Somewhere over China

Songs

In addition to songs written or co-written by Buffett (two with Steve Goodman and two with Michael Utley), the album includes the John Scott Sherrill-penned "Steamer" and Frank Loesser's 1940s standard "On a Slow Boat to China." Recorded for the album but not included was "Elvis Imitators", also written by Goodman, with Buffett singing an Elvis Presley imitation with the Jordanaires on background vocals. The song was to be credited to "Freddie and the Fishsticks" and it was later released on Buffett's box set, Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads. "I Heard I Was in Town" was also included on the box set in the Ballads section, but in a slightly different mix than what appears on Somewhere over China; it also makes its only official live recording on Buffett's live EP Live in Key West.

Chart performance

Somewhere over China reached #31 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The song "It's Midnight and I'm not Famous Yet" hit #32 on the new Billboard Rock Tracks chart.

Track listing

Side 1:

1. "Where's the Party" (Jimmy Buffett, Steve Goodman, Bill LaBounty) – 3:37
2. "It's Midnight and I'm Not Famous Yet" (Jimmy Buffett, Steve Goodman) – 3:49
3. "I Heard I Was in Town" (Jimmy Buffett, Michael Utley) – 3:36
4. "Somewhere over China" (Jimmy Buffett) – 5:20

Side 2:

1. "When Salome Plays the Drum" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:25
2. "Lip Service" (Jimmy Buffett, Michael Utley) – 3:57
3. "If I Could Just Get It on Paper" (Jimmy Buffett) – 3:32
4. "Steamer" (John Scott Sherrill) – 4:06
5. "On a Slow Boat to China" (Frank Loesser) – 3:56

Personnel

The Coral Reefer Band:

Additional Reefers:

Singles