He Went to Paris

Jimmy Buffett

About He Went to Paris

"He Went to Paris" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean and was his fourth and final single from that album. Although it never placed on the charts, it's become one of his most popular songs, having appeared on several of his greatest hits compilations. Buffett wrote the song about musician Eddie Balchowsky, a one-armed Spanish Civil War veteran he met while playing in Chicago. On the live album You Had to Be There, Buffett mentions this as a favorite song he wrote. The song appears on Songs You Know By Heart, a greatest hits compilation that includes Buffett's concert favorites ranging from 1973 to 1979. However, "He Went to Paris" was the only song off that album that Buffett rarely played live, until he found out that Bob Dylan likes the song and decided to start playing it on a more frequent basis. Buffett included a live version, recorded in Paris, France in 2009, on his album "Encores". 


Year:
1985
3:31
2,628 
#2

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He went to Paris
Looking for answers
To questions that bothered him so

He was impressive
Young and aggressive
Savin' the world on his own
But the warm summer breezes
The French wines and cheeses
Put his ambition at bay
His summers and winters
Scattered like splinters
And four to five years slipped away

Then he went to England
Played the piano
And married an actress named Kim
They had a fine life, she was a good wife
And bore him young son named Jim
And all of the answers, and all the questions
He locked in his attic one day
'Cause he liked the quiet
Clean country livin' and
Twenty more years slipped away

Well, the war took his baby
Bombs killed his lady
And left him with only one eye
His body was battered
His whole world was shattered
And all he could do was just cry
While the tears were falling and he was recalling
Answers he'd never found
So he hopped on a freighter, skidded the ocean
And left England without a sound

Now he lives in the islands
Fishes the pilings
And drinks his green label each day
Writing his memoirs
Losin' his hearin'
But he don't care what most people
Through eighty-six years of perpetual motion
If he likes you he'll smile, and he'll say,
"Jimmy, some of it's magic, some of it's tragic
But I had a good life all of the way."

And he went to Paris
Lookin' for answers to questions
That bothered him so

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Jimmy Buffett

James William "Jimmy" Buffett (born December 25, 1946) is an American singer–songwriter, author, and businessman. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett has recorded hit songs including "Margaritaville" (ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of "Songs of the Century") and "Come Monday". He has a devoted base of fans known as "Parrotheads". more »

9 fans

Written by: JIMMY BUFFETT

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"He Went to Paris" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter, Jimmy Buffett. It was first released on his 1973 album, "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean".
Cover Release
Country music icon Waylon Jennings covered the song, adding to its popularity. His version of the song was included in the 1980 album "Music Man".
Song Inspiration
The song was reportedly inspired by the real-life story of Eddie Balchowsky, a Spanish Civil War veteran and artist that Buffett met in Chicago.
Chart Performance
Despite its popularity, "He Went to Paris" did not chart upon its initial release. It gained critical acclaim over time and is now considered a classic in the Buffett catalog.
Genre
The song is usually classified as Country or Gulf and Western, a genre coined by Buffett himself to describe his musical style combining country, pop, and folk.
Song Theme
The song's lyrical narrative follows the life of a man who went to Paris, looking for answers, and how his experiences shaped his perspective on life, carrying a core message about treasuring life’s simple pleasures.
Tribute
In live performances, Jimmy Buffett often dedicated the song to his late grandfather, whom he credits with inspiring his storytelling abilities.
Philanthropic Use
In 2005, the song was used in TV commercials to raise funds to aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The music video features images of Buffett and shots of the hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast region.
Cover Variations
Waylon Jennings' version of the song varies significantly from the original recording by Jimmy Buffett. Jennings' distinctive outlaw country style offers a more emotive and melancholic take on the song.
Other Covers
Besides Waylon Jennings, other artists including Alan Jackson and Mac McAnally have also performed cover versions of "He Went to Paris."

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