana Republics" and Jesse Winchester
's "Biloxi."
Two of the songs on the album had also previously been recorded by Buffett himself. A shorter version of "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home" appeared on the Rancho Deluxe soundtrack
under the title "Wonder Why You Ever Go Home" and a different version of "In the Shelter" was originally released in 1970 on High Cumberland Jubilee
and yet another on 2002's Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
making it (with "The Captain and the Kid") one of only two Buffett songs with three different studio versions.
Aside from "Biloxi", all songs appear at least once on a live album, making "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" the LP with the most live appearances.
The line "good times and riches and son-of-a-bitches; I've seen more than I can recall" was changed to "good time and riches, some bruises and stitches; I've seen more than I can recall" for the single release of the title-track.
:
opened for a few shows in California in May, while the Little River Band
was picked up in June to open. Jennifer Warnes
also opened some shows. In late June, Jimmy added new drummer Kenneth Buttrey to the band and they rehearsed for three nights in Sarasota, FL before embarking on a tour of the south that included a couple of shows opening for The Eagles again in Florida and Texas. The August 2nd show in New York was broadcast along the east coast on the Radio, Jimmy’s first broadcast since 1975. A special show was played in September as Jimmy opened for Fleetwood Mac
at County Stadium in Milwaukee, WI. For the fall, Jimmy drafted Jesse Winchester
to open shows throughout the south and along the east coast.
" and "Margaritaville", but the structure was pretty consistent. The shows typically opened with the title track and ended with "Tampico Trauma". "This Hotel Room
" (Steve Goodman
cover) and "Dixie Diner
" (Larry Raspberry And The Highsteppers cover) were played during the encore, with the band occasionally coming back out on stage after "Dixie Diner" to perform "Lovely Cruise" as a second encore.
An average set list:
Encore:
Encore 2:
1977 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1977.-January–February:*January 1 – The Clash headline the gala opening of the London music club, The Roxy....
album by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
popular music singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
. The album, his eighth, remains the best-selling album of Buffett's career, and contains his biggest single, "Margaritaville
Margaritaville
"Margaritaville" is a 1977 song by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. This song was written about a drink in Austin, Texas, and the first huge surge of tourists who descended on Key West almost two decades ago. He wrote...
". It was initially released in January 1977 as ABC
ABC Records
ABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H....
AB-990 and later rereleased on its successor label, MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
.
Changes was very popular and critically well received and was a transitional album on several levels for Buffett. In a commercial sense, it ushered in Buffett's greatest period of chart and airplay popularity - changing him from an FM cult favorite and minor hitmaker to a top-draw touring artist whose albums sold in the millions, receiving regular AM airplay at the time. Changes would be followed by equally popular and more grandiose expressions of Buffett's "Caribbean Soul" on Son of a Son of a Sailor
Son of a Son of a Sailor
Son of a Son of a Sailor is the ninth album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in March 1978 as ABC Dunhill AA-1046 and later rereleased on its successor label, MCA.-Chart performance:...
(1978) and Volcano
Volcano (Jimmy Buffett album)
Volcano is the 10th studio album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and is his 11th overall. It was released in May 1979 as MCA 5102 and was his first release on that label after its absorption of ABC Dunhill....
(1979). All of these albums would combine pop, bar-band rock, country, folk, and reggae influences with the professional production of Norbert Putnam
Norbert Putnam
Norbert Putnam is an American record producer and musician. He grew up near Florence, Alabama and was part of the Muscle Shoals musicians brought to Nashville to play for Elvis Presley in 1965. Putnam worked there as a bassist on recording sessions with Presley, Roy Orbison, Al Hirt, Henry...
.
Changes also represented the beginning of the end of the "Key West Albums": the Don Gant
Don Gant
Donald W. Gant was an American singer, songwriter and record producer.With Tupper Saussy, in the late 1960s he formed "The Neon Philharmonic." Singing vocals, with Saussy on the keyboards, they recorded five singles and two albums for Warner Bros. Records between 1969 and 1971...
