Daniel Powter – Jimmy Gets High

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  General Comment:Bluebell Field, thanks for the info about what he said at the concert. And, I think the song is about Jimmy's drug use, but the quote about "living off rock'n'roll" is a metaphor for something else.
  
  Jimmy was a friend of Daniel Powter's who lost his life to drugs. That, we do know, thx to BF's post. Beyond that, this is my guess:
  
  Jimmy's situation with drugs got so dire, he resorted to prostitution to feed his addiction. The line, "everybody hates it when you're livin' offa rock'n'roll" suggests that. "Rock'n'roll" is not just a form of music, it's also very old slang for having sex. Back when rock'n'roll was born in The (conservative) 50's, it was in songs marketed to younger listeners. If Jimmy was indeed "living off rock'n'roll" he was making a living off of sex to get drugs, which would be a heartbreaker for his friends.
  
  Jimmy's drug of choice was heroin. And, the lyrics are not sung from the perspective of Daniel Powter and his friends. It's about them, but not from them. Rather, it's from the heroin needle, which is the main character. Two quotes support this:
  
  "I must confess, I'm a real live wire" This is heroin being administered through a needle, with the needle metaphorically referred to as a "live wire."
  
  "Jimmy you and me we get along a while" This is the period of time from when Jimmy shoots up with the needle until he comes down. "Get along" is a euphemism for being high and the connection between the user (Jimmy) and the needle.
  
  Aisha_08 comments about how she thought Daniel Powter was all about "Bad Day" and you don't always listen to other songs on the album. I was the same way. I liked the single, but never got the album. Actually, I'm kind of an anti-pop snob. But on a whim, 7 years after its release, here I am checking out "DP" at the San Francisco Main Library. Hey, it's free, right? Anyway, I'm in awe of Powter's songwriting ability. There's maybe one bad song on the album. And, a lot of Powter's arrangements and vocals are like an Elton John for the 2000's. I'm an Elton John fan, and I enjoy it when someone comes along with their own thing, but you can hear the influence of another musician you really like.
  
  
  

  Flagged chriscook999on August 03, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:For me I believe this song is about Jimmy Hendrix, however the only one of the three jimmy's I can think of that is still alive is Jimmy Page and he is the only one that did make it out alive and they never really did prove that Jim Morrison died from drugs not to my knowledge. I think this is about Jimmy Hendrix because he was in the army (I wonder if you ever get yourself back here alive) kinda goes with that or it could be about somebody that wasnt famous and that he just personally knew either way it's a great song.

  Flag kevinmac32on August 29, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I think its actually about a lost girl.... that he's watching go in a downward spiral. she feels like she doesnt have anything or anyone so she says 'she can make it on her own and she'd rather be alone' as a defense. shes hurt and alone and giving up hope so she numbs herself with drugs.'everbody hates it whe you live off rock and roll'-this its her rebeling and crying out for help and attention. but the the drugs now are taking over. thats why he hopes they will be banned. meaning the dealers blacklist her for her own good. when he says he's a real live wire he's saying if she hangs with him he'll be enough...she wont need to do that anymore. he's confused why she is doing this because he doesnt see why she's sad, and he doest want he to ruin her life becuase of this(pass her by) he wants everything to work..but he's giving up and now only has hope for her

  Flag Jneer1487on December 18, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:yep,yep. pitseleh and bluebell field are right.

  Flag caput inter nubilaon December 16, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I went to a concert of his last year, and just before he performed this song he explained to the audiene that he and his friends had done drugs in the past, and unfortunately one of his friends died because of it. He wrote this song for him.
  
  "Jimmy you know, everybody hates you when youre living off your rock 'n roll"
  Could be a metaphor for drug usage

  Flag Bluebell Fieldon December 14, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I went to a concert of his last year, and just before he performed this song he explained to the audiene that he and his friends had done drugs in the past, and unfortunately one of his friends died because of it. He wrote this song for him.
  
  "Jimmy you know, everybody hates you when youre living off your rock 'n roll"
  Could be a metaphor for drug usage

  Flag Bluebell Fieldon December 14, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I love this song.

  Flag HollyRockson September 04, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:no actually the song is about a friend who was over his house and overdosed heroin and died.

  Flag pitseleh.on July 19, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:no actually the song is about a friend who was over his house and overdosed heroin and died.

  Flag pitseleh.on July 19, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I believe it is a story of a fictional character, or a based off somebody he knew. Jim Morrison's life was hardly poetic to spawn a song like this ..

  Flag LuckCharmon July 08, 2006   Link

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