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This was written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan in 1967, but it was the Jimi Hendrix cover that made the song famous. Many other artists have covered it, including Eric Clapton, Neil Young, U2, The Dave Matthews Band and The Grateful Dead. Dylan was so impressed with Jimi's version that Dylan for years played it the way that Jimi had recorded it.
This was Jimi's only Top 40 hit in the US. He charted a few times in the UK, where he was popular before making a name for himself in America.
This was recorded while Hendrix played with the Jimi Hendrix Experience: Hendrix on guitar, Noel Redding on bass, and Mitch Mitchell on drums. For this song, however, Redding was not on bass; Hendrix did it. Redding was also the guitar player for his band Fat Mattress, which Hendrix referred to as Thin Pillow. Hendrix often felt that Redding did not put his heart into the bass and was concerned that Redding concentrated more on Fat Mattress than he did on the Experience. Things like these led to him being replaced by Billy Cox.
The original version of this song is very slow. Jimi Hendrix' version had a large impact on Dylan which made him make his own version "heavier."
Hendrix: "All those people who don't like Bob Dylan's songs should read his lyrics. They are filled with the joys and sadness of life. I am as Dylan, none of us can sing normally. Sometimes, I play Dylan's songs and they are so much like me that it seems to me that I wrote them. I have the feeling that Watchtower is a song I could have come up with, but I'm sure I would never have finished it. Thinking about Dylan, I often consider that I'd never be able to write the words he manages to come up with, but I'd like him to help me, because I have loads of songs I can't finish. I just lay a few words on the paper, and I just can't go forward. But now things are getting better, I'm a bit more self-confident."
Hendrix had been working on and off with the members of the band Traffic as he recorded Electric Ladyland. Traffic guitarist Dave Mason caught Hendrix at a party and the two discussed Bob Dylan's newest album, John Wesley Harding, containing "All Along The Watchtower." Hendrix, long fascinated with Dylan, decided to cover the song on the album. On the resulting track, Mason plays rhythm on a 12-string acoustic guitar.
This was used in an episode of The Simpsons when Homer's mother was telling him a story that took place in the '60s about why she had to leave him.
In a 2008 poll conducted by a panel of experts in the Total Guitar magazine, this was voted the best cover song of all time. The Beatles' rendition of "Twist and Shout," first recorded by the Top Notes, came second, followed by the Guns N' Roses version of the Wings song "Live and Let Die" in third place.
All Along the Watch Tower
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Business men, they drink my wine
Plowman dig my earth
None were level on the mind
Hey, hey
No reason to get excited
The thief he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, hey
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
The song "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix is a commentary on the chaotic nature of human society. The opening lines, "There must be some kind of way outta here, said the joker to the thief, there's too much confusion, I can't get no relief" express the hopelessness and desperation of those trapped in a world they can't understand. The idea of the "joker" and the "thief" represent the two sides of humanity, one struggling to make sense of the world and the other taking advantage of that confusion.
The following verses describe the different social classes and their interaction with the world. The "business men" who "drink my wine" represent the wealthy and powerful, taking what they want without regard for others. The "plowman" who "dig my earth" represents the working class, toiling away without a voice. The line "none were level on the mind, nobody up at his word" implies that there is no one in power who is reliable or trustworthy. The thief's response, "There are many here among us, who feel that life is but a joke" is a criticism of those who don't take life seriously, who are content to live in a world without meaning.
The final verse brings everything together. The "watchtower" represents society as a whole, with the "princes" watching from above. The "barefoot servants" and "wildcat" represent the struggles of those on the ground, the ones who are trying to survive. The "two riders" approaching are a metaphor for the coming revolution, the forces that will change the world. The line "and the wind began to howl" implies that change is coming, and it will be powerful and destructive.
Overall, "All Along the Watchtower" is a powerful commentary on human society, and the struggle to make sense of a world that is often confusing and chaotic.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way outta here
The Joker expresses concern about not seeing an escape from a difficult situation.
Said the joker to the thief
The Joker speaks to the thief he finds nearby.
There's too much confusion
The existing circumstances are too complicated and ambiguous.
I can't get no relief
Unable to find a release from the stress created by the situation.
Business men, they drink my wine
People who do not understand can misuse or take advantage of those who have struggled to make gains.
Plowman dig my earth
There are those whose labor continues to bear fruit.
None were level on the mind
Their thoughts and emotions are unbalanced or unstable.
Nobody up at his word
Nobody can be trusted to keep their promises.
Hey, hey
This line only expresses a casual acknowledgement.
No reason to get excited
The thief speaks to calm the Joker's enthusiasm.
There are many here among us
Many people in this situation share the same pessimistic viewpoint.
Who feel that life is but a joke
Their importance in this world is insignificant, and the world itself is a cruel joke.
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
The thief and the Joker have already faced challenges and cynical attitudes.
And this is not our fate
They are confident that their destiny is not defined by their present difficulties.
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
They need to stop being pretentious and speak the truth.
The hour's getting late, hey
Time is running out, and there is a sense of urgency.
All along the watchtower
The scene of the story, a tower where someone keeps watch.
Princes kept the view
The would-be rulers maintains strategic observation of their lands.
While all the women came and went
The women, in general, remained in motion.
Barefoot servants, too
Even laborers and servants also passed by.
Outside in the cold distance
Something threatening is far away, but still visible.
A wildcat did growl
A wild animal nearby produces an audible warning.
Two riders were approaching
Two people are coming towards the tower.
And the wind began to howl
The sound of the wind picking up may imply a storm is coming.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@balakay5092
Hendrix never died. Earth was just part of his tour.
@BoKnowsBrains
watch the watch towers
@fpa417
dont know about anyone else but putting LMAO after a joke ruins it for me. LMAO
@hi-wm7tb
@@fpa417 being a jojo fan ruins any chance at being funny
@kevinheatcoat2190
Coronavirus.
@awhahoo
@@fpa417 I laughed at the joke don't worry about crusty toe he became steelydan 2.0
@samcavanagh7993
If you're ever feeling down remember we live in an age where this song is accessible in a second, for free, forever.
@drkadzijaliburic1093
@@MARSBELLA1 vpn
@Fordham1969
That type of thing is always a double edged sword though. Yes, on balance I agree it's preferable to live in an age where these sort of things that you love can be enjoyed instantly wherever you are. However, there's something about having to wait for things that enhances your appreciation of them. There's no perfection in life.
@JARC1010
@@MARSBELLA1 Considering the government has decided to keep the copyright laws and most labour laws and generally all the other laws exactly the same to avoid confusion, i think you need to take the tin foil hat off.