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Jimi Hendrix — Hey Joe
Album: Are You Experienced?
Avg rating:
8.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1376









Released: 1967
Length: 3:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Hey Joe, a-where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh yeah

I'm going down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' around with another man, yeah
I'm going down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' around with another man, huh
And that ain't too cool brother

Hey Joe, I heard you shot your woman down,
You shot her down, now
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your old lady down,
You shot her down to the ground, yeah

Yes I did, I shot her
You know I caught her messin' round, messin' round town
Yes I did, I shot her
You know I caught my old lady messin' around town
And I gave her the gun I shot her!

Alright Shoot her one more time again for me

Yeah, Ohhh dig it, Ah, Ah Alright

Hey Joe, say now where you gonna run to now?
Where you gonna run to?
Hey Joe, I said where you gonna run to now?
Where you, where you gonna go?

Well, dig it
I'm goin' way down south,
Way down to Mexico way Alright
I'm goin' way down south,
Way down where I can be free
Ain't no one gonna find me

Ain't no hangman gonna,
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go now
Hey, Hey Joe, you better run on down
Good by everybody ohh
Hey Joe, uhh
Run on down
Comments (49)add comment
In the day, everybody and his brother/sister recorded this, including The Byrds (who considered themselves a rock band, closing a lot of their shows with "Roll Over Beethoven"), The Leaves, Love, The Standells, etc. Each version seemed a little faster than the last, until this one.   With the song slowed, the licks highlighted a totally new guitar voice.  At the time, most weren't aware that minds were capable of being blown, but the back cover of the album promised just that.
That said, the lyrics would need a complete rewrite before being acceptable for public play.  I've worked on it some, but if anyone has made some progress on it, please share.
Posted 8 months ago by Greyerwrit    [ Reply ]
 jmontell2012 wrote:

This song should not be played anymore. It's straight up glorifying murder of "my woman". No musically redeeming qualities can justify perpetuating this 



Tosser
Posted 2 years ago by murr69st335    [ Reply ]
 villegasmiguel wrote:

Its hard to find a more politically incorrect lyric. But still, a great song.


If one were to perform it today, I think they would have to completely rewrite the lyrics.
Posted 2 years ago by Greyerwrit    [ Reply ]
Its hard to find a more politically incorrect lyric. But still, a great song.
Posted 3 years ago by villegasmiguel    [ Reply ]
Another awesome cover song that Jimi made his own.
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
 uksminas wrote:



Awesome morph job!
Posted 3 years ago by BobHeisler    [ Reply ]
Hey Joe, Where you going with that gum in your hair?
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 bc wrote:

It is quite possible that Mr. Hendrix was using the character in this song as an anti-hero, or a way of looking into the mind of someone who would do such a thing.  I sincerely doubt he was advocating for murder in cases of infidelity.

I trust that if you watched the Sopranos, you weren't convinced to join the mafia, assault women, or conspire to criminal acts.   I'm guessing you didn't even advocate such things.  So why should a song be any different?



It's not complicated. Songs are stories and in no way imply the performers advocate the acts of the lyrics. Goodness, next we'll be lynching Marley and Clapton for "I shot the Sheriff."
Posted 3 years ago by dray2009    [ Reply ]
 Most drummers would have just rocked a steady beat in this song, but Mitch just goes for it!
I once heard someone note that the Experience had two lead instruments and the rhythm section was the bass.
Posted 3 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
Where is the "11" button?     
Posted 3 years ago by DanielHLloyd    [ Reply ]
 cinzia1026 wrote:
Great song, but not sure it was a good idea to play it on the anniversary of Sandy Hook....
 

Sure, but this may be a level of planning sophistication and detail that is unavailable to Bill and Rebecca. 
Posted 3 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
 HazzeSwede wrote:
1969..probably the best year of my life,much due to this song and Jimi,
 

Best year for me too, I was 4 years old.
Posted 3 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
Well, this is definitely one of those that goes way beyond any possible adequate words. The reminiscences are just too large and complex to describe. But I can tell you that the first time I heard this, I was squeezed into a closet, at private girls' boarding school (Grade 11, 1967, Ancaster, Ontario) with a friend who had brought the brand new album from  'the Village' (Yorkville) in Toronto. (Her dad was the headmaster at a boys private school.)  We pulled the speaker into the closet with us, so the nuns wouldn't discover us - (which they eventually did anyway) - and just grooved out, man!!
I left home a little over a year later, and played the album almost daily and much much louder!!
Posted 3 years ago by Phoenix68    [ Reply ]
Great song, but not sure it was a good idea to play it on the anniversary of Sandy Hook....
Posted 3 years ago by cinzia1026    [ Reply ]
Bap Kennedy did a pretty decent cover (IMHO) of this classic.  Would be nice to hear it on RP some time 
Posted 3 years ago by redart    [ Reply ]
yeahhhhhhhhhh
Posted 3 years ago by salupi    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by uksminas    [ Reply ]
Sonny, Dick & Jimi...nice set!
Posted 4 years ago by wjmacdono    [ Reply ]
Left us 50 years ago this month. (9/18/1970)
Rest in Peace, Jimi . You are
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

