This 6:45 largely instrumental piece has a garbled sound all throughout the… Read Full Bio ↴This 6:45 largely instrumental piece has a garbled sound all throughout the song. It is actually a conversation Hendrix had with a producer, which was cut up into pieces and slowed down to create the noise. At times, it is difficult to distinguish the slowed-down conversation from Hendrix' loud guitar wails during the speedy final four minutes of the song.

In the longer version you can hear Jimi talk to Chas Chandler in the control room. They were fans of Star Trek, and wanted to create something based on the TV show. The slowed down speech is what you hear them talking about amid the laughter and goof ups.

The "Third Stone from the Sun" is the Earth. Hendrix seemed to like the word "stone." Other songs he released include "Stone Free" and "Stepping Stone."

The Right Said Fred hit "I'm Too Sexy" interpolates the guitar riff on this song. Since the band's frontmen weren't familiar with "Third Stone," they didn't know the riff was lifted until the Hendrix estate threatened legal action. Their guitarist, Rob Manzoli, is the one who put it in.

09-Third Stone From The Sun
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Strange beautiful grass of green,
With your majestic silver seas
Your mysterious mountains I wish to see closer
May I land my kinky machine?

Although your world wonders me,
With your majestic and superior cackling hen
Your people I do not understand,

So to you I shall put an end

And you'll never hear surf music again

Overall Meaning

Jimi Hendrix's "Third Stone From The Sun" is a thought-provoking and astonishingly imaginative song. The introduction sets the mood for an extraterrestrial conversation that explores Earth's marvels and its peculiar and apparently incomprehensible individuals. The singer, who is an alien aboard an exploratory vessel, describes the planet's "strange beautiful grass of green" and "mysterious mountains" in wonder, expressing a desire to know more about the mysterious terrain. The singer then poses a question about landing on this planet with their "kinky machine," a suggestion that holds both humor and inquisitiveness, making apparent that the singer is fascinated by this strange world.

However, as the singer continues to observe Earth and its individuals, they express a feeling of perplexity and frustration towards the inhabitants they encounter. The reference to "superior cackling hen" and "surf music" possibly implies that the singer is referring to the human race's dominant and oppressive tendencies. This alien character has been given permission to explore humanity's home planet, but they struggle to comprehend the beings they find there. The song's concluding section is a continuation of the introduction, with slowed-down whispers and secret whispers, portraying a sense of ephemeral mystery.

Line by Line Meaning

Star fleet to scout ship, please give your position. Over.
The singer is calling out to another spacecraft to identify their location.

I'm in orbit around the third planet from the star called the sun. Over.
The singer is indicating their location in space, specifically in orbit around the third planet from the sun, known as Earth.

You mean it's the Earth? Over.
The other spacecraft is confirming that the singer is indeed orbiting Earth.

Positive. It is known to have some form of intelligent species. Over.
The artist confirms that Earth is known to have intelligent life.

I think we should take a look.
The artist expresses interest in exploring Earth.

Strange beautiful, grass of green
The singer describes the unusual, attractive greenery on Earth.

With your majestic silver seas
The singer notes the impressive bodies of water on Earth.

Your mysterious mountains I wish to see closer
The artist wants to investigate the enigmatic mountains on Earth.

May I land my kinky machine?
The artist requests permission to land their spacecraft.

Although your world wonders me
The artist is fascinated by Earth and its unknown aspects.

With your majestic and superior cackling hen
The singer comments on a strange feature of Earth, possibly referring to a loud bird.

Your people I do not understand
The artist does not comprehend the culture or behavior of humans on Earth.

So to you I shall put an end
The singer may be considering some sort of action against humans on Earth due to their lack of understanding.

And you'll never hear surf music again
The singer may be threatening to eliminate a popular genre of music on Earth as a part of their intended action.

Secret
The singer is introducing a new thought or concept.

Oh, secret
The artist emphasizes the importance of the upcoming information.

Oh
A pause or break in the artist's message.

Shhhh...
The singer urges the listener to be quiet or keep the information secret.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS