Jimi Hendrixwas often paradoxical as a musician and human being. He was the greatest virtuoso guitarist of the 1960s, but was musically illiterate. His band became the biggest touring act of the late ’60s, but he rarely sought promotion or did interviews. He grew up an impoverished Blackchild of a single mother in Seattle, but grew to dominate the predominantly-White British Blues scene in England. His innovative, psychedelic fashion sense diverged completely from his culture, but his music was more cognizant of African-American influence than almost any rock musician of his era.
Hendrix’s live performances were the stuff of legend, from setting his guitar ablaze at the Monterey Pop Festival, to his unforgettable renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock and the Atlanta Pop Festival.
By the time of his death in 1970 at the cursed age of 27, he had become the most-revered guitarist of the 20th Century, and soon after his death, his music began appearing in movies that hoped toencapsulate the experience of the Vietnam Era. In the half-century since his death, his musical influence has only grown, thanks largely to his songs being introduced to successive generations through licensing in movies. The following are the 20 greatest uses of Jimi Hendrix songs in movies.
20"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" - Lords of Dogtown (2005)
Lords of Dogtown
Lords of Dogtownsets the Rock ‘n’ Roll tone early in the film, with Hendrix’s"Voodoo Child"playing over the opening credits, as we’re introduced to various members of the Zephyr skateboarding team. Therock star personas of the pioneering Z-Boysrequired musical backing that was appropriate for the era and high octane enough to soundtrack this cultural watershed moment.
“Voodoo Child” Proved to Be Hendrix’s Most Licensed Song
The powerful imagery of Jimi’s lyrics, “Well I stand up next to a mountain, and chop it down with the edge of my hand” paired with the scratchy guitar vamping on the intro have made this track iconic. Hendrix’s music, which seems shot out of a cannon, had a mirroring effect with the Z-Boys and skateboarding’s development from a simple toy into a lifestyle.StreamLords of Dogtownon FuboTV.
19"Purple Haze" - Minions (2015)
Minionsmight seem a bit too juvenile to include the Hendrix song"Purple Haze,“given that the lyrics' ambiguity has long led listeners to believe the track was about a psychedelic trip. Not so, as Hendrix said that it’s actually a love song.
This tracks with the lyric “That girl put a spell on me” — perhaps a nod to Hendrix influencerScreamin' Jay Hawkins, of Jim Jarmusch fame. The track comes during a scene when Stuart is admiring Scarlett’s Hendrix-like guitar, and was also included in the film’s trailer.
The Cultural Significance of “Purple Haze”
“Purple Haze” was written by Hendrix after former Animals bassist Chas Chandler discovered him in New York City and brought him to London. After hearing Hendrix toying around with the riff, Chandler encouraged Hendrix to write a song around it. The song charted at number 3 in the UK, and became one of the anthems of the psychedelic rock movement.RentMinionson AppleTV+.
Related:The Best Minions Movies, Ranked
18"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” - Withnail and I (1987)
Withnail and I
Withnail and Iis the king of all English cult comedies, with adrug-addled performance from Richard E. Grantthat’s the most hilariously-unhinged role of his career. The film takes place in 1969, when Hendrix’s band was the most sought after touring act in the world, and he was at the height of his powers. The dark comedy follows two unemployed actors who drive to the English countryside for a vacation that goes massively awry.
Ralph Brown’s Amazing Character Was the Hendrix Era Personified
While Grant’s posh washout Withnail paced the film, the most memorable character is Danny the Drug Dealer (Ralph Brown), who is so beloved in the comedy world that Mike Myers reconstituted the character forWayne’s World 2.
Danny seems like he could have been Hendrix’s plug, and Withnail and I (we never learn the main character’s name) take a joyous ride back to London in the 3rd act with the aid of Danny’s wares and"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)“blaring on the car radio.StreamWithnail and Ion Max.
17"The Star-Spangled Banner” in Cars
Carswas another animated film for kids that you wouldn’t expect to hear a Hendrix song in, showing how much the rock icon crossed over into the mainstream following his death in 1970. One reason was iconic performances like his rendition of"The Star-Spangled Banner"at Woodstock, with a high gain, heavily-distorted Stratocaster.
Cars Brought Hendrix to a New Generation
For the uninitiated, Jimi Hendrix’s “Star-Spangled Banner” might seem a bit jarring, at first, especially for ayoung kid who’s only heard Francis Scott Key’s patriotic song at ballgames.
Music can be the conduit through which future generations learn about their nation’s past, and with Hendrix’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” kids watchingCarsheard the sound of The War at Home — which Hendrix played at the most famous protest concert in history at the height of the Vietnam War. Heavy for young audiences of an animated film — but maybe transcendent.StreamCarson Disney+.
16"Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)" - High Fidelity (2000)
High Fidelity
Nick Hornby’s novel,High Fidelity, had become a Bestseller after its 1995 publishing, striking a chord with an existential novel set to the backdrop of vinyl-digging record store clerks in England. For the film adaptation, Stephen Frears changed the setting to Chicago,and cast John Cusack as an Americanized version of Robfrom the novel.
