Jimmy Jazz Lyrics
Police walked in for Jimmy Jazz
I said "He ain't here, but he sure went by"
Oh, you're lookin' for Jimmy Jazz
Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Police come look for Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
So if you're gonna take a message 'cross the town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
See it gets to Jimmy Jazz
[Instrumental Break]
So tell me now!
The police came in they said "Now where's Jimmy Jazz?"
I said, "Hmm, he was here but, um, he said he went out"
Who is it you're lookin' for? Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
Hey, Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and they'll chop off his head
Oh, you're lookin' for Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
What a relief!
I feel like a soldier
Look like a thief!
It's for the Jazz, Jazz
He came in and he went past
Oh, you're lookin' for the Jimmy Jazz, Jimmy Jazz
In fact, don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz, Jazz
J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
And then it sucks, he said, "Suck that!"
So go look all around
You can try your luck, brother, and see what ya' found
But I guarantee you that it ain't your day, your day
It ain't your day
Chop! Chop!
About
Although this jazz-blues song is credited to Joe Strummer (lyrics) and Mick Jones (music), it’s no stretch to imagine that Topper Headon, who had a background in jazz, had some influence. The song is said to have derived from jam sessions during the band’s workup for this album. Strummer’s semi-improvised lyrics place the listener in the middle of a film noir-like world obliquely telling the story of Jimmy Jazz, an outlaw on the run from the police and Jimmy Dread. Or is Jimmy Dread an alias for Jimmy Jazz?
The song is perhaps the most radical departure from the punk genre on the album and appearing as the third song on the album reinforces the notion that the band was not going to be restricted any longer. Its first live performances (prior to the album) caused bewilderment among music writers. Mick Jones even introduced the song in Chicago with a mocking “This is the Home of the Blues, right?”
But while it may be different from any other prior Clash song, it does share some similarities with other London Calling cuts via references to film noir, violent films, “bad man” ballads and rude boy reggae. This also continues the jittery police paranoia that hangs over some of the songs in the album.
The song reflects the line “I feel like a soldier / look like a thief” as the band attempts to maintain their punk ideals while appropriating other genres and styles into their music.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 3.Jimmy Jazz
- 4.Hateful
- 9.Clampdown
- 11.Wrong ’Em Boyo
- 12.Death or Glory
- 13.Koka Kola
- 14.The Card Cheat
- 15.Lover’s Rock
- 16.Four Horsemen
- 17.I’m Not Down
- 18.Revolution Rock
- 19.Train in Vain