Purple Haze

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

About Purple Haze

"Purple Haze" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and released as the second record single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience on March 17, 1967. As a record chart hit in several countries and the opening number on the Experience's debut American album, it was many people's first exposure to Hendrix's psychedelic rock sound. The song features his inventive guitar playing, which uses the signature Hendrix chord and a mix of blues and Eastern modalities, shaped by novel sound processing techniques. Because of ambiguities in the lyrics, listeners often interpret the song as referring to a psychedelic experience, although Hendrix described it as a love song. "Purple Haze" is one of Hendrix's best-known songs and appears on many Hendrix compilation albums. The song featured regularly in concerts and each of Hendrix's group configurations issued live recordings. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is included on lists of the greatest guitar songs, including at number two by Rolling Stone and number one by Q magazine. 


Year:
1992
235 

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The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English-American psychedelic rock band that formed in London in October 1966. Comprising eponymous singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969, in which time the group released three successful studio albums. After Redding left the band, Hendrix and Mitchell stayed together through other projects. The Experience 'reunited' in 1970 with Billy Cox dubbed "The Cry of Love", until Hendrix's death in September 1970. Redding died in 2003, and Mitchell became the last original member of the band to die, in November 2008. more »

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13 facts about this song

Recording Process
"Purple Haze" was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios in London on January 11, 1967. It was part of two sessions that day, the other session being for the recording of "Wind Cries Mary."
Release Date
The song was released on March 17, 1967, in the UK. It was released in the US later, in June 1967.
Second Single
"Purple Haze" was the second single released by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Chart Performance
The song reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and made it to the number 1 spot in the Netherlands. However, it was only able to reach number 65 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Controversial Lyrics
There was a controversy about the lyrics. Many people interpreted it as a reference to drugs, especially due to the lyrics, "Purple Haze was in my brain / Lately things don't seem the same." Hendrix, however, consistently denied this.
Inspiration
Hendrix claimed that the lyrics of "Purple Haze" were inspired by a dream he had where he was walking under the sea. He once referred to it as a "love song."
As a Signature Song
"Purple Haze" is frequently recognized as one of Hendrix's signature songs and is often considered emblematic of the psychedelic rock genre.
Rolling Stone Rank
The song was ranked 17th in Rolling Stone magazine's 2004 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
Onstage Debut
"Purple Haze" made its onstage debut on February 2, 1967, at the Blue Moon club in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Prominent Misquote
A misheard lyric in the song is one of the most famous in rock history. Many people think Jimi Hendrix says, "Excuse me while I kiss this guy." However, the actual lyric is "excuse me while I kiss the sky."
Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2001, "Purple Haze" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame listed it as one of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll" in 1995.
Several Covers
The song has been covered by various artists like Dion, Frank Marino, The Cure, and Widespread Panic.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1967

    Billboard #65


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