Video Drum Cover – Cats On Trees – Calogero – Jimmy

“Jimmy” is a beautiful example of how a song can evolve from an intimate piano-and-drums composition into a successful collaboration between two very different French pop worlds. Originally released by Cats on Trees in 2013, the song was written by the duo’s own members, Nina Goern and Yohan Hennequin. A new version featuring Calogero was recorded and released in 2015, bringing French lyrics and a new vocal dimension to the song.

The creative process behind “Jimmy” reflects the way Cats on Trees normally work. In an interview, Nina Goern and Yohan Hennequin explained that there are no strict songwriting roles between them: they compose together, recording ideas on their phones and developing small musical or lyrical fragments until they discover the character of a song. Hennequin has also described how their music is built around the combination of piano and drums, a particularly important detail for anyone interested in the rhythmic identity of “Jimmy.”

The original song appeared on the duo’s self-titled debut album and was sung entirely in English. Its slow, atmospheric character gives Hennequin’s drumming plenty of space. Rather than overwhelming Nina Goern’s piano and voice, the drums help create movement and emotional tension. The groove is understated but carefully controlled, with the percussion functioning almost like another melodic voice.

When Calogero became involved, “Jimmy” was given a new life. The collaboration was recorded as a new version in 2015, with Calogero contributing vocals and some French-language passages while retaining the essential identity of the original. The track was released on the deluxe edition of Calogero’s Les Feux d’artifice and became a single.

The recording credits are particularly interesting for drummers. Yohan Hennequin is credited on drums, while Pierre Rougean contributes percussion and Gilles Davancens plays electric bass. The arrangement also includes keyboards and a substantial string ensemble, creating a richer texture around the core piano-and-drums relationship.

The song was also brought into the live world. Cats on Trees were already performing “Jimmy” before the Calogero collaboration, and the duo continued touring extensively in 2015. Their concert history includes appearances at venues and festivals such as Prairie des Filtres in Toulouse, Domaine de Montjoux in Thonon-les-Bains, and L’Olympia in Paris for RTL2’s 20th-anniversary event.

The collaboration also reached audiences through the song’s 2015 music video, where Nina, Yohan and Calogero perform together on rooftops beneath the summer sun.

For a drum fan, “Jimmy” is fascinating because its power comes from restraint rather than complexity. Yohan Hennequin’s drumming gives the song its pulse, supports the piano and voices, and leaves room for the emotional melody to breathe. It is a reminder that a drummer does not always need to dominate a song—the most effective groove can sometimes be the one that quietly holds everything together.