The Jimithing (appreciation thread)

[Madnana]

Okay, so I know this song gets a lot of hate around here in recent years, but I still love Jimi Thing! Sure, there are better songs, and certainly Jimi has seen better days, but I find that Jimi Thing is still my #1 go-to DMB jam, even after all these years.

So, for my 1000th post, I wanted to start a Jimi Thing appreciation thread. Feel free to share your favorite versions!

One of the things I find interesting about this song (and I could write a whole essay about this, believe me) is how this song may be the most consistently played song in the entire DMB catalogue. Like you can go on the DMBalmanac and click on literally any tour and find at least a few Jimi Things. Maybe that's why so many people hate it, because it's overplayed? But the band always seems to love playing it, and Dave seems to love hearing the audience sing along.

Because the song has evolved over the years, as has the band, I like to think of Jimi Thing as a barometer. It may be the one song that best reflects how the band is feeling/evolving at that time. Early Jimithing jams were a bit more loose and experimental, much as the band was still feeling each other out in those days. By the mid-90s, Jimi Thing had grown into an intense epic jam, reflecting the hunger the band was then chasing. By the time they started playing larger arenas and stadiums in the late 90s, the Jimi Thing jams had become a little bit more mellow as the band started to grow tired. There was a renewed vigor in '03 when Dave started scatting, followed by the laziness of For What It's Worth interpolations as Dave's songwriting grew lazy overall. And, of course, that leads us to the current versions which incorporate several covers in the outro.

Personally, I like the epic mid-90s Jimi jams the best. But no matter what, this song always puts a smile on my face, even if it is a bit past its prime. Oh, did I mention I'm a stoner? That probably helps, too!

Sorry for the long rambling post.

[but1well]

The jam on the 94 Trax DMBLive is just incredible. Those and the WWBOM outros are the best.

[Foreverford05]

If it topped out around 9 minutes, I'd be cool with it. I actually like Jimi Thing, I just hate how long the jam has gotten. Not that it's a bad jam, just entirely too long IMO. I'd rather a 12-13 minute Stone, LIOG, 41, TS rather than a Jimi.

[haiku.warrior]

Any version with the For What It's Worth outro is my favorite. Wish they would bring that back.

[ISawTheBridge10]

Originally Posted by Foreverford05

If it topped out around 9 minutes, I'd be cool with it. I actually like Jimi Thing, I just hate how long the jam has gotten. Not that it's a bad jam, just entirely too long IMO. I'd rather a 12-13 minute Stone, LIOG, 41, TS rather than a Jimi.

Rarely should any song exceed 12 minutes. 9-12 minutes is the wheel house.

You wanna take something like Seek Up to ~15 min? That's fine. But, watch out: you're on thin f'in ice with me, pal.

[Spell On Me]

I've always been a big fan of Jimi and it's always been one of my favorites. People say its overplayed and too long, but the crowd always seems to really get into it. Are there other songs that may be better? Sure. But a mid-set Jimi is always cool. Just my opinion.

[cpxc.]

Extremely overplayed. As soon as the song starts I make a dash for the bathroom.

Don't care for Jimi full band. My favorite is D&T with the WWBOM outro.

[tyler3440]

Jimi thing pre 2005ish is fine. Jimi has always been long, but I prefer the jams when Dave was doing solos and going off on them. If he was hitting the solo right it would bring a ton of energy. Even the scats pre 2005 were decent and he would put funny stuff into them. They would also bring some energy. After that 2004 year the song started dying out slowly. The song is currently the worst it’s ever been. It’s attached to 3 or 4 covers at the end. Holy shit it drags for an eternity now. It was already a song where the initial reacting was facepalm and it would crush the life right out of you. Once they added like 15 fucking covers it’s a 10 times worse reaction.

The only redeeming quality for Jimi is that I could see it being a fun song for a fan that’s never seen a show before. Someone like that wouldn’t know how monotonous the song has become.

[SeekUpTheCubs]

Deer Creek 2012. Sexy MF, It’s a Jimi Thing, Thank You outros

Wrigley is my favorite scat I think. I really liked the scat > guitar solo.

I like jimi. Love the outros and seeing them change with eras of the band. I agree it’s overplayed and makes me less enthusiastic about it. But I’m also one of those people who thinks, if they’re going to play it, they should really jam. The 13 minute versions aren’t as exciting for me lately

[space_raven]

I haven't appreciated a Jimi Thing since 2005

[Madnana]

I'm loving all the Jimi love in here, thank you!

Originally Posted by but1well

The jam on the 94 Trax DMBLive is just incredible. Those and the WWBOM outros are the best.

Yes, What Will Become of Me is great too! I generally prefer Jimi Thing full band, so I don't listen to WWBOM too much, but it's another great way that Dave has always tried to mix things up and keep it fresh.

Originally Posted by SeekUpTheCubs

Deer Creek 2012. Sexy MF, It’s a Jimi Thing, Thank You outros

Wrigley is my favorite scat I think. I really liked the scat > guitar solo.

I like jimi. Love the outros and seeing them change with eras of the band. I agree it’s overplayed and makes me less enthusiastic about it. But I’m also one of those people who thinks, if they’re going to play it, they should really jam. The 13 minute versions aren’t as exciting for me lately

That Wrigley version is great! I haven't listened to it in a while though. I might have to dust that one off soon.

Don't think I've heard that DC 2012 one. Sounds like a good one that I will check out first.

[chadizzy1]

It’s overplayed and it’s too long.

[bubba40]

Maybe the best song the band is performing right now. It's a close race between Jimi, Crush and Typical.

[Jan-Willem]

I love the LT 31 Jimi.

I also like guests on Jimi Thing. The LT 5, LT 39 and the Live at the Hollywood Bowl are among my favorites...


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[bubba40]

Originally Posted by Jan-Willem

I love the LT 31 Jimi.

I also like guests on Jimi Thing. The LT 5, LT 39 and the Live at the Hollywood Bowl are among my favorites...


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Guests on Jimi are freaking awesome.

[LaLaLaLaHey]

Originally Posted by Jan-Willem

I love the LT 31 Jimi.

I also like guests on Jimi Thing. The LT 5, LT 39 and the Live at the Hollywood Bowl are among my favorites...


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The mix on the Hollywood Bowl one is great & I especially love the trading 1s between Tim and Buddy on the 2018 & later versions. That being said, I've never been a fan of the covers afterward or an abnormally extended jam over ~ 8-10 mins.

[Madnana]

That version from 7-30-03 that was on the Drive In this week really reminded me how much better Jimi was back when Dave played the guitar on it. In fact, this might have been one of the last versions where Dave played a guitar solo on it. Actually, he technically does 2 solos, with a little bit of Davescat in between.

[Cobo]

While I'm not a huge fan of the tune and have no interest in seeing it at a show anymore, the version from LT5 is up there as one of the band's best performances that I've heard!

[twigs1201]

It's been one of my favorite songs for a long time. Since it's played so often, I love hearing the different improvisations and how the song has evolved throughout the years. For example, listening to Roi's solos in 95 and hearing how the band changes the backgrounds as the years go on. The 95 solos have a great aggressive feel and 99 solos give a nice laid back feel. And now in the last few years Tim and Buddy have incredible back and forth improvs. Definitely my most listened to song.

Currently listening to the one from 1/26/95 with Trey. Great one.

[Madnana]

o man, how about the horns on this MSG jimi? Sucks the video keeps cutting out, but another great Jimi Thing in the DMB Drive-In series!

[spiza]

Originally Posted by space_raven

I haven't appreciated a Jimi Thing since 2005

i agree if i do not get a Jimi thing on a 2 night run i consider it a success. Last time was Spac 2015 and 2016 for me.

[Roose13]

One of my first favorite songs, but man did it become stale in the last 10+ years.