Somewhere

Album: People, Hell & Angels (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Recorded in March 1968, this song finds Hendrix supported by Buddy Miles on drums and Stephen Stills on bass. Engineer and producer Eddie Kramer told Rolling Stone, "[it's] a fantastic example of Jimi's amazing control of the wah-wah [pedal] the tone of the wah-wah – how that affects the whole song."
  • The track was released as the first single from Jimi Hendrix's posthumous album, People, Hell & Angels. The record contains 12 previously unreleased tracks showcasing, the guitar legend's experimental work outside the then current Jimi Hendrix Experience.
  • This is not the first time the song has appeared on disk. A different version was previously included on the 4-disc box set titled The Jimi Hendrix Experience, which was released in 2000.
  • Co-producer John McDermott commented to Digital Spy that he was surprised this wasn't considered for Electric Ladyland. He added: "I don't know whether that was because Jimi recorded it without Chas Chandler being there to supervise it - that could have been an issue. Like 'My Friend,' it's a really interesting look at Jimi when he was just starting to step outside the original three-man band."
  • Stephen Stills was good friends with both Jimi and Buddy Miles. McDermott told Digital Spy: "I think this track was really about Jimi taking advantage of the skills his friends had and tapping into that. Today, it's nothing to invite your friends to the studio and have them play on a track - people do it all the time, guest starring on cuts and all that. Back then, it didn't happen so much. The Beatles, The Stones - with rare exceptions, they always kept the core."
  • This was one of seven tracks from People, Hell, & Angels, which featured on the episode of the CBS cop drama Hawaii Five-0 that aired on January 20, 2013.
  • People, Hell and Angels debuted at # 2 on the Billboard 200, marking Hendrix' highest-charting album since Electric Ladyland spent two weeks at #1 in 1968.

Comments: 2

  • Carl from EnglandThe song first appeared in a beautifully re-imagined form on the album Crash Landing (1973) produced and remixed by Alan Douglas, a jazz producer who was a musician and friend of Hendrix.
  • Nicky from SpaceChas Chandler did not supervise Electric Ladyland therefore John McDermott's comment does not sound realistic. I too am surprised why Somewhere was not on Electric Ladyland. Somewhere is one of Jimi's best songs. The virtuosity of the guitar playing is phenomenal.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.