In December 1969 "Stone Free" was released as a single in the US, backed with "If 6 Was 9".
The song is one of the few songs by Hendrix being in standard tuning.
The bassline for the song was borrowed from the Mar-Keys song "Philly Dog".
Some sources state this song as being one of the earliest forms of Heavy Metal music, because of it's over-driven guitar chords and solo, and the song's loudness.
Supergrass recorded a cover of the song that was available on a limited-edition 7" vinyl companion disc to certain packagings of the 12" vinyl release of their debut album, I Should Coco.
Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix was also the name of a 1993 Jimi Hendrix tribute album featuring his songs performed by various artists, including Eric Clapton, Living Colour, The Cure and Pretenders.
Stone Free
Jimi Hendrix Lyrics
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If I stay too long people try to pull me down
They talk about me like a dog
Talkin' about the clothes I wear
But they don't realize they're the ones who's square
Hey!
And that's why
I don't want to be down I gotta move on
Ah
Stone free to do what I please
Stone free to ride the breeze
Stone free I can't stay
I got to got to got to get away right now
Alright
Listen to this baby
A woman here a woman there try to keep me in a plastic cage
But they don't realize it's so easy to break
But sometimes I get a ha
Feel my heart kind of runnin' hot
That's when I've got to move before I get caught
Hey that's why, listen to me baby, you can't hold me down
I don't want to be tied down
I gotta be free
Owh!
I said
Stone free to do what I please
Stone free to ride the breeze
Stone free I can't stay
Got to got to got to get away
Yeah ow!
Tear me loose baby
Yeah! Owh!
Stone free to ride on the breeze
Stone free to do what I please
Stone free I can't stay
Stone free I got to I got to get away
Stone free I'm gone baby, right now, don't try to hold me back
Stone free go on down the highway
Stone free I got to, got to, got to
Stone free bye bye baby
In Jimi Hendrix's song "Stone Free," he discusses his desire for freedom and his struggle against those who try to hold him back. He sings about his life on the road, constantly moving from city to city and the negative comments and criticism he receives from others. He sees himself as "stone free," able to do what he wants and ride the breeze without being tied down by societal norms or limitations.
The lyrics suggest that Jimi feels trapped and constricted by others' expectations of him, but he will not let them control him. He mentions feeling like he's in a "plastic cage," which represents the conformity and rigidity of society that he wants to break free from. In the chorus, he repeats the phrase "stone free" over and over again, emphasizing how important it is for him to be able to live his life on his own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday in the week I'm in a different city
I travel constantly and don't stay in one place for too long.
If I stay too long people try to pull me down
If I stay in one place for too long, people start talking badly about me and trying to bring me down.
They talk about me like a dog
They speak about me disrespectfully and in a negative way, like I am worthless.
Talkin' about the clothes I wear
They criticize my fashion choices, acting as if my clothes are the source of my problems.
But they don't realize they're the ones who's square
They don't understand that their opinions are out of touch and outdated, and that they are the ones who are uncool.
You can't hold me down
Nobody can stop me or keep me from doing what I want.
I don't want to be down I gotta move on
I don't want to stay stagnant or stuck, I need to keep moving forward and finding new experiences.
Stone free to do what I please
I am free to live my life however I choose, without being held back by anyone else's expectations or opinions.
Stone free to ride the breeze
I am free to go wherever I want, without any restrictions or limitations.
Stone free I can't stay
I am unable to remain in one place for too long because it goes against my nature.
Got to got to got to get away right now
I need to leave immediately and embark on my next adventure.
A woman here a woman there try to keep me in a plastic cage
Women have attempted to control me and limit my freedom in the past by trying to confine me to their own expectations and desires.
But they don't realize it's so easy to break
They underestimate how quickly and easily I can break free from their attempts to contain me.
Feel my heart kind of runnin' hot
I'm filled with a sense of passion and excitement that motivates me to keep moving forward.
That's when I've got to move before I get caught
When I feel trapped or held back, I know it's time to leave before I get pulled down and lose my sense of freedom and independence.
I don't want to be tied down
I refuse to be restricted or limited in any way, especially by anyone else's expectations or desires.
I gotta be free
I need to maintain my sense of freedom and independence at all times.
Stone free I'm gone baby, right now, don't try to hold me back
I am leaving immediately and won't let anyone else try to stop me or hold me back.
Stone free go on down the highway
I am free to travel and explore the world in any way I see fit.
Stone free I got to, got to, got to
I absolutely have to maintain my sense of freedom and independence, no matter what.
Stone free bye bye baby
I am saying goodbye to anyone who tries to hold me back or limit my sense of freedom.
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