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Jimi Hendrix — Voodoo Chile
Album: Electric Ladyland
Avg rating:
8.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1998









Released: 1968
Length: 14:20
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Well, I'm a voodoo chile
Lord I'm a voodoo chile

Well, the night I was born
Lord I swear the moon turned a fire red
The night I was born
I swear the moon turned a fire red
Well my poor mother cried out "lord, the gypsy was right!"
And I seen her, fell down right dead
(Have mercy)

Well, mountain lions found me there waitin'
And set me on a eagles back
Well, mountain lions found me there,
And set me on a eagles wing
(Its' the eagles wing, baby, what did I say)
He took me past to the outskirts of infinity,
And when he brought me back,
He gave me a venus witch's ring
Hey!
And he said "Fly on, fly on"
Because I'm a voodoo chile, yeah, voodoo chile
Hey!

Well, I make love to you,
And lord knows you'll feel no pain
Say, I make love to you in your sleep,
And lord knows you felt no pain
(Have mercy)
'Cause I'm a million miles away
And at the same time I'm right here in your picture frame
(Yeah! What did I say now)
'Cause I'm a voodoo chile
Lord knows, I'm a voodoo chile
(yeah!)

Well my arrows are made of desire
From far away as Jupiter's sulphur mines
Say my arrows are made of desire, desire
From far away as Jupiter's sulphur mines
(Way down by the Methane Sea, yeah)
I have a humming bird and it hums so loud,
You think you were losing your mind, hmmm...

Well I float in liquid gardens
And Arizona new red sand
(Yeah)
I float in liquid gardens
Way down in Arizona red sand

Well, I taste the honey from a flower named Blue,
Way down in California
And the in New York drowns as we hold hands

'Cause I'm a voodoo chile
Lord knows I'm a voodoo chile
Comments (104)add comment
 timatmit wrote:



That's exactly what my Dad said back in 1969 when I played Hendrix records down in the basement.. of course, his idea of good music was Lawrence Welk.


Oh man not Lawrence Welk! My Dad use to listen to LW while chain smoking and drinking Black Label. I was so f'ing happy that show was only thirty minutes.
If I ever own a million-dollar racing sailboat, she will be named VOODOO CHILE.
 rezadent wrote:

1971, woods of Alaska. My city brother finally reunited with us. I'm 10, he's 15. We are wild together, he learns how to haul water from the creek, gives me rides on his shoulders. He's six foot three. 

He has a cassette player, he has Hendrix. He insists I listen over and over, which is easy, because that's one of three cassettes we have, and we find a way to get batteries. He explains electricity and electric guitars. He says this man is a god. I understand, because I believe in that kind of magic. 

Brother leaves the Planet at age 27. I hear him laughing and see us dancing each time I hear an electric guitar, and I blow out that candle of sadness yet again, re-anchor my love.


I was 1 in 1971, but similarly situated in the wilds of Alaska and losing too many to darkness. Music was a light for me, thankfully enough (so far)!
 KevinM wrote:

14 minutes of mind-numbing noise


"What is KevinM on the toilet, Alex".
If I could go back in time and see any live performance this would be it.
When I show someone what great drumming is I always play this song... Oh Mitch! Jimi is just trying to keep up with him.
RIP JH
 timatmit wrote:



That's exactly what my Dad said back in 1969 when I played Hendrix records down in the basement.. of course, his idea of good music was Lawrence Welk.

Nothing wrong with Lawrence Welk.  He really floated my grandparent's boat.

 sfyi2001 wrote:




Let Jimi take it over 
This man was one in 1,000,000, or more.  That is a valid definition of "freak of nature." 
 sfyi2001 wrote:




Soooo seventies.
What is this voodoo chile? Some hot red pepper ? 
 rezadent wrote:

1971, woods of Alaska. My city brother finally reunited with us. I'm 10, he's 15. We are wild together, he learns how to haul water from the creek, gives me rides on his shoulders. He's six foot three. 

He has a cassette player, he has Hendrix. He insists I listen over and over, which is easy, because that's one of three cassettes we have, and we find a way to get batteries. He explains electricity and electric guitars. He says this man is a god. I understand, because I believe in that kind of magic. 

Brother leaves the Planet at age 27. I hear him laughing and see us dancing each time I hear an electric guitar, and I blow out that candle of sadness yet again, re-anchor my love.



Amazing memories - bittersweet. I have a sister who left the planet at 21 and there are tracks that do that for me too. Not this one, but the same effect of re-anchoring love. Peace to you and your brother my friend (we are the same age you and I)


 joejennings wrote:

GODLIKE!  ...listening in FLAC w/ great phones, makes it a truly religious experience!!! ....Thanx RP!



GODLIKE!!!  ICONIC!!!
 Jelani wrote:
I'm not buying it.
He's making this stuff up...


Blown away by the guitar work ✌️
GODLIKE!!!
Damn, thanks Bill.
einfach nur fett i love it
 rezadent wrote:

1971, woods of Alaska. My city brother finally reunited with us. I'm 10, he's 15. We are wild together, he learns how to haul water from the creek, gives me rides on his shoulders. He's six foot three. 

He has a cassette player, he has Hendrix. He insists I listen over and over, which is easy, because that's one of three cassettes we have, and we find a way to get batteries. He explains electricity and electric guitars. He says this man is a god. I understand, because I believe in that kind of magic. 

Brother leaves the Planet at age 27. I hear him laughing and see us dancing each time I hear an electric guitar, and I blow out that candle of sadness yet again, re-anchor my love.



Very sad story. I was very shocked that you are 61 years old 
GODLIKE!  ...listening in FLAC w/ great phones, makes it a truly religious experience!!! ....Thanx RP!
The interplay between guitar and organ is remarkable. I have heard this piece numerous times, but apparently not very clearly. Hard to get the writing done, though.
I'm not buying it.
He's making this stuff up...
1971, woods of Alaska. My city brother finally reunited with us. I'm 10, he's 15. We are wild together, he learns how to haul water from the creek, gives me rides on his shoulders. He's six foot three. 

He has a cassette player, he has Hendrix. He insists I listen over and over, which is easy, because that's one of three cassettes we have, and we find a way to get batteries. He explains electricity and electric guitars. He says this man is a god. I understand, because I believe in that kind of magic. 

Brother leaves the Planet at age 27. I hear him laughing and see us dancing each time I hear an electric guitar, and I blow out that candle of sadness yet again, re-anchor my love.
 eileenomurphy wrote:

If you don't like it, ...go listen to Michael Buble'!


I must admit that I quite like Michael - he has Vinnie on drums after all.
awesome ..... ever
For me it doesn't get any better than this.  "Godlike" is inadequate.
SUPER EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!
 sunward wrote:

I love all of Jimi's work. I saw him twice. The first time was at Woodstock (the first and only one). The night before, I had crashed after being up for 36 hours. Before I did, I moved my tent to a hillock with a good view of the stage. Slept like a baby, and then was awakened to what sounded like a missile exploding. Stumbled out of my tent and saw Jimi doing  the Star Spangled Banner Truely awesome!  



I LOVE THIS! Thanks for sharing :)
I love all of Jimi's work. I saw him twice. The first time was at Woodstock (the first and only one). The night before, I had crashed after being up for 36 hours. Before I did, I moved my tent to a hillock with a good view of the stage. Slept like a baby, and then was awakened to what sounded like a missile exploding. Stumbled out of my tent and saw Jimi doing  the Star Spangled Banner Truely awesome!  
 sharkey wrote:

What a lot of noise (shit)




That's exactly what my Dad said back in 1969 when I played Hendrix records down in the basement.. of course, his idea of good music was Lawrence Welk.
 On_The_Beach wrote:



I AGREE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 ankahl wrote:

There is a Guitar player in a band called "Little Axe" - Skip McDonald, a fan, Hendrix is his idol i think, he also plays very good melodies.



 Madness1954 wrote:

Steve Winwood on keyboards?




Yes and Jack Casady on bass!
 Roguewarer wrote:



He’s hit or miss with me. 
This is tiresome & pretentious.



Sounds like your ex-wife talkin
 kingart wrote:

Remember that great line from Blade Runner? A flame that's twice as bright burns half as long.  Never more true than when applied to him. 


"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe." 
- Roy Batty (and Jimi too, I'm sure)
Steve Winwood on keyboards?
holy freaking smokes
I appreciate this song (& Hendrix in general) when it’s NOT playing.

