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Manic Depression – Jimi Hendrix

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description Manic Depression – Jimi Hendrix Overview

"Manic Depression" is a song by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, released on their 1967 debut album "Are You Experienced." Written and sung by Jimi Hendrix, the track is notable for its use of 3/4 waltz time, an unusual meter in rock music, built around a driving blues-rock guitar riff and a matched drum pattern by Mitch Mitchell. The song's title and lyrics reflect on emotional instability and romantic confusion, themes Hendrix explored across the album. Its triple-meter structure has made it one of the most frequently cited examples of unconventional time signatures in 1960s rock.

help Manic Depression – Jimi Hendrix FAQ

Why does "Manic Depression" sound like a waltz even though it is a heavy rock song?

The song is written in 3/4 time, with three beats per measure instead of rock's more common four. Jimi Hendrix anchors that waltz pulse with a distorted blues-rock riff while drummer Mitch Mitchell fills the spaces with a jazz-influenced groove.

Who plays drums and bass on "Manic Depression"?

Mitch Mitchell plays drums, and Noel Redding plays bass alongside Hendrix's guitar and vocal. Mitchell's rolling fills are especially prominent, making the recording feel closer to a jazz-rock trio performance than a conventional 1967 pop single.

Which version of Are You Experienced includes "Manic Depression"?

"Manic Depression" appears on both the original British and American configurations of Are You Experienced. It is the second track on the 1967 album, immediately following "Foxy Lady" on the familiar running order.

Did other major artists record "Manic Depression"?

Yes. Seal and Jeff Beck recorded it for the 1993 tribute album Stone Free, while King's X included a version on Dogman in 1994.

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