Burning of the Midnight Lamp

Infobox Single
Name = Burning of the Midnight Lamp


Caption =
Artist = The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Album =
B-side = "The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam's Dice"
Released = August 19, 1967
Format = 7"
Recorded = July 7 and 20, 1967 at Mayfair Studios in New York, USA
Genre = Rock, psychedelic rock, acid rock, blues-rock
Length = 3:39
Label = Track
Writer = Jimi Hendrix
Producer = Chas Chandler
Last single = "The Wind Cries Mary"
(1967)
This single = "Burning of the Midnight Lamp"
(1967)
Next single = "Foxy Lady"
(1967)"Burning of the Midnight Lamp" is a song by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, first released as a mono single b/w "The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam's Dice" in the United Kingdom on August 19, 1967 (peaking at #18). It later appeared on the band's third and final studio album "Electric Ladyland". The single features much more sophisticated instrumentation and production than his earlier 1967 releases, and would anticipate the richness and detail of "" and "Electric Ladyland". Both songs feature the use of wah-wah guitar effect, a first for Hendrix.

Recorded July 7 and 20, 1967 at Mayfair Studios, "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" features complex instrumentation and studio production. The song opens with a delicate melody played on an electric harpsichord and wah-wah guitar that is soon joined by Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell's bass and drums. During the verses, the rhythm section playing is tough, in contrast to the angelic background vocals and harpsichord that provide a crescendo to each verse. According to Eddie Kramer, the vocals are by Cissy Houston and The Sweet Inspirations, Aretha Franklin's backup group. The mandolin effect is produced by recording two or more guitars playing the same part slow, then speeding it up so that it plays at double speed on the record, affecting a unique timbre. The building instrumentation is repeated for each verse.

The song deals with loneliness, depression and possible suicide. A guy has nothing going in life, feels lonely, and has no reason to go on living. But he knows that suicide is wrong and tries to take it one day at a time. If he makes it to midnight, he feels like he succeeded surviving through another day.

Jimi's attachment is evidenced by the decision to include it on "Electric Ladyland" over a year after first releasing it.

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwxih6hzU88 Chas Chandler and Eddie Kramer discuss the recording and instrumentation]