Born in Seattle, Washington, Hendrix began playing guitar at the age of 15. In 1961, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and trained as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division; he was granted an honorable discharge the following year. Soon afterward, he moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, and began playing gigs on the Chitlin' Circuit, earning a place in the Isley Brothers' backing band and later with Little Richard, with whom he continued to work through mid-1965. He then played with Curtis Knight and the Squires before moving to England in late 1966 after being discovered by Linda Keith, who in turn interested bassist Chas Chandler of the Animals in becoming his first manager. Within months, Hendrix had earned three UK top ten hits with the Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Hey Joe", "Purple Haze", and "The Wind Cries Mary". He achieved fame in the U.S. after his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, and in 1968 his third and final studio album, Electric Ladyland, reached number one in the U.S.; it was Hendrix's most commercially successful release and his first and only number one album. The world's highest-paid performer, he headlined the Woodstock Festival in 1969 and the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, before his accidental death from barbiturate-related asphyxia on September 18, 1970, at the age of 27.
Hendrix was inspired musically by American rock and roll and electric blues. He favored overdriven amplifiers with high volume and gain, and was instrumental in utilizing the previously undesirable sounds caused by guitar amplifier feedback. He helped to popularize the use of a wah-wah pedal in mainstream rock, and was the first artist to use stereophonic phasing effects in music recordings. Holly George-Warren of Rolling Stone commented: "Hendrix pioneered the use of the instrument as an electronic sound source. Players before him had experimented with feedback and distortion, but Hendrix turned those effects and others into a controlled, fluid vocabulary every bit as personal as the blues with which he began."
Hendrix was the recipient of several music awards during his lifetime and posthumously. In 1967, readers of Melody Maker voted him the Pop Musician of the Year, and in 1968, Rolling Stone declared him the Performer of the Year. Disc and Music Echo honored him with the World Top Musician of 1969 and in 1970, Guitar Player named him the Rock Guitarist of the Year. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Rolling Stone ranked the band's three studio albums, Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland, among the 100 greatest albums of all time, and they ranked Hendrix as the greatest guitarist and the sixth greatest artist of all time.
Earth Blues )
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reaching up but not quite touching the promised land
Well, I taste tears and a precious year is wasted
Say lord please, send us a helping hand
(Love, love, love) lord, there's got to be some changes
(Love, love, love) gonna be a whole lot of re-arranges
(Love, love, love) you better hope love is the answer
Well, everybody can hear the sound of freedom's beating heart
Sirens flashing with earth and rockets stoning
You better love me like it's gonna be the last time
And tell the child to bury daddy's old clothes
(Love, love, love) yeah, they're talking about getting together, yeah
(Love, love, love) together for love love love
(Love, love, love) you better hope love is the answer baby
(Love, love, love) I think you better hope it comes before the summer
(Everybody) everybody
(Everybody) every sister
(Everybody) every mother
(Everybody) to feel the light
(Everybody) it's shining bright baby
(Everybody) everybody, we got to live together,(everybody) oh
Right on baby
Feel those earth blues coming at you baby
Don't let your imagination take you by surprise
A queen and me i, one day, visualise
My head in the cloud, my feet on the pavement
Don't get too stoned, please remember you're a man
(Love, love, love) lord, there's got to be some changes
(Love, love, love) people together is gonna be a whole lot of re-arranges
(Love, love, love) you better be ready, my lord
(Love, love, love) just hope love comes before the summer
(Everybody) everybody
(Everybody) got to feel the light
(Everybody) you gotta feel the light, baby
(Everybody) everybody
(Everybody) we gotta live together
(Everybody) keep it together
(Everybody) right on together
(Everybody) oh yeah
All standing together for the earth blues coming at you baby
(Love love love)
(Love love love)
Love love love, right on
Feel those earth blues coming at you
Gotta get it all out together yeah yeah
The lyrics to Jimi Hendrix's song Earth Blues fragment into various key themes, such as freedom, hope, love and togetherness. The song speaks of hands stretching out to capture the promise of dreams, but falling just short every time. The 'tear-stained faces' of those who grasp but miss the promised land then say 'lord please, send us a helping hand.' This is indicative of the song's cry for help, as humanity struggles to reach their goals without aid. The lyrics also touch on the theme of war, acknowledging the flashing of sirens and the stoning of rockets. Despite the gloomy imagery, the song latches onto hope and love for society to move forward.
