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.
Day Tripper
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Um ah um ah
I got a good reason, for taken the easy way out
I got a good reason, for taken the easy way out now
She was a day tripper
She was a day tripper, yeah
One way ticket yeah
It took so long to find out, I found out
She's a big teaser
She let me half the way down
She's a big teaser
She let me half the way down
She was a day tripper
Trippin' bright and gay
It took so long to find out, I found out
Oh, can you hear me now
Yeah
I try to please her
She only played one that stands
I try to please her
She only played one that stands
She was a day tripper
The day tripper, yeah
Was a one way ticket
One way ticket, yeah
It took so long to find out, I found out
Oh I found out
Your out of your mind
Day tripper
Day tripper
Day tripper
Day tripper
Day tripper
Day tripper
I got a good reason
I got a good reason
Yeah
Baby you can...
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's song Day Tripper tells the story of a girl who is a "day tripper," someone who enjoys taking drugs for temporary and immediate pleasure. The singer, who seems to have fallen for this girl, admits he has a good reason for taking the easy way out because he couldn't keep up with her lifestyle. He describes her as a "big teaser" who lets him down halfway, highlighting the frustration and disappointment he feels.
The lyrics also suggest that the girl isn't faithful and only wants to play games with his emotions. The repetition of "day tripper" and "one way ticket" is a nod to the lack of stability in her life and actions. The chorus ends with the singer claiming that he found out she was not good for him but not before he has fallen for the drug-induced magic she constantly weaved around him.
Overall, Day Tripper is a cautionary tale of the dangers of fast-paced and reckless lifestyles that may offer instant pleasure but not much long-term satisfaction. It shows the consequences of living in the moment without thinking of the future or how our actions may impact ourselves and others in the long run.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement or emphasis on the following message
Um ah um ah
Nonverbal sounds used for musical effect
I got a good reason, for taken the easy way out
I have a valid explanation for choosing the simplest solution
She was a day tripper
She was a person who enjoyed taking short trips during the day
One way ticket yeah
She left with no intention of coming back
It took so long to find out, I found out
Despite taking a long time, I eventually discovered the truth
She's a big teaser
She enjoys flirting and leading people on without delivering
She let me half the way down
She disappointed me by not delivering on her promises
Trippin' bright and gay
Taking short trips with a joyous and lively attitude
Oh, can you hear me now
An exclamation of frustration or emphasis on the previous message
I try to please her
I made attempts to satisfy her needs or desires
She only played one that stands
She only pursued relationships that were brief and meaningless
The day tripper, yeah
The person who enjoyed taking short day trips, yes
Was a one way ticket
The trips she took were always in one direction
Oh I found out
I eventually discovered the truth
Your out of your mind
An accusation that someone is mentally unstable or irrational
Day tripper
Someone who takes short day trips
I got a good reason
I have valid explanations for my actions
Baby you can...
Incomplete sentence, implying that the singer might say more or perform an action
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind