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Michael Hershey
Professor Olding
College Writing II
4 March 2014
Lyrical Analysis: Jimi Hendrix- Fire

Introduction
Jimi Hendrix goes down as one of the best guitar players to ever live. His upbeat tempo
and dazzling guitar chords throughout his songs are complimented by his captivating lyrics. The
instrumentation and lyrics are accompanied by Hendrixs use of vocal scatting imitating an
orgasm. This allows the listener to be exposed to his extensive exploration of sex. Jimi Marshall
Hendrix was born November 1942 in Seattle, Washington. Hendrix was born into a broken
family, often living with relatives and family friends. He was brought into this world by a
seventeen year old mother, who he saw very little of throughout his childhood. The hardships of
his youth crafted him into the legendary guitar player he later became. Jimi Hendrix often used
music and guitar as an escape from the adverse situation he was placed in. Hendrix often spent
several hours a day with his guitar and proceeded to teach himself how to play. He got his first
electric guitar at the age of fourteen after seeing Elvis Presley perform live. In 1959 Jimi made
the decision to drop out of high school to pursue his musical aspirations. (Josh Jones.)
Following his choice to leave school he worked many odd jobs before landing positons as
a backup guitarist for performers Little Richard, Sam Cooke and the Isley Brothers. Hendrix had
a drive to do bigger and better things so he teamed up with former member of The Animals,

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Chas Chandler. In 1966 Chandler became Jimi Hendrixs manager. Chandler convinced Hendrix
to pursue a bigger market in London where he joined forces with musicians Noel Redding and
Mitch Mitchell to create the Hendrix Experience. While in London, the Hendrix experience
gained a large fan base including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and Eric Clapton. In
1967 the Hendrix Experience released their first single Hey Joe. Songs Purple Haze and
Wind Cried Mary soon followed, they were an instant hit with their fans. Later that year the
band gained American fans when they performed at a Monterey pop festival. Their performance
was mind blowing and included Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire on stage. The band released
one more album before splitting up in 1969. Later that year Jimi Hendrix made a name for
himself at the Woodstock festival performing his rock version of The Star Spangled Banner. This
performance went down as one of his most historic acts ever. Hendrix later died on September
18, 1970 due to inhalation of vomit. His death was overdose related representing his exploration
of drugs. (Josh Jones)

Lyrical Analysis
Jimi Hendrixs exploration of sex was expressed in many of his songs, including Fire.
His song starts off with Now dig this baby. You dont care for me, I dont care for that. You got
a fool. Hah, I like him like that (Jimi Hendrix, Fire). Hendrix is saying I know youre not
interested in me right now, but that wont stop me from trying. Your man is a fool and you could
do much better, you could have me. His exploration of sex continues when he sings I only have
one burning desire. Let me stand next to your fire (Jimi Hendrix, Fire). To me this line means
that his only goal at the current moment is to get this girl to like him, then have sex with her.

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Hendrixs confidence continues through the song when he says Oh, move over Rover!
And let Jimi take over! (Jimi Hendrix, Fire). He sounds extremely bold and cocky in this line.
This is explaining to the listeners that this girl needs to kick her man to the curb because hes
going to replace him. During the next verse in the piece Jimi Hendrix sings Yeah you know
what Im talkin about, Yeah! Get on with it baby. That what Im talkin about! (Jimi Hendrix,
Fire). Hendrix is telling this girl lets get it on, lets have some sex. Later in the line he lets the
listeners know that he got his way with girl and is having some good sex. As the song starts to
approach the end one of the last bars is You try to give me your money. You better save it babe.
Save it for a rainy day (Jimi Hendrix, Fire). His morale at this point is at an all-time high.
Hes clarifying that his sex was good enough to receive money for it. Jimi is telling this girl that
she needs to save her money for a day that isnt quite as good as this one, it isnt every day that
you get sex this good.

Vocals
Jimi Hendrixs exploration of sex is clearly demonstrated throughout this entire song. His
use of scatting emphasizes his sexual exploration, relating to one of the common cores of the
glam era. Hendrix uses scatting, imitating an orgasm throughout all verses of the song. He scats
things such as yeahahhhohhh. He also is heard singing Let me stand next to your fire,
owwwww (Jimi Hendrix, Fire). These sex sounds are used at the end of lines to help make
transitions into the next set of lyrics. He also uses scatting as a tool to help make the song flow a
bit better.
Along with the use of orgasm imitation, Jimi Hendrix entertains fans with his energetic
vocals. During the entire song his voice is very upbeat and enthusiastic. These upbeat and energy

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filled vocals explain the exciting challenge that Jimi Hendrix faces when trying to get this girl to
sleep with him. One of the largest features of the vocals during fire is Jimis enormous sense of
confidence. You can hear it in his voice that he really want to get with this girl, and he feels like
nothing can get in his way.

Instrumentation
Jimi Hendrix wasnt only confident and enthusiastic when singing his songs, he was also
very enthusiastic when playing his guitar. At certain points in performances it almost appeared as
if his was having intercourse with his guitar. He was so talented that he could even play with his
teeth (Mmm Music). The fast paced drumming along with the upbeat tempo of the guitar came
together to give the song a very exciting feel.
The drums and guitar are intensified just after the line Yeah, you know what Im talkin
about, Yeah! Get on with it baby! (Jimi Hendrix, fire) Following this, the lyrics stop and a
guitar and drum solo take place. This exuberant solo is filled with intense drumming and a lot of
whammy from the guitar. To me, this solo represents Jimi Hendrix and his girl having sex. The
duo sounds very energetic and vibrant. Towards the end of the solo the drums and guitar slow
down a little bit (Music is Life). This symbolizes climax and the end of the sexual encounter. Just
after the solo concludes, the following line says You try to give me your money. You better save
it babe. Save it for a rainy day (Jimi Hendrix, Fire), supporting the idea that the solo
symbolized a sexual encounter.

Conclusion
Jimi Hendrix was one of the most talented musicians of his generation. His passion for
music could be seen in his body language on stage and heard in his lyrics and vocals. Hendrixs

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displays his exploration of sex in all aspects of the song fire. The lyrics let the listener follow
this story of Hendrix attempting to have sex with this girl that he has a burning desire for. His use
of vocal scatting, imitating and orgasm is used throughout the song and allows the audience to be
engulfed in his exploration of sex. The upbeat instrumentation consisting of guitar and drums
create a very energetic mood to the song. Fire was one of Hendrixs most popular songs to ever
hit the market. He was a sensation across the world and was one of the most influential people of
his time. Unfortunately his life was cut short and left us at far too young of an age.

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Work Cited
"Jimi Hendrix." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.
Jones, Josh, Jimi Hendrix at Woostock. Open Culture. Permalink, 7/14/14. 4/4/15
The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Fire (with lyrics). Jimi Hendrix. Youtube.com
Jimi Hendrix Plays Guitar With His Teeth Again!. Jimi Hendrix. Youtube.com