-produced A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean
A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean
A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean is the third album by American popular music singer–songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the first major-label album in Buffett's Don Gant-produced "Key West phase"...
(1973), Living & Dying in 3/4 Time
Living & Dying in 3/4 Time
Living & Dying in ¾ Time is the fourth album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the second major label album in Buffett's Don Gant-produced "Key West phase." It was initially released in February 1974 as Dunhill DS-50132 and later rereleased on Dunhill's successor labels...
(1974), A1A
A1A (album)
A1A or A-1-A is the fifth album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the third major label album in Buffett's Don Gant-produced "Key West phase." It was initially released in December 1974 as Dunhill DS-50183 and later re-released on Dunhill's successor labels ABC and...
(1974), and Havaña Daydreamin'
Havana Daydreamin'
Havaña Daydreamin' is the seventh album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and his fourth regular major label album. It was produced by Don Gant and was initially released in January 1976 as ABC Dunhill ABCD-914 and later rereleased on ABC Dunhill's successor label ...
(1975). It is these four albums that capture the feel of early 1970s Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
and Buffett's experiences as a struggling musician and storyteller. Although the albums are not exclusively about Key West, they detail the laid back island ethos of the small island city and its pre-"condo commando" status as an American Casablanca...a place where no one knows your name and would not care if they did. At the time, Key West was a derelict navy town looking for a direction and was filled with small bars and restaurants craving troubadours like Buffett, Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
, Jerry Jeff Walker
Jerry Jeff Walker
Jerry Jeff Walker is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is probably most famous for writing the song "Mr. Bojangles.-Biography:...
, and others who would play for bar money. The albums document life in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
Region ("Biloxi", "Banana Republics", "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home") with displays of touring craziness ("Miss You So Badly"). After Changes, Buffett's scope grew to include the entire Caribbean and, later, the vast expanse of what would become "world music." Buffett's Key West experiences would pepper his later work (even recording his albums in Key West's Shrimpboat Sound), but not like it did in the 1973-1977 period. It is this period, along with the 1978 and 1979 albums that created the mythos Jimmy Buffett has parlayed into icon status as a performer, restaurateur, entrepreneur, author, and celebrity.
Chart performance
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes reached #12 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album chart and #2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album was also certified "Platinum" by the RIAA
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
.
Two singles from the album charted including "Margaritaville
Margaritaville
"Margaritaville" is a 1977 song by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. This song was written about a drink in Austin, Texas, and the first huge surge of tourists who descended on Key West almost two decades ago. He wrote...
" (#8 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
; #13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart; #1 on the Billboard Easy Listening
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
chart) and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" (#37 Hot 100; #24 Country; #11 Easy Listening).
Songs
The songs on the album were written or co-written by Buffett except for two coverCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s: Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
's "Banana Republics" and Jesse Winchester
Jesse Winchester
Jesse Winchester is a musician and songwriter who was born and raised in the southern United States. To avoid the Vietnam War draft he moved to Canada in 1967, which is where and when he began his career as a solo artist. His highest charting recordings were of his own tunes, "Yankee Lady" in 1970...
's "Biloxi."
Two of the songs on the album had also previously been recorded by Buffett himself. A shorter version of "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home" appeared on the Rancho Deluxe soundtrack
Rancho Deluxe (soundtrack)
Rancho Deluxe is the soundtrack from the movie of the same name starring Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston and is the sixth album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in 1975 as United Artists UA 466G and later re-released on labels licensed by...
under the title "Wonder Why You Ever Go Home" and a different version of "In the Shelter" was originally released in 1970 on High Cumberland Jubilee
High Cumberland Jubilee
High Cumberland Jubilee is the second album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was produced by Travis Turk, recorded in 1971, and initially released in 1976 on Andy Williams's small Barnaby Records label as BR/6014...
and yet another on 2002's Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection is a Jimmy Buffett greatest hits compilation album consisting of 2 compact discs and 38 songs. The album is notable for several newly recorded and updated versions of songs considered as classics in his repertoire...
making it (with "The Captain and the Kid") one of only two Buffett songs with three different studio versions.
Aside from "Biloxi", all songs appear at least once on a live album, making "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" the LP with the most live appearances.
The line "good times and riches and son-of-a-bitches; I've seen more than I can recall" was changed to "good time and riches, some bruises and stitches; I've seen more than I can recall" for the single release of the title-track.
Track listing
Personnel
The Coral Reefer BandCoral Reefer Band
The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Originally it was a fictional band consisting of the imaginary members Marvin Gardens, Kay Pasa, Al Vacado and Kitty Litter....
:
- Jimmy BuffettJimmy BuffettJames William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
: Vocals and acoustic guitar - Greg "Fingers" Taylor: Harmonica and one line in "Lovely Cruise"
- Michael UtleyMichael UtleyMichael Utley, often credited as Mike Utley, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. He is the musical director of the band...
: Organ, piano - Harry Dailey: Bass
- Kenneth "Barfullo" ButtreyKenny ButtreyAaron Kenneth Buttrey was an American drummer and arranger. According to CMT, he was "one of the most influential session musicians in Nashville history"....
: Congas, drums on "Landfall", "Biloxi," and "Margaritaville" - Michael Jeffry: Lead guitar
- Roger Bartlett: Lead guitar on "In the Shelter"
- Ferrel Morris: Percussion
- Billy Puett: Recorder and flute on "Margaritaville"
- Vocals: Jimmy Buffett, Harry Dailey, Michael Jeffry, and David Bryant
- Strings on "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" and "Biloxi" arranged by Norbert PutnamNorbert PutnamNorbert Putnam is an American record producer and musician. He grew up near Florence, Alabama and was part of the Muscle Shoals musicians brought to Nashville to play for Elvis Presley in 1965. Putnam worked there as a bassist on recording sessions with Presley, Roy Orbison, Al Hirt, Henry...
- Strings on "Tampico Trauma" and "Banana Republics" arranged by Norbert Putnam and Michael Utley
- Flutes and Recorders on "Margaritaville" by Michael Utley, Composed Poolside in Miami
- Concert Master: Shelley Kurland
Singles
- "MargaritavilleMargaritaville"Margaritaville" is a 1977 song by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. This song was written about a drink in Austin, Texas, and the first huge surge of tourists who descended on Key West almost two decades ago. He wrote...
" b/w "Miss You So Badly" (Released on ABC Dunhill 12254 on February 14, 1977) - "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in AttitudesChanges in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (song)"Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" is the title of a song written and recorded by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released as a single on ABC Dunhill 12305 in August 1977....
" b/w "Landfall" (Released on ABC Dunhill 12305 in August 1977)
Tour
1977 saw Jimmy catch a big wave as he opened for The Eagles for several dates in March and a few in July. “Margaritaville” flew up the charts in the summer, helping the summer tour grow to the amphitheatres that Jimmy still plays today. Amazing Rhythm AcesAmazing Rhythm Aces
The Amazing Rhythm Aces are an American country rock group. The band has characterized their music as "American Music" or "Roots Music" — rock, country, blues, R&B, folk, reggae and Latino...
opened for a few shows in California in May, while the Little River Band
Little River Band
Little River Band is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in early 1975.The group chose the name after passing a road sign leading to the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong, on the way to a performance. Little River Band enjoyed sustained commercial success in not only...
was picked up in June to open. Jennifer Warnes
Jennifer Warnes
Jennifer Jean Warnes is an American singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She is known for her interpretations of compositions written by herself and many others, as well as an extensive playlist as a vocalist on movie soundtracks.Between 1979 and 1987 Warnes surpassed Frank Sinatra as...
