The song features his inventive guitar playing, which uses the signature Hendrix chord and a mix of blues and Eastern modalities, shaped by novel sound processing techniques. Because of ambiguities in the lyrics, listeners often interpret the song as referring to a psychedelic experience, although Hendrix described it as a love song.
"Purple Haze" is one of Hendrix's best-known songs and appears on many Hendrix compilation albums. The song featured regularly in concerts and each of Hendrix's group configurations issued live recordings. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is included on lists of the greatest guitar songs, including at number two by Rolling Stone and number one by Q magazine.
Lyrics
Purple Haze all in my brain
Lately things just don't seem the same
Actin' funny but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
Purple Haze all around
Don't know if I'm coming up or down
Am I happy or in misery?
Whatever it is, that girl put a spell on me
Help me
Help me
Oh no, oh
[Background voices:]
Hammering talkin' 'bout heart 'n' s-soul
I'm talking about hard stuff
If everybody's still around, fluff and ease, if
So far out my mind
Something's happening, something's happening
Yeah, Purple Haze all in my eyes
Don't know if it's day or night
You've got me blowing, blowing my mind
Is it tomorrow or just the end of time?
Oh help me
Ah yeah, purple haze
Oh, no oh help me
Tell me, baby, tell me
(Purple Haze!)
I can't go on like this
(Purple Haze!)
You're making me blow my mind, mama
(Purple Haze!)
No, no no, it's painful, baby
(Purple Haze!)