He’s hit or miss with me. 
This is tiresome & pretentious.
Mitch Mitchell was a badass drummer.
I was about 8 when this came out.  Over the years I've "heard" a lot of Hendrix in passing.  But I never LISTENED to Voodoo Chile until right now.   Time to tip my DJ. 
It's okay if you scorn me and throw nasty remarks my way, but I must admit, as a sixty-two-year-old 'music lover', I may never have heard this all the way through until now. smh in shame. :-)   Also, I guess this is why I've read those stories over the years about how Clapton and Richards and the like were ready to "throw their guitars in the river" after hearing Hendrix.
..as one of the Gods spake...
 MrsTom wrote:

I was just thinking how I didn't really like this very much and then he said  "Say, I make love to you in your sleep, And lord knows you felt no pain" and I bumped it down from a 2 to a 1 for ickiness.


Apparently the track's title had no effect on your opinion. Metaphors are seldom literal. 
Tunes like this one should come along with an instruction manual how not to foot-tap in case you listen to it while at work..... 
Saw him twice, which life was that? Oh yeah the late 60's in LA!
If one mark of genius, in some folks, is to be so far beyond "normal" that they are freaks, or insane, this Jimi dude was a prime exhibit of one or both. 
What a lot of noise (shit)
I was just thinking how I didn't really like this very much and then he said  "Say, I make love to you in your sleep, And lord knows you felt no pain" and I bumped it down from a 2 to a 1 for ickiness.
 stevesaw wrote:
It was over over 50 years ago when I saw him play this live at the Spectrum in Philly. I  distinctly remember when he played this song.

Side note: the opening act was supposed to Buddy Miles, but it was Fat Mattress, Noel Redding's new group. Noel was really enjoying his set, but when he was playing with Hendrix you could tell he was done with the Experience.
 wow. and my 25 y/o nephew and his buddies are big Jimi fans. Great talent never goes out of style.

Love everything Jimi. Playing this one a bit too much though.
It was over over 50 years ago when I saw him play this live at the Spectrum in Philly. I  distinctly remember when he played this song.

Side note: the opening act was supposed to Buddy Miles, but it was Fat Mattress, Noel Redding's new group. Noel was really enjoying his set, but when he was playing with Hendrix you could tell he was done with the Experience.
 DW4554 wrote:
The B3 is exceptional in the supporting cast. Makes the tune breathe. Vital, essential interplay with the Strat.
 

Steve Winwood. And Jack Cassidy on bass. If I had a time machine, that night in that studio would definitely be near the top of my list.
Hearing this makes life worth living
 joelbb wrote:
If this cut isn't "Godlike", I really don't have the slightest clue what is.
 

AGREED!
(that you've no clue)
The B3 is exceptional in the supporting cast. Makes the tune breathe. Vital, essential interplay with the Strat.
 KevinM wrote:
14 minutes of mind-numbing noise
 
If you don't like it, ...go listen to Michael Buble'!
 Alastair wrote:
Self indulgent?  Just a bit
 

No.
Amazing. This why we all love RP
14 minutes of mind-numbing noise
 Alastair wrote:
Self indulgent?  Just a bit
 
Well, in the same way Michelangelo was self-indulgent to paint the whole ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. I mean, the nerve of the guy!
Self indulgent?  Just a bit
I won a radio contest in 1968, and the prize was the double vinyl Electric Ladyland. Life changing.
 dflee wrote:
What a song! What a lineup!!!!
Hendix / Winwood / Cassidy  / Mitchell
10 just for that and RP playin the whole enchilada.
 
As Jimi channels the vibrations of heavenly spheres, transporting me beyond myself; I try to imagine one of these divine passages with horns from Coltrane and Miles Davis harmonizing and trading leads...
I wonder if one reason these marvelous musicians died young is that were they to collaborate onstage or in a studio, the resulting music would crack the world wide open. Maybe it isn't time quite yet.
Is this Arcade Fire? 
 bam23 wrote:
Don't know if I've ever heard such interplay between guitar and organ.
 Lord - Blackmore whilst travelling in Japan, early 70s...i
G-A-W-D
Image result for electric pole dancers
Don't know if I've ever heard such interplay between guitar and organ. Have I somehow never heard this version before?
unbelievable
What a song! What a lineup!!!!
Hendix / Winwood / Cassidy  / Mitchell
10 just for that and RP playin the whole enchilada.
Not long enough.
Transport me! Awesomeness revisited.
Only on RP!
Voodoo Chile?? It's a hot song, but "chile"? I would have though it was Vodoo Child. 
Anyway, a straight 10.
This seems more like an exercise from an especially challenging self-learning guitar CD than music per se: 6
Holy mother of god that was awful. I give it a generous 3 because he's amazing but I never want to hear it again.
Where is this recording from?! Isle of Wight? The cover for El3ctric Ladyland suggests studio recording, but that organ and drum solo are another huge version!!! Godlike.
Have mercy!
Turned it up, put my head back, closed my eyes and pray my boss doesn't come by my desk.    


"arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music"


Though not as famous as the more radio friendly "Slight Return", this is 14+ minutes of true aural ecstasy. I can still remember sitting in my car and being late for a meeting the first time this came across my radio.
{#Devil_pimp}zesty indeed !
Just listened to this on the 50th Anniversary Electric Ladyland vinyl box set a couple of hours ago.  F'ing A !!!  This alone is worth buying the box, it's so good.  One of the best live studio jams ever captured.  So glad they were running tape to capture this.  Winwood's organ is the perfect compliment to Jimi's guitar.  Winwood is one of the greatest rock organists ever and underappreciated for his organ skills. 

Hearing this made me rethink Blind Faith's Do What You Like which came several years later.  It is as simple as the title.  Everyone play as they like to the riff.  I remember the song comments about Baker's drumming being so simple and vanilla.  Meh ?  He was doing what he liked.  Winwood's growling B3 makes that song as well.
Why my radio's volume goes to 11.  {#Bananajam}
epic
 S-curvy wrote:

What hayduke2 sea!!

Holy crap, what an awesome, awesome cut!  I once got into a bit of a opinion tussle with someone who happened to be a guitarist herself, because I asserted that Jimi was a really great guitarist who played difficult music.  Aaaah, therein was the rub:  While Jimi's music wasn't maybe the technical stuff of many who followed in his footsteps, my point was that he blazed trails that were many years beyond his time, and being such a pioneer is in its own way terribly difficult.

Whatever the groupinion, I believe he was awesome and pulled off some very difficult guitar work...my 2 cents. 
 
You sir, are a scholar and gentleman/woman.   Seriously, the point of origination of anything in art, unseen or unheard until born from the soul of creativity and great in and of its own right by immediate recognition of fellow humanity without the editorial cues of critic or university is beauty, truth and goodness - a simultaneous being as an experience of art.     What follows, that could never have been without the first creator, is derivative, no matter how good, or transcending the first founder, it is still not the crown of creation but the aftermath.    Viva Hendrix!!




I love ❤️ those long long long rides and voodoo grooves !?      (:o)~       Naugatuck Connecticut.   10
 hayduke2 wrote:
so excellent and wooo-hoo long baby!!!  Godlike indeed

 
What hayduke2 sea!!

Holy crap, what an awesome, awesome cut!  I once got into a bit of a opinion tussle with someone who happened to be a guitarist herself, because I asserted that Jimi was a really great guitarist who played difficult music.  Aaaah, therein was the rub:  While Jimi's music wasn't maybe the technical stuff of many who followed in his footsteps, my point was that he blazed trails that were many years beyond his time, and being such a pioneer is in its own way terribly difficult.

Whatever the groupinion, I believe he was awesome and pulled off some very difficult guitar work...my 2 cents. 
Starting the day with this is better than any alarm clock/coffee combo.
It just doesn't get better than this.
The man was out of his flipping mind. In a very good way. Un-be-lieve-able. 
so excellent and wooo-hoo long baby!!!  Godlike indeed
Give credit to the rhythm section too, guys - Jack Casady on the fat notes and of course Mitch on skins and metals.

Hell yass.

And some Winwood dude on keys...

{#Meditate}
best Jimi song by far
psd a whispery wanky soft Nick Drake and am given this Gift from the Guitar God!!!    Glorious  {#Notworthy}
 kurtster wrote:
That pretty much sums it up.  Never played til today ?
Never too late.
 
Perhaps a tribute to the day (Halloween)?
 joelbb wrote:
If this cut isn't "Godlike", I really don't have the slightest clue what is.

 
That pretty much sums it up.  Never played til today ?

Never too late. 
A great Jimi Hendrix solo rip and a term like "sonic voodoo nirvana orgasm" are virtually synonymous. That dude was only visiting this reality.  From as far away as Jupiter was too common for him.  WTF. Remember that great line from Blade Runner? A flame that's twice as bright burns half as long.  Never more true than when applied to him. 
Jimi........{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}   {#Drummer}
If this cut isn't "Godlike", I really don't have the slightest clue what is.
Black Sabbath followed by Jimi! bring it on!