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Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

{{Short description|Song written by Jimi Hendrix}}

{{For|the studio jam song with Winwood and Casady|Voodoo Chile}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

| cover = Voodoo Child Slight Return cover.jpg

| alt =

| caption = UK single picture sleeve

| type = single

| artist = the Jimi Hendrix Experience

| album = Electric Ladyland

| B-side = *"Hey Joe"

| released = *{{Start date|1968|10|16}} (US album)

  • October 25, 1968 (UK album)
  • October 23, 1970 (UK single)

| recorded = May 3, 1968

| studio = Record Plant, New York City

| genre = *Psychedelic rock

| length = 5:08From the Electric Ladyland liner notes (1968 international Polydor edition)

| label = *Reprise (US album)

  • Track (UK album & single)

| writer = Jimi Hendrix

| producer = Chas Chandler

{{cite magazine

| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/the-jimi-hendrix-experience-voodoo-child-slight-return-40187/

| author = Rolling Stone

| date = April 7, 2011

| title = The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

| magazine = Rolling Stone

}}

| chronology = Hendrix UK

| prev_title = Let Me Light Your Fire

| prev_year = 1969

| year = 1970

| next_title = Angel

| next_year = 1971

}}

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968 that appears as the final track on the group's third studio album, Electric Ladyland, released that year. It contains improvised guitar and a vocal from Hendrix, backed by Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. The song is one of Hendrix's best known; it was a feature of his concert performances throughout his career, and several live renditions were recorded and released on later albums.

After his death in 1970, Track Records released the song as a single in the United Kingdom using the title "Voodoo Chile" (see confusion over title). It became Hendrix's only number one single on the UK Singles Chart, reaching the top position during the week of November 15, 1970.{{cite web|url = http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19701115/7501/| title = Official [U.K.] Singles Chart Top 50: 15 November 1970–21 November 1970|website =Official Charts|access-date = August 3, 2017}} Several artists have performed or recorded versions of the song. Rolling Stone magazine included it at number 101 on their original 2004 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

Origins and recording

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" was developed from "Voodoo Chile", which had been recorded May 2, 1968, during a studio jam with Steve Winwood on organ and Jack Casady on bass.{{sfn|McDermott|Kramer|Cox|2009|pp=101–102}} The next day, Hendrix returned to the studio with Redding and Mitchell for the filming of a short documentary by ABC television.{{sfn|McDermott|Kramer|Cox|2009|pp=101–102}} Noel Redding explained, "We learned that song in the studio ... They had the cameras rolling on us as we played it".{{sfn|McDermott|Kramer|Cox|2009|pp=101–102}} Hendrix added,

{{quote|[S]omeone was filming when we started doing [Voodoo Child]. We did that about three times because they wanted to film us in the studio, to make us—'Make it look like you're recording, boys'—one of them scenes, you know, so, 'OK, let's play this in E, a-one, a-two, a-three', and then we went into 'Voodoo Child'.{{sfn|Henderson|2003|p=350}}}}

According to Hendrix biographer Steven Roby, eight takes of the song were recorded by Hendrix, Redding, and Mitchell, and the final one was chosen as the master, which appeared on Electric Ladyland.{{sfn|Roby|2002|p=91|ps=: Roby adds that the ABC archives for the documentary are marked "LOST ABC 9/73" and its whereabouts are unknown}}

Lyrics and interpretation

Author Charles Shaar Murray examines Hendrix's use of the term "Voodoo Child" in his book Crosstown Traffic:

{{quote|Voodoo symbolism and reference resound through the country blues, and through the urbanized electric country blues of the Chicago school ... In Hendrix's case, this is pure metaphor. He certainly was not a Voodoo initiate in any formal sense ... Both with 'Voodoo Chile'—and, most specifically, with the West African even-before-Bo-Diddley beat he percussively scratches from his guitar and wah-wah pedal at the beginning of 'Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)'{{sic}}—he is announcing as explicitly as possible that he is a man of the blues, and one who honours, respects and understands its deepest and most profound traditions".{{sfn|Murray|1991|p=112|ps=: Murray uses the UK spelling "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)".}}}}

Except for the chorus, the lyrics of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" are different from "Voodoo Chile":

{{poemquote|Well I stand up next to a mountain, and I chop it down with the edge of my hand (2×)

Well I pick up all the pieces and make an island, might even raise just a little sand

'Cause I'm a voodoo child, Lord knows I'm a voodoo child{{sfn|Hendrix|2003|p=170}}}}

During a January 1, 1970, performance with the Band of Gypsys, Hendrix introduced the song as the "Black Panthers' national anthem" (included on the album Live at the Fillmore East). At the time, he was being pressured to make a statement about racial issues in the U.S.{{sfn|Murray|1991|p=93}}

Live recordings

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" became a staple of Hendrix's concert performances, varying in length from seven to 18 minutes.

{{cite web

| url= https://www.allmusic.com/song/voodoo-child-slight-return-mt0011121868/variations

| title = Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Variations

| website = AllMusic

| access-date = June 3, 2014

}} Recordings from the Winterland Ballroom, Royal Albert Hall, Woodstock, and the Fillmore East were later released on The Jimi Hendrix Concerts, Hendrix in the West, Woodstock, and Live at the Fillmore East. Many more recordings have also been issued (see List of songs recorded by Jimi Hendrix § Voodoo Child (Slight Return)).

Critical reception and recognition

{{Listen

| type = music

| filename = Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix Experience.ogg

| title = "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"

| description = Intro with wah-wah and main guitar figure

| help = no

}}

An AllMusic reviewer described the song as "a perfect example of how Hendrix took the Delta blues form and not only psychedelicized it, but cast an even more powerful spell by delivering the lyric in the voice of a voodoo priest".

{{cite web

| url = http://www.allmusic.com/song/voodoo-child-slight-return-mt0004611750

| title = Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Song Review

| last = Sullivan

| first = Denise

| website = AllMusic

| access-date = June 3, 2014

}} Also noted is Hendrix's guitar work: "Opening with a simple riff on the wah-wah pedal, the song explodes into full sonic force, the guitarist hitting the crunching chords and taking the astral-inspired leads for which he became infamous. The real guitar explorations happen midway through the song, while the basic, thundering riff is unrelenting".

Joe Satriani said of the song: "It's just the greatest piece of electric guitar work ever recorded. In fact, the whole song could be considered the holy grail of guitar expression and technique. It is a beacon of humanity."

{{cite web

| url = http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/jimi-hendrixs-11-greatest-tracks-178350

| title = Jimi Hendrix's 11 greatest tracks

| date = September 18, 2012

| author = The MusicRadar team

| website = MusicRadar

| access-date = July 13, 2017

}} Rolling Stone magazine included the song at number 102 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Many musicians have covered "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" both on record and in live performances, sometimes with the title changed to "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" or shortened to "Voodoo Child".

{{cite web

| url = https://www.allmusic.com/song/voodoo-child-slight-return-mt0004611750/also-performed-by

| title = Voodoo Child – Also performed by

| website = AllMusic

| access-date = June 3, 2014

}}

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
Chart (1970–1971)

! Peak
position

{{single chart|Ireland2|10|artist=The Jimi Hendrix Experience |song= Voodoo Chile}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|4|artist=The Jimi Hendrix Experience |song= Voodoo Chile}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|1|artist=The Jimi Hendrix Experience|artistid=12774 |refname=ukchart}}
{{single chart|West Germany|24|artist=The Jimi Hendrix Experience |song= Voodoo Chile|songid= 86365}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Jimi Hendrix Experience|title=Voodoo Child (Slight Return)|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2005|certyear=2024|id=15316-2856-1|accessdate=18 March 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=yes|noshipments=yes}}

Stevie Ray Vaughan rendition

Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" for his second album, Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984),

{{Cite web

| url = https://www.guitarworld.com/features/stevie-ray-vaughan-10-best-performances

| last = Fanelli

| first = Damian

| title = Stevie Ray Vaughan's 10 Greatest Guitar Moments

| date = October 3, 2022

| website = Guitar World

| access-date = November 27, 2022

}} and commented in a 1985 interview: "I love Hendrix's music{{nbsp}}... and I just feel it's important for people to hear him." Although he follows Hendrix's original, "he still manages to make it his own", according to Far Out magazine contributor Sam Kemp.

{{Cite web

| url = https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/stevie-ray-vaughan-jimi-hendrix-voodoo-child-cover/

| last = Kemp

| first = Sam

| title = Watch Stevie Ray Vaughan cover Jimi Hendrix classic 'Voodoo Child'

| date = August 27, 2022

| website = Far Out

| access-date = November 27, 2022

}} Guitar World{{'}}s Damian Fanelli adds "His [Vaughan's] uncanny ability to smooth out some of Hendrix's weirder edges without losing any of the music's power or excitement allowed him to credibly deliver Jimi's avant-garde blues to a whole new generation of guitar fanatics." Vaughan often performed the song in concert

{{Cite web

| url = https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/watch-stevie-ray-vaughans-jaw-dropping-live-performance-of-jimi-hendrixs-voodoo-chile-slight-return

| last = Brakes

| first = Rod

| title = Watch Stevie Ray Vaughan's Jaw-Dropping Live Performance of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)"

| date = July 23, 2021

| website = Guitar Player

| access-date = November 27, 2022

}} and live versions are included on the albums Live Alive (1986)

{{Cite web

| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-alive-mw0000192201

| last = Huey

| first = Steve

| title = Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble" Live Alive{{snd}}Review

| website = AllMusic

| access-date = November 27, 2022

}} and Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985 (2001).

{{Cite web

| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-montreux-1982-1985-mw0000016494

| last = Westergaard

| first = Sean

| title = Stevie Ray Vaughan: Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985{{snd}}Review

| website = AllMusic

| access-date = November 27, 2022

}}

Uses in popular culture

Wrestler Hulk Hogan used a portion of the song as his theme music during his time as leader of the heel faction group, the new World order (nWo) while wrestling in WCW, and then during his comeback run in WWE (previously the World Wrestling Federation). According to a 2020 interview with wrestling impresario Eric Bischoff, he acquired a license for Hogan to use the song from Hendrix's stepsister and manager of his recording legacy, Janie Hendrix.

{{cite podcast

| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8YEexnVBlQ&ab_channel=AndrewPope

| last = Pope

| first = Andrew

| author-link = Andrew Pope (singer)

| title = Eric Bischoff: WCW licensing "Voodoo Child" for 'Hollywood' Hulk Hogan's theme music in 1997

| date = November 21, 2020

| website = Pickin' It Out with Andrew Pope

| access-date = March 11, 2022

| via = YouTube (relevant excerpt)

}} Bischoff claimed that the agreement allowed him to use up to three minutes of the song in various contexts in 1997 for $100,000: "People thought I was insane, [they] thought I was burning Ted Turner's money [in 1997, but] if someone were to try to cut that deal right now [in 2020] it'd be in the millions". The song was also featured in the 1987 film Withnail & I and the 2001 film Black Hawk Down.

See also

Notes

{{Reflist}}

References

  • {{cite book

| last = Fowles

| first = Paul

| title = Concise History of Rock Music

| year = 2009

| publisher = Mel Bay

| isbn = 978-0786666430

}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Henderson

| first = David

| author-link = David Henderson (poet)

| title = 'Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky: The Life of Jimi Hendrix

| year = 1981

| publisher = Bantam Books

| isbn = 0-553-01334-3

}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Hendrix

| first = Janie

| title = Jimi Hendrix: The Lyrics

| year = 2003

| location = Milwaukee, Wisconsin

| publisher = Hal Leonard

| isbn = 0-634-04930-5

}}

  • {{cite book

| last1 = McDermott

| first1 = John

| last2 = Kramer

| first2 = Eddie

| author-link2 = Eddie Kramer

| last3 = Cox

| first3 = Billy

| author-link3 = Billy Cox

| title = Ultimate Hendrix

| location = New York City

| publisher = Backbeat Books

| year = 2009

| isbn = 978-0-87930-938-1

}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Murray

| first = Charles Shaar

| author-link = Charles Shaar Murray

| title = Crosstown Traffic

| location = New York City

| publisher = St. Martin's Press

| year = 1991

| isbn = 0-312-06324-5

| url = https://archive.org/details/crosstowntraffic00murr

}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Roby

| first = Steven

| title = Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix

| location = New York City

| publisher = Billboard Books

| year = 2002

| isbn = 0-8230-7854-X

| url = https://archive.org/details/blackgoldlostarc00roby

}}

  • {{cite book

| last1 = Shapiro

| first1 = Harry

| author-link1 = Harry Shapiro (author)

| last2 = Glebbeek

| first2 = Cesar

| title = Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy

| location = New York City

| publisher = St. Martin's Press

| year = 1990

| isbn = 0-312-05861-6

| url = https://archive.org/details/jimihendrixelec000shap

}}

External links

  • {{YouTube|qFfnlYbFEiE|The Jimi Hendrix Experience – "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" (live in Maui, 1970)}}
  • {{YouTube|nuI5YPaZXIQ|"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" by Stevie Ray Vaughan}}
  • {{YouTube|JoB_YBXXEOU|Stevie Ray Vaughan – "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" (from Live at the El Mocambo)}}

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| title = Jimi Hendrix related articles

| titlestyle = background: khaki

| list1 =

{{Jimi Hendrix}}

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Category:The Jimi Hendrix Experience songs

Category:1968 songs

Category:1970 singles

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Songs written by Jimi Hendrix

Category:Track Records singles

Category:Polydor Records singles

Category:Reprise Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Chas Chandler