History
An early version of "Ezy Ryder" was first recorded, under the name "Slow", on February 16, 1969 at Olympic Studios, in a session which also featured the debuts of "Room Full of Mirrors", "In from the Storm" (under the name "Crying Blue Rain") and "Here He Comes (Lover Man)", an extended version of "Lover Man" The basic track for the song was not recorded until December 18, 1969 (at New York's Record Plant Studios), on the same day as the rehearsal at Baggy's Studios for the upcoming performances at the Fillmore East (from which the live album Band of Gypsys was produced). "Ezy Ryder" was also performed at aforementioned rehearsal session at Baggy's.
Progression and completion
"Ezy Ryder" made its live debut during the first show of the December 31, 1969 performance at the Fillmore East, appearing in the middle of the set between covers of Howard Tate's "Stop" and Elmore James' "Bleeding Heart". It was not performed during either of the January 1, 1970 shows. Back in the studio, "Ezy Ryder" was rehearsed, recorded and mixed a number of times during early 1970, at Olympic, Olmstead and Record Plant Studios. The song was then performed at the majority of dates on The Cry of Love Tour between April and June (and subsequently between July and September), before the first recording session at newly-built Electric Lady Studios on June 15 was focused on advancing the studio version of "Easy Ryder or Ezee Ryeder". This work-in-progress, for which backing vocals by Traffic musicians Steve Winwood and Chris Wood were recorded during said session, was released on the compilation box set The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 2000. Another recording session three days later was also dedicated to "Ezy Ryder" "additional overdubs and mix attempts" were completed on July 2, and final mixes were produced over three days on August 22, 23 and 26, along with the majority of the songs intended for Hendrix's next album. "Ezy Ryder" was subsequently performed at most of the final concerts at which Hendrix played, including the final date at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on September 6.
Posthumous releases
The completed song was originally released on the 1971 album The Cry of Love – the first posthumous album of original material compiled by The Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell and engineer Eddie Kramer. As well as featuring on posthumously released live albums Live at the Fillmore East and Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight, "Ezy Ryder" was included on the 1997 compilation First Rays of the New Rising Sun, along with the rest of the songs from The Cry of Love.
Personnel
Band members
* Jimi Hendrix – vocals, guitars, production
* Billy Cox – bass
* Buddy Miles – drums, backing vocals
* Juma Sultan – percussion
Guest musicians
* Steve Winwood – backing vocals
* Chris Wood – backing vocals
Additional personnel
* Tony Bongiovi – engineering
References
* Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Caesar (1995). Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0312130627.
* Pesant, Steven C.. The Jimi Hendrix Encyclopedia. Seattle, Washington: Experience Hendrix, L.L.C..
Ezy Ryder
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Riding down the highway of desire
He says the free wind takes him higher
Tryin' to find his heaven above
But he's dyin' to be loved
Dyin' to be loved
He's tellin' me livin' is so magic
He says a day is forever so he claims
But don't you worry about it today, we got freedom comin' our way
Freedom comin' our way
Come on do you
They key is going to last
Carryin' out on a gas
See all the lovers say do what you please
Gotta get the brothers together and the rigth to be free
In a cloud of angel dust, I think I see me a freak
Hey, motorcycle mama, you're gonna marry me? ha ha
And I'll be stoned, stoned, clear as day
Love comin' in like crazy
Stoned crazy baby
There goes ezy, ezy ryder
Riding down the highway of desire
He says the free wind, takes him higher
Searchin' for his heaven above
But he's dyin' to be loved
Dyin' to be loved yeah
They call him ezy ryder baby (ezy ryder) (ryder)
Tryin' to find the highway
Ezy ryder
Ezy ryder
Ezy ryder
In the lyrics of Jimi Hendrix's song Ezy Ryder, the singer is depicted as a rebellious, free-spirited person riding down the highway of desire. He believes in living life to the fullest, and the wind of freedom takes him higher. He is searching for his heaven above but is also dying to be loved. He sees the magic in life and claims that a day is forever, but he also acknowledges the tragedy of dying. The singer assures his listeners that freedom is coming their way, and he urges them to do what they please. In the midst of a cloud of angel dust, he imagines himself as a freak and jokingly asks a motorcycle mama if she will marry him. The singer of the song is ezy ryder, a man trying to find his way on the highway of life.
