Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” Celebrates 59 Years

On March 17, 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience released “Purple Haze” as their second single in the United Kingdom, marking a pivotal moment in rock history. The song, which would later turn into a top-five hit and one of the rock legend’s most recognizable tracks, continues to spark debate about its lyrical meaning.

Origins and Recording

Jimi Hendrix began developing “Purple Haze” during a press function on December 26, 1966, at the Upper Cut Club in East London. The song’s distinctive main riff first emerged while he was in the venue’s dressing room. His manager, Chas Chandler (formerly of The Animals), immediately recognized its potential and encouraged Hendrix to complete the song, predicting it would be a hit single. American Songwriter reports that the initial version of “Purple Haze” was significantly longer, with Hendrix writing several pages of lyrics, most of which are now lost.

Lyrical Interpretations

The meaning of “Purple Haze’s” lyrics has been a subject of much speculation. Some listeners interpret the line “excuse me while I kiss the sky” as a reference to psychedelic drug use. But, Hendrix himself offered varying explanations. He once described the song as a love song, stating it was about a man overwhelmed by his feelings. American Songwriter notes that Hendrix also drew inspiration from a dream in which he was walking under the sea and from an experience with a woman in New York whom he believed practiced voodoo.

Another theory suggests a connection to Philip Jose Farmer’s 1966 science fiction novel, Night of Light, which features a disorienting purple haze on an alien planet. Hendrix was known to be a fan of science fiction, adding weight to this interpretation.

Musical Innovation and Legacy

“Purple Haze” is celebrated for its innovative guitar playing, featuring Hendrix’s signature chord and a blend of blues and Eastern musical modalities, enhanced by novel sound processing techniques. Wikipedia highlights that the song was included as the opening track on the North American release of Are You Experienced (1967).

The song’s impact is undeniable. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and consistently appears on lists of the greatest guitar songs, including being ranked number two by Rolling Stone and number one by Q magazine. Wikipedia details its frequent inclusion in concerts and live recordings by various configurations of Hendrix’s groups.

Release Details

“Purple Haze” was released as a single with “51st Anniversary” as its B-side in the UK. In the US, the B-side was “The Wind Cries Mary.” Wikipedia and JimiHendrix.com confirm these release details.