Surfing in a Hurricane

Album: Buffet Hotel (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • While making Buffet Hotel, Buffett employed techniques from earlier albums, such as recording later at night after surfing. The album includes this track, the first surf rock song Buffett has ever written.
  • Buffett drew some ire from the press in 2018 when he announced his intention to surf at Folly Beach in South Carolina before the impending Hurricane Florence arrived. On Instagram, the singer posted a photo of himself with a surfboard on the evacuated beach, quoting the lyrics:

    I ain't afraid of dying
    I got no need to explain
    I feel like going surfing in a hurricane


    When he was criticized for setting an irresponsible example, Buffett advised his followers to be cautious and respect their local authorities.

Comments: 3

  • Capt Rino from St. Pete Beach, Fl.Born and raised on Pensacola Beach and I’ve surged during a few tropical storms and approaching hurricanes!
  • Alan Williams from Pensacola, FlFirst thing I thought of when I saw the title of this song is going surfing the day before hurricane Camille hit the Gulf Coast. I'm sure the s a n e r types we're making all sorts of comments about me and the 40 other guys that were out there, but did I care? H e c k no, because it was too much fun.
  • Ken from MargaritavilleThis song is a mix of B-52's keyboards, surf-twang guitar and vaguely reminiscent of the theme from the "Munsters". The lyrics are *awesome*.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.