Voodoo Chile
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood Lyrics


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Oh, I'm a voodoo chile
Oh no, I'm a voodoo chile

On the night I was born
I swear the moon turned a fire red
On the night I was born
I swear the moon turned a fire red
My mother cried "lord, the gypsy was right!"
I seen her fell down right dead

Mountain lions found me there waitin'
And set me on a eagle's wing
Mountain lions found me waiting
And set me on a eagle's wing
He took me past to the outskirts of infinity
And when he came me back
It gave me a venus witch's ring
And I said "fly on, fly on"
'Cause I'm a voodoo chile, yeah

I made love to you in your sleep
Lord knows you'll feel no pain
Made love to you in your sleep
Lord knows you feel no pain
I'm a million miles away
But at the same time I'm right here in your picture frame
'Cause I'm a voodoo chile
Lord knows, 'cause I'm a voodoo chile

My arrows are made of desire
From far away as Jupiter's sulphur mines
My arrows are made of desire
From Jupiter's far away sulphur mines
Humming bird hums so loud
But you think you're losing your mind

Float in liquid gardens
And Arizona's new red sand
Float in liquid gardens
In Arizona's new red sand

Taste the honey from a flower named Blue
In California and then New York drowns as we hold hands

'Cause I'm a voodoo chile
Lord knows, 'cause I'm a voodoo chile




'Cause I'm a voodoo chile
Lord knows, oh, 'cause I'm a voodoo chile

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood's "Voodoo Chile" tells the story of a mystical being who has been touched by the supernatural. The song speaks of the night the singer was born, envisioning the moon turning a fiery red and his mother crying as if she knew he was destined for something peculiar. The tale goes on to describe the singer's encounter with mystical creatures such as mountain lions and an eagle's wings, taking him beyond the outskirts of reality to the infinity before coming back with a Venus Witch's ring. Through the song's captivating verse, it becomes apparent that the singer is not of this world, and he is a voodoo child.


The song's lyrics express the singer's power and ability to create love and desire without pain. It tells how the singer can reach into a person's dreams and make love to them. It also explains the singer's capability of creating love arrows made of desire, using elements from Jupiter's far-off sulfur mines.


The lyrics to Voodoo Chile are an embodiment of Jimi Hendrix's classic electric blues performance. The song's enchanting story about the power and abilities of the voodoo child has made it one of the most magnificent performances of all time.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, I'm a voodoo chile
The singer is a voodoo witch.


Oh no, I'm a voodoo chile
The singer is confirming that they are a voodoo witch.


On the night I was born I swear the moon turned a fire red
The singer believes that there was some sort of supernatural occurrence when they were born.


My mother cried "lord, the gypsy was right!" I seen her fell down right dead
The artist's mother had consulted a gypsy about the child's future, and the gypsy's prediction had come true.


Mountain lions found me there waitin' And set me on a eagle's wing
The artist had some kind of spiritual experience where they were carried by an eagle and observed things.


He took me past to the outskirts of infinity And when he came me back It gave me a venus witch's ring And I said "fly on, fly on" 'Cause I'm a voodoo chile, yeah
During the spiritual journey, the singer obtained a magical ring and encourages the eagle to continue flying.


I made love to you in your sleep Lord knows you'll feel no pain
The singer is using their voodoo magic to chant over someone as they sleep, causing them pleasure in their dreams.


I'm a million miles away But at the same time I'm right here in your picture frame 'Cause I'm a voodoo chile Lord knows, 'cause I'm a voodoo chile
The artist is explaining that despite being physically far away, they still have influence over the person and are present in their memories.


My arrows are made of desire From far away as Jupiter's sulphur mines
The artist has magical arrows made of desire that have travelled from the other side of the galaxy.


Humming bird hums so loud But you think you're losing your mind
The artist is suggesting that their magic is so powerful that it is causing a person to hear things that are not real.


Float in liquid gardens And Arizona's new red sand
The singer describes a surreal scene where they are floating in a liquid garden in Arizona.


Taste the honey from a flower named Blue In California and then New York drowns as we hold hands
The artist is engaging in some magical ritual with someone, and it is causing a significant impact on the world.


'Cause I'm a voodoo chile Lord knows, 'cause I'm a voodoo chile
The singer is reiterating that they are a powerful voodoo witch.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Michael McCormick

It was great to see them back together again after the split and the animosity toward each other....made great music together when they were young....and they still can.

Darin Smith

You have to love of a Hammond

JERZY BEŁCIK

The heart of blues! Masterpiece! Hats off to the both gents!

Koukou BENBOUZID

A monument of blues served by 2 fantastic musicians : Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood in tribute to Hendrix the meteor ! I am grateful !

Elizabeth Moreira

Absolutely a great combination!!!

Sandman💀

When these two Legends get together, only amazing things happen. I remember seeing this in the Garden, I just can't remember what year cause I've seen Clapton every single time he's played anywhere near the NY City area since the late 70s. This, tho, was one amazing jam. ✌️

TheJkeske

So Deep! Incredible and mesmerizing! Love it

Jean-Claude CATALA

Absolument fantastique ! Comme d'habitude, depuis 40 ans !!!

robbie james

This touched my soul.

Keith Burford

Doesn't get better !!

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