Hendrix claimed this was inspired by a dream where he was walking under the sea. In the dream, he said a purple haze surrounded him, engulfed him and got him lost. It was a traumatic experience, but in his dream his faith in Jesus saved him.
Hendrix claimed this had nothing to do with drugs; instead it could refer to some themes in Sci-Fi comics he was fond of about purple rays. However the lyrics seem to vividly portray an acid trip, and Hendrix was doing plenty of drugs at the time.
The single peaked at number three in the UK but only number 65 in the US, where it was released on June 19, a month after the UK LP “Are You Experienced” and three months after the UK single. In March 2005, Q magazine ranked “Purple Haze” at number one in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. The Rolling Stone magazine placed the song at No. 17 in their “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
This song was featured on Guitar Hero World Tour along with another Jimi Hendrix song, Wind Cries Mary. In Guitar Hero World Tour this song is in a lower tone than it really is because in Guitar Hero World Tour it was a live recording.
Purple Haze
Hendrix Jimi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
lately things don't seem the same
actin' funny but I don't know why
'scuse me while I kiss the sky
Purple Haze all around,
don't know if I'm coming up or down
Am I happy or in misery?
Purple Haze was in my eyes
don't know if it's day or night
you've got me blowing, blowing my mind
is it tomorrow or just the end of time?
The lyrics to the Jimi Hendrix song "Purple Haze" describe the experience of being under the influence of a psychedelic drug, likely LSD. Hendrix describes feeling like things are not the same, feeling funny, and not knowing if he's coming up or down. The image of purple haze all around adds to the sense of disorientation and confusion. The line "excuse me while I kiss the sky" has been interpreted as a reference to the sensation of flying or floating that can be experienced on a hallucinogen.
The song also mentions a girl who has put a spell on the singer. This could be a reference to the idea that psychedelic drugs can alter one's perception of reality and lead to a feeling of being under the control of an external force. The final verse adds to the sense of timelessness and confusion, with the singer not knowing if it's day or night or if the end of time is approaching.
Overall, "Purple Haze" is a vivid portrayal of the psychedelic experience, with its use of vibrant colors and surreal imagery. The song has become an iconic representation of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and is often seen as a classic example of psychedelic rock.
Line by Line Meaning
Purple Haze was in my brain
I was under the influence of drugs (specifically LSD) and experiencing altered perceptions.
lately things don't seem the same
The effects of the drugs have caused changes in the person's perception of reality.
actin' funny but I don't know why
The person is exhibiting strange behavior due to the drug's impact on their brain.
'scuse me while I kiss the sky
An expression of the euphoric feeling the person is experiencing while under the influence of the drug.
Purple Haze all around,
The drug's impact on the person's perception is all-encompassing.
don't know if I'm coming up or down
The person is unsure of whether they are experiencing the effects of 'coming up' (increased effects of the drug) or 'coming down' (decreased effects).
Am I happy or in misery?
The person is experiencing extreme emotional fluctuations due to the drug's impact on their brain.
Whatever it is, that girl put a spell on me
The person attributes their altered state to the influence of a woman they are interested in, as if she has some magical power over them.
Purple Haze was in my eyes
The person's visual perceptions have been altered by the drug.
don't know if it's day or night
The person's sense of time has been disrupted due to the drug's impact on their brain.
you've got me blowing, blowing my mind
The person is experiencing an overwhelming or mind-blowing sensation due to the drug's impact on their brain.
is it tomorrow or just the end of time?
The person's sense of time is so disrupted that they question whether they are experiencing a normal day or some sort of apocalyptic event.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@positional_play
Purple haze, all in my brain
Lately things they don't seem the same
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
Excuse me while I kiss the sky
Purple haze, all around
Don't know if I'm comin' up or down
Am I happy or in misery?
What ever it is, that girl put a spell on me
Help me
Help me
Oh, no, no
Ooh, ah
Ooh, ah
Ooh, ah
Ooh, ah, yeah!
Purple haze all in my eyes
Don't know if it's day or night
You got me blowin', blowin' my mind
Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?
Ooh
Help me
Ahh, yeah, yeah, purple haze
Oh, no, oh
Oh, help me
Tell me, tell me, purple haze
I can't go on like this
(Purple haze) you're makin' me blow my mind
Purple haze, n-no, no
(Purple haze)
@Sarazar
Still legendary!
@terra923
Hello person with 1m subs
@npc4805
Hello person
@lamppuu1
Yessir!
@bobdesmonats
Moin Sarazar
@depressedgrizzlyADG
Lol Sarazar hab dich damals vor 6 Jahren geschaut 😅
@teenagewasteland9610
Fun Fact: There is a rock bar in Kathmandu, Nepal named Purple Haze Rock Bar. And what's cooler over there is that, there's a portrait of Of JIMI HENDRIX made with 10157 ping pong balls which equals the number of days he lived on the earth (November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970). I hope those who travel to Nepal in the future must check into Purple Haze rock bar. That place is a ripper.
@pilotcannabiss8482
☮️
@bxllwxr1d220
How has the ping pong balls not get out of place since even a little shake could ruin it 😭
@ishantrajan9284
Thanks for the suggestion!