Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

This song explosion is like an atom bomb going off. From the first words “Well, I stand up next to a mountain and I chop it down with the edge of my hand” you know Jimi means business. This is no boy band, folk cafe, or pop song. Jimi is shooting to kill. This song is off the great 1968 Electric Ladyland album. From the tone of the guitar and how he spits out the lyrics, the song is a masterpiece. The guitar riff is one of, if not the best. There was another song called Voodoo Chile that was recorded, but it is a different song. 

This song was recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience in May 1968, during the sessions for Hendrix’s third and final studio album, Electric Ladyland. The day before this was recorded, Jimi, Steve Winwood, Jack Casady, and some others had a jam in the studio called Voodoo Chile. This song was almost an accident after they built this song with a riff from the previous day. 

A camera crew from ABC-TV came by to film Hendrix for a documentary. Hendrix, always the showman, wanted to give them something great. So, he grabbed his guitar, and the Experience basically created “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” on the spot. It was a stripped-down, turbo-charged echo of the longer “Voodoo Chile” jam from the previous day.  This time built around that now-iconic riff.

Unfortunately, that footage from this day is said to be stolen. The footage of the previous day’s jam was left alone. Did the thief die and leave the unattended films to rot into dust? Are the reels locked away in some forgotten vault or stashed in an attic? Were the films destroyed in a fire, deliberate or accidental? Is some private collector viewing them at this moment? We may never know.

The readers of Music Radar voted this the very best rock riff ever. That is saying a lot, but I can’t fight that much at all. If you are wondering, Guns N Roses’ Sweet Child O’ Mine came second in the poll and Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love” third.

Voodoo Child (Slight Return) was released in the UK after his death. It peaked at #1 in 1970. It was his only number 1 hit in the UK. 

Joe Satriani: “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.”

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)


Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
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

‘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 you 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
I’ll meet you in 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, baby

I’m a voodoo child, baby
I don’t take no for an answer
Question no
Lord knows I’m a voodoo child, baby

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

44 thoughts on “Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”

  2. Pingback: Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – MobsterTiger

  4. Awesome song, Max. Hendrix was brought up listening to Rock ‘n’ Roll and that voodoo music was all that he wanted to play. He decides to chop down the mountain with the edge of his hand to make an island that has sand. He doesn’t want to be a bother anyone by taking up their time, and he feels that if he does take up their time, he would return it to them. If they don’t meet in this world, he is certain that they will meet in the next, but you better be punctual and arrive at the arranged time.

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  5. My first Hendrix album. Christmas 1968 – released in October. It seems good albums came out just before Christmas back then (White album, Astral Weeks, Village Green Preservation Society November ’68),Beggars Banquet December ’68)…or maybe it was just that year. That was a loud Christmas at our house.

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    1. I know the Beatles released a lot of their albums around Oct – Nov just to get that Christmas market…many did I believe. It’s a great first one to get by Hendrix.

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    1. Yes it’s really interesting on where he would have went. I believe yes he would have done that but I also believe he would have dipped his toe into pop and everything.

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  10. He looks so effin cool up there on that stage, so comfortable in his skin, making the guitar pour forth its magic sounds. The other two guys happy to be assisting the magician. Looking at the crowds was entertaining also. I saw one extremely sad looking little kid. I saw a woman who looked like she was having a major trip. Back then the woman burned their bras and the guys took off their shirts. Love the bandanas and long hair. Perfect song for a Sunday. I know you’re still playing in Heaven, Jimi. Rock on!

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    1. Jimi was THE Man. Oh I loved that atmosphere he was in and he partly created. No one was hurting anyone and they had a good time. Seeing interviews and reading what other people said about him…he seemed like a really good person.

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  13. Now we’re talking, Max, or should I say rocking and do so kick-ass? 🙂

    Voodoo Child (Slight Return) has long been one of my absolute favorites by Hendrix. I also love Stevie Ray Vaughan’s killer rendition and couldn’t resist including a link to a YouTube clip!

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      2. I know man…it really is. I never had a brother…but as far as musical taste…I have two. You and Ron…we three think the same way.
        Totally off topic…. go to youtube and look up “John Fogerty Hoodoo”
        It’s a 1976 album that was never released…the only reason I don’t post it is because the quality is terrible. The one I like best is Between The Lines.

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      3. Thanks, Max, didn’t know about “Hoodoo” and listened halfway through. It’s a pity Fogerty didn’t finish it – kind of hard to believe he couldn’t get the quality issues resolved! Perhaps he should consult with Neil Young, who has plenty of experience in the “lost album department!” 🙂

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      4. Yes…or Peter Jackson lol. I thought it was interesting…surely some master tapes exist.

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    1. Oh I love it as well…he really goes beyond his older stuff with this.
      Oh btw…I haven’t forgot Chris Smither. I have a post halfway done.

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  16. ‘This is no boy band, folk cafe, or pop song.’ – Too true hehe
    Fascinating back story and that live performance for that fortunate small audience was beyond spectacular. If only the actually ‘holy relic’ footage from the next day was miraculously found.

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  18. Really the best song of the sixtes, without a doubt.
    By the way, his family changed ‘chile’ to ‘child’ in the title of this, which I find really annoying!

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