Posted 4 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
....and, another one, but the REAL KING.
YEAH!
Posted 4 years ago by sashaly1968    [ Reply ]
When i first heard it as a kid  (before i read the album cover) i thought he was saying "Pedro - where you goin' with that gun in your hand".   It made sense to me at the time cuz he was goin' down to Mexico way.......
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
GUITAR FRIDAY! Such a simple song infused with so much emotion with that magical instrument...
Posted 4 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
This album covers so much territory. 'Hey Joe' is a pretty straight forward 3 instrument song with no effects, and then we have songs like  'Third Stone from the Sun' which goes many places with many effects.
Posted 4 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
 jmontell2012 wrote:
This song should not be played anymore. It's straight up glorifying murder of "my woman". No musically redeeming qualities can justify perpetuating this 
 
Says you. 
I say "Long Live RP!!" 
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 HazzeSwede wrote:
1969..probably the best year of my life,much due to this song and Jimi,
 

Here is what I remember about 1969.  I can picture the whole night. The fireworks were cancelled. I was 5 and not happy. 
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/swio/pages/content/1969_flood.htm
Posted 4 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
 Queue wrote:


Darn...  video unavailable.   :(
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe82eYRjiBU

excellent piece of filmmaking on top of the stupendous playing while chewing gum at the same time
Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Jimi being understated (guitar wise) is a rarity, but it makes those moments when he goes big so effing worth it.
Posted 4 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Was wondering if anybody else knew about this version, and what you thought about it?
Would have been an equally nice segue from Ween's Buenas Tardes Amigos. 
Cheers Bill :)
Posted 4 years ago by Egctheow    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:

Jimi Hendrix - "Hey Joe" Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLnKUiybiFo

"Hendrix tuning his guitar is better than most other guitarists. I can never get his birthday right. Good crisp copy of Monterrey. We used to watch it when it would come on late night TV when we were kids way back before video"

"James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970)

 

Darn...  video unavailable.   :(
Posted 4 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
This follows Ween Buenos Tardes Amigo extremely well.   

Thematic.  
Posted 4 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 jmontell2012 wrote:
This song should not be played anymore. It's straight up glorifying murder of "my woman". No musically redeeming qualities can justify perpetuating this 
 
It is quite possible that Mr. Hendrix was using the character in this song as an anti-hero, or a way of looking into the mind of someone who would do such a thing.  I sincerely doubt he was advocating for murder in cases of infidelity.

I trust that if you watched the Sopranos, you weren't convinced to join the mafia, assault women, or conspire to criminal acts.   I'm guessing you didn't even advocate such things.  So why should a song be any different?
Posted 4 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
Always so sweet this song Loved it from day one to now
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
 jmontell2012 wrote:
This song should not be played anymore. It's straight up glorifying murder of "my woman". No musically redeeming qualities can justify perpetuating this 
 

Metaphor for ending the relationship, no?
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
This song should not be played anymore. It's straight up glorifying murder of "my woman". No musically redeeming qualities can justify perpetuating this 
Posted 5 years ago by jmontell2012    [ Reply ]
Hate to write this here and now but Robert Plant does a lovely version of this....
Posted 5 years ago by alain.brault    [ Reply ]
Seattle's own. ~ 
Posted 5 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Playing "Hey Joe" after Ween's "Buenas tardes amigo" is a nice touch.
Posted 5 years ago by Nix    [ Reply ]
I don’t want to be needlessly iconoclastic but, lyrically, I’ve always thought this was a bit weak?
Posted 5 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
In one word,phenomenal.
Posted 5 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
And God said, "I will give you a God of the Guitar for just a short time so that you may judge all other guitarists against him."
Posted 5 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
Had to log in just post this up as one of my very, very few “God Like” ratings. Seminal. A Golden Mean.
Posted 5 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
Classic beyond many others!
Posted 5 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
As a Seattleite named Joe - well....all I can say is I've often heard the "hey Joe....where are you going with that gun in your hand?"

Heck....heyjoe is also my email address from WAY back in 1995 at the Univ of Wash.

This is an instant 10 from me...and a welcome classic rock staple to hear on RP.  Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Holy crap! just five comments other than mine? Great song.
Posted 5 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
Incredibly never played on rp, unlike that song that made me click on PSD; surely Anna Ternheim would be remembered 40 years after her death, lol
Posted 12 years ago by Euskadita    [ Reply ]
1969..probably the best year of my life,much due to this song and Jimi,
Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]

Roy Buchanan - "Hey Joe" Live:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0pUl5f8wwA   

"why best genius died often young?..."

"Great song. Roy Buchanan definately gives you a false impression if you base what you expect of him by his appearance. He did a great job. "

Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]

Jimi Hendrix - "Hey Joe" Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLnKUiybiFo

"Hendrix tuning his guitar is better than most other guitarists. I can never get his birthday right. Good crisp copy of Monterrey. We used to watch it when it would come on late night TV when we were kids way back before video"

"James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970)

Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
9 ratings (avg. 9.6) and it hasn't even been played yet...
Posted 16 years ago by ZedLeppelin    [ Reply ]