My Friend
Encyclopedia
"My Friend" is a song written and recorded by Jimi Hendrix
in New York City
in 1968 during the recording sessions for Electric Ladyland
. The song was first released in 1971 on the posthumous album The Cry of Love
and later appeared on the CD First Rays of the New Rising Sun
. It was mixed posthumously by Hendrix's engineer Eddie Kramer
. Because it was left unreleased at the time it was recorded some people have raised doubts if Hendrix had ever intended to use that song on any of his albums.
The recording of "My Friend" combines a humorous song with sound effects to create a bar or nightclub
atmosphere. Hendrix' friend Paul Caruso (listed as 'Gers' on the L.P.) plays harmonica on "My Friend". In late 1966 Frank Zappa
had used the same ideas to record "America Drinks and Goes Home
" on the album Absolutely Free
. This song parodied Zappa's own experiences playing with drunken bar bands in the early 1960s. Songs with a similar effect were recorded by The Rolling Stones
, On With The Show (1967) and The Beatles
, You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
(recorded in 1967 and 1969, released in 1970.)
As with many Hendrix songs, this one is introspective. The main idea behind the song is that Jimi began to believe the only "true" friend, the one that will be with him through good and bad times, is his own shadow. Everyone else were "hangers-on" and wanted something from him.
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1968 during the recording sessions for Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland is the third and final album of new material by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, released in October 1968 on Reprise Records, catalogue 2RS 6307. It is the only Hendrix studio album professionally produced under his supervision. It topped the Billboard 200 album chart for two weeks in...
. The song was first released in 1971 on the posthumous album The Cry of Love
The Cry of Love
-Personnel:Band members*Jimi Hendrix – lead vocals, guitars, backing vocals on tracks 3 and 9, piano on track 1, production on all tracks except 5*Billy Cox – bass on all tracks except 5 and 10...
and later appeared on the CD First Rays of the New Rising Sun
First Rays of the New Rising Sun
First Rays of the New Rising Sun is a "concept compilation" attempting to recreate the album Jimi Hendrix was working on at the time of his death in 1970, as closely as is feasible to how he would have wanted it...
. It was mixed posthumously by Hendrix's engineer Eddie Kramer
Eddie Kramer
Edwin H. Kramer is an audio engineer and producer who has worked with, among others, Led Zeppelin, Triumph, Kiss , Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Spooky Tooth, Peter Frampton, Curtis Mayfield, Santana, Anthrax, Carly Simon, Loudness, and Robin Trower.-1960s:Eddie...
. Because it was left unreleased at the time it was recorded some people have raised doubts if Hendrix had ever intended to use that song on any of his albums.
The recording of "My Friend" combines a humorous song with sound effects to create a bar or nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
atmosphere. Hendrix' friend Paul Caruso (listed as 'Gers' on the L.P.) plays harmonica on "My Friend". In late 1966 Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
had used the same ideas to record "America Drinks and Goes Home
America Drinks and Goes Home
"America Drinks and Goes Home" is a song written by Frank Zappa and recorded in 1966 for the Mothers of Invention album Absolutely Free. The song actually appears in two different versions on the album at the beginning of side 2 under the title "America Drinks" and finishing at the end of side 2...
" on the album Absolutely Free
Absolutely Free
Absolutely Free is the second album by The Mothers of Invention, led by Frank Zappa. Absolutely Free is, again, a display of complex musical composition with political and social satire. The band had been augmented since Freak Out! by the addition of saxophone player Bunk Gardner, keyboardist Don...
. This song parodied Zappa's own experiences playing with drunken bar bands in the early 1960s. Songs with a similar effect were recorded by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, On With The Show (1967) and The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)
"You Know My Name " is a song by The Beatles originally released as the B-side of the single "Let It Be" on 6 March 1970. Although first issued with their final single , it was recorded in four separate sessions beginning with three in May and June 1967, and one in 1969.-Composition:The song is a...
(recorded in 1967 and 1969, released in 1970.)
As with many Hendrix songs, this one is introspective. The main idea behind the song is that Jimi began to believe the only "true" friend, the one that will be with him through good and bad times, is his own shadow. Everyone else were "hangers-on" and wanted something from him.