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.
Come On
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's in my heart, and why I love you so
I love you baby like a miner loves gold
Come on sugar, let the good times roll (hey)
So many people live in make believe
They keep a lot a going up their sleeves
But my love, baby, is no kind that folds
Let the good times roll
Ah baby, come on and let daddy fill your soul
Baby, let the good times roll
(Hey)
A love is nice if it's understood
It's even nicer when you're feelin' good
You got me flippin' like flag on a pole
Come on sugar, let the good times roll
Hey! Yeah! Let the good times roll
Feel me baby! Come on, let good times roll
Come on and let me fill your soul
Hey, let the good times roll
In The Jimi Hendrix Experience's song "Come On", Jimi sings about his love for someone who others may not understand. He compares his love to a miner's love for gold, emphasizing the rarity and importance of it. He also touches on the idea that many people live in a facade, pretending to be something they're not, but his love is genuine and not something that can be hidden or falsified. The chorus is an invitation to the person he loves to let loose and have a good time with him, with the repetition of "let the good times roll". The song overall is about appreciating love and living in the moment.
One interesting fact is that "Come On" was originally written by Earl King in 1960, but it was Hendrix's version that became more well-known. Another fact is that the song was recorded in London in 1966, and was later released in the United States in 1968. Despite never being released as a single, the song was included as a bonus track in the CD reissue of "Axis: Bold as Love". It has also been covered by other artists, including Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Another interesting fact is that the song features Hendrix's signature guitar style and soloing, with the use of blues and rock elements. The lyrics themselves are simple, but Hendrix's delivery adds passion and depth to the song. The song was also recorded during a time when Hendrix was experimenting with different sounds and influences, such as the use of feedback and distortion.
Additionally, "Come On" is one of the few Hendrix songs that features a horn section, with the use of a saxophone and trumpet. The song's overall upbeat tone and catchy chorus make it a fan-favorite, despite it being lesser-known compared to other Hendrix hits. The song has also been used in various films and television shows, including "The Simpsons" and "The Sopranos".
Chords (as interpreted by Ultimate Guitar):
Intro: F
Verse:
F C G
F C G
F C G
F C G
Chorus:
Bb C F G
Bb C F G
Bridge:
Bb C F G
Bb C F G
Outro:
Bb C F G
Bb C G F G
Line by Line Meaning
People talkin' but they just don't know
Despite what other people say, they don't truly understand the depth of my love for you
What's in my heart, and why I love you so
My love for you is so strong and pure that it's difficult to put into words
I love you baby like a miner loves gold
My love for you is intense and valuable, just like gold is to a miner
Come on sugar, let the good times roll (hey)
Let's forget our troubles and enjoy life to the fullest
So many people live in make believe
Many people live in a world of illusions and false realities
They keep a lot a going up their sleeves
They hide their true intentions and emotions from others
But my love, baby, is no kind that folds
My love for you is real and steadfast, it won't falter or give up
Come on baby, let the good times roll
Let's make the most of our time together and enjoy every moment
Let the good times roll
Let's have fun and enjoy ourselves
Ah baby, come on and let daddy fill your soul
Let me be the one to bring you happiness and contentment
Baby, let the good times roll
Let's make the most of our time together and enjoy every moment
(Hey)
A cheerful interjection to emphasize the importance of having fun
A love is nice if it's understood
Love is great when both parties understand each other
It's even nicer when you're feelin' good
Love is even better when you are happy and fulfilled
You got me flippin' like flag on a pole
You make me so happy that I can't contain my excitement
Come on sugar, let the good times roll
Let's forget our troubles and enjoy life to the fullest
Hey! Yeah! Let the good times roll
A cheerful exclamation to encourage the enjoyment of the moment
Feel me baby! Come on, let good times roll
Let's connect with each other and enjoy the moment together
Come on and let me fill your soul
Let me be the source of your happiness and contentment
Hey, let the good times roll
Let's have fun and enjoy ourselves
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Earl King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind