The Jimi Hendrix Experience began to record their cover version of Dylan's “All Along The Watchtower” on January 21, 1968, at Olympic Studios in London. According to engineer Andy Johns, Jimi Hendrix had been given a tape of Dylan’s recording by publicist Michael Goldstein, who worked for Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman. “(Hendrix) came in with these Dylan tapes and we all heard them for the first time in the studio”, recalled Johns. According to Hendrix’s regular engineer Eddie Kramer, the guitarist cut a large number of takes on the first day, shouting chord changes at Dave Mason who had appeared at the session and played guitar. Halfway through the session, bass player Noel Redding became dissatisfied with the proceedings and left. Mason then took over on bass. According to Kramer, the final bass part was played by Hendrix himself. Kramer and Chas Chandler mixed the first version of "All Along The Watchtower" on January 26th, but Hendrix was quickly dissatisfied with the result and went on re-recording and overdubbing guitar parts during June, July, and August at the Record Plant studio in New York. Engineer Tony Bongiovi has described Hendrix becoming increasingly dissatisfied as the song progressed, overdubbing more and more guitar parts, moving the master tape from a four-track to a twelve-track to a sixteen-track machine. Bongiovi recalled, "Recording these new ideas meant he would have to erase something. In the weeks prior to the mixing, we had already recorded a number of overdubs, wiping track after track. [Hendrix] kept saying, ‘I think I hear it a little bit differently.’” The finished version was released on the album Electric Ladyland in September 1968. The single reached number five in the British charts, and number 20 on the Billboard (magazine) chart. The song also had the #5 spot on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
All Along the Watchtower
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
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Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Business men, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the line
Nobody offered his word
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
Hey
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl, hey
All along the watchtower
All along the watchtower
Jimi Hendrix's song All Along the Watchtower is a song that is typically interpreted as confronting the social and political dilemmas of the society during the 1960s. The lyrics, "There must be some kind of way outta here, said the joker to the thief" suggests that the singer is questioning the realities of life, and how to overcome them. The joker represents confusion and the thief represents deceitfulness, and they both want to find a way out of the confusion they are experiencing. The singer continues to explain that "business men drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth", which indicates the social classes and how they were not equal, and the rich controlled the poor.
The second verse continues with the theme of social injustice, and the confusion surrounding the purpose of life. The thief speaks again, stating "there are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke". However, despite the confusion and the belief that life is a joke, the singer explains that they have been through this before and that it is not their fate to continue living in confusion. They urge everyone to stop talking falsely, because time is running out.
In the third verse, Hendrix describes the scene at the watchtower, where princes keep watch while barefoot servants come and go. The wildcat's growl in the distance is an ominous sign, and as two riders approach, the wind begins to howl. The watchtower could symbolize a place of power, where those in charge keep an eye on everything that is going on, yet they are seemingly ignorant to the social injustices happening around them.
Overall, All Along the Watchtower is a commentary on the social and political atmosphere of the 1960s, with a focus on the confusion and injustices that people faced. The lyrics suggest that there is a need for change and for people to stop talking falsely while time is running out.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way outta here
The singer is desperately looking for a way to escape from their current situation.
Said the joker to the thief
The singer is addressing someone who is not trustworthy or reliable.
There's too much confusion
The situation is unclear and difficult to understand.
I can't get no relief
The artist is unable to find any comfort or peace in their current circumstances.
Business men, they drink my wine
The artist is being taken advantage of by people in power.
Plowmen dig my earth
The singer's work is being taken for granted by others who benefit from it.
None will level on the line
No one wants to work together to solve the problem.
Nobody offered his word
No one is making a promise or commitment to help.
No reason to get excited
The artist is trying to remain calm and level-headed in the midst of chaos.
The thief, he kindly spoke
Even someone who is not trustworthy can be compassionate and understanding.
There are many here among us
Others are in the same difficult situation as the singer.
Who feel that life is but a joke
Some people may see life as meaningless or not worth taking seriously.
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
The singer and the person they are addressing have experienced similar struggles in the past.
And this is not our fate
The singer is hopeful that their situation will not be permanent.
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
It's important to be honest and direct in order to solve the problem.
The hour's getting late, hey
Time is running out to find a solution.
Princes kept the view
People in positions of power are watching over the situation, but not necessarily taking action to help.
While all the women came and went
People who are more vulnerable or marginalized are being overlooked or ignored.
Barefoot servants, too
Even those who are doing the most menial and difficult work are being disregarded and mistreated.
Well, uh, outside in the cold distance
Something is happening far away from where the artist is currently situated.
A wildcat did growl
Something dangerous or unpredictable is happening.
Two riders were approaching
Two unknown individuals are coming closer.
And the wind began to howl, hey
The situation is becoming more intense and emotionally charged.
All along the watchtower
The artist is observing the situation from a position of relative safety, but is still unable to take action to change it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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.