Hero Themester Challenges Buffett to Dolphins Song Duel

Local man speaks for all, says his Fins theme is better than Jimmy Buffett's recycled cheese

By JANIE CAMPBELL
Updated 6:37 PM EDT, Tue, Aug 11, 2009

TWITTER FACEBOOK

MIAMI - APRIL 27:  Singer Jimmy Buffett (C) watches the Miami Heat take on the Atlanta Hawks during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Aren
Getty Images

Out of the teeming massess of humanity horrified by the rebranding of Dolphins Stadium your champion has finally risen, South Florida. 

And he is one angry man.

Miami Gardens resident Lionel Lightbourne has been a Dolphins fan since he was one year old. One!  He even wrote a theme song!  And now that Jimmy Buffett's re-tailored song "Fins" threatens to challenge the already uninspiring fight song "Miami Dolphins No. 1" for airtime at Land Shark Stadium, he is not going to take the disrespect lying down.

"A good song should not be determined by the person's name but by how good the music is," Lightbourne told Miami New Times. "I felt unappreciated. So I'm calling Buffett out."

Yes!  It's not the Beasley-Spoelstra dance-off we've been craving, but it'll do.

Back in 2002, Lightbourne, his wife, and their six children spent 10 hours in a studio recording a song they call "Dol-Phans 4 Life." It wasn't bad -- in fact, the family entered a Super Bowl contest sponsored by Doritos and beat every challenger they faced. The song is now played on radio broadcasts of games, and everyone was pleased. 

Until Jimmy Buffett got his grubby mitts on the stadium name, that is, and recycled his old song "Fins" to include silly throwaway lines like "high-fives fill the breeze" and "we're entering the FinZone."  Not exactly the Miami-appropriate urban style the Lightbournes favored, or up to their (or anyone's, really) standards.  

"People love our song. We've proved it," Lightbourne said. "It's time for the Fins to respect that."

While we wonder why no one's clamoring for a return single from Corey and Fins, Lightbourne's grassroots campaign against Buffett's tune is picking up steam.  The Dolphins declined to host an official song-off, for obvious contractual reasons, but Miami New Times is unafraid to host a throwdown.  In fact, they'd like fans to chime in by listening to both songs and choosing a favorite

Friends, Miamians, countrymen: lend them your ears.  If it saves us just one extra play of "Fins," it was worth it all.

First Published: Jun 17, 2009 3:48 PM EDT

TWITTER FACEBOOK

  • 100% laughing 1
  • 0% furious 0
  • 0% sad 0
  • 0% bored 0
  • 0% thrilled 0
  • 0% intrigued 0
processing
      No comments have been posted yet.

      You have 2000 characters left

      processing
      So My City

      You are posting in (change)

      550/550 characters

      (jpg, pngs, or gifs allowed)

      (jpg, pngs, or gifs allowed)
      *Tip: You can also post moments via email or Twitter.

      processing

      View Your Moment in

      Posted by | 1 second ago

      Don't Miss

      local_beat

      Mar 19, 2010

      Spence-Jones Lawsuit Tossed

      Gov. Charlie Crist gets the last laugh on suspended Miami commissioner - again

      Read It

      local_beat

      Mar 19, 2010

      Killer Bees Take Down Big Dog

      Dog and it's owner were barking up the wrong tree. Only one escaped with their life

      Read It

      sports

      Mar 21, 2010

      Stunning Kansas Loss Busts Everyone's Brackets

      The first giant has fallen.

      Read It
      Loading...
      Birthdate:
      You must be at least 13 to sign up.
      Gender:
      invalid

      By clicking the button below, I accept the terms of use and privacy policy

      Already Signed Up? Login Below.

      processing

      Here's what we're posting:

      *Only used for verification. We do not store your password.
      processing