About the song
” Machine Gun” by Jimi Hendrix is one of the most powerful and politically charged songs in the legendary guitarist’s catalog. Released as part of Band of Gypsys, the album that marked a shift in Hendrix’s sound and musical direction, this track was both a personal and social statement at a time of great upheaval in the United States. “Machine Gun” stands out as a haunting, emotionally intense song that highlights Hendrix’s ability to merge musical virtuosity with social commentary.
Released in 1970, Band of Gypsys was the product of a collaboration between Hendrix and drummer Buddy Miles, and bassist Billy Cox. The album was recorded live at the Fillmore East in New York City, and it captures a raw energy and sense of urgency that is unique in Hendrix’s body of work. “Machine Gun” was the standout track on the album, and it reflected the turbulent times in which it was created — a period marked by the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and a sense of disillusionment with political leadership.
Musically, “Machine Gun” is a masterclass in guitar playing. Hendrix’s signature style of playing is on full display here, blending blues, rock, and improvisation in a way that was groundbreaking at the time. The song’s main riff is a slow, steady march, almost like the sound of a machine gun, with Hendrix’s guitar providing an eerie, biting tone that mirrors the violence and destruction described in the lyrics. His ability to bend and stretch notes to express raw emotion is evident in the solo sections, where his playing becomes increasingly frantic, almost as if reflecting the chaos of the world around him.
Lyrically, “Machine Gun” is a direct commentary on the violence and devastation of war. With its harrowing lyrics — “Machine gun, tearing my brothers apart” — Hendrix is not just talking about the physical toll of war, but also the emotional and psychological impact it has on both soldiers and civilians. The song captures the trauma and disillusionment that many young people felt during the Vietnam War, as well as the broader sense of anger and frustration toward a government that was sending its citizens into a war with no clear purpose.
The song’s theme is also a reflection of the civil rights movements that were gaining momentum in the late 1960s and early 1970s. While “Machine Gun” does not directly reference race or civil rights, the imagery of destruction and the “machine” that keeps grinding people down can be seen as a metaphor for systemic oppression — not just on the battlefield, but in all aspects of society. Hendrix, who was deeply affected by the struggles of Black Americans, used his platform to comment on societal issues, and this track is a poignant example of how his music transcended the boundaries of rock and roll.
“Machine Gun” was also notable for its raw, live performance energy. The song, often extending beyond 10 minutes during concerts, was a showcase of Hendrix’s ability to improvise and feed off the energy of the crowd. The live setting added an urgency and immediacy to the song that studio recordings couldn’t capture, making it a powerful moment in Hendrix’s legacy.
In terms of social impact, “Machine Gun” became an anthem for those questioning authority and confronting the violent realities of war and systemic inequality. Hendrix was one of the first rock stars to openly criticize the Vietnam War, and his music provided a voice for the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The song resonated with audiences then — and still resonates today — because of its bold statement against war, violence, and the destruction of life.
In conclusion, “Machine Gun” is not only a powerful musical achievement, but also a poignant piece of political and social commentary. Jimi Hendrix’s unparalleled guitar work, combined with the deep emotional weight of the song’s lyrics, makes it one of the most iconic tracks of his career. “Machine Gun” reflects the spirit of a generation deeply disillusioned by war and injustice, and its message continues to resonate in today’s world, proving that Hendrix’s influence extends far beyond music, into the realm of social consciousness and activism.
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Lyrics
Happy new year, first of allI hope we’ll have a million or two million more of themIf we can get over this summerRight, I’d like to dedicate this one to uhTo the draggin’ scene that’s goin’ onAll the soldiers that are fightin’ in Chicago and Milwaukee, and New YorkOh yeas, and all the soldiers fightin’ in VietnamLike to do a thing called ‘Machine Gun’Machine gunTearing my body all apartMachine gun, yeaTearing my body all apartEvil man make me kill yaEvil man make you kill meEvil man make me kill youEven though we’re only families apartWell, I pick up my axe and fight like a farmerYou know what I mean?Hey, and your bullets keep knocking me downHey, I pick up my axe and fight like a farmer nowYeah, but you still blast me down to the groundThe same way you shoot me down, babyYou’ll be going just the sameThree times the painAnd your own self to blameHey, machine gunI ain’t afraid of your mess no more, babeI ain’t afraid no moreAfter a while your, your cheap talk don’t even cause me painSo let your bullets fly like rain‘Cause I know all the time you’re wrong, babyAnd you’ll be goin’ just the sameYeah, machine gunTearing my family apartYeah, yeah, alrightTearing my family apartDon’t you shoot him downHe’s about to leave hereDon’t you shoot him downHe’s got to stay hereHe ain’t going nowhereHe’s been shot down to the groundOh, where he can’t survive, no, noYeah, that’s what we don’t wanna hear anymore, alrightNo bulletsAt least here, huh, huhNo guns, no bombs