“It Was Unprecedented in Rock History”: The Jimi Hendrix Song That Vernon Reid Still Thinks “Doesn’t Get Nearly Enough Respect”
Jimi Hendrix, one of the most iconic and influential figures in the history of rock music, remains a touchstone for generations of musicians and fans. His electric guitar playing, groundbreaking studio techniques, and electric stage presence transformed the landscape of rock and roll. Hendrix’s catalog is filled with revolutionary songs that continue to inspire artists across genres, but there’s one track that still doesn’t get the attention it deserves according to Vernon Reid, the legendary guitarist of Living Colour.
Reid, in interviews over the years, has praised Jimi Hendrix not just for his guitar wizardry, but for his ability to blend genres, defy conventions, and create music that pushed boundaries. Among the many songs that Hendrix has penned, “Rainy Day, Dream Away” from his 1968 album Electric Ladyland stands out to Reid as one that has been tragically underappreciated.
While Electric Ladyland is full of some of Hendrix’s most famous and widely recognized songs like “All Along the Watchtower” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Rainy Day, Dream Away” remains one of the more obscure tracks in the musician’s illustrious catalog. For Vernon Reid, this song’s blend of experimental production and emotional depth warrants far more respect than it has historically received. In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at this overlooked song, explore why it stands out in Hendrix’s legacy, and consider why it remains underappreciated despite its innovation.
The Song Itself: A Hidden Gem
“Rainy Day, Dream Away” is a track that showcases Hendrix’s musical range, as it doesn’t follow the typical rock formula of the time. At a glance, it’s a far cry from the loud, bombastic guitar anthems that Hendrix is most famous for. Instead, the song has a smooth, laid-back quality that complements its dreamy and introspective lyrics. The arrangement is lush and atmospheric, with mellow keyboards, jazzy percussion, and, of course, Hendrix’s signature guitar sound playing a key role in crafting the song’s dreamy atmosphere.
From the moment it begins, “Rainy Day, Dream Away” conveys a sense of escape and reflection, a space where one can unwind from the complexities of life. The lyrics speak of seeking solace, escaping into the daydreams that allow one to forget the challenges and troubles of reality. It’s not a typical rock narrative, but more of a poetic, almost surrealistic look at longing and self-reflection. The song perfectly encapsulates Hendrix’s capacity to move beyond the expected sound of rock and explore deeper emotional and conceptual territory.
Despite being part of a hugely influential album like Electric Ladyland, “Rainy Day, Dream Away” often gets overshadowed by other tracks that are more immediately accessible, such as “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” a song that has become synonymous with Hendrix’s mastery of the electric guitar, or “All Along the Watchtower,” a cover of a Bob Dylan song that has become iconic in its own right.
Why It Deserves More Recognition
Vernon Reid, the celebrated guitarist behind the Grammy-winning band Living Colour, has long been vocal about his admiration for Hendrix’s work. In an interview, Reid singled out “Rainy Day, Dream Away” as one of the songs that he feels is criminally underrated, especially considering the landmark nature of the Electric Ladyland album.
For Reid, the track epitomizes what was revolutionary about Hendrix’s music: it wasn’t just about playing guitar in a way that nobody had heard before—it was about creating new textures, exploring moods, and pushing beyond what the rock genre was thought to be capable of. “It was unprecedented in rock history,” said Reid, reflecting on the emotional and musical complexity of the track. “Hendrix was capable of creating something completely different with the most subtle shifts. This song shows that side of him. It doesn’t get nearly enough respect.”
The understated brilliance of “Rainy Day, Dream Away” comes from how it takes a step away from the bombast of rock music at the time. It isn’t about trying to be loud or ‘cool’—it’s a work of art that takes its time, breathing with its gentle rhythms and thoughtful phrasing. The track might be seen as less “commercial” or less immediately impactful than other tracks on Electric Ladyland, but it has a lasting resonance that marks Hendrix’s commitment to musical exploration.
