"Jimmy" is a cover of the song "Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja" sung by Parvati Khan in Hindi from the 1982 Bollywood movie Disco Dancer, written by Bappi Lahiri. "Jimmy" features different orchestration and beats from the previous version, and original English lyrics written by Arulpragasam. M.I.A. performed the track on BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2007.
The single was released in the UK on October 1 in CD single, 7" and 12" formats. In February 2008 the single began to gain traction on the US dance charts, peaking at #28 after five weeks on the chart.
M.I.A. explained that "Jimmy Jimmy Aaja" was a track she used to dance to when she was a child. "My mum used to hire me out when I was a kid as a party buffer. It was my track that I used to do my routine to. I had a little tape recorder, and a cloak and a cardboard cut out guitar, and that was my joint." Describing the recording and writing processes, she revealed that she had already recorded the strings and other parts of the song in India, but initially didn't attempt to do "Jimmy" when she was with co-producer Switch, explaining "I had to be drunk enough to be that disco. It all came together that week." Arulpragasam wrote the song about an invitation she received from the journalist Ben Anderson while working in Liberia, to meet him whilst covering a genocide tour. The 70's disco-pop style of the song stands in marked contrast with other songs on Kala.
"Jimmy" has been covered by the indie pop band Of Montreal.
The music video for "Jimmy" was directed by childhood friend Nezar Khammal. It premiered in Japan in July, and was premiered elsewhere around the world in August, the month of her second album release Kala. The music video features M.I.A. dancing with a golden crown on her head, with eleven dancers dressed in yellow in an Indian fashion, all dancing a variation of the Thousand Hand Bodhisattva. Occasionally the video cuts to show M.I.A. dancing by herself and two other girls in a different style of clothing against a white backdrop.
The video has received some airplay on MuchMusic in Canada.
A slightly different version of the music video, using the Dan Carey Radio Mix of the song, was used to promote "Jimmy" in the UK and in Italy.
Jimmy
M.I.A. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come back Jimmy
When you go Rwanda Congo
Take me on a genocide tour
Take me on a truck to Darfur
Take me where you would go
Got static on ya satellite phoneGotta get you safe at home
Gotta get you somewhere warm
So you get me all alone
Jimmy! (Adja)
Jimmy! (Adja)
Jimmy! (Adja)
Jimmy! (Adja)
Time and time and time and time again
You keep pushing that button but I don't know what you're sayin'
You hit me on AIM, tryin' to flip me on some game
Are you coming, are you going, are you leaving, are you staying?
You tell me that you're busy
Your lovin makes me crazy
I know that you hear me
Start actin like you want me!
You tell me that you're busy
Your lovin makes me crazy
I know that you hear me
Start actin like you want me!
Time and time and time again
You keep pushing me, what are you sayin?
But I still don't know what you're sayin
You tell me that you're busy
Your lovin makes me crazy
I know that you hear me
Start actin like you want me!
You tell me that you're busy
Your lovin makes me crazy
I know that you hear me
Start actin like you want me!
Jimmy! (Adja)
Jimmy! (Adja)
Jimmy! (Adja)
Jimmy! (Adja)
Jimmy, I love you, hear me sing
The song "Jimmy" by M.I.A. is a complex track with a hidden meaning behind its lyrics. The song is a plea from the singer to Jimmy, who is believed to be an African soldier fighting in various war-torn countries. The chorus repeats the words "Jimmy gone M.I.A., come back Jimmy," which suggests that Jimmy has gone missing in action. The lyrics describe the singer's desire to travel with Jimmy to Rwanda Congo and Darfur, which are regions of Africa that have witnessed some of the worst atrocities in recent history. The singer wants to see the devastation for herself, which is why she asks Jimmy to take her on a "genocide tour."
In the second verse, the singer expresses her frustration with Jimmy's lack of communication. He keeps "pushing that button," but she doesn't know what he's saying. She describes how Jimmy contacts her on AIM, and she's not sure if he's coming or going, staying or leaving. The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing the singer's desire for Jimmy's return. The bridge expresses the singer's love for Jimmy and her desperation for him to hear her.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy gone M.I.A.
Jimmy has disappeared and can't be found
Come back Jimmy
Please return, Jimmy
When you go Rwanda Congo
If you go to Rwanda or Congo
Take me on a genocide tour
Show me the locations where genocides occurred
Take me on a truck to Darfur
Bring me to Darfur on a truck
Take me where you would go
Take me with you wherever you go
Got static on ya satellite phone
Your satellite phone is experiencing interference
Gotta get you safe at home
I need to get you home safely
Gotta get you somewhere warm
We need to go somewhere warm
So you get me all alone
So we can be alone together
Jimmy! (Adja)
Call to Jimmy, who is missing
Time and time and time and time again
Repeatedly
You keep pushing that button but I don't know what you're sayin'
You are communicating, but I don't understand
You hit me on AIM, tryin' to flip me on some game
You messaged me on AIM, trying to play games
Are you coming, are you going, are you leaving, are you staying?
Uncertainty about your plans
You tell me that you're busy
You say you're busy
Your lovin makes me crazy
I am crazy about your love
I know that you hear me
I know you are listening to me
Start actin like you want me!
Show me that you want to be with me
Jimmy! (Adja)
Call to Jimmy, who is missing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bappi Lahiri, David Christopher Taylor, Mathangi Arulpragasam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scorpio4bingo
She is saying Jimmy Aja, which means come Jimmy, come. This song is actually based on an old Indian movie I saw 25 years ago. Basically a movie about a performer who is scared to perform on stage and he is frozen because his mom had just died. A friend of his, sings Jimmy Aja to encourage him to move and sing because life can't stand still. A very emotional movie and a good song. MIA just took that song and added her own influence.
@alphalite
I've seen clips of that movie and now that you've explained it, I can understand what's going on during this song, Thanks! :)
@babzluv
I know the movie your talking about, I love that movie, its such a classic movie, and I really like MIA influence on the song, I think she complement it very nicely :)
@pedrovargasduran8182
Can you please tell me what movie this is that you are speaking about? Thanks..
I Love M.I.A...
@scorpio4bingo
The name of this movie is Disco Dancer, Indian movie - came out in 1982. You can probably find it online
@pedrovargasduran8182
Thank you very much. I will look into it. I love foreign movies.. and because this song is one of my favorites, I am curious to see, perhaps, the source of inspiration.
Thank you..
@fairy097
She had the balls to do this at that time. She was definitely ahead of her time and no doubt she slayed it.
@agnesbamurange7404
I’m dying to listen to her new album
@fujikawa_j
balls to do what
@0raribaby
@@fujikawa_j lol fr