This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/1/2018
Jimi Hendrix has handwritten these working lyrics for the first two verses of his iconic song "1983...(A Mermaid I Should Turn to Be)" in blue ballpoint ink on 4 x 7 thin ecru cardboard. Featured on the Jimi Hendrix Experience 1968 album "Electric Ladyland" this iconic Hendrix song was written and produced by Hendrix, lasts over 13 minutes in duration and is the second longest track released by the group (after "Voodoo Chile"). Hendrix first recorded demo versions of "1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)" at a New York apartment in March 1968 with just guitar and vocals, the recordings of which were later released as part of the unofficial bootleg Acoustic Jams, and subsequently on the companion disc of a 1995 book entitled Voodoo Child: The Illustrated Legend of Jimi Hendrix. The first official recording of the song, by the full lineup of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, took place at New York's Sound Center Studios on March 13, 1968, before Hendrix and drummer Mitch Mitchell (along with flute player Chris Wood, then a member of Traffic) recorded five takes of the song, including the master recording, at the Record Plant on April 22. The song was completed and mixed at the Record Plant on June 10. Hendrix commentators Harry Shapiro and Caesar Glebbeek have described the song as "Jimi's first piece of major orchestration, using the full capacities of the Record Plant's studio facilities" and noted that the song contains references to "Jimi's two favourite metaphors," sand and water, and that some of the phrases within the lyrics connote his "belief in the power of positive thinking apparent in his music, lyrics and interviews through all the rest of his life." In an interview with Jane De Mendelssohn for International Times in 1969, Hendrix explained the significance of the track to be "something to keep your mind off what's happening … but not necessarily completely hiding away from it like some people do." Overall very good condition, the writing is strong and clear even with the light water damage that has slightly lightened some of the letters with a light blue behind them where the link bled. Comes with a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.