Hendrix arrived in England in October 1966, and auditions were launched to find him a backing band. Noel Redding was chosen for the bass spot. Even though he had never played bass before auditioning (he was a guitarist), Hendrix liked his look and attitude. Mitch Mitchell was a seasoned London drummer who brought jazz chops and a lead style of playing to the table. He would prove to be Hendrix's most valuable musical partner.
Though initially conceived as Hendrix's backing band, The Experience soon became much more than that. Along with Cream, they were the first group to popularize the "power trio" format, which essentially strips a rock band lineup down to the essentials: bass, guitar and drums. This smaller format also encourages more extrovert playing from the players involved, often at very high volumes. In the case of The Experience, Hendrix mixed lead and rhythm guitar duties into one, while also making use of then-revolutionary guitar effects such as feedback and wah-wah.
Mitchell played hard-hitting jazz-influenced grooves that often served a melodic role as much as they did timekeeping. Redding was the eye of the storm, playing deceptively simple bass lines that helped to anchor the band's sound. Visually, they decked themselves out in matching psychedelic costumes and permed afros.
The lineup first came to prominence during the Monterey Pop Festival, one of the first major music festivals. The band delivered a stellar performance, that ended with Hendrix famously setting his guitar on fire. The moment was immortalized in a photograph which was used as a cover of Rolling Stone[1] magazine. The appearance was also filmed and put into the documentary film Monterey Pop. This brought them to the attention of North American audiences. They were then asked to go on tour with The Monkees as the opening act. They abruptly left the tour after only a few dates. It was later revealed by Chas Chandler as being a publicity stunt.
With the band, Hendrix recorded his three most successful albums, Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland. In June of 1969, he decided to break up the group. Deteriorating relations with Redding had come to a head, and he also felt stilted by the trio format. He used a larger band lineup for his Woodstock concert in August 1969.
Hendrix would revert back to the trio format with Buddy Miles on drums and Billy Cox on bass and called themselves the Band of Gypsys. A live self-titled album was released in March 1970. This line up only lasted a couple of months. From early 1970 they were back to the original The Jimi Hendrix Experience, except Noel Redding was replaced by Billy Cox on bass.
This line up continued until Jimi Hendrix died in London, England from a drug overdose on the 18th September 1970.
All Along The Watch Tower
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Business men, they drink my wine
Plowman dig my earth
None were level on the mind
Hey, hey
No reason to get excited
The thief he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, hey
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
The song “All Along The Watchtower” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is a wonderful example of a song with deep and insightful lyrics layered with imagery and symbolism. At first glance, the song may appear confusing and abstract with the use of the joker, the thief, princes, and barefoot servants, but upon closer inspection, one can see deeper meaning to each line. The song opens with the joker searching for a way out of the situation he is in, which could represent the larger political and social issues of the time. The confusion and lack of relief he feels are representative of the general unrest and anxiety that was rampant during the height of the Vietnam War.
The next few lines present the idea of the elite in society, represented by the princes, drinking and enjoying the fruits of the labor of the lower classes, represented by the plowman. However, despite the differences in social status, there is still a lack of true understanding between the two groups. The thief recognizes this and suggests that many people feel that life is but a joke, but the joker responds that they have already been through the difficult times and it is not their fate to give up hope. The final stanza is where the true power of the song comes into play. The watchtower can be seen as a symbol of the onlookers, or those in power, who remain idle while chaos reigns. The riders approaching could be seen as a call to action, and the wind beginning to howl, a warning of what is to come.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way outta here
The joker expressed his desire to escape the current state of chaos and confusion.
Said the joker to the thief
The joker is speaking to the thief, perhaps drawing a parallel between stealing and the deception of society.
There's too much confusion
The current situation is befuddling and overwhelming.
I can't get no relief
There is no respite or remedy in sight.
Business men, they drink my wine
The affluent consume resources belonging to and meant for others [in this case, the artist].
Plowman dig my earth
The working class, as symbolized by farmers, plow and exploit natural resources.
None were level on the mind
No one seemed to be thinking rationally or objectively.
Nobody up at his word
Society is not being held accountable for the promises it fails to keep.
No reason to get excited
There is nothing worth celebrating or becoming emotional about.
The thief he kindly spoke
The thief speaks with gentleness and kindness.
There are many here among us
There are numerous people who also feel disillusioned.
Who feel that life is but a joke
They believe that the seriousness people attribute to life is unwarranted.
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
The joker and the thief have seen through society's false facade and understand its true nature.
And this is not our fate
However, they will not be resigned to the same fate as those around them.
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
They want to stop pretending and speaking insincerely.
The hour's getting late, hey
Time is running out, and they must address the situation before it's too late.
All along the watchtower
The setting is a watchtower manned by princes, perhaps symbolizing the ruling elite.
Princes kept the view
The aristocracy are monitoring the area and controlling activities.
While all the women came and went
Various women pass in and out of the men's lives, most likely as objects of desire or admiration.
Barefoot servants, too
Even the lowliest of society, the barefoot servants, are present.
Outside in the cold distance
Far away, it is bleak and unforgiving.
A wildcat did growl
Nature, and the harshness of it, is ever-present.
Two riders were approaching
Two people are approaching, perhaps bringing a sense of excitement or anticipation.
And the wind began to howl
The weather is becoming harsher and more unpredictable, hinting at trouble to come.
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@balakay5092
Hendrix never died. Earth was just part of his tour.
@BoKnowsBrains
watch the watch towers
@fpa417
dont know about anyone else but putting LMAO after a joke ruins it for me. LMAO
@hi-wm7tb
@@fpa417 being a jojo fan ruins any chance at being funny
@kevinheatcoat2190
Coronavirus.
@awhahoo
@@fpa417 I laughed at the joke don't worry about crusty toe he became steelydan 2.0
@samcavanagh7993
If you're ever feeling down remember we live in an age where this song is accessible in a second, for free, forever.
@drkadzijaliburic1093
@@MARSBELLA1 vpn
@Fordham1969
That type of thing is always a double edged sword though. Yes, on balance I agree it's preferable to live in an age where these sort of things that you love can be enjoyed instantly wherever you are. However, there's something about having to wait for things that enhances your appreciation of them. There's no perfection in life.
@JARC1010
@@MARSBELLA1 Considering the government has decided to keep the copyright laws and most labour laws and generally all the other laws exactly the same to avoid confusion, i think you need to take the tin foil hat off.