Hendrix claimed this was inspired by a dream where he was walking under the sea. In the dream, he said a purple haze surrounded him, engulfed him and got him lost. It was a traumatic experience, but in his dream his faith in Jesus saved him.
Hendrix claimed this had nothing to do with drugs; instead it could refer to some themes in Sci-Fi comics he was fond of about purple rays. However the lyrics seem to vividly portray an acid trip, and Hendrix was doing plenty of drugs at the time.
The single peaked at number three in the UK but only number 65 in the US, where it was released on June 19, a month after the UK LP “Are You Experienced” and three months after the UK single. In March 2005, Q magazine ranked “Purple Haze” at number one in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. The Rolling Stone magazine placed the song at No. 17 in their “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
This song was featured on Guitar Hero World Tour along with another Jimi Hendrix song, Wind Cries Mary. In Guitar Hero World Tour this song is in a lower tone than it really is because in Guitar Hero World Tour it was a live recording.
Purple Haze
Jimmy Hendrix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lately things don't seem the same
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
Purple haze all around
Don't know if I'm comin' up or down
Am I happy or in misery?
Help me
Help me
Oh, no, no
Hammerin'
Talkin' 'bout heart 'n' s-soul
I'm talkin' about hard stuff
If everybody's still around, fluff and ease, if
So far out my mind
Something's happening, something's happening
Ooo, ahhh
Ooo, ahhh
Ooo, ahhh
Ooo, ahhh, yeah!
Purple haze all in my eyes, uhh
Don't know if it's day or night
You got me blowin', blowin' my mind
Is it tomorrow or just the end of time?
Ooh
Help me
Ahh, yea-yeah, purple haze, yeah
Oh, no, oh
Oh, help me
Tell me, baby, tell me
I can't go on like this
You're makin' me blow my mind, mama
N-no, nooo
No, it's painful, baby
The song "Purple Haze" is about the effects of drug use, specifically the psychedelic drug LSD, on the mind and perception of reality. The lyrics describe the feeling of being under the influence of the drug, with the "purple haze" representing the hallucinations and altered state of consciousness that the drug induces. The singer is experiencing confusion and disorientation, unsure whether he is coming up or down, happy or miserable. He feels like he's in a trance, as if someone has cast a spell on him.
The chorus includes the famous line "Excuse me while I kiss the sky," which is believed to be Hendrix's way of describing the feeling of being so high that he feels like he can touch the sky. The song also alludes to the spiritual and mystical experiences that some people have on LSD, with the singer feeling like something significant is happening to him, but not quite sure what.
Line by Line Meaning
Purple haze all in my brain
I am experiencing a state of confusion and uncertainty
Lately things don't seem the same
Something has altered my perception of reality
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
I am behaving strangely without understanding the cause
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
I am embracing my heightened state of mind and losing myself in it
Purple haze all around
There is a pervasive sense of confusion and uncertainty in my world
Don't know if I'm comin' up or down
I am unsure whether I am experiencing a good or bad trip
Am I happy or in misery?
I cannot discern whether my current state is positive or negative
Whatever it is, that girl put a spell on me
My altered state is the result of the influence of a powerful woman
Help me
I am struggling to cope with the intensity of my experience
Hammerin'
I am focusing intently on something
Talkin' 'bout heart 'n' s-soul
I am exploring deep, spiritual concepts
I'm talkin' about hard stuff
I am discussing challenging topics
If everybody's still around, fluff and ease, if
If I still have an audience, I will continue with my performance
So far out my mind
I am completely disconnected from reality
Something's happening, something's happening
I can sense a significant shift taking place
Ooo, ahhh
I am expressing my pleasure and satisfaction
Ooo, ahhh
I am fully immersed in my experience
Ooo, ahhh
I am overwhelmed by my emotions
Ooo, ahhh, yeah!
I am feeling incredible sensations
Purple haze all in my eyes, uhh
I am experiencing visual distortions
Don't know if it's day or night
I cannot distinguish between different times of day
You got me blowin', blowin' my mind
The intensity of my altered state is overwhelming me
Is it tomorrow or just the end of time?
I am questioning the very nature of existence
Ooh
I am expressing surprise or delight
Help me
I am calling out for assistance or guidance
Ahh, yea-yeah, purple haze, yeah
I am fully embracing my altered state of mind
Oh, no, oh
I am feeling anxiety or fear
Tell me, baby, tell me
I am seeking understanding or connection with others
I can't go on like this
I am struggling to maintain my composure in my altered state
You're makin' me blow my mind, mama
The spellbinding power of the woman continues to affect me
N-no, nooo
I am expressing discomfort or pain
No, it's painful, baby
I am experiencing physical or emotional pain as a result of my altered state
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@positional_play
Purple haze, all in my brain
Lately things they don't seem the same
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
Excuse me while I kiss the sky
Purple haze, all around
Don't know if I'm comin' up or down
Am I happy or in misery?
What ever it is, that girl put a spell on me
Help me
Help me
Oh, no, no
Ooh, ah
Ooh, ah
Ooh, ah
Ooh, ah, yeah!
Purple haze all in my eyes
Don't know if it's day or night
You got me blowin', blowin' my mind
Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?
Ooh
Help me
Ahh, yeah, yeah, purple haze
Oh, no, oh
Oh, help me
Tell me, tell me, purple haze
I can't go on like this
(Purple haze) you're makin' me blow my mind
Purple haze, n-no, no
(Purple haze)
@Sarazar
Still legendary!
@terra923
Hello person with 1m subs
@npc4805
Hello person
@lamppuu1
Yessir!
@bobdesmonats
Moin Sarazar
@depressedgrizzlyADG
Lol Sarazar hab dich damals vor 6 Jahren geschaut 😅
@teenagewasteland9610
Fun Fact: There is a rock bar in Kathmandu, Nepal named Purple Haze Rock Bar. And what's cooler over there is that, there's a portrait of Of JIMI HENDRIX made with 10157 ping pong balls which equals the number of days he lived on the earth (November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970). I hope those who travel to Nepal in the future must check into Purple Haze rock bar. That place is a ripper.
@pilotcannabiss8482
☮️
@bxllwxr1d220
How has the ping pong balls not get out of place since even a little shake could ruin it 😭
@ishantrajan9284
Thanks for the suggestion!