Why Hendrix Was Essential to This Memorable Soundtrack
Central to the film’s impact was cobbling together a soundtrack that mixed new and old, with songs that the film made famous, like the Beta Band’s “Dry the Rain.” Still, the film made efforts to acknowledge ’60s rock ‘n’ roll — specifically when Rob listens to"Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)“while playing old records with his girlfriend.RentHigh Fidelityon AppleTV+.
15"Hey Joe” - Wayne’s World 2 (1993)
Wayne’s World 2
Wayne’s World 2had the benefit of the prior film’s success, but also benefited from introducing some new characters,including Chris Farley as the roadie Milton, and Ralph Brown reprising his Danny role fromWithnail and Ias Del Preston. The soundtrack had a bevy of classic rock hits, including “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” by Joan Jett, and Hendrix’s"Hey Joe."
’90s Soundtracks Often Included ’60s Staples
Some of the landmark soundtracks of the ’90s, includingSingles, featured a mix of current alternative and ‘60-’70s rock tracks.Wayne’s World 2was no different, incorporating tracks like “Hey Joe”, which appeared in a scene when Wayne and his gang of roadies cleans up after his epic music festival, Waynestock.RentWayne’s World 2on AppleTV+.
14"All Along the Watchtower" - Watchmen (2009)
Watchmenwent a less obvious route in licensing a Jimi Hendrix song, using"All Along the Watchtower,“which was a Hendrix cover of a Bob Dylan song, from Dylan’s fourth studio albumJohn Wesley Harding. Hendrix took the concept and ran with it, creating an upbeat version that still maintained the original song’s drama.
A Tribute to Dylan Becomes a Hendrix Hit
Hendrix was a huge admirer of Dylan and The Beatles, paying homage through his own, often-more-famous covers. Hendrix’s most famous version of the song appeared onElectric Ladyland, his 1968 studio album,and Hendrix’s version has become so beloved, that people often forget this was originally a Bob Dylan song.StreamWatchmenon Max.
13"Machine Gun” - A Serious Man (2009)
A Serious Man
A Serious Mancaptured the Coen Brothers’ Midwestern Jewish ethos in a nutshell, becoming their most personal film to that point, by examining the odd existence of their upbringing. It took a version of Tim Burton’s cookie-cutter suburban America and placed an awkward family at its center, with Lawrence (Michael Stuhlbarg) often grasping at straws.
Lawrence’s Existential Odyssey Leads Him to the Hippies
Sometimes Lawrence takes the counsel of his young Rabbi, other times he wanders into a psychedelic world he knows little about — with his forward-thinking neighbor, Vivienne (Amy Landecker). That’s clearly conveyed when Lawrence happens upon her smoking a doobie and listening to the wah-wah pedal on Hendrix’s"Machine Gun."
The track is mainly instrumental, but on the live version with the Band of Gypsys, Hendrix dedicates the song to those fighting abroad — and at home. A historical watermark for the song thatlocates the film right inside a tumultuous 1960s.RentA Serious Manon AppleTV+.
12"Manic Depression" - Coming Home (1978)
Coming Home
Hal Ashby, along with Robert Altman, may be the most important directorin terms of encapsulating the post-Vietnam experience in America.
WithComing Home, he got two stellar performances from his lead actors, with Jon Voight and Jane Fonda winning Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, at the 51st Academy Awards. The film’s soundtrack is a murderer’s row of the ’60s most influential artists, including Hendrix’s rarely-licensed"Manic Depression."
Hendrix’s Music Creates an Immediate Vietnam War Association
Early in his career, Hendrix was surprisingly in favor of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, having served as a member of the 101st Airborne. Later in his career, that stance seemed to change. In fact, Hendrix was known to be a favorite artist for soldiers fighting in Vietnam, creating an association that made Hendrix’s inclusion on Vietnam soundtracks essential.Coming Homenot currently available to stream.
11"May This Be Love" - Singles (1992)
Singleswas a landmark film for the Grunge Movement, for Cameron Crowe’s ’90s-dominating career arc, and for reinforcing the ’60s influence on Late-Century Pop Rock.As Grunge was in full swing, with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Nirvana (who opted out ofSingles) getting heavy play on the radio and MTV, Seattle had suddenly become the epicenter of Alternative Rock.
Crowe set the film in the Emerald City, which was where Jimi Hendrix was born and spent most of his childhood.
How Singles Paid Tribute to Hendrix
In an early scene, Cliff (Matt Dillon), an aspiring Grunge musician, poses next to Hendrix’s grave in Seattle. Later in the film, we hear"May This Be Love"when Steve (Campbell Scott) and Linda (Kyra Sedgewick) share a moment, nearly kissing thanks to the modal effect of one of Hendrix’s greatest love songs.RentSingleson AppleTV+.
