"Little Wing" is played using the unique chord/melody guitar style that Hendrix developed during his early career stints in rhythm and blues bands. In this style, the guitar sounds as though it is playing two parts. This is done by simultaneously playing multiple complementary notes, often parts of chords, and then changing a note within the chord to create a melodic effect. Other songs played in this style include "Life Without You" by Stevie Ray Vaughan, "Catch The Rainbow" by Rainbow, "When A Blind Man Cries" by Deep Purple "The Boy From Seattle" by Steve Vai, "Yellow Ledbetter" by Pearl Jam, and "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. The unusual flanging sound of the lead guitar part is a result of the Doppler effect which is created using a rotating speaker cabinet, or Leslie speaker.
14 Little Wing
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a circus mind
That's running wild
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
And-a fairly tales
That's all she ever thinks about
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles
She gives to me free
"It's alright", she says
It's alright
Take anything you want from me
(Take anything)
Anything
Fly on, little wing
The above lyrics to Jimi Hendrix Experience's song, Little Wing, are packed with imagery and are indicative of Jimi's ability to provide insightful commentary through his music. The song is essentially a tribute to the deeply imaginative and whimsical nature of women, and how they possess the ability to lift us up when we're feeling down. Jimi's use of butterflies, zebras, and moonbeams creates a dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly aligns with the ethereal instrumentals accompanying his powerful vocals.
The opening of the song directly associates the girl in question with a "circus mind" that is "running wild." This imagery represents the woman's uncontrollable and imaginative nature, one that is full of wonder and awe. She constantly thinks about butterflies, zebras, and fairytales, which further emphasize her fantastical way of thinking. The final lines encapsulate the theme of the song where, despite the woman's surreal world, she manages to comfort Jimi and make everything all right. He encourages her to fly on, back to her world, and he'll be left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she's walking through the clouds
She's imaginative and dreamy, imagining herself in a world that isn't always grounded in reality.
With a circus mind
Her mind is busy and chaotic, filled with fanciful thoughts and ideas that are constantly on the go.
That's running wild
Her thoughts and imagination are unhinged and uncontrolled, existing alongside each other without restrictions.
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
Her thoughts are great and grand, filled with wonders such as enchanted creatures that keep her captivated in her own world.
And fairy tales
She is infatuated with the magical and surreal world of fairy tales and the fantastical elements contained within them.
That's all she ever thinks about
The only things that occupy her mind are her overactive imagination, and her senses are highly alert to the world that’s ever-so-carefully placed in her consciousness.
Riding the wind
She is liberated from her mundane life and allows the unknown to take hold of her.
When I'm sad she comes to me
When he's in a vulnerable state of mind, she's the one who comforts him through her words and presence.
With a thousand smiles
She is exuding joy and happiness, offering great amounts of positive and loving energy to help him get through his pain.
She gives to me free
She gives only out of the genuine concern and care in her heart, with no expectation for reciprocation.
It's alright, she says
She's assuring him that everything will be okay and that he just needs to believe in himself and have faith in her that everything will be okay.
It's alright
She's reemphasizing that everything is already okay and that he doesn't need to stress himself over things that are out of his control.
Take anything you want from me
She's genuine, and he can trust and depend on her, so she offers to give him any support that he needs to ease his heart and burden.
Anything
She offers everything that she has without any limitations, asking nothing in return.
Fly on, little wing
She's telling him to embrace and cherish the freedom of choice and to take on anything that comes his way. She encourages him to continue flying despite any obstacles that might come his way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@burakbilecen4362
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running round
Butterflies and zebras
And moonbeams
And fairytales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind
[Verse 2]
When I'm sad, she comes to me
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free
It's alright, she said, it's alright
Take anything you want from me
Anything, anything
Fly on, little wing
[Outro]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, little wing
@guitarbes3252
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind
That's running wild
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
And fairly tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding the wind
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles
She gives to me free
It's alright, she says
It's alright
Take anything you want from me
Anything
Fly on, little wing
@sonysatya8108
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind
That's running wild
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
And fairly tales
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding the wind
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles
She gives to me free
It's alright, she says
It's alright
Take anything you want from me
(Take anything)
Anything
Fly on, little wing
@ginazzo89
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running wild
Butterflies and zebras
And moonbeams and a fairy tale
That's all she ever thinks about
Riding the wind
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free
It's alright she says...it's alright
Take anything you want from me
Anything
Fly on little wing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Fly on little wing
@armankastadi548
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@SlavicSon
Arman Kastadi Can I Just get the Little Wing track for now?
@armankastadi548
@Kafka Films Sure, you can get it if you buy the album. Thanks.
@rafaruckzuck1737
Hey! This is awesome 🔥!!! …Wanna buy it, but can‘t find a hendrix collection…
@musikgita6152
>
@gianlucarossiello784
I feel like I’m the best guitarist that has ever lived. Thank you for this <3
@bluestudio67
This was a perfect jam to wake up to. One of my favorite things is to get up, have a cup of coffee or two, then plug in. This morning, however, I jammed this out on my flamenco guitar and oh how sweet it was.
@armankastadi548
Enjoy!
@johnkeating1535
Just tremendous. I have jammed to this every day for the last week. Definitely helping me get through this rough time
@silviorcr
Play guitar on this backing track is absolutely amazing! Not necessarily by tracing the original song, even improvising on it. I love it!