Gypsies in the Palace
Encyclopedia
"Gypsies in the Palace" is a song written and performed by American
popular music singer-songwriter
Jimmy Buffett
. It was first released on his 1985
album Last Mango in Paris
and was his first of three charting singles off that album. This song charted #56 on US Country
.
Once the homeowner leaves, the two men notice all the food and liquor he has and decide that it will go to waste if it's not consumed. They shoot the lock of his liquor cabinet and invite numerous people to his house to party: have naked conga lines, throw people into his swimming pool, and partake in his commodities.
When the homeowner calls the house and reports that he's returning early, the two rush everyone out and clean up the mess left during the party. When the homeowner returns, the two men point out all the work they've done around his house in his absence, then offer to watch the house again if the opportunity arises again.
To which Buffett adds "And some things never change. Hit it, boys!"
Jimmy Buffett stated when he appeared on Jerry Jeff Walker
's television show, that the song was based on true-life experience.
When released as a single, the song was trimmed for radio, excluding the dialogue introduction and other corners of the song for pacing purposes.
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"...
. It was first released on his 1985
1985 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1985.-January–March:*January 1 - The newest music video channel, VH-1, debuts on American cable. It is aimed at an older demographic than its sister station, MTV...
album Last Mango in Paris
Last Mango in Paris
Last Mango in Paris is the 15th studio album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released in June 1985 as MCA 5600 and was produced by Buffett and noted country music producer Tony Brown. The album represented continuation of Buffett's shift toward a more country...
and was his first of three charting singles off that album. This song charted #56 on US Country
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
.
Plot
The song concerns an apparently professional entertainer who leaves his home in the care of the unnamed narrator and another man nicknamed "Snake" while he goes to perform elsewhere.Once the homeowner leaves, the two men notice all the food and liquor he has and decide that it will go to waste if it's not consumed. They shoot the lock of his liquor cabinet and invite numerous people to his house to party: have naked conga lines, throw people into his swimming pool, and partake in his commodities.
When the homeowner calls the house and reports that he's returning early, the two rush everyone out and clean up the mess left during the party. When the homeowner returns, the two men point out all the work they've done around his house in his absence, then offer to watch the house again if the opportunity arises again.
Live Performances and Radio Edits
When performing the song in concert, Buffett calls it "The scariest song you'll hear tonight." Its performance is often preceded by a pre-recorded voice intoning:- "In days of old, when knights were bold,
- And journeyed from their castles,
- Trusty men were left behind;
- Knights needed not the hassles.
- They helped themselves to pig and peach,
- And drank from King's own chalice;
- Oh, it was a stirring sight,
- These gypsies in the palace."
To which Buffett adds "And some things never change. Hit it, boys!"
Jimmy Buffett stated when he appeared on 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:...
's television show, that the song was based on true-life experience.
When released as a single, the song was trimmed for radio, excluding the dialogue introduction and other corners of the song for pacing purposes.