Sometimes I chuckle thinking about how the people on a classical or jazz radio station give their thought provoking commentary, and on what they might say about someone like Jimi Hendrix or Snoop Dogg. But then I think about how these are people (and many others) have defined the times, and how people will surely give their analysis. So imagine me saying the following with an aire of haughty sophistication. :) Below the video are the lyrics.
So Jimi is saying he is a "voodoo child" that can chop down a mountain and take the pieces and make an island. There is a certain anger or desire for destruction. Is the mountain something that represents an impossible dilemma in our society? Is the "voodoo child" representing the possibility of a "fallen man" possessing god-like qualities? He sees this mountain, and he wants to bring change.
And is the "sweet time" maybe the time "voodoo child" could have saved the world, but instead he holds on to his potential power for a day when everything will change. There is almost a feeling maybe that he can't solve the problems of this world, so he will see you on the next one.
But maybe he already sees the change possible on this world. Do you? And I realize my attempt to explain the meaning is already in itself subjective, and maybe after you listen you will find your own meaning. Have a listen...
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 [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/jimi_hendrix/voodoo_child.html ] '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
Sometimes music communicates what politics and religion cannot. Take a moment and listen and maybe imagine we are here together singing (and that we both sing well).
You don't know me
but I'm your brother
I was raised here in
this living hell
You don't know my kind
in your world
Fairly soon the
time will tell
You, telling me the things
you're gonna do for me
I ain't blind and I don't
like what I think I see
(chorus)
(Takin' it to the streets)
Takin' it to the streets
(Takin' it to the streets)
Takin' it to the streets
Take this message to my brother
you will find him everywhere
Wherever people live together
Tied in poverty's despair
Oh you, telling me the things
you're gonna do for me
I ain't blind and I don't
like what I think I see
(chorus)
(instrumental)
Oh you, telling me the things
you're gonna do for me
I ain't blind and I don't
like what I think I see