The lyrics further highlight the importance of unity and the need for mutual cooperation in the race towards freedom. Hendrix urges people to 'get together for love, love, love,' pushing them to find a helpful solution before the summer. While sending out an SOS through the lyrics, Hendrix also calls for love to take center stage in the urgency of the situation. He also references the need to avoid excessively indulging, reminding people to 'not get too stoned' or forget the importance of their roles.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I see hands, and I've seen tear-stained faces
Reaching up but not quite touching the promised land
Well, I taste tears and a precious year is wasted
Say lord please, send us a helping hand
People are struggling and hoping for a better life, but are unable to reach it. The poet observes and feels their pain, and hopes for divine intervention to help them.
(Love, love, love) lord, there's got to be some changes
(Love, love, love) gonna be a whole lot of re-arranges
(Love, love, love) you better hope love is the answer
(Love, love, love) yeah, it better come before the summer
The poet believes that love is the only answer to the problems faced by people. There needs to be a change and rearrangement in society to make things better, and people must hope for love to come before it is too late.
Well, everybody can hear the sound of freedom's beating heart
Sirens flashing with earth and rockets stoning
You better love me like it's gonna be the last time
And tell the child to bury daddy's old clothes
Freedom is being fought for, but there is also chaos and destruction. People must appreciate and love each other as if it is their last moment, and prepare for the worst.
(Love, love, love) yeah, they're talking about getting together, yeah
(Love, love, love) together for love love love
(Love, love, love) you better hope love is the answer baby
(Love, love, love) I think you better hope it comes before the summer
People are talking about coming together and loving each other, which is crucial for a better future. Love must be the answer for things to improve, and people should hope for it to happen before it is too late.
(Everybody) everybody
(Everybody) every sister
(Everybody) every mother
(Everybody) to feel the light
(Everybody) it's shining bright baby
(Everybody) everybody, we got to live together,(everybody) oh
Right on baby
Everyone, regardless of their gender or role, must feel and embrace positivity and optimism. They must come together and live in harmony.
Feel those earth blues coming at you baby
Don't let your imagination take you by surprise
A queen and me i, one day, visualise
My head in the cloud, my feet on the pavement
Don't get too stoned, please remember you're a man
The bluesy feeling of the earth is being felt and one must be careful that their imagination does not lead them astray. The poet envisions equality between the sexes, and reminds the listeners to stay grounded and remember their humanity.
(Love, love, love) lord, there's got to be some changes
(Love, love, love) people together is gonna be a whole lot of re-arranges
(Love, love, love) you better be ready, my lord
(Love, love, love) just hope love comes before the summer
The poet reiterates the need for change and rearrangement in society for a better future, and that people must be ready for it. Love is the only hope, and the earlier it comes, the better.
(Everybody) everybody
(Everybody) got to feel the light
(Everybody) you gotta feel the light, baby
(Everybody) everybody
(Everybody) we gotta live together
(Everybody) keep it together
(Everybody) right on together
(Everybody) oh yeah
All standing together for the earth blues coming at you baby
(Love love love)
(Love love love)
Love love love, right on
Feel those earth blues coming at you
Gotta get it all out together yeah yeah
Everyone must feel and spread positivity, and live together in harmony. They must stand united against the blues of the earth, and express and solve their problems together, with love as the guiding light.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Beck
@Poppin Patty
Furthermo, about Hendrix taking bad acid.......
Letz say da acid wuz not bad, & Hendrix just wuz not n da proper headspace, 2 b taking acid. Well then, whut if Jeffrey, had of refained from giving HIS ARTIST, whom he MANAGED, n an oFISHal capacity ( THUSLY, DPENDED ON DIS MAN/JIMI, 2 EARN HIM $, BY USE OF HIS/JIMIZ TALENTZ ON GUITAR, SINGING, & MAGICBOY MENTALITY ) DUH acid, n DUH 1st place?!?
Do u think Hendrix could have survived da Earth crashing n2 space, during dis per4mance, @ dat junture? I do!
Tho his headspace, b full of whutever negativity, it may not have been amplified 2wardz Jimi, 5 billion timez over, n front of an audience of hundredz, 2 make him sit on his butt, during a per4mance/concert, if Jeffrey, had of refrained from giving Jimi acid, b4 da gig.
Along wit having a good time, comez responsibility. U don't git on a rollercoaster & not secure ur seatbelt/saftey barz. "Friendz", should b cautious, if dumb enuff 2 go on these acid tripz & have a few soberz, hanging off n da shadowz, 2 stop folkz from trying 2 fly, or self immolate.
BILL HICKZ.......... If u think u can fly, while on acid, TEST IT OUT 1ST, MAN! Don't just do it! Hickz blamez acid tripperz, 4 blieving they can fly. Peephole, SUPPOSEDLY of sound mind, blieve n Jesus, & blieve taxez r just azz relevant azz death. So................
Othawise, I LOVE Bill Hickz!
