Whispering, Crying and Screaming

So, this is my piece on Hendrix's song, "The Wind Cries Mary." If I get a little too passionate in this analysis, it is probably due to the fact that: a) I actually played this song on my guitar before I went to school that day; b) this has been my favorite Hendrix piece; c) I flipped out when I was told the news of what we were doing in class. Carina Taylor knows what I'm talking about. Anyway.

Jimi Hendrix's blues single "The Wind Cries Mary" is a poetic and nostalgic piece about a broken relationship. Hendrix, influenced by the cryptic musings of Bob Dylan, recreates the folk singer's songwriting style in the form of metaphors and imagery. In the first verse, the "jacks...in their boxes" and "the clowns...gone to bed" reflects the happiness that has disappeared. The second stanza reveals the purpose of the song. The crying queen and the spouseless king connotates Hendrix and his ex-lover, and the emotional breakup that has resulted. The rest of the lyrics use surreal imagery of blue traffic lights and the wisdom of the wind. The continual mention of Mary grows from a whisper to a scream, implying the increasing strain of the relationship. In addition to the lyrics, Hendrix fully implements his much-regarded guitar virtuosity. His fretwork is subtle, consisting of a three-chord motif that is the main hook of the song. The guitar, along with the soft cymbal rushes, creates the feeling of a lazy afternoon breeze. The calmness of the music provides a contrast to Hendrix's eccentric lyrics. The beautiful result is a smooth blues classic that remains a thoughtful pondering of a simple break-up.