
Jimi Hendrix wasn’t just the premier guitar hero of the 1960s. He wasn’t only a magnetic performer. Hendrix was also a great songwriter and excellent band leader.
Today I am celebrating the legacy of one of the greatest rock artists by counting down the 10 best songs recorded by Jimi Hendrix.
The Greatest 10 Songs by Jimi Hendrix

“Bold as Love”
Jimi Hendrix may have been the first genuine guitar virtuoso (sorry, Eric Clapton). But he was also, very much, a product of the peace and love generation.
“Bold as Love” was a statement of intent, placing Jimi Hendrix on the same side as bands like The Beatles. It was also a complex composition, one in which guitar lines pour like liquid metal and blend seamlessly with the vocal lines.
“Machine Gun”
“Machine Gun” was the song that made legendary jazz musician Miles Davis want to try his stab at rock, preferably in a group with Hendrix. The Seattle guitarist, for his part, by now believed he could make his fingers and guitar translate into any sound. He was right.
The riff of “Machine Gun” does sound like frightening military equipment, like a raid on enemy territory. Nobody would better this kind of guitar-soundscape technique until, at least, Eddie van Halen.
“Fire”
There were few bands as loud as The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Combine the power of the sound with great musical ability, and what you get is a rock that gets people on their feet, dancing and stomping.
“Fire” is one of the most sexually charged and powerful of Hendrix’s tunes. The song fell into some ill repute when a rendition by the Red Hot Chili Peppers was accompanied by riots at the 90s Woodstock festival iteration. But let’s not let that taint our remembrance of the song.

“Wind Cries Mary”
A lot of the music press wanted to describe the Jimi Hendrix, who jump-started his musical career in London, England, as a madman. While his antics on stage seem to confirm some of those theories, Hendrix was also a romantic and an ardent student of great songwriters.
“Wind Cries Mary” was Hendrix’s first attempt at pop-rock storytelling. It showcased a more tender side and a love of Bob Dylan. Both of these would bloom soon enough.
“Castles Made of Sand”
Jimi Hendrix hadn’t revealed an awful lot about himself on his first album. Neither did he say much in early interviews. He left a lot of that for “Castles Made of Sand.”
A beautiful slow jam of a song, the lyrics to “Castles Made of Sand” talk about Jimi’s youth, upbringing and the uncertainty clouding his future. It also proved that he was, after all, also a really good songwriter.
“Purple Haze”
The first time you hear the riff to “Purple Haze”, you feel as if you’ve been electrocuted. I did, and so have others across numerous generations.
“Purple Haze” showcased the potential of electric guitars and late 60s rock. The guitar sounded positively evil. And whatever was making Hendrix’s mind hazy, the kids wanted some as well.

“Hey Joe”
“Hey Joe” was the perfect choice for a debut. And it took Chas Chandler, the former member of The Animals who practically discovered Jimi Hendrix, to recognize this.
Hendrix takes the blues standard and flies away with it. In a brief three minutes, he finds time to delve into the drama of the story and, also to showcase his flair on the guitar. In live performances, Jimi would further showcase his skill by playing with his teeth or behind his head. A full-grown legend was born right there.
“Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”
Jimi Hendrix, throughout his short career, pushed boundaries. More than anything, he worked on exceeding the limits of his own creativity.
By the time of his masterpiece album, “Electric Ladyland,” great musical ideas were coming thick and fast. The iconic riff for “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” was played in a jam with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. Luckily, Hendrix saved it, added lyrics about his obsession with voodoo and turned it into a classic.
“All Along the Watchtower”
Many, many artists have covered Bob Dylan. Few of them achieved what Hendrix did – to practically erase the original out of existence and replace it with his own.
“All Along the Watchtower” began when Hendrix started leafing through his Dylan songbook. But it really took a life of its own when Hendrix started using the studio as an instrument.
“All Along the Watchtower” still sounds like a battle scene. Every second of it leads toward an incredible crescendo. Overplayed on the radio but rarely unappreciated, Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” remains breathtaking and, ironically, Hendrix’s sole U.S. hit.

“Little Wing”
Guitarists have been praying at the temple of “Little Wing” ever since its release. With this composition, Hendrix managed to sound like three guitarists playing at once. And, even more importantly, he brought the fantastic technique in the service of a beautiful, heartfelt song.
There’s something magical about “Little Wing.” And although so many virtuoso players have covered it, what is buried in the original recording seems to suggest that something otherworld had occurred and had been captured to tape. There has been nothing like it since, and I doubt that there will be anything like it again.
Want proof? Check out our Jimi Hendrix playlist along with Alt77’s other Spotify playlists.