One of the most striking elements of the track is how it uses dynamics to create emotional depth. The track starts with a soft keyboard, setting the tone for the dreamy nature of the song. As the song builds, Hendrix introduces his guitar in subtle ways, not through solos or flashy riffs, but through delicate phrases that echo the mood of the music. It’s a stark contrast to the fast-paced, shredding guitar that is often associated with the iconic rock star. Here, he demonstrates the power of restraint—a rare moment where Hendrix’s playing is not a force of nature but a nuanced, graceful addition to the song’s fabric.
The Context of Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland was a defining moment for Jimi Hendrix and one of the most ambitious albums in the history of rock music. Released in 1968, the double album signified Hendrix’s move into new territory. It’s filled with elements of blues, jazz, funk, and psychedelia, incorporating a wide range of textures, styles, and influences. Some of his most groundbreaking tracks were created during this period, and it’s here that Hendrix’s experimentations with studio techniques, effects, and arrangements truly shone.
“Rainy Day, Dream Away” fits into the context of the album as an example of the way Hendrix was stretching the boundaries of what rock music could be. Unlike much of the rock of the late 60s, which was often dominated by blues-based riffs and energetic, high-octane performances, Hendrix created a space in Electric Ladyland for mood-driven, atmospheric sounds. The album’s broad scope allowed him to experiment in ways that previous rock albums had not. Tracks like “Rainy Day, Dream Away” reflect this shift, with their introspective tone and focus on texture and emotion rather than speed and raw power.
As groundbreaking as it was, Electric Ladyland was released in an era when audiences were still becoming accustomed to the changes happening in rock music. Though Hendrix was revered for his wild stage performances and mind-bending guitar solos, Electric Ladyland showed a more complex side of him—one that was both adventurous and vulnerable. “Rainy Day, Dream Away,” with its delicate instrumentation and poetic sensibility, demonstrated that Hendrix was much more than just a virtuoso guitarist; he was a complete artist, deeply invested in his emotional and sonic explorations.
The Influence of “Rainy Day, Dream Away”
Though it didn’t achieve the commercial success or recognition of other Hendrix hits, “Rainy Day, Dream Away” had an influence on many artists in the years that followed. For musicians like Vernon Reid, the track remains a touchstone for artistic expression in rock music. Its ability to blend various genres—from jazz to soul to psychedelia—would go on to inspire future generations of musicians who sought to push beyond the boundaries of rock and experiment with texture, mood, and atmosphere.
Reid himself, known for blending rock, jazz, funk, and metal in Living Colour’s music, credits Hendrix with inspiring his own approach to songwriting and playing. “Hendrix showed me that you didn’t have to be one thing,” said Reid. “He could be bold and powerful, but then he could also be soft, introspective, and artistic. That duality is what made his music so profound.”
This ability to push boundaries and combine genres has made Hendrix’s music, including tracks like “Rainy Day, Dream Away,” influential across a wide range of genres, from alternative rock to progressive rock, to even electronic and ambient music. The moodiness, the use of dynamic shifts, and the intricate layering of instruments set a blueprint for how to make rock music more nuanced and thoughtful.
A Legacy that Endures
In hindsight, “Rainy Day, Dream Away” is a track that embodies the multi-faceted nature of Jimi Hendrix. It’s a song that’s as complex and emotional as it is innovative, yet it remains somewhat of a forgotten treasure in the larger narrative of Hendrix’s career. But for those who appreciate the full spectrum of Hendrix’s musical talent, it’s a track that deserves a renewed focus.
As Vernon Reid points out, the song’s softer, more contemplative nature might not have appealed to the larger audience during the height of Hendrix’s fame, but it’s this very subtlety that makes it so special. “Rainy Day, Dream Away” is an example of Hendrix’s full artistic range, and it’s one that continues to inspire musicians and listeners alike to this day.
Though Hendrix passed away at the young age of 27, his legacy lives on not just in the songs that defined the sound of a generation but also in the quieter, more introspective tracks like “Rainy Day, Dream Away.” This song, while often overlooked, is a crucial part of Hendrix’s musical evolution and a testament to his genius. As Reid and others continue to advocate for its rightful place in Hendrix’s catalog, it’s clear that this track, as subtle as it may be, deserves far more respect than it has received in the past.
