Jimi Hendrix is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists ever. He rose to fame in the 1960s with his virtuosic playing, electrifying performances, and innovative sound. One of Hendrix’s most famous songs is “Little Wing”. The mysterious ballad features Hendrix’s signature guitar style, which combines both rhythm and lead parts, as well as his poetic songwriting abilities. In this article, we’ll explore the story and meaning behind the iconic song.
The Story Behind the Song
Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” was heavily inspired by the Monterey Pop Festival of 1967. The festival was a significant event in music history, featuring performances by some of the biggest names in rock, folk, and blues, including Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, and Simon & Garfunkel, among many others. Additionally, the festival marked the beginning of the hippie period “Summer of Love”.
In the song “Little Wing”, Hendrix tried to capture the magical atmosphere of the Monterey Pop Festival. He transformed the atmosphere into the form of a woman.
“I got the idea like, when we were in Monterey and I was just looking at everything around,” Hendrix told a Swedish journalist in January 1968. “So I figured that I take everything I see around and put it maybe in the form of a girl maybe, somethin’ like that, you know, and call it ‘Little Wing’, and then it will just fly away.”
Little Wing” was recorded in 1967 during the Axis: Bold as Love sessions and released in 1968 on the album of the same name. The song was recorded at Olympic Studios in London, with Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Noel Redding on bass, and Mitch Mitchell on drums. Together the trio comprised The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
The Meaning of Little Wing
In “Little Wing” Jimi Hendrix transformed the spirit of the Monterey Pop Festival of 1967 into the form of a woman. The lyrics of the song are filled with vivid metaphors that create a dreamlike atmosphere. Hendrix himself has always been very enigmatic about the song, which leaves it open to interpretation.
The opening verse sets the tone of the song, describing a woman who is a free-spirited dreamer. Jimi Hendrix reveals she lives in a fairytale-like world that gives her the freedom to ‘ride with the wind’. Hendrix is not concerned with this state of mind, because in the second verse, he reveals the woman has a positive impact on his life. She is a source of comfort and happiness for him. The song ends with Hendrix encouraging the woman to ‘fly on’ in her fairytale-like world.
Overall, the lyrics of “Little Wing” are one of Hendrix’s finest and most poetic compositions. It’s a testament to the human spirit and perfectly captures the hippy-like atmosphere of the Monterey Pop Festival of 1967.
Notable Covers
“Little Wing” is a highly regarded song in the world of guitar. The tune is often considered one of the best guitar compositions ever written. Many guitar legends, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and John Mayer, have covered the song.
But the most famous cover of the song comes from Texan Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was heavily inspired by Jimi Hendrix. Vaughan’s version of the song is instrumental, with a more aggressive guitar solo compared to Hendrix’s original. In 1993, Stevie Ray Vaughan posthumously won a grammy for his rendition of “Litte Wing”.
The Song’s Legacy
“Little Wing” is a timeless classic that has left a memorable mark on the music industry. The song’s iconic chord progression, beautiful melody, and enigmatic lyrics have helped to make it an iconic piece of music that inspired musicians to this day.
The song has become a vital part of Jimi Hendrix’s legacy and has helped to cement his place as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. The song is a perfect example of Hendrix’s groundbreaking approach to guitar playing and songwriting.
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