Red House
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
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There's a red house over yonder,
That's where my baby stays
Lord, there's a red house over yonder
Lord, that's where my baby stays
I ain't been home to see my baby
In ninety nine and one half days
The key won't unlock this door
Wait a minute, something's wrong, lord, have mercy
This key won't unlock this door,
Something's goin' on here
I have a bad bad feeling
That my baby don't live her no more
Well, I might as well go back over yonder,
Way back up on the hill
That's something to do
Lord, I might as well go back over yonder,
Way back yonder cross the hill
'Cause if my baby don't love me no more
I know her sister will
Yeah
The song Red House by Jimi Hendrix is a melancholic blues tune that communicates the pain and heartache of a man who is searching for his lost love. The lyrics begin by introducing the titular red house where the singer's beloved resides but he hasn't been able to see her for over 99 days. The lyrics are filled with a sense of longing and emotional distress as the singer feels a deep attachment to his missing love. The lyrics express his desperation as he tries to find a way back to his red house, which is quickly becoming a distant memory.
The second verse of the song is where the listener realizes that there is something off. The key won't unlock the door, and the singer feels that his love has left him. He feels helpless and lost, and his world crumbles around him. It's a common theme in blues songs, where love fades away, and people are left to deal with the consequences. The song's final verse switches to a more optimistic tone, as the singer decides to move on and search for love elsewhere. He's still brokenhearted at the loss of his love, but he's willing to try again. The song leaves the listener with a sense of hope, even though the story's theme is one of heartbreak and abandonment.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah yeah!
Expression of joy and excitement.
There's a red house over yonder,
Referring to a particular place where his lover lives.
That's where my baby stays
His lover resides in that red house.
Lord, there's a red house over yonder
Emphasizing the presence of the red house.
Lord, that's where my baby stays
Reiterating that his lover lives in the red house.
I ain't been home to see my baby
It's been a long time since he's visited his lover.
In ninety nine and one half days
Providing a specific time frame that he hasn't seen his lover.
Wait a minute, something's wrong here
Realizing that something is strange.
The key won't unlock this door
Cannot gain entry to the red house even though he has a key.
Wait a minute, something's wrong, lord, have mercy
Expressing concern and asking for divine intervention.
Something's goin' on here
There is a suspicious activity happening.
I have a bad bad feeling
Indicating a sense of unease or intuition about the situation.
That my baby don't live her no more
Suggesting that his lover may have left or passed away.
Well, I might as well go back over yonder,
Acknowledging that he has to leave the red house now.
Way back up on the hill
Referring to his previous location.
That's something to do
Stating that he has nowhere else to go.
Lord, I might as well go back over yonder,
Restating his decision to leave the red house.
Way back yonder cross the hill
Referring to a specific location he has in mind.
'Cause if my baby don't love me no more
Implying that he has lost his lover's affection.
I know her sister will
Suggesting that he can seek comfort from her sister if his lover doesn't want him around.
Yeah
Expression of affirmation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Devin Kennedy
on Spanish Castle Magic (alternate take)
Is this really the alternete take