Riddles in the Sand is the thirteenth studio album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released in September 1984 as MCA 5512 and was produced by noted country music producer Jimmy Bowen and represented a concerted shift toward a more country sound by Buffett. He appeared on the album's cover in typical country singer garb and promoted the album at Fan Fair country music festival in Nashville, Tennessee. The album was originally to have been titled Gulf and Western MusicRiddles in the Sand at BuffettWorld.comGary Graff. "Buffett determined to outlast music trends." The Ledger. p. 17. July 9, 1984. "...'Gulf and Western,' the album Buffett just finished recording in Nashville that's due for a September release." reflecting the fusion of musical styles seen in much of Buffett's music often called Gulf and Western music. In the album's liner notes, Jim Harrison says, "This album has a musical range expanding in an arc from Bob Wills to Bob Marley with the Gulf somehow always there."Riddles in the Sand liner notes at BuffettRemasters.com
Songs The album is the first of Buffett's not to contain a song written solely by him; he co-wrote all of the songs with Will Jennings and Michael Utley (one also with Josh Leo) except for a song by Mac McAnally and one by Rhonda Coullet. The album's final song, "La Vie Dansante," was later remade by Aaron Neville for his 1991 album Warm Your Heart. That version contained an added background chorus in French. Buffett recorded a new version of "Knees of My Heart" for his 2003 greatest hits collection Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection.
Chart performance Riddles in the Sand reached No. 95 on the Billboard 200 album chart and No. 18 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The song "When the Wildlife Betrays Me" hit No. 42 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, "Who's the Blonde Stranger?" hit No. 37 Country, and "Bigger Than the Both of Us" hit No. 58 Country. Chart (1984) Peakposition U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums 18 U.S. Billboard 200 95
Track listing
Personnel The Coral Reefer Band: Jimmy Buffett – guitar, vocals Matt Betton – drums, saxophone Sam Clayton – percussion Emory Gordy Jr. – bass Robert Greenidge – steel drums Greg "Fingers" Taylor – harmonica Mike Utley – keyboards Reggie Young – guitar John Barlow Jarvis – synthesizer, keyboards Billy Joe Walker Jr. – guitar Larry Lee, Wendy Waldman, Thomas Flora, Mac McAnally – background vocals
Singles "When the Wild Life Betrays Me" b/w "Ragtop Day" (Released on MCA 52438 in August 1984) "Bigger Than the Both of Us" b/w "Come to the Moon" (Released on MCA 52499 in November 1984) "Who's The Blonde Stranger" b/w "She's Going Out Of My Mind" (Released on MCA 52550 in March 1985)
Notes