Ric Ocasek: “Jimmy Jimmy” (1983)

Ocasek’s dark narrative about a troubled teen failed to gain much traction.

Kronomyth 1.2: Slim and Jim.

Okay, I admit it, Beatitude is a better album than I thought. Mind you, I always wanted to like that album, but I was expecting Gary Glitter (arena-friendly glam) and not Gary Numan (downbeat synthesizer music). I wasn’t the only person who wasn’t immediately revved about the songs on Ric Ocasek’s debut album. “Something to Grab For” stalled on the charts and a second hit single from Beatitude never emerged. Jimmy Jimmy was released as a promotional single to radio stations and a music video was even made to support it, but the song’s serious subject matter and low-key arrangement made it a tough sell. It is, in fact, a very good song, although it’s taken me a while to warm up to it. The synthesizer-driven arrangement is sophisticated, the lyrics are serious yet sympathetic and as for Ocasek’s melodic touch, his fingerprints are all over this. The “single” version of “Jimmy Jimmy” shaves a minute off the album version, and a “new extended version” appeared on the 12-inch single. In Canada, where “Jimmy Jimmy” got a proper release, A Quick One appeared as the B side. Personally, I think “A Quick One” would have made for a better A side, but I’m clearly not the best person to ask. For the 12-inch single, a really cool remixed/extended version of Connect Up to Me appeared.

Original 7-inch single version

A1. Jimmy Jimmy (Ric Ocasek) (3:54)
B1. A Quick One (Ric Ocasek) (3:37)

Original 12-inch single version
A1. Jimmy Jimmy (A New Extended Version) (Ric Ocasek) (5:07)
B1. Connect Up to Me (Remix/Extended Version) (7:20)

The Plastic

Released on 7-inch and 12-inch single in 1983 in the US (Geffen, 0-20114) and Canada (Geffen, 92 96257/92 01140). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1983 in the US (Geffen, 7-29625) feat. A stereo & mono versions.