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Jimmy is the second single from experimental electronica rap artist M.I.A.’s second album Kala (2007), and her first single from the album in Japan. The song was written and produced by Maya Arulpragasam and Switch and released in late July, 2007.
“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” 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.
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Shouts
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mad_madame wrote:
i remember showing this song to several friends years ago. none of them liked it, I still love it! <3
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Giooz wrote:
Jimmy... Aaja![2]
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tinakilz wrote:
Love at first listen.
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InfectiousElf wrote:
Jimmy... Aaja!
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ImNotNugget wrote:
ajaaaaaaaa ! ;D
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michulikesmusic wrote:
amazing song
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monojoe wrote:
crazy how "disco dancer" made it's way thru all over the world :) this cover is fantabulous :-)
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czebex wrote:
love it
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Bouncebread wrote:
Awesome songname!
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rescue__me__ wrote:
I love this song <3333333333333
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wearethesmiths wrote:
i know a jimmy! and love him.
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AmeHana wrote:
This is so rave-worthy!
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YasashiiAme wrote:
Every time I hear this song, it gets stuck in my head for daaaays. But man, do I love it <3
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Gofromiel wrote:
J'adore cette chanson ! Jimmy ?! Ajaaaaaaaaa !!
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cookie-freak wrote:
jimmy ajaaa!jimmy ajaaaaa
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supersmashsteve wrote:
Is it true that this is going to be on GH5? Awesome song, but just LOL, I can't see it fitting.
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cinnth wrote:
ajaaaaaaaa :D
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Bouyeah wrote:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
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marlonkruger wrote:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAJA
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The_Slickness wrote:
you tell me that you're busy/ your lovin' gets me crazy
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Recent Activity
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organic43 added Jimmy to his Loved Tracks. 7 hours ago
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paulinauzera added Jimmy to paulinauzera’s library. yesterday evening
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paulinauzera added Jimmy to the playlist <3. yesterday evening
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jacksensei added Jimmy to jacksensei’s library. yesterday morning
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jacksensei added Jimmy to the playlist 50 of OO. yesterday morning
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alecat, fabriz830, meta41 and 5 other people loved M.I.A. – Jimmy. Monday evening
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tinakilz tagged Jimmy with ‘love at first listen’. Sunday morning
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tinakilz and dloomer loved M.I.A. – Jimmy. Sunday morning
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BIr22 added Jimmy to the playlist Søndag. Saturday afternoon
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glOOrka added Jimmy to her Loved Tracks. Saturday afternoon
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