Jimi Hendrix 'Voodoo Child' (Slight Return)

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" is a song recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968 that appears as the final track on the Electric Ladyland album released that year. It contains improvised guitar and a vocal from Jimi Hendrix, backed by Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. The song is one of Hendrix's best known; it was a feature of his concert performances throughout his career, and several live renditions were recorded and released on later albums.

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" was developed from "Voodoo Chile", recorded May 2, 1968, during a studio jam with Steve Winwood on organ and Jack Casady on bass.

Voodoo symbolism and reference resound through the country blues, and through the urbanized electric country blues of the Chicago school ... In Hendrix’s case, this is pure metaphor. He certainly was not a Voodoo inititate in any formal sense ... Both with 'Voodoo Chile'—and, most specifically, with the West African even-before-Bo-Diddley beat he percussively scratches from his guitar and wah-wah pedal at the beginning of 'Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)'—he is announcing as explicitly as possible that he is a man of the blues, and one who honours, respects and understands its deepest and most profound traditions".

Lyrics

Well, I stand up next to a mountain And I chop it down with the edge of my hand Well, I stand up next to a mountain Chop it down with the edge of my hand Well, I pick up all the pieces and make an island Might even raise just a little sand 'Cause I'm a voodoo child Lord knows I'm a voodoo child

I didn't mean to take you up all your sweet time I'll give it right back to you one of these days I said, I didn't mean to take you up all your sweet time I'll give it right back to you one of these days And if I don't meet you no more in this world Then I'll, I'll meet you in the next one And don't be late, don't be late 'Cause I'm a voodoo child Lord knows I'm a voodoo child I'm a voodoo child

Songwriters: Jimi Hendrix

Voodoo Chile lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group