Castles Made of Sand (song)
Encyclopedia
"Castles Made of Sand" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
on their second studio album, Axis: Bold as Love
, in 1967 in the UK and 1968 in the U.S. It was available in two different stereo mixes and a mono mix.
The song is known for its intricate guitar solo, which is heard on the record played backwards.
Leon Hendrix
, the younger brother of Jimi, has said that Jimi revealed privately to him that the song was about their family. The first verse is their mother leaving their father Al for the final time. The second verse is referencing his Native American heritage and the stories his grandmother (a quarter Cherokee) would tell him. The boy who played "war games in the woods with his Indian friends" is said to be Leon (as stated by himself), but could also be about Jimi. The third verse, by this account, channels Jimi's memories of his mother Lucille in hospital suffering from liver disease, and wishing to die so she would suffer no more: "to her legs she smiled you won't hurt me no more." Lucille did have cirrhosis of the liver, but was recovering outside of Hospital, when she was admitted unconscious to hospital, where she died from a ruptured spleen caused by a blow from an unknown source, not a liver complaint as is often stated, although this was listed as a contributing factor on her death certificate. The song "Little Wing
" is also about his mother Lucille, according to Leon, although in interviews he gave an alternate interpretation, most likely so he would not have to recount painful memories for strangers. Jimi himself said the song was about the Monterey Pop Festival
personified as a girl.
Locals from the Moroccan town Diabat
have claimed that the song title was inspired by the Bordj El Berod
-watchtower ruin. This statement however is not likely to be true as Jimi stayed in Morocco in 1969 (Castles Made Of Sand was written in 1967).
, and a live version was featured on the 1994 B-Sides, Remixes, Outtakes and Live compilation CD Out In L.A.
The same version was released on the 2003 remastered version of their album Mother's Milk
. The studio version was recorded in 1991 but was unknown to fans until it was released as an iTunes
exclusive bonus track to Blood Sugar Sex Magik
in 2006. Four Tet
also covered the song for the Late Night Tales
mix album. The song was also covered (with "Little Wing
") by Tuck & Patti
.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience were an English-American psychedelic rock band that formed in London in October 1966. Comprising eponymous singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969, in which...
on their second studio album, Axis: Bold as Love
Axis: Bold as Love
Axis: Bold as Love is the second studio album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Under pressure from their record company to follow-up the successful debut of their May 1967 album Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love was released on Track Records in the UK in December 1967...
, in 1967 in the UK and 1968 in the U.S. It was available in two different stereo mixes and a mono mix.
Structure
The song is a melancholy meditation on thwarted plans. The first verse features a loving relationship reduced to conflict and social disgrace; the second verse recounts the death of a native American Indian boy who dreams of glory in battle, but is eventually killed in his sleep. The third verse presents a disabled girl who prepares for suicide, only to see a "golden winged ship passing my way", which causes her to jump excitedly in her wheelchair. However: "it really didn't have to stop - it just kept on goin'". Each verse is followed by the chorus, which consists of slight variations on the line, "...and so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually...".The song is known for its intricate guitar solo, which is heard on the record played backwards.
Interpretation
A common interpretation of the lyric centres on the chorus and its metaphor of universal transience -- "Castles made of sand fall in the sea eventually" -- illustrated by specific cases in the verses, which suggest that not only love and ambition but also disease and fear, will fade and vanish.Leon Hendrix
Leon Hendrix
Leon Hendrix is the younger brother of late American rock guitarist/singer and icon Jimi Hendrix. He is an artist, songwriter and guitarist who began playing the guitar later in life and has released several albums...
, the younger brother of Jimi, has said that Jimi revealed privately to him that the song was about their family. The first verse is their mother leaving their father Al for the final time. The second verse is referencing his Native American heritage and the stories his grandmother (a quarter Cherokee) would tell him. The boy who played "war games in the woods with his Indian friends" is said to be Leon (as stated by himself), but could also be about Jimi. The third verse, by this account, channels Jimi's memories of his mother Lucille in hospital suffering from liver disease, and wishing to die so she would suffer no more: "to her legs she smiled you won't hurt me no more." Lucille did have cirrhosis of the liver, but was recovering outside of Hospital, when she was admitted unconscious to hospital, where she died from a ruptured spleen caused by a blow from an unknown source, not a liver complaint as is often stated, although this was listed as a contributing factor on her death certificate. The song "Little Wing
Little Wing
"Little Wing" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix. It was first recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience on their 1967 album Axis: Bold as Love...
" is also about his mother Lucille, according to Leon, although in interviews he gave an alternate interpretation, most likely so he would not have to recount painful memories for strangers. Jimi himself said the song was about the Monterey Pop Festival
Monterey Pop Festival
The Monterey International Pop Music Festival was a three-day concert event held June 16 to June 18, 1967 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California...
personified as a girl.
Locals from the Moroccan town Diabat
Diabat
Diabat is a village in western Morocco near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean about two kilometres south of the city of Essaouira. The Bordj El Berod is a ruined watchtower located somewhat south of the mouth of Oued Ksob near about one kilometre west of Diabat.-References:* Mark Ellingham The...
have claimed that the song title was inspired by the Bordj El Berod
Bordj El Berod
Bourj El Baroud is a ruined watchtower located somewhat south of the mouth of Oued Ksob near Essaouira, Morocco. This structure is located on a broad sandy beach directly across from Phoenician ruins at the southeast tip of the main islet of Iles Purpuraires...
-watchtower ruin. This statement however is not likely to be true as Jimi stayed in Morocco in 1969 (Castles Made Of Sand was written in 1967).
Covers
The song was covered by the Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, and a live version was featured on the 1994 B-Sides, Remixes, Outtakes and Live compilation CD Out In L.A.
Out in L.A.
Out in L.A. is a compilation of rare tracks by the Red Hot Chili Peppers released November 1, 1994 on EMI. The tracks contained are varied with the inclusion of four remixes, live cover songs by Jimi Hendrix and Thelonious Monk , demos and joke songs...
The same version was released on the 2003 remastered version of their album Mother's Milk
Mother's Milk
Mother's Milk is the fourth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on August 16, 1989, on EMI America Records. It was the first album to feature the band's most well-known lineup...
. The studio version was recorded in 1991 but was unknown to fans until it was released as an iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
exclusive bonus track to Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Rick Rubin, it was the band's first record released on Warner Bros. Records...
in 2006. Four Tet
Four Tet
Kieran Hebden is a post-rock and electronic musician. Hebden first came to prominence as a member of the band Fridge before establishing himself as a solo artist under the moniker of Four Tet....
also covered the song for the Late Night Tales
Late Night Tales: Four Tet
Late Night Tales: Four Tet is a DJ mix album compiled by Kieran Hebden, who goes by the pseudonym Four Tet. It is part of the Late Night Tales/Another Late Night compilation series.-Track listing:# "Haunted Feelings" – 2:21 - Rahsaan Roland Kirk...
mix album. The song was also covered (with "Little Wing
Little Wing
"Little Wing" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix. It was first recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience on their 1967 album Axis: Bold as Love...
") by Tuck & Patti
Tuck & Patti
Tuck & Patti are an American husband and wife jazz duo.Oklahoma born guitarist Tuck Andress met singer Patti Cathcart, a native of San Francisco, at an audition in Las Vegas in 1980. Prior to this, Tuck had been a session performer with The Gap Band....
.