"Machine Gun" debuted in September 1969 by Hendrix and his then bandmates drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox as a lengthy, loosely musically defined (jam-based) protest song to the Vietnam War, and was broadcast on the Dick Cavett Show, the week of September 5. The song is long, with most known performances between ten and twenty minutes in length, and each with different music and lyrics, but share the same opening riff and basslines. The song opens with a recognizable, Univibe Pedal based guitar riff intended to mimic the sounds of a firing machine gun. The memorable (and menacing) bass and drum patterns then commence. The rather sparse lyrics, which differ in every performance, are told from the point of view of a soldier fighting in war:
" Machine gun
Tearin' my body all apart
Evil man make me kill you
Evil man make you kill me
Even though we're only families apart.
Well, I pick up my axe and fight like a farmer,
You know what I mean?
Hey, and your bullets keep knockin' me down..."
In the Band of Gypsys recording, Hendrix's vocals are also accompanied by Buddy Miles' vocals. "Machine Gun" is a prime example of Jimi Hendrix's effects mastery, as most recordings use a wah-wah pedal, an Arbiter Fuzz Face, a Univibe pedal, and an Octavia pedal, as well as heavy use of feedback.
The intro to "Hear My Train A Comin'" at Jimi's Woodstock performance in August 1969 is reminiscent of the "Machine Gun" intro, once again using the Univibe pedal. He also used vocal lines and riffs (which match up in a fashion similar to "Machine Gun") while playing an E blues mainly beginning at the 12th fret, much like the "Machine Gun" intro.
During the writing and recording of (what would have been) Hendrix's 4th studio album, Jimi began a studio version of "Machine Gun", which was later heavily edited by Alan Douglas, and featured on the 1975 posthumous release Midnight Lightning. This version was not very well received among fans, as Douglas had brought in session musicians to overdub drum, bass and even guitar parts, which were missing/lacking due to either poor recording quality, or damage to the tapes.
Notable cover versions of the song include the 2004 performance by Praxis at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, relased on the album Tennessee 2004 in 2007.
02 Machine Gun
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tearing my body all apart
Machine gun
Tearing my body all apart
Evil man make me kill ya
Evil man make you kill me
Even though we're only families apart
Well I pick up my axe and fight lik a bomber
(you know what I mean)
Hey and your bullets keep knocking me down
Hey I pick up my axe and fight like a bomber now
Yeah but you still blast me down to the ground
The same way you shoot me down baby
You'll be going just the same
Three times the pain
And your own self to blame
Hey machine gun
Oooooooooo
I ain't afraid of your mess no more, babe
I ain't afraid no more
After a while your your cheap talk don't evern cause me pain
So let your bullets fly like rain
'cause I know all the time you're wrong baby
And you'll be goin' just the same
Yeah machine gun
Tearing my family apart
Yeah yeah alright
Tearing my family apart
Don't you shoot him down
He's about to leave here
Don't you shoot him down
He's got to stay here
He ain't going nowhere
He's been shot down to the ground
Oh where he can't survive no no
Yeah that's what we don't wanna hear any more, alright
No bullets
At least here, huh huh
No guns, no bombs
Huh huh
No nothin', just let's all live and live
You know instead of killin'
"Machine Gun" is a song by Jimi Hendrix that was recorded live at the Fillmore East in New York City in 1969. The song is known for its intense and politically-charged lyrics, as well as Hendrix's intricate guitar work. The lyrics describe the singer's intense desire for a woman who is a "masterpiece of grace" and a "symphony of elegance." He is consumed by his lust for her and compares it to a "lust ignited fever" that he cannot quench.
The singer is aware that this woman has used weaker men for her own pleasure and does not want to be a victim to her games. He declares that he is "not here for you to walk on" and "not your welcome mat." He wants to be more than just a conquest for her, but rather a true partner in love.
The imagery and metaphors used in the lyrics underscore the intensity of the singer's desire for this woman, as well as the power dynamic between them. The references to a "machine gun" and being "harder than a coal train" suggest a sense of violent intensity and domination, while the descriptions of the woman's beauty and grace suggest a sense of vulnerability and submission.
Overall, the lyrics of "Machine Gun" explore the complex dynamics of desire and power between two individuals, and the risks and rewards of pursuing a passionate but potentially dangerous relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the first time that I saw you
I was speechless when I saw you for the first time.
I could not speak a word
I was unable to express my emotions verbally.
My tongue was tied in giant knots
I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I found it impossible to speak.
And I felt so disturbed
I was emotionally troubled by my feelings for you.
At the feeling rushing through me
I am overcome by my strong emotions for you.
The heat inside my veins
I feel passionate and deeply in love with you.
At the way my nerve ends tingle
I feel intense physical and emotional sensations when I think about you.
Every time you call my name
I feel drawn to you whenever I hear your name.
I've got a lust ignited fever
I am deeply passionate and attracted to you.
And I can't put out the flame
My love and passion for you cannot be extinguished.
Next time that I saw you
When I saw you again,
I felt so at ease
I felt comfortable around you.
You had a languid disposition
You were relaxed and laid back.
I had an willingness to please
I had a strong desire to make you happy.
And your candy apple red lips
Your bright red lips,
Full of violets and sex
Were seductive and attractive.
Had me harder than a coal train
I was extremely aroused and excited.
Had my collar wringing wet
I was sweating profusely with desire for you.
Now I'm gonna crash and burn
I know that my passion for you will ultimately lead to my downfall.
But I'm not finished yet
However, I will not give up on my love for you.
You're a symphony of elegance
You are graceful and sophisticated.
A masterpiece of grace
You are a work of art, stunning in both appearance and character.
And animated work of art
You are a living, breathing masterpiece.
Who's acquired a taste
You have developed a fondness for sexual partners who are submissive to you.
For the flesh of weaker lovers
You enjoy dominating lovers who are less powerful than you.
Lie down on their backs
They submit to you and adopt a passive role during sex.
To be ridden at your leisure
You use them for your own pleasure and enjoyment.
And be taken off like hats
They are discarded when you are finished with them.
I'm not here for you to walk on
I will not allow myself to become a victim of your manipulations and games.
And I'm not your welcome mat
I will not allow you to treat me as if I am inferior to you.
My heart is pounding like a big bass drum
My heart beats rapidly and powerfully when I think about you.
Excited at the thought I might get me some
I am thrilled at the prospect of being intimate with you.
Lick it off my fingers
I savor every moment that I am with you and enjoy the anticipation of more.
Taste it on my tongue
I relish the taste of your body on my tongue.
Love you little baby like a machine gun
I love you passionately and powerfully, like an unstoppable force.
Machine...
A metaphor for my unstoppable and intense love for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Devin Kennedy
on Spanish Castle Magic (alternate take)
Is this really the alternete take