HATE DUH mentality of acid tripperz. Itz just dis side of - IT WUZ DUH WILL OF ALLAH, dat 200 people died on dat faulty bridge 2day. NoperZZZzzzzzzzzzz. Whut about da shoddy CONstruction? Whut about DUH acid tripping dsigner/Architect, of da bridge?
I am not subscribing 2 da blame game vs. victim mentality BS. I am saying - sum stuff iz SINseless, man! Plenty of people, should of caught da flawz n da bridge, b4 it even bgan 2 b CONstructed. Whilst under CONstruction, da shoddy materialz used, shoulda been called n2 play, BUTT sum of da $ saved, wuz given 2 da nspectorz, who not being paid enuff, gladly took it & those 200 people, died later. HOPEFULLY, da nspectorz family, wuz onboard, BUTT MOST LIKELY, not, cause dat 2, IZ DUH WILL OF ALLAH, dat da nspector b tormented by them, da rest of his mortal life!
SMH
Dayum, if u do
Dayum, if u don't
B4 u per4m, u should b well rested & clear-headed, n my opinion. Dataway, ur reputation remain unsullied & people git their $ worth, everytime, & u can njoy a bountiful career.
Tho they still MANAGED 2 sully da name of Prince, tho he managed 2 do everything, I just said. From whut..... 18, until 57 - about 40 yearz...... Great per4mancez/concertz & then POW!!!!! He O.D.ed!!!
HMMMMMMMMMerZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz
I'm out........
Luckily, I don't partake of acid, or I'd probably self immolate, whilst blievin I could fly, sayin - DIS WHUT HAPPENZ WHEN EARTH MESSEZ WIT SPACE - on DUH way down.
SMMFH
Ron Beck
@Angus Van Bellic
There iz good & bad n evathang, dude.
THERE IZ NO PURRFECTION & even da pearly gatez, can b dry ( bad )
Hey!!!
It iz, whut it iz.
WE DID NOT SET UP DA GAME, BRO.
I undastand whut ur tryin 2 say.
Ur sayin Hendrix mind wuz blown.
Ur sayin, Hendrix wuz goin thru it, & said funk my DUTY, azz public saxophone player.
Itz kool & I dig.
I just wanta ASSure u, dat ALL can b good, or bad.
Sum combination, iz mo than likely.
Ron Beck
Matt:
Such an n depth post, dserve mo ponderance from me, b4 I properly repond, yet I just wanta throw dis out, RITE NOW.
HEAR, HERE!!!
RITE ON!
I FEEL U......
We r often fed DUH sauce, & we LOVE bein spoon-fed.
I think we don't want da responsibility.
We can play victim.
God mite not b playin, tho.
I don't think God iz.
I ain't privy 2 Godz mind, only bein sum small part, of da whole.
It seemz 2 me, if u partaking of DUH sauce, u gone haveta deal wit DUH CONsequencez, of - UR - actionz!
Cause....... R they saucin u @ gunpoint?!?
NoperZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!
Let me go back & reread & ponder sum mo.
Trevor G Welch
He died in 1970 at age 27 , and in the year 2021 still guitarists are trying to sound like him , look like him , play like him .... But can you write songs like him ? He was ahead of his time . No one understood him . No body ever will .... until the end of time .
Tan Maxwell 45
HENDRIX was a unique artist - an accumulation oF blues guitarists, soul singers, and musical innovators -PAUL CARUSO EXP . Never be another like him . GOOD HENDRIX : ORIGINALLY wanted to be a gospel guitarist - playing spiritual ballads that entertained your soul. MOODS (1966).
DylanAustinYates
Songs for groovy children, fashionable Spirited groovy children?
Angelo Riggi
My man tapped out
No harm no foul
His bandmates treated him kindly
Always practice kindness, so that it becomes your knee jerk reaction to any situation
PEACE lovers from any era will easily show tolerance for a fellow tapping out
This recording is a gem 💎
ltlmsmetal
Thanks for this! Making the pilgrimage to his memorial and will be singing this in my mind 💜
Poppin Patty
Thank you for putting this up GSB! I never heard this version, I always love hearing versions of songs that I'd have not heard before. There is no such thing as being bad on acid, LMAO😃 Merry Christmas and happy new year! Hope you enjoy a happy and safe holiday rocking out with all the special people in your life🎄🍾 keep it Poppin🍾
DC USS
As far as this being one of Jimi's off nights, quitting in the middle of the performance and the ending of the Band of Gypsys, it sounds good.
Soniy Kamb
amazing and a genius musician of the highest order
Electrix
"He died in 1970 at age 27 , and in the year 2021 still guitarists are trying to sound like him , look like him , play like him"
That can be said about other guitarists (save for the dress and 'look') that made an huge impact on players over the years going back even further.
Streaming Analytics
He didn’t say that no other guitarist inspires people years later 😂