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.
May This Be Love
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing can harm me at all
My worries seem so very small
With my waterfall
I can see my rainbow calling me
Through the misty breeze of my waterfall
For the all the lazy minded fools with nothing else to do
So let them laugh laugh at me
So just as long as I have you to see me through
I have nothing to lose long as I have you
Waterfall
Don't ever change your ways
Fall with we for a million days
Oh my waterfall
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's song May This Be Love is an ode to escapism from the stress and responsibilities of life. The lyrics suggest a magical and serene environment where nothing can harm the singer - a place where his worries seem insignificant in front of the grandeur of a waterfall. The metaphorical waterfall represents a safe space for the singer, where he can seek solace from the chaos of the world.
As the singer stands close to the waterfall, he can see the rainbow, which is symbolic of hope and change. He feels at peace, an escape from the mundane life he has to lead. In the second verse, Hendrix addresses the societal notion that day-dreaming is for lazy people with nothing to do, but he does not let it bother him as long as he has someone he loves to see him through. The chorus reiterates the singer's desire to fall with the waterfall for a million days.
To sum up, the lyrics of the song signify the singer's urge to escape the chaos and stress of everyday life and the need for a peaceful environment to seek refuge. The metaphorical waterfall represents the singer's safe space, which provides him an escape from the monotony of life and a sense of solace.
Line by Line Meaning
Waterfall
The singer is referring to their peaceful place of mind that they go to when life's challenges seem overwhelming.
Nothing can harm me at all
The singer feels invincible and immune to any problems in their safe haven.
My worries seem so very small
The singer realizes that their worries and problems aren't as big as they once thought when they're in their peaceful state of mind.
With my waterfall
The artist is emphasizing that their waterfall is the key factor in providing comfort and peace of mind.
I can see my rainbow calling me
The artist sees hope and positivity in their future, represented by the rainbow, and feels drawn to it through their peaceful state of mind.
Through the misty breeze of my waterfall
The singer describes how the waterfall acts as a guide, leading them towards their hopeful future.
Some people say day-dreaming is
The singer acknowledges that dreaming can sometimes be seen as unproductive by certain individuals.
For the all the lazy minded fools with nothing else to do
These certain individuals view the act of dreaming as a waste of time and a sign of idleness.
So let them laugh laugh at me
The artist accepts the ridicule from the aforementioned individuals and chooses to continue their own methods of finding comfort and peace of mind.
So just as long as I have you to see me through
The artist acknowledges that they're not alone in this journey and they have someone by their side to support them through tough times.
I have nothing to lose long as I have you
The singer understands that they have everything they need as long as they have the support of their loved one, and they feel that they can face anything with them.
Don't ever change your ways
The artist tells their partner that they accept and appreciate them just the way they are.
Fall with me for a million days
The singer invites their partner to stay with them and continue supporting each other for an extended period of time.
Oh my waterfall
The singer concludes the song by emphasizing the importance of their peaceful state of mind and its significance in helping them face life's challenges with hope and positivity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind