Meaning of "Love In The Library" by Jimmy Buffett

"Love In The Library" by Jimmy Buffett explores the idea that love can be found in unexpected places and in the most mundane of situations. The setting of a library provides a backdrop for the narrator's encounter with a woman, creating an atmosphere of intellectualism and quietude. The song suggests that the library, with its books filled with stories and knowledge, serves as a catalyst for love and human connection.

The mention of the old doomsday fanatic wearing a crown of kudzu and the sirens wailing in the gulf coastal heat establish a sense of chaos and tension in the outside world, which acts as a stark contrast to the peace and serenity found within the library. The narrator pays no attention to this chaos, instead being drawn to the woman standing on fiction books with bare feet. This imagery suggests that love can arise unexpectedly and can transport individuals beyond the confines of their ordinary lives.

The lyrics also touch on the power of imagination and storytelling. The narrator compares himself and the woman to a pirate and a queen, invoking images of adventure and royalty. This reinforces the idea that love can flourish in the realm of fantasy and imagination, especially when surrounded by stories and books. The line "words never spoken but so much was said" suggests that there is an unspoken connection between the narrator and the woman, further emphasizing the power of nonverbal communication and the depth of emotions that can be conveyed without words.

The song acknowledges that stories and fantasies eventually fade, and time eventually forces lovers to part ways. The guard drawing the shade symbolizes the end of the encounter and the need to return to reality. However, the song encourages the listeners to write their own endings and hold onto the possibility that their own love stories can come true. It invites the audience to cherish the brief moments of connection and embrace the hope and optimism that love can bring, even in the face of uncertainty.