"Red House" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and one of the first songs recorded in 1966 by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It has the musical form of a conventional twelve-bar blues and features Hendrix's guitar playing. He developed the song prior to forming the Experience and was inspired by earlier blues songs.
"Red House" was first released on the British edition of Hendrix's debut album Are You Experienced in May 1967 (for the American album release, previously released Experience singles were used in its place). A second similar take was eventually released in the US in July 1969 on the American Smash Hits compilation.
The song was a fixture of Hendrix concerts throughout his career. Although the lyrics and basic structure were followed, his performances usually varied from the original recording. Many were recorded and continue to be released officially for the first time, including on Miami Pop Festival (2013) and Freedom: Atlanta Pop Festival (2015). "Red House" has also been performed and recorded by a variety of blues and other artists.
According to Experience bassist Noel Redding, Hendrix told him it was about Hendrix' girlfriend in high school, Betty Jean Morgan. Jimi's brother, Leon Hendrix, also felt that it was about Betty Jean, but also included her sister Maddy, although their house was brown. Shadwick suggests that the song was inspired by Linda Keith, Keith Richards' then-girlfriend and early Hendrix supporter. Keith referred to her friend's Manhattan apartment, with its red velvet walls and decor, as the "red house", and the two frequently stayed there during the summer of 1966.
In London in 1970, Hendrix met up with Keith and when he performed "Red House" at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, he dedicated the song to her and added "I got to get out of here, because my Linda don't live here no more" to the lyrics. However, Billy Cox, longtime friend and bassist for Hendrix' post-Experience groups, explained, "As far as I know, 'Red House' didn't have any significance in reference to a particular person, place, or thing. It was just a blues number that Jimi put together".
Lyrics
Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I pick up all the pieces and make an island
Might even raise a little sand
Yeah
'Cause I'm a voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child, baby
I want to say one more last thing
I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
I'll give it right back to you one of these days, hahaha
I said I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time
I'll give it right back one of these days
Oh yeah
If I don't meet you no more in this world, then
I'll meet you in the next one
And don't be late
Don't be late
'Cause I'm a voodoo child, voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child, baby
I'm a voodoo child, baby
I don't take no for an answer
Question no
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child, baby