Machine Gun (Jimi Hendrix song)

"Machine Gun"
1999 promo single cover
Song by Jimi Hendrix
from the album Band of Gypsys
ReleasedMarch 25, 1970 (1970-03-25)
RecordedJanuary 1, 1970 (second show)
VenueFillmore East, New York City
Genre
Length12:38
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Jimi Hendrix
Producer(s)Jimi Hendrix (as Heaven Research)

"Machine Gun" is a song written by American musician Jimi Hendrix, and originally recorded for the 1970 Band of Gypsys album, with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. It is a lengthy, loosely defined (jam-based) protest of the Vietnam War.[3]

At a performance in Berkeley, California, Hendrix introduced the song:

I'd like to dedicate this song to soldiers fighting in Berkeley—you know what soldiers I'm talking about—and oh yeah, the soldiers fighting in Vietnam too ... and dedicate [it] to other people that might be fighting wars too, but within themselves, not facing up to the realities.

Hendrix's 12-minute performance of "Machine Gun" for the Band of Gypsys is often lauded as his greatest, and is considered a stunning display of guitar virtuosity.[3][4] Hendrix's long guitar solos and percussive riffs combine with controlled feedback to simulate the sounds of a battlefield, such as helicopters, dropping bombs, explosions, machine guns, and the screams and cries of those wounded or grieving. Although a proper studio recording was never realized, several live recordings exist.

  1. ^ Greene, Doyle (2014). The Rock Cover Song: Culture, History, Politics. McFarland. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-7864-7809-5.
  2. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of the 1970s". Pitchfork. June 23, 2004. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Moriarty, Frank. "Reloading Machine Gun". Guitar Shop. Port Chester, New York: Cherry Lane Magazines. ISSN 1071-8494. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  4. ^ Westergaard, Sean. "Band of Gypsys - Jimi Hendrix | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2011.