He also has a thing for retro Adidas sportswear from the glorious trefoil era, rather than the ‘modern geometric triangle’ interpretation of the three stripes. And, long before Kanye West chose this as a vocation, Jay Kay wasn’t entirely averse to altercations with the paparazzi.

His name ISN’T Michael Caine…

His name is Jason Kay, and while he may dance like a dad these days, back in the late ’90s and early noughties Sir Jay of Kay identified as something of a master helmsman. Also known, frequently, as ‘the cat in the hat’.

Seldom did a day pass when he wasn’t snapped arriving at a butcher’s shop in a classic Bentley S1 Continental drophead. Or sitting opposite farming guru Jeremy Clarkson in the aftermath of hooning a reasonably priced hatchback around a certain airfield. Or starring in his own music videos while driving super-cool Lamborghinis in shades of purple that even Prince might have rejected at Paisley Park.

It’s just who he was…

It’s simply who he was and what he did. Typically in preposterously proportioned hats; like Boy George, but with fewer man-servants.

Apparently Jay wore extravagant headgear for several reasons, including:

F.A.C.T. 1: To hide his sweaty forehead during high-energy performances.
F.A.C.T. 2: To maintain a spiritual connection or ‘orenda’, an Iroquois concept from which the band’s name is derived.
F.A.C.T. 3: Pure self-expression.

But did you know Jay also rode BMXs into swimming pools and wrestled Mini Motos while dressed as Napoleon?

MORE F.A.C.T.S.

If you’re familiar with the “Seven Days in Sunny June” music video, you’ll know exactly what I mean. If not, read on. Ideally read on anyway; Gavin has a fantastic website here, and he perpetually takes a punt on my episodic words. If he’s willing to indulge my vaguely automotive drivel, then so should you.

Perversely

Cast your minds back to the summer of 2005: a pre-Covid era of carefree sunshine, years before Boris Johnson made a prat of himself on a zip-wire.

It was August when “Seven Days in Sunny June” was released.

Perversely.

According to Wikipedia (and I quote): ‘The video features the band having a pool party in a garden, where they do random things such as playing with a beach ball, riding minibikes, throwing confetti, as well as having ketchup lowered from a helicopter, as Jay Kay sings the lyrics.’

Let’s pause for a recap.

The ‘garden’ is actually the grounds of Jay Kay’s rambling Buckinghamshire residence, and the video was shot a month earlier. Still technically not June, but I’ll cease with the pedantry.

I’ll also get to the ‘cars’ bit soon, promise.

The ‘random things’ weren’t random at all – obviously pre-determined – and frankly, in terms of rock-star excess, Jay can’t be accused of setting a terrible example. Certainly nothing approaching ‘driving a Rolls into the pool’ levels, nor Robbie Williams’ “Come Undone”-era approach to recreational substances.

Anyway, I digress.

Undigressing

Wikipedia also tells us that Jay changes his outfit seven times to represent the days of the week, ‘with one of the garments being a Peru national football team inspired jacket.’

A quick correction: it’s a classic Adidas tracksuit top, not a jacket. Plus they could have mentioned the kilt, the WWI helmet, or the natty striped collared shirt. But no.

The entry does, however, correctly conclude: ‘The video ends with Kay on the ground, laughing.’ Which it does.

Just one car in a Jamiroquai music video SHOCKER!

And now the real revelation: despite Jamiroquai’s long history of exotic machinery, this video features just one car. And not the one you’d expect.

But that’s not all. There are thirteen (count ’em) unconventional modes of transport spotted throughout the garden-party madness, including exotic birds, inflatable creatures and dolphin-headed costumes.

Below, we’ve highlighted this eclectic collection, in no particular order. If you spot any I’ve missed, leave a comment below (or resign yourself to continued singledom).

Here’s the video itself, in case you need to check my counting or admire the dolphin man again.

Warning: contains scenes of trampoline misuse and one unexpectedly well-valeted Fiat 500.

The 13 modes of transportation in “Seven Days in Sunny June”

Mini bikes

Miniature motorcycles. Mini motos, if we’re being colloquial. Not to be confused with children’s bicycles.

Pink flamingos

Simply no better way to flit across an English summer garden.

Dancing feet

Mostly Jay’s. The man cannot keep still. My mum used to say he must have St. Vitus’ dance (probably not something we can say today, but I’ve said it anyway).

Spacehopper

The elite athlete’s choice of mobility. Also the spiritual ancestor of every trampoline found in back gardens bordering railway lines.

Hot air balloon

Not exactly Lamborghini acceleration, but it does cover ground once aloft.

Helicopter

Like a Fiat Seicento Sporting, a helicopter is an essential part of any reputable rock star’s fleet.

Yellow Fiat 500 (original)

Speaking of sexy little Fiats… bonus: it gets valeted mid-video.

Another party-goer’s shoulders

Correct: Jay hitches a lift on the shoulders of a reveller dressed as a dolphin. As you do.

Hovercraft

The sort Clarkson repeatedly face-planted on Top Gear, but here seemingly mastered by acid-funk’s answer to a question nobody ever asked.

Retro Adidas trainers

It wouldn’t be a Jamiroquai video without Jay’s iconic trabs making an appearance.

Trampoline

The other well-established method of achieving flight, should the hot-air balloon be unavailable.

Jumping

Not trampoline-assisted; simply launching oneself off a poolside springboard with vague forward momentum.

A 1990s stunt BMX

Briefly ridden into the swimming pool by Jay for comedic effect. Possibly cider-related.

There you go

Thirteen distinct forms of transport – and not a single classic Ferrari or Lamborghini among them. Arguably a first for a Jamiroquai music video.

I hope you’ve learned something today. Feel free to unleash these facts with devastating effect at social gatherings when conversation flags.

You’re welcome. See you next time.

Main image courtesy of the Audi Press Office. Not from the video. That one features considerably fewer supercars and considerably more inflatable birds.