The Zimmermann Note

The continuing adventures of “Eric’s Trip Around the Sun”. One final trip with the iPod.

Hendrix again.

All Along the Watchtower was as much about Dylan as it was about Hendrix I suppose. If I were to pick out my favorite Hendrix song, however, it would be ‘Are You Experienced?’ the title track from the album with the same name.

This song has one of my favorite lines of any lyric written by anyone.

‘not necessarily stoned but beautiful’

The obvious suggestion based on the music and lyrics is that the song is about drugs and it might be some euphoric hallucinogenic trip that Jimi is taking us on. Or it could just be an awesome dinner, great sex but I think it is ultimately about being at complete peace with yourself.

* * *

There is a song by Wilco that I had initially recognized based on concert bootlegs that I had acquired that I had thought was titled “Beautiful and Stoned”. For those at home viewers that have already guessed which song I am referring to, (Heavy Metal Drummer), you can give yourself a pat on the back.

I find the song having an ironic response to Hendrix with the following lines…

I miss the innocence I’ve known
Playing KISS covers, beautiful and stoned

Where Hendrix might be discussing Tantric Sex, Tweedy is referring to innocence as “She lifted up her shirt at the battle of the bands”. (This is another shout out to the at-home Wilco fans who know that Tweedy would perform this song with these lyrics at certain shows over the years). Youthful indiscretion is innocence through Tweedy’s lens. The realities of life shed darkness on oneself. The simplicity of toking up and playing Kiss covers seems much more at peace with oneself than playing a grown-up in real life.

The point in time when the lyrics are written are also important. Hendrix is writing in the present whereas Tweedy is reminiscing in the past.

There is one similarity and that is the drumming. It is more obvious in the lyrics and the song title for Wilco’s ‘Heavy Metal Drummer’. Mitch Mitchell’s drumming cannot be understated for bringing the track together.

There is a phrase that has been oft repeated in our household of late. “Dad, that’s our band man!” I thought about that phrase quite a bit while writing this. It’s something that Dylan has been saying and has taken a life of it’s own. I am not sure I have an answer yet, as to what it means here, if anything. It will be something that I believe I will ponder over this evening and well beyond.

• Neutral Milk Hotel – April 1st
• Elf Power – Arachnid Dungeon Attack
• Max Richter – Arbetina (11 Years)
• The Gerbils – Are You Underwater