Jimi Hendrix Wiki
Register
Advertisement


"Red House"
Original album UK: Are You Experienced
US: Smash Hits
Length 3:50
Writer(s) Jimi Hendrix
Recording date(s) December 13th, 1966
Recording location(s) CBS Studios
First live performance February 6th, 1967
Last live performance September 6th, 1970
Jimi Hendrix Wiki rating
FullstarFullstarFullstarFullstarFullstar

"Red House" is a song by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, originally released on the international version of their 1967 debut album Are You Experienced. The song was written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded at CBS Studios on December 13th, 1966.[1][2]

History[]

"Red House" was one of the first songs recorded by The Experience, being completed before 1967.

Analysis[]

Meaning[]

"Red House" is a song about love, a common theme in blues music. It tells the story of a woman who moves house to get away from her lover who hasn't seen her for nearly one hundred days. The man in the story, Hendrix, doesn't mind a great deal as he will always have his guitar, which he proclaims before playing a vibrant solo. Another replacement is then suggested in comedic fashion; his lover's sister. According to one theory, the original girlfriend in the story is Betty Jean Morgan, one of Jimi's high school lovers. Jean had a sister, Maddy, who is the sister referred to at the end. The Morgan sisters lived in a house painted red, hence "Red House."[3]

Despite this obvious link, it is possible that there is a second layer to the meaning of the song. In Hopi mythology, there are many stories which talk about the mysterious "Red City", a religious and cultural centre in Central America known as "Palatkwapi"; a name which translates into English as "Red House". The city was built in three sections, one of which contained a ceremonial building containing four floors. The story goes that initiates were taught in this building and as they gained more knowledge they would progress up the floors, until at the final level they learned about space and how to talk to their "Creator".[3]

Style[]

"Red House" is the most 'conventional' blues song written by Hendrix, showcasing his true musical roots. It was written in the key of B major, though as Hendrix played his guitar tuned half a step down, it was performed in Bb major. Written in 12/8 time, "Red House" allowed room for lots of improvisation and blues licks, something which Hendrix took complete advantage of when playing live, as well as in the studio.

Live[]

Lyrics[]

Oh yeah!

There's a red house over yonder,
That's where my baby stays.
Lord, there's a red house over yonder,
Lord, that's where my baby stays.
I ain't been home to see my baby
In ninety-nine and one-half days.

Wait a minute something's wrong here,
The key won't unlock this door.
Wait a minute something's wrong,
Lord, have mercy, this key won't unlock this door;
Something's goin' wrong here.
I have a bad bad feeling, ah,
That my baby don't live here no more.
That's alright I still got my guitar, look out now!

Yeah!
That's alright!

Well I might as well-ah go back over yonder,
Way back among the hills;
That's what I'm gonna do.
Lord, I might as well go back over yonder.
Way back yonder across the hills.
Guess if my baby don't love me no more,
I know her sister will.

Yeah!

Appearances[]

Studio albums[]

Credits[]


Cover versions[]

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. Foley, Randy. Jimi Hendrix Recording Chronology. Rockmine.com. Retrieved on July 29th, 2008.
  2. Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Caesar [September 17th, 1990] (August 15th, 1995). "Appendix 1: Music, Sweet Music: The Discography", Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy, 2nd Edition, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, p. 525. ISBN 978-0-312-13062-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Shapiro, Harry; Glebbeek, Caesar [September 17th, 1990] (August 15th, 1995). "Chapter Seven: Are You Experienced?", Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy, 2nd Edition, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, p. 172. ISBN 978-0-312-13062-6.
  4. Song: Red House - Great White. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  5. Song: Red House - Walter Trout Band. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  6. Song: Red House - Paul Gilbert. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  7. Song: Red House - Merrell Fankhauser. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  8. Song: Red House - Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  9. Song: Red House - Buddy Guy. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  10. Song: Red House - Spirit. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  11. Song: Red House - Buddy Miles. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  12. Song: Red House - Indigenous. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.
  13. Song: Red House - Roy Mette. Second Hand Songs. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008.

Links[]

Navigation[]

Are You Experienced (UK)

Original tracks: 1. "Foxy Lady" • 2. "Manic Depression" • 3. "Red House" • 4. "Can You See Me" • 5. "Love or Confusion" • 6. "I Don't Live Today" • 7. "May This Be Love" • 8. "Fire" • 9. "Third Stone From the Sun" • 10. "Remember" • 11. "Are You Experienced?"

Bonus tracks: 12. "Hey Joe" • 13. "Stone Free" • 14. "Purple Haze" • 15. "51st Anniversary" • 16. "The Wind Cries Mary" • 17. "Highway Chile"

Are You Experienced (US)

Original tracks: 1. "Purple Haze" • 2. "Manic Depression" • 3. "Hey Joe" • 4. "Love or Confusion" • 5. "May This Be Love" • 6. "I Don't Live Today" • 7. "The Wind Cries Mary" • 8. "Fire" • 9. "Third Stone From the Sun" • 10. "Foxey Lady" • 11. "Are You Experienced?"

Bonus tracks: 12. "Stone Free" • 13. "51st Anniversary" • 14. "Highway Chile" • 15. "Can You See Me" • 16. "Remember" • 17. "Red House"

Advertisement