After a concert in 2005, the group was spotted by Jérôme Deschamps and Macha Makeïeff, who would later co-produced their first album with Naïve Records. At the same time, they won the Prix Paris Jeunes Talents.
The group was noticed during a concert at the Printemps de Bourges in 2006 and 2007. Jimmy, the first single from their first album Gee Whiz But This is A Lonesome Town (2007), was a success which allowed Moriarty to play at La Cigale. The album sold more than 50,000 copies in a few months and was certified gold a year after its release. The group went on a long tour that took them to Canada, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, and England.
In 2008, Moriarty performed at the Soliday festival, Eurockéennes de Belfort, Francofolies de La Rochelle, and Fête de l'Humanité.
The group takes its inspiration from traditional Celtic music, country, and blues.
The group plays around one microphone during their concerts.
En 2008, Moriarty was one of 10 artists nominated for the Constantin prize.
https://moriartyland.net/
Jimmy
Moriarty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the grass is green and the buffaloes roam
Come see Jimmy
Your uncle Jim and your auntie Jim and your cousin Jim
Come home Jimmy 'cause you need a bath
And your grandpa Jimmy is still gone daft
Now there's buffalo Jim and buffalo Jim
There's Jim buffalo now didn't you know
Jim Jim Jimmy its your last cigarette
But there's buffalo piss, it's all kind of wet
Jambo Jimmy you'd better hold your nose
All roads lead to roam with the buffaloes
And the Buffaloes used to say be proud of your name
The Buffaloes used to say be what you are
The Buffaloes used to say roam where you roam
The Buffaloes used to say do what you do
Hey you've gotta have a wash but you can't clean your name
You're not called Jimmy you'll be Jimmy just the same
The keys are in the bag in the chest by the door
One of Jimmy's friends has taken the floor
Jimmy won't you please come home
Where the grass is green and the buffaloes roam
Dear old Jimmy you've forgotten you're young
But you can't ignore the buffalo song
And the Buffaloes used to say be proud of your name
The Buffaloes used to say be what you are
The Buffaloes used to say roam where you roam
The Buffaloes used to say do what you do
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
The lyrics to Moriarty’s song Jimmy are fittingly strange for a band that takes its name from the fictional villain in Sherlock Holmes stories. The song seems to revolve around a character named Jimmy who has been gone a while and needs to come home. The invitation to come home where the grass is green and the buffaloes roam may be a metaphor for a simpler, more natural way of life. Yet despite the invitation, Jimmy is told he needs a bath and his grandpa is still gone daft. There are several Jimmys mentioned, which could imply a sense of community or family, but it also makes it unclear who exactly the song is directed towards.
The song then takes a bizarre turn with mentions of “buffalo Jim” and a variety of Jim buffalo. The chorus repeats the phrase “the Buffaloes used to say…” implying that there is some wisdom or guidance to be gleaned from the buffalo. The lyrics suggest a sense of disillusionment or loss of identity, with the line “you’re not called Jimmy but you’ll be Jimmy just the same”. The song seems to encourage Jimmy to find his way back home and embrace his unknown identity. Overall, the lyrics leave a lot open to interpretation and can be seen as a commentary on the confusing and complex nature of identity in today’s world.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy won't you please come home
This line is a direct request for Jimmy to come home.
Where the grass is green and the buffaloes roam
This line references a peaceful, natural setting, where all is serene.
Come see Jimmy
Your uncle Jim and your auntie Jim and your cousin Jim
This line implies that many people in Jimmy's family share the same name.
Come home Jimmy 'cause you need a bath
And your grandpa Jimmy is still gone daft
This line is a reminder of Jimmy's personal hygiene and of the family's mental health challenges.
Now there's buffalo Jim and buffalo Jim
There's Jim buffalo now didn't you know
This line references the fact that even buffaloes have different names and identities.
Jim Jim Jimmy its your last cigarette
But there's buffalo piss, it's all kind of wet
This line is a warning of the dangers and temptations present in life, and how easy it is to succumb to them.
Jambo Jimmy you'd better hold your nose
All roads lead to roam with the buffaloes
This line is an allusion to the idea of succumbing to one's primal instincts and desires.
And the Buffaloes used to say be proud of your name
The Buffaloes used to say be what you are
The Buffaloes used to say roam where you roam
The Buffaloes used to say do what you do
This line highlights the idea that buffaloes have their own culture, traditions, and wisdom, which can be applied to human life as well.
Hey you've gotta have a wash but you can't clean your name
You're not called Jimmy you'll be Jimmy just the same
This line highlights the idea that one cannot fully escape their identity, no matter what they do.
The keys are in the bag in the chest by the door
One of Jimmy's friends has taken the floor
This line is a reference to a specific instance in Jimmy's life, where he has lost something and his friends have taken over in his absence.
Jimmy won't you please come home
Where the grass is green and the buffaloes roam
Dear old Jimmy you've forgotten you're young
But you can't ignore the buffalo song
This line is a final plea for Jimmy to return to a peaceful life, and not forget his identity and roots.
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
This line suggests that Jimmy's true home is a place where he is unknown, and not tied down by any expectations or preconceptions.
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
If you remember you're unknown
Buffaloland will be your home
This line is a repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's true identity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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