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.
Rainy Day Dream Away
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics
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Hey man, it's rainin'
It's rainin' outside man
Aw, don't worry 'bout that
Everything's gonna be everything
We'll get into somethin' real nice you know
Sit back and groove on a rainy day
Yeah
Rainy day, dream away
Ah let the sun take a holiday
Flowers bathe an' ah see the children play
Lay back and groove on a rainy day
Well I can see a bunch of wet creatures, look at them on the run
The carnival traffic noise it sings the tune splashing up 'n'
Even the ducks can groove rain bathin' in the park side pool
And I'm leanin' out my window sill diggin' everything
And ah and you too
Rainy day, rain all day
Ain't no use in gettin' uptight
Just let it groove its own way
Let it drain your worries away yeah
Lay back and groove on a rainy day hey
Lay back and dream on a rainy day
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's song Rainy Day Dream Away is a celebration of the joy that can be found in a rainy day. The song begins with Hendrix urging his friend to take a look outside and see what is happening. He tells him that it is raining outside, but not to worry, everything is going to be okay. The two of them will find something nice to do and just sit back and groove on a rainy day. The second verse describes the sights and sounds of a rainy day, including wet creatures, carnival traffic noise, and ducks bathing in a park side pool. Hendrix digs everything he sees, and encourages his friend to do the same.
The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "Rainy day, dream away," which suggests that the rain can be a source of relaxation and inspiration. Hendrix urges his listeners not to get uptight about the rain, but to let it groove its own way and drain their worries away. The song ends with the repeated refrain "lay back and dream on a rainy day," emphasizing the idea that a rainy day can be a time to relax and let the mind wander.
Overall, Rainy Day Dream Away is an upbeat celebration of the beauty and joy that can be found in a rainy day. It encourages listeners to embrace the rain and find happiness in the simple pleasures of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey man, take a look out the window 'n' see what's happenin'
Observe the scene outside from the window and tell me what you see.
Hey man, it's rainin'
It's raining outside.
It's rainin' outside man
The rain is happening outside.
Aw, don't worry 'bout that
Don't stress over the rain.
Everything's gonna be everything
Everything will be alright.
We'll get into somethin' real nice you know
We'll find something enjoyable to do inside.
Sit back and groove on a rainy day
Relax and enjoy the rain from inside.
Yeah
Yes
Yeah I see what you mean brother, lay back and groove
I understand your point, let's relax and enjoy ourselves.
Rainy day, dream away
Let's dream while we pass the rainy day.
Ah let the sun take a holiday
Let the sun take the day off.
Flowers bathe an' ah see the children play
The flowers are being washed by the rain, and I see children playing.
Lay back and groove on a rainy day
Relax and enjoy the rainy day.
Well I can see a bunch of wet creatures, look at them on the run
I can see many wet animals rushing around in the rain.
The carnival traffic noise it sings the tune splashing up 'n'
The sound of the carnival traffic mixes with the sound of the rain.
Even the ducks can groove rain bathin' in the park side pool
Even the ducks enjoy themselves and swim in the rain-filled park pool.
And I'm leanin' out my window sill diggin' everything
I'm enjoying watching everything from my window.
And ah and you too
And you are enjoying it too.
Rainy day, rain all day
It's a rainy day and it will rain all day.
Ain't no use in gettin' uptight
There's no point in getting stressed or upset.
Just let it groove its own way
Just let the rain flow and happen naturally.
Let it drain your worries away yeah
Allow the rain to wash your worries away.
Lay back and groove on a rainy day hey
Relax and enjoy yourself on this rainy day.
Lay back and dream on a rainy day
Relax and let your mind wander on this rainy day.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind