Jimi Hendrick’s Quest For Love In “Angel”
Who doesn’t have a fondness for Jimi Hendrix? He was authentic, a phenomenal guitarist and lyricist, with a smile, warm and real, that could lift your spirits on a rainy day.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as “arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.”
I have a particular fondness for Hendrix respecting Terry Kath, a personal favorite of mine whom I’ve written about, by once commenting on him as better? inviting the band Chicago to open for him. In my opinion, both were gifted, soulful musicians making their contributions in their unique ways, and Hendrix’s open observation illuminated his humility and character.
Before Hendrix died, he decided that he wanted to stop playing the songs he’d created to date, feeling that he wasn’t in the same place as the energy of that music anymore, and instead write music about love. His album, “The Cry Of Love,” was released posthumously in 1971, which included the song, “Angel,” below, which was inspired by a dream foreshadowing his mother’s passing, and perhaps his own.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Jimi Hendrix, the last one eerily prophetic.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
“You don’t have to be singing about love all the time in order to give love to the people.”
“Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”
“My goal is to be one with the music. I just dedicate my whole life to this art.”
“Don’t raise me up, I am but a messenger.”
“Music is my religion.”
“I will be dead in five years’ time, but while I am here, I will travel many highways and I will, of necessity, die at a time when my message of love, peace, and freedom can be shared with people all over the world.”
Lyrics:
Angel came down from Heaven yesterday
She stayed with me just long enough to rescue me
And she told me a story yesterday
About the sweet love between the moon and the deep blue sea
And then she spread her wings high over me
She said she is gonna come back tomorrow
And I said, “Fly on, my sweet angel
Fly on through the sky
Fly on, my sweet angel
Tomorrow, I’m gonna be by your side”
Sure enough, this morning came on to me
Silver-winged, silhouetted against a child’s sunrise
And my angel, she said unto me
“Today is the day for you to rise
Take my hand, you are gonna be my man, you are gonna rise”
And then she took me high over yonder
And I said, “Fly on, my sweet angel
Fly on through the sky
Fly on, my sweet angel
Forever I will be by your side”
