Jimmy James Lyrics
This next one is the first song on our new album
[Verse 1]
People, how you doin'? There's a new day dawnin'
For the Earth Mother, it's a brand new mornin'
For such a long while, there's been such a longin'
But now the sun is shinin', let's roll back the awnin'
[Sample]
Move your body
[Verse 2]
This a type of kinda like a formal dedication
Givin' out a shout for much inspiration
All I ever really want to do is get nice
Get loose and goof a little slice of life
Sendin' out love to all corners of the land
I jump up on the stage and take the mic in my hand
I'm not playin' the role, just being who I am
And if you try to dis me, I couldn't give a damn
[Sample]
'Cause I'm rockin'
Rockin', rockin'
Rock-rock, rockin'
Yeah, get down
Rock-rock, rock on
Rock-rock, rock on
Rock-rock, rock on
Mic-mic, mic control
Mic-mic, mic control
Mic-mic-mic, mic control
Yeah, can you get my drift?
Bass from the back of my car feels soothin'
Eight bazookas is what I'm usin'
I'm Mike D, and it's been proven
I love it when I see the party people just movin'
Strapped on my ear goggles and what did I see?
But the music brought the people into harmony
About
“Jimi James” is the first song from Beastie Boys' third (full-length) album, Check Your Head. It was recorded and mixed at G-Son Studios, Atwater Village, CA, with Mario C co-producing with Beastie Boys and enginering. After mastering by Tom Baker at Future Disc, “Jimi James” was issued as the LP’s third single on 8.28.1992, four months following the album release on 4.21.1992.
source: ktsthlm
Adam “MCA” Yauch described “Jimmy James” as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Originally, it began as an instrumental groove with scratching done by Yauch (appears on the "Jimmy James” EP as the “Original Original Version”). Later during the making of CYH, lyrics were written and the other two Beastie Boys, Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “King Ad-Rock” Horovitz, joined Yauch on vocals.
Samples include:
- “Surrender“ by Cheap Trick, from the album, Cheap Trick at Budokhan (1978)
- “Happy Birthday“ by Jimi Hendrix, from the album, My Best Friend (1979)
- “Foxy Lady"
- “I’m Chief Kamanawanalea” by the Turtles, from the album, The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands (1968)
“Jimi James” was performed in 48 known concerts.
- 1st Known Performance: 5.22.1992 — Tradewinds, Seabright, NJ, US
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vw5i7TPkYfI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNcdRt-yteI - Last Known Performance: 9.26.2007 — Riveria Theatre, Chicago, IL, US
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Jimmy James
- 2.Funky Boss
- 3.Pass the Mic
- 4.Gratitude
- 5.Lighten Up
- 11.The Blue Nun
- 12.Stand Together
- 13.Pow
- 14.The Maestro
- 15.Groove Holmes
- 16.Live at P.J.’s
- 17.Mark on the Bus
- 18.Professor Booty
- 19.In 3's
- 20.Namasté
- 21.Dub the Mic