In 1974, when Jimmy Buffett caught the infamous Monday morning feeling, it was unlike any other artist’s experience — he was elated. The Mississippi-born singer-songwriter, known for his blend of country, folk, and pop sounds, was already four years into a slow-burning music career but had yet to find a major hit that would catapult him into widespread recognition.
Buffett’s journey had been marked by persistence rather than immediate success. By the time his fourth studio album, Living and Dying In 3/4 Time, hit the shelves in February 1974, he had established a loyal following performing live but remained under the commercial radar. His previous album, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean, had come tantalizingly close to breaking into the Billboard Top 200, and its singles had fared modestly — “The Great Filling Station Holdup” climbed halfway up the country charts, and “Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit” cracked the Top 30 on the Adult Contemporary list. These small victories were sweet rewards for a man who once worked as an editorial assistant at Billboard magazine itself.
The turning point came with the release of “Come Monday” — a heartfelt ballad and standout track on his February album — in April 1974. Written by Buffett and produced by Don Gant, the song began captivating audiences across Adult Contemporary, pop, and even country radio stations. It was largely autobiographical, painting a vivid picture of the singer’s life on the road and his longing for love.
At the time, Buffett was finishing a residency at Nashville’s iconic Exit/In club and preparing to perform at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. The song’s lyrics narrate a journey to California for the Labor Day weekend show. Buffett was indeed opening for Country Joe McDonald during a three-night gig at the Lion’s Share club in San Anselmo — a real-life event that underscored the authenticity of the song.
Behind the lyrics is the story of a man grappling with heartache and homesickness. After a divorce, Buffett had found new love in Jane Slagsvol, a South Carolina native turned Key West local. “Come Monday” reflects his yearning to reunite with Jane after long tours, boldly revealing,
“California has worn me quite thin.”
He wrote the song in a budget hotel room, a place where he wrestled with dark thoughts, admitting years later on Late Night With David Letterman that,
“‘Come Monday’ is the song that kept me from killing myself in the Howard Johnson in Marin County.”
The track was recorded on October 23 at Woodland Studios in Nashville shortly after he returned from the road.
Upon release, “Come Monday” earned a Recommended Single mention in Billboard’s April 13, 1974 issue, boosted further by an innovative, 18-minute promotional film showcasing Buffett performing the song and others around his Key West home. The film was screened in southern and southeastern ABC theaters, bolstering the album’s profile.
Though the album only just cracked the Billboard Top 200 (peaking at No.176), it lingered on the charts for a solid 13 weeks. The single made Buffett’s debut on the Hot 100, soaring to No.30 during its 14-week presence. On Adult Contemporary charts, it climbed as high as No.3, underscoring its broad, easy listening appeal, though it stalled at No.58 on the country listings.
The song’s emotional resonance proved timeless. Three decades later, country star Kenny Chesney covered “Come Monday” on a special Target-exclusive edition of his 2004 album When The Sun Goes Down. In 2011, Buffett and Chesney joined forces to perform it live on stage in Nashville, bridging generations of fans.
The lyrics capture a tender narrative of longing and devotion, with Buffett singing about his travels, loneliness, and his love’s patience. He pledges comfort and connection, promising,
“Come Monday, it’ll be alright / Come Monday, I’ll be holdin’ you tight.”
The song remains a testament to love’s power to uplift even in the loneliest of times.
Jimmy Buffett’s “Come Monday” is not just a song — it’s a glimpse into the vulnerable heart of an artist finding his way, wrestling with his demons, and ultimately holding on to hope and love among the whirlwinds of life on the road.