Jimi Hendrix If 6 Was 9

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Jimi HendrixIf 6 Was 9

• By Dickie Burgess, Dana Kokko, and James Bruce

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• Its funny the way most people love death. Once
  you are dead you are made for life. You have to
  die before they think you are worth anything
  Jimi Hendrix
• Im the one thats gonna have to die when its
  time for me to die, so let me live my life the
  way I want to. If 6 Was 9

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If 6 Was 9

• Well crafted, mysterious lyrics with strong
  imagery
  
• Fitting music
• Shows Hendrixs gentle side
• Has strong message and showcases Hendrixs
  philosophies on life
  

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If 6 Was 9

• Featured on Axis Bold as Love in Dec. 1967.
  Released by Reprise.
  
• Track 7 (532 in length).
• Features flute played by Hendrix.
• Hendrix takes over more control in the studio and
  utilizes the new 4-track technology.

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Biography and Background

• Born Johnny Allen Hendrix Nov. 27th, 1942 in
  Seattle, Washington, and then renamed James
  Marshall Hendrix
  
• Died September 18th, 1970 in London, England.
• Self-taught guitar player
• Discovered playing in New York by Chas Chandler
  of the Animals, who persuaded him to move to
  London.

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Biography and Background

• Started The Jimi Hendrix Experience in Sept. 1966
  with Noel Redding (bass) and Mitch Mitchell
  (drums).
  
• Released Hey Joe as first single, followed by
  Purple Haze
  
• Returned to America in June 1967 to play at the
  Monterey Pop Festival

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Discography

• Are You Experienced (Aug. 23, 1967)
• Includes Hey Joe, Purple Haze, Stone Free
• Axis Bold as Love (Jan. 10, 1968)
• Includes If 6 Was 9, Little Wing, Castles Made
  of Sand, Bold As Love
  
• Electric Ladyland (Oct. 25, 1968)
• Includes Voodoo Child (Slight Return), All Along
  the Watchtower, Crosstown Traffic

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Lyrical Analysis

• If the sun refused to shine I don't mind, I
  don't mind If the mountains ah, fell in the sea
  Let it be, it ain't me.
  

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Lyrical Analysis

• Got my own world to live through And I ain't
  gonna copy you. Now if six, turned out to be
  nine Oh I don't mind, I don't mind If all the
  hippies cut off all their hair Oh I don't care,
  oh I don't care.
• 'Cause I've got my own world to live through
  and And I ain't gonna copy you.

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Lyrical Analysis

• White collar conservative flashin' down the
  street Pointin' their plastic finger at me
  They're hopin' soon my kind will drop and die
  but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high, high !
  Wave on, wave on... Fall mountains, just
  don't fall on me Go ahead on mister business
  man, you can't dress like me

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Lyrical Analysis

• Don't nobody know what I'm talkin' about I've
  got my own life to live I'm the one that's gonna
  die when it's time for me to die So let me live
  my life the way I want to
• Sing on Brother, play on drummer.

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Song Structure

• Rhyme Scheme
• AA BB / AA / AA BB / AA / AA BB
• - Contains free verse structure as well
• Features slant rhymes throughout
• Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, bridge
• Chorus repeated
• Repeated themes

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Lyrical/Musical Relationship

• Laid back, carefree feel
• Theme of individuality common to both lyrics and
  music
  
• Both feature Psychedelic feel

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PersonalImpact
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Conclusion

• Appropriate for De-Coded album due to
• Well-crafted, meaningful lyrics that connected
  with the youth of his generation
  
• Shows Hendrixs philosophies on life
• Music that compliments the lyrics well and uses
  innovative sound

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Q What artist discovered Hendrix and convinced
him to move to London?
A Chas Chandler of the Animals
Q What was Hendrixs message in If 6 Was 9?
A The importance of individuality
Presented by Dickie Burgess and Dana Kokko
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