also opened some shows. In late June, Jimmy added new drummer Kenneth Buttrey to the band and they rehearsed for three nights in Sarasota, FL before embarking on a tour of the south that included a couple of shows opening for The Eagles again in Florida and Texas. The August 2nd show in New York was broadcast along the east coast on the Radio, Jimmy’s first broadcast since 1975. A special show was played in September as Jimmy opened for Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
at County Stadium in Milwaukee, WI. For the fall, Jimmy drafted Jesse Winchester
Jesse Winchester
Jesse Winchester is a musician and songwriter who was born and raised in the southern United States. To avoid the Vietnam War draft he moved to Canada in 1967, which is where and when he began his career as a solo artist. His highest charting recordings were of his own tunes, "Yankee Lady" in 1970...
to open shows throughout the south and along the east coast.
1977 Coral Reefer Band
- Jimmy Buffett: Vocals and guitar
- Tim KrekelTim KrekelTim Krekel was an American rock musician and country music songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky.- Early life :...
: Guitar and background Vocals - Harry Dailey: Bass and background Vocals
- Jay Spell: Piano
- Greg “Fingers” Taylor: Harmonica and background Vocals
- Michael Utley: Keyboards
- Kenneth Buttrey: Drums
Set list
Set lists changed nightly, mainly during an acoustic set which took place between "Makin' Music for MoneyA1A (album)
A1A or A-1-A is the fifth album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the third major label album in Buffett's Don Gant-produced "Key West phase." It was initially released in December 1974 as Dunhill DS-50183 and later re-released on Dunhill's successor labels ABC and...
" and "Margaritaville", but the structure was pretty consistent. The shows typically opened with the title track and ended with "Tampico Trauma". "This Hotel Room
Havana Daydreamin'
Havaña Daydreamin' is the seventh album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and his fourth regular major label album. It was produced by Don Gant and was initially released in January 1976 as ABC Dunhill ABCD-914 and later rereleased on ABC Dunhill's successor label ...
" (Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
cover) and "Dixie Diner
You Had to Be There
You Had to Be There: Recorded Live is a live double album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was initially released in October 1978 as ABC AK-1008/2 and later re-released on ABC's successor label MCA...
" (Larry Raspberry And The Highsteppers cover) were played during the encore, with the band occasionally coming back out on stage after "Dixie Diner" to perform "Lovely Cruise" as a second encore.
An average set list:
- "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes"
- "Pencil Thin MustachePencil Thin Mustache"Pencil Thin Mustache," originally released as "Pencil Thin Moustache," is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released as a single on Dunhill D-15011 in August 1974.It was first released on his 1974 album Living & Dying in ¾ Time...
" - "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home"
- "Landfall"
- "Banana Republics" (Steve Goodman cover)
- "Makin' Music for Money"
- "God's Own DrunkLiving & Dying in 3/4 TimeLiving & Dying in ¾ Time is the fourth album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the second major label album in Buffett's Don Gant-produced "Key West phase." It was initially released in February 1974 as Dunhill DS-50132 and later rereleased on Dunhill's successor labels...
" (Richard BuckleyLord BuckleyLord Richard Buckley was an American stage performer, recording artist, monologist, and hip poet/comic...
cover) (acoustic) - "Margaritaville"
- "A Pirate Looks at FortyA Pirate Looks at Forty"A Pirate Looks at Forty" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1974 album A1A and "Presents to Send You" is the B-side of the single....
" - "Come MondayCome Monday"Come Monday" is the title a song written and recorded by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1974 album Living & Dying in ¾ Time and was his first Top 40 hit single reaching #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as #3 Easy Listening and #58...
" - "Why Don't We Get DrunkWhy Don't We Get Drunk"Why Don't We Get Drunk" is a novelty song written and performed by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was a b-side to the first single from his 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean...
" - "Biloxi" (Jesse Winchester cover)
- "Tampico Trauma"
Encore:
- "This Hotel Room" (Steve Goodman cover)
- "Dixie Diner" (Larry Raspberry And The Highsteppers cover)
Encore 2:
- "Lovely Cruise"