Description
Jimmy Buffett – Christmas Island – Vinyl Record
Jimmy Buffett – Christmas Island is a tropical-infused holiday album that blends classic Christmas cheer with Buffett’s signature beachside, laid-back vibe. Released on October 8, 1996, this album stands out as a distinctive entry in the canon of Christmas music. Rather than leaning into the traditional orchestral or country-inspired interpretations of holiday tunes, Christmas Island delivers a breezy, escapist approach that imagines Santa in flip-flops and sleigh bells jingling alongside steel drums and ukuleles.
Buffett, already well-known for his easygoing “Gulf and Western” sound and songs like “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” brings that same whimsical, tropical sensibility to the Christmas genre. The album is split between reimagined versions of classic holiday songs and original compositions that are full of Buffett’s signature humor and charm. It opens with a cheerful rendition of “Christmas Island,” a song previously recorded by The Andrews Sisters and others, but here it’s transformed into a laid-back island anthem that perfectly sets the tone for what follows. The song’s lyrics about spending Christmas in a hammock with sunshine and sand instead of snow become a sort of mission statement for the album.
Among the standout tracks are Buffett’s playful takes on traditional carols, including “Mele Kalikimaka” (the Hawaiian Christmas song popularized by Bing Crosby), which fits naturally with Buffett’s tropical flair. “Jingle Bells” is reimagined with a calypso beat, full of steel drums and offbeat rhythms that turn the familiar into something novel and fun. “Run Rudolph Run” injects rock ’n’ roll energy into the tracklist, while “Up on the Housetop” is given a country-meets-island groove.
The heart of the album, however, lies in Buffett’s original songs. “Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rhum” is a witty, seafaring take on Santa Claus, imagining him as a swashbuckling figure who prefers rum to milk and cookies. Another original, “A Sailor’s Christmas,” co-written with producer and longtime Coral Reefer Band member Michael Utley, is one of the album’s most emotionally resonant songs. It captures the bittersweet experience of spending Christmas at sea—away from loved ones, yet holding onto the spirit of the season. Its reflective tone adds depth to an otherwise mostly jovial album and highlights Buffett’s underrated ability to write introspective ballads.
While Christmas Island may not follow the usual blueprint for a holiday record, that’s exactly what makes it special. It offers a welcome escape from the snow and stress that can sometimes accompany the season, inviting listeners to imagine a version of Christmas spent on the beach with a drink in hand and the sun setting over the ocean. It’s become something of a cult favorite among Parrotheads (Buffett fans) and anyone who prefers their Christmas with a little salt and lime.
In the years since its release, Christmas Island has endured as a unique holiday album—one that’s just as likely to be played at a December beach party as it is by the fireplace. For fans of Jimmy Buffett or anyone looking for a refreshing twist on Christmas music, this album provides the perfect soundtrack to a warm-weather holiday or simply a mental getaway from the winter chill. It’s fun, festive, and undeniably Buffett.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Christmas Island
Jingle Bells
A Sailor’s Christmas
Happy XMAS (War is Over)
Up on The House Top
Mele Kalikimaka
Run Rudolph Run
Ho Ho Ho And A Bottle of Rhum
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Merry Christmas, Alabama (Never Far From Home)
A Visit From St. Nicholas