Line by Line Meaning
There goes ezy, ezy ryder
Introducing the character of Ezy Ryder, who is about to embark on a journey
Riding down the highway of desire
Ezy is pursuing his passions and dreams
He says the free wind takes him higher
Ezy feels liberated and inspired by the wind blowing around him
Tryin' to find his heaven above
Ezy is searching for a place or state of mind where he can truly feel content and fulfilled
But he's dyin' to be loved
Despite his freedom and independence, Ezy desires emotional love and connection with others
He's tellin' me livin' is so magic
Ezy perceives life to be a magical experience full of wonder
He says a day is forever so he claims
Ezy either feels that time passes slowly or that he is making the most of every moment in his life
He's talkin' about dyin' it's so tragic baby
Ezy acknowledges the inevitability of death and finds it sad
But don't you worry about it today, we got freedom comin' our way
Ezy chooses to focus on the present and the prospect of future freedom instead of worrying about death
Come on do you
Encouraging the listener to be bold and fearless in following their dreams like Ezy
They key is going to last
Possibly an allusion to finding the key to one's personal fulfillment, and hoping it will last
Carryin' out on a gas
Ezy is using up his fuel, possibly to achieve his goals
See all the lovers say do what you please
The people who are happy and fulfilled in their lives do what they want, in Ezy's opinion
Gotta get the brothers together and the rigth to be free
Ezy wants people to band together to fight for their freedom and rights
In a cloud of angel dust, I think I see me a freak
Ezy experiences a moment of transcendence while possibly under the influence of drugs, and sees himself as an unconventional and unique individual
Hey, motorcycle mama, you're gonna marry me? ha ha
Ezy is flirting with a woman who is riding a motorcycle, possibly indicating his love of adventure and risk-taking
And I'll be stoned, stoned, clear as day
Ezy plans on being high on drugs but still experiencing clarity in his mind
Love comin' in like crazy
Ezy is experiencing an intense and joyful feeling of love
There goes ezy, ezy ryder
Repeating the earlier line to emphasize Ezy's presence and importance in the song
They call him ezy ryder baby (ezy ryder) (ryder)
Repeating yet again that the character's name is Ezy Ryder
Tryin' to find the highway Ezy Ryder
Ezy is still pursuing his dreams and searching for a path to fulfillment, reinforcing the themes of the song
Ezy Ryder
Repeating the name once more to end the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sreedharreddy1971
There goes Ezy
Ezy Ryder
Ridin' down the highway of desire
He says the free wind
Takes him higher
Tryin' to find his heaven above
But he's dyin' to be loved, dyin' to be loved
He's tellin' me livin'
Is so magic
Something is forever
So he claims
He's talkin' 'bout lyin'
It's so tragic baby
But don't you worry 'bout today
We got freedom comin' our way, freedom comin' our way
How long
Do you
Think he is gonna last
Carryin' on outta gas
See all the others say
"Do what you please"
Gotta get the brothers together
And the right to be free
In a cloud of angel dust
I think I see me a freak
Hey motorcycle mama
You gonna marry me?
I'll be stone crazy
Love comin' in at you
Stone crazy baby
There goes Ezy
Ezy Ryder
Ridin' down the highway of desire
He says the free wind
Takes him higher
Tryin' to find his heaven above
But he's dyin' to be loved, dyin' to be loved
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Hendrix Jimi
Ezy Ryder lyrics © Experience Hendrix Llc.
@AcidHead710
There goes Ezy
Ezy Ryder
Ridin down the highway of desire
He says the free wind
Takes him higher
Tryin to find his heaven above
But he's dyin to be loved
Note: I'm not exactly sure about these next 2 lines
He's tellin me livin
Is so magic
Something is forever
So he claims
He's talkin' bout lyin
It's so tragic baby
But don't you worry bout today
We got freedom comin' our way
Solo
How long
Do you
Think he is gonna last
Carryin' out on a gas (?)
See all the others say
"Do what you please"
Gotta get the brothers together
And the right to be free
In a cloud of angel dust
I think I see me a freak
Hey motorcycle mama
You gonna marry me? ha, ha
I'll be stone crazy
Love comin in at you
Stone crazy baby
@bannork
Timeless music, once Hendrix is under your skin he never goes away. Symptoms include the right foot tapping furiously, hands outstretched grasping an imaginary guitar, the brain twirling and soaring as he takes you on a tour of the universe. There is no cure thank god.
@rsohlich1
I wish I knew more people like you....Hendrix got me around age 7-8 when I got goosebumps all over while listening to the solo on All Along the Watchtower......the greatest
@_yaboi
Holy shit I do this everytime I listen to Jimi Hendrix
@amenentuet
yes Lord Yes Lawd !!!
@KristoLaptalo
ou yeaa
@claytonpaul4259
ha, lmao I'm a chronic sufferer. described perfectly.
@tucko11
He innovated blues , rock , punk and heavy metal all in one fell swoop . The GOAT IMO
@takealicktrick1245
grunge too check out send my love to linda ppl are saying that i actually dont know jack about grunge
@sevenchambers
And progressive rock, and Jazz fusion, and Space Rock.
@simongray3966
This sounds great today. Imagine what it sounded like 50 years ago. No-one was writing and playing to this quality then or now. A complete one-off genius. The best thing to have ever happened to popular music and certainly to the guitar....what a guitar player!