This track is available only in the mono version, as Hendrix producer Chas Chandler's liked it better than the stereo mix.
The phrase "a rolling stone gathers no moss" inspired "Rollin' Stone" by Muddy Waters and "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan, but Hendrix used the full proverb in this song:
“And everybody knows boss,
A rolling stone gathers no moss”
Rolling Stone magazine was launched later in 1967.
Highway Chile
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His guitar swung across his back
His dusty boots and it's his Cadillac
A pavement here just a blowin' in the wind
Ain't seen a bed in so long it's a sin
He left home when he was seventeen
The rest of the world he longed to seeAnd everybody who knows was boss
A rolling stone gathers no moss
Now you probably call him a tramp
But it goes a little deeper than that
He's a highway chile
Yeah
Now some people say he had a girl back home
Who messed around and did him pretty wrong
They tell me it kinda hurt him bad
Kinda made him feel pretty sad
I couldn't say what went through his mind
Anyway he left the world behind
And everybody knows the same old story
Another war you can't lose in glory
Now you probably call him a tramp
But I know it goes a little deeper than that
He's a highway chile
One more brother
Yeah!
His old guitar swung across his back
His dusty boots and it's his Cadillac
Ain't see a bed in so long it's a sin
Now you may call him a tramp
But I know it goes a little deeper than that
He's a highway chile
Walk on brother
Don't let no one stop ya
Highway chile
Yeah yeah yeah
Highway chile
Go on down the highway
Highway chile
Yeah yeah
Highway chile
The song "Highway Chile" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience tells the story of a young man who leaves his home at seventeen, with his guitar on his back, to explore the world. He travels down the highway in his Cadillac, with no destination in mind, and no intention of stopping. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a wanderer who is a non-conformist, choosing to live his life on the road and not be tied down by anything or anyone. Despite being labeled a tramp or a drifter, he is more than that, and his story runs deeper than what the surface label suggests. The storyteller recognizes this and encourages the audience to walk on and not let anyone stop them, just like the highway chile.
The song's lyrics capture the essence of freedom and the wanderlust of the youth culture of the time. Much like the singer in the song, many young people were leaving their homes to explore the world, and this song became an anthem for them. The guitar riffs and the fast-paced beat add to the overall feel of life on the road, with no destination in mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Starting the song with enthusiasm and energy.
His guitar swung across his back
He carried his guitar behind him.
His dusty boots and it's his Cadillac
He had dusty boots and a Cadillac car.
A pavement here just a blowin' in the wind
The wind was blowing the pavement.
Ain't seen a bed in so long it's a sin
He hadn't slept on a bed for so long that it's a sin.
He left home when he was seventeen
He ran away from his home at the age of seventeen.
The rest of the world he longed to see
He had a desire to see the rest of the world.
And everybody who knows was boss
Everyone who knows him understands that he is in charge of his own destiny.
A rolling stone gathers no moss
He believed that someone who is always moving will not collect moss, which is a metaphor for stagnation.
Now you probably call him a tramp
People might insult him by calling him a tramp.
But it goes a little deeper than that
He feels that his situation is not as shallow as being called a tramp.
He's a highway chile
He describes himself as a unique and free individual, who belongs to the road.
Now some people say he had a girl back home
There are rumors that he was in a relationship before he left home.
Who messed around and did him pretty wrong
That girl might have betrayed him and done something hurtful.
They tell me it kinda hurt him bad
He was hurt by the situation.
Kinda made him feel pretty sad
The situation made him feel sad.
I couldn't say what went through his mind
It is difficult to say what was going through his mind.
Anyway he left the world behind
Despite what was happening in his life, he decided to move on and leave everything behind.
And everybody knows the same old story
Everyone is familiar with such stories of people moving away from their homes.
Another war you can't lose in glory
He chose to embark on a different kind of war, which is not about glory or winning, but a personal journey.
Now you probably call him a tramp
People might again insult him by calling him a tramp.
But I know it goes a little deeper than that
The singer knows better than to judge him by a mere label.
He's a highway chile
He reiterates that he is a free spirit that belongs to the road.
One more brother
The singer acknowledges and respects him as a fellow human being.
His old guitar swung across his back
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
His dusty boots and it's his Cadillac
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
A pavement here just a blowin' in the wind
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
Ain't see a bed in so long it's a sin
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
Now you may call him a tramp
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
But I know it goes a little deeper than that
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
He's a highway chile
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
Walk on brother
The singer again acknowledges him and wishes him well.
Don't let no one stop ya
He encourages him to keep moving and not to let anyone stop him.
Highway chile
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
Yeah yeah yeah
Repeating a catchphrase for emphasis and audience participation.
Highway chile
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
Go on down the highway
Repeating what he has been preaching throughout the song - to keep moving.
Highway chile
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
Yeah yeah
Repeating a catchphrase for emphasis and audience participation.
Highway chile
Repetition of earlier lyrics.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Devin Kennedy
on Spanish Castle Magic (alternate take)
Is this really the alternete take