Jimi Hendrix

"Voodoo Chile" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded in 1968 for the third Jimi Hendrix Experience album Electric Ladyland. It is based on the Muddy Waters blues song "Rollin' Stone", but with original lyrics and music. At 15 minutes, it is Hendrix's longest studio recording and features additional musicians in what has been described as a studio jam.

"Voodoo Chile" was recorded at the Record Plant in New York City, after a late night jam session with Hendrix, Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, organist Steve Winwood, and bassist Jack Casady. The song became the basis for "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", recorded by the Experience the next day and one of Hendrix's best-known songs.


Voodoo Chile

Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Yeah
Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I pick up all the pieces and make an island
Might even raise a little sand
Yeah
'Cause I'm a voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child baby
I want to say one more last thing
I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
I'll give it right back to ya one of these days
Hahaha
I said I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
I'll give it right back one of these days
Oh yeah
If I don't meet you no more in this world then uh
I'll meet ya on the next one
And don't be late
Don't be late!
'Cause I'm a voodoo child voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child
Hey hey hey
I'm a voodoo child baby
I don't take no for an answer
Question no
Source: Musixmatch
Voodoo Chile lyrics © Experience Hendrix Llc.

"Chile" is a phonetic approximation of "child" without the "d". In the UK, "Voodoo Chile" was also used as the title of the 1970 single release of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", that has caused confusion regarding the two songs.


Stevie Ray Vaughan 

Vaughan began playing guitar at age seven, initially inspired by his elder brother Jimmie Vaughan. In 1972, he dropped out of high school and moved to Austin, where he began to gain a following after playing gigs on the local club circuit.

Vaughan formed the band Double Trouble in 1978 and established it as part of the Austin music scene, which soon became one of the most popular acts in Texas.


Well, I'm standing next to a mountain
Chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I'm standing next to a mountain
Chop it down with the edge of my hand
Pick up all the pieces, make an island
Might even raise a little sand
'Cause I'm a voodoo child yeah
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child
I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
Give it right back to you one of these days
I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
Give it right back to you the rest of my days
I won't see you again in this world
See you in the next one, don't be late
Don't be late
'Cause I'm a voodoo child yeah
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child
Source: Musixmatch