The Wind Cries Mary

Drift away with Jimi Hendrix's hauntingly beautiful 1967 rock ballad, "The Wind Cries Mary." This early classic showcases a gentler, more poetic side of Hendrix, featuring his lyrical guitar playing and evocative vocals. It remains one of his most beloved and atmospheric compositions from the Experience era.

Released as the third single by The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967, "The Wind Cries Mary" offered a stark contrast to the fiery psychedelia of "Purple Haze." Its sparse arrangement, rooted in bluesy rock sensibilities, highlighted Hendrix's nuanced guitar work and sensitive songwriting, becoming another significant early hit.

This atmospheric 1967 rock track creates a melancholic mood with subtle guitar fills and Hendrix's wistful delivery. Written after an argument with his girlfriend, its imagery of loneliness and reflection resonates deeply. "The Wind Cries Mary" endures as a testament to Hendrix's versatility and poetic depth.

SONG MEANING: The song is widely believed to be inspired by an argument Jimi Hendrix had with his then-girlfriend, Kathy Mary Etchingham. The lyrics reflect the quiet sadness and loneliness after the fight ("the traffic lights turn blue tomorrow"), personifying the melancholy feeling in the whispering wind that seems to cry her name ("Mary") after she's gone or things are broken.