Now they make new movies in old black and white
With happy endings, where nobody fights
So if you find yourself in that nostalgic rage
Honey, jump right up and show your age

I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache
The "Boston Blackie" kind
A two-toned Ricky Ricardo jacket
And an autographed picture of Andy Devine

I remember bein' buck-toothed and skinny
Writin' fan letters to Sky's niece Penny
Oh, I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache
Then I could solve some mysteries too

Then it's Bandstand, Disneyland, growin' up fast
Drinkin' on a fake I.D.
Yeah, and Rama of the jungle was everyone's Bawana
But only jazz musicians were smokin' marijuana
Yeah, I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache
Then I could solve some mysteries too

Thin, thin, pencil-thin mustache

Then it's flat top, dirty bob, coppin' a feel
Grubbin' on the livin' room floor, so sore
Yeah, they send you off to college, try to gain a little knowledge
But all you want to do is learn how to score

Yeah, but now I'm gettin' old, don't wear underwear
I don't go to church and I don't cut my hair
But I can go to movies and see it all there
Just the way that it used to be

That's why I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache
The "Boston Blackie" kind
A two-toned Ricky Ricardo jacket
And an autographed picture of Andy Devine

Oh, I could be anyone I wanted to be
Maybe suave Errol Flynn or the Sheik of Araby
If I only had a pencil-thin mustache
Then I could do some cruisin' too

Yeah, Bryl-cream, a little dab'll do ya
Oh, I could do some cruisin' too


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

Pencil Thin Mustache Lyrics as written by Jimmy Buffett

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Pencil Thin Mustache song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment

    clearly speaks of his nostalgia for the past, and the way things used to be. the line about college is evident in most student's lives, and perhaps buffett's in his adventures on campus. i can only speak my dissapointment in him as a fellow catholic, for its clear he hasn't changed entirely too much, as is evident in "Why don't we get drunk and screw" ~CD

    canteendaveon June 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah, it's Jimmy Buffett man...relax

    zigafuon April 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Probably no one will read this, but, I'll lay out the references as best I can for those who might not know:

    Boston Blackie - One of the original anti-heroes, Boston Blackie was originally a jewel thief and safecracker who found himself on the side of "good guys" more often than not. When he made the move from books and magazines to radio, he was re-styled as a detective. Noted for his fedora and thin moustache.

    Ricky Ricardo - Fictional bandleader portrayed by Desi Arnaz on "I Love Lucy." Arnaz was noted for wearing two-toned jackets as casual wear when relaxing at home.

    Andy Devine - Gravelly-voiced radio comedian who eventually parlayed his popularity into a successful career in children's television. Young fans would be sent an autographed photo of Devine when they wrote into one of his television or radio programs.

    Sky's niece Penny - "Sky King" was a radio and then television program about a rancher in the American southwest who used aircraft to aid law enforcement in capturing criminals and spies. His niece, Penny (a pilot in her own right) often assisted in his efforts. Many boys of the era had their first crush on Penny (Gloria Winters.)

    Bandstand - "American Bandstand," hosted by Dick Clark was one of the few places young people could see popular musical acts of the time perform, and the ONLY show that was aimed at a teenage audience. Its influence went on to heavily inform the creation of MTV.

    Disneyland - Amusement park opened by Disney in 1955 in Anaheim, California. Set the standard for all amusement parks through the present day (2020 as of this writing.) The park was heavily promoted on Disney's "Wonderful World of Disney" program.

    Ramar of the Jungle - (the lyrics get the name wrong, there's an "r' at the end) Television show set in the jungles of India and Africa.

    B'wana - (also mis-transcribe) A common phrase used in jungle-themed movies and television program. Roughly translates to "boss" or "guy in charge." Probably a racially loaded term these days.

    Errol Flynn - Movie actor known for his swashbuckling action-oriented films which were very popular when shown during the early days of television. One of Flynn's more notable pictures was "The Sheik of Araby."

    Bry-Cream - A hair pomade marketed heavily toward men. Responsible for the very neat and trim appearance of men's hair in the 1950s. Still available today.

    dodge10536on June 19, 2020   Link

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