Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes & Springtime in Charleston

I had never really heard much of Jimmy Buffett besides the obvious Margaritaville and Come Monday before arriving at The Citadel and Charleston SC, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that Jimmy Buffett really is the musician that personifies Springtime in The Holy City. Heard “Changes” this morning and quickly found myself recalling so many trips to the beach while a cadet…or simply walking downtown as a young Captain with Sundie and baby Luke…all fond memories…and now the song seems to be a bit of a theme song…I’m sure to many middle aged folks who have a fondness for Caribbean Pirate music….thanks Jimmy!

“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 (b/w “Landfall”) on ABC Dunhill 12305 in August 1977.

It was first released on his 1977 album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. It reached #37 on the Billboard Hot 100, #24 on the Hot Country Songs chart, and #11 on the Easy Listening chart. The phrase “and son of a bitches” was edited out of the single version of the song, replaced by “some bruises, some stitches”.

“Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” is one of Buffett’s more popular songs with fans, and is part of “The Big 8” that he has played at almost all of his concerts. Recorded live versions of the song appear on You Had to Be There, and the video Live by the Bay.

I took off for a weekend last month
Just to try and recall the whole year.
All of the faces and all of the places,
wonderin’ where they all disappeared.
I didn’t ponder the question too long;
I was hungry and went out for a bite.
Ran into a chum with a bottle of rum,
and we wound up drinkin’ all night.

It’s those changes in latitudes,
changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same.
With all of our running and all of our cunning,
If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.

[Chorus:]
These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes,
Nothing remains quite the same.
Through all of the islands and all of the highlands,
If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane

Reading departure signs in some big airport
Reminds me of the places I’ve been.
Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure
Makes me want to go back again.
If it suddenly ended tomorrow,
I could somehow adjust to the fall.
Good times and riches and son of a bitches,
I’ve seen more than I can recall

[Chorus]
I think about Paris when I’m high on red wine,
I wish I could jump on a plane.
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean.
God, I wish I was sailin’ again.
Oh, yesterdays are over my shoulder,
So I can’t look back for too long.
There’s just too much to see waiting in front of me,
and I know that I just can’t go wrong
with these…