Is “Margaritaville” The Most Valuable Song Ever?

Forbes has an article on the business empire that Jimmy Buffett has built around his song “Margaritaville.”

Last year, the Margaritaville brand generated more than $1 billion in sales across all categories, and only a small fraction of that money comes from sales, streams, or plays of the song. The sheer number of products that now bear the now-famous song title is amazing, and the money keeps pouring in. With revenues like that, it’s entirely possible that “Margaritaville” has made more money than any other track in history.

Margaritaville’s success doesn’t come from the fact that the song was a hit back in the day, but rather from the feeling that the music and the lyrics convey. It has become a lifestyle, and one that an entire generation wants to be a part of. The song—and now the brand—are all about escapism, and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s very casual, and everybody is welcome. These qualities lend themselves naturally to a hotel, so it’s a bit surprising that the idea has only gained traction recently. The company just opened a new location last fall in Hollywood, Florida, and everything about the place exudes Margaritaville, from the location (on the beach, of course), to the flip flops and t-shirt-wearing crowd to the decor.

Read the full article here.