When we go to play, you flip around and flash around and everything, and then they’re not gonna see nothin’ but what their eyes see. Forget about their ears.

Meaning of the quote

This quote by musician Jimi Hendrix is about how when people are watching a performance, they often focus only on what they see with their eyes, rather than listening with their ears. Hendrix is suggesting that during a performance, the audience should forget about just watching the flashy movements and visual effects, and instead pay attention to the actual music and sounds. He wants the audience to really listen and experience the performance, not just look at it.

About Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix was an iconic American guitarist, songwriter, and singer widely regarded as the greatest guitarist in the history of popular music. Born in Seattle, he rose to fame in the 1960s with his groundbreaking and influential playing style, using effects like feedback and distortion to create a unique sound that shaped the course of rock music.

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More quotes from Jimi Hendrix

I used to live in a room full of mirrors; all I could see was me. I take my spirit and I crash my mirrors, now the whole world is here for me to see.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

When things get too heavy, just call me helium, the lightest known gas to man.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

When we go to play, you flip around and flash around and everything, and then they’re not gonna see nothin’ but what their eyes see. Forget about their ears.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

My nature just changes.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Music makes me high on stage, and that’s the truth. It’s like being almost addicted to music.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

It’s funny the way most people love the dead. Once you are dead, you are made for life.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

If it was up to me, there wouldn’t be no such thing as the establishment.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

When I played God Bless The Queen, I was wondering if they was gonna dig us, then quite naturally I’d go on and try to get it together.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

You don’t have to be singing about love all the time in order to give love to the people. You don’t have to keep flashing those words all the time.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I’m the one that has to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

All I’m writing is just what I feel, that’s all. I just keep it almost naked. And probably the words are so bland.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

You have to give people something to dream on.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

See, that’s nothing but blues, that’s all I’m singing about. It’s today’s blues.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I try to use my music to move these people to act.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I was trying to do too many things at the same time, which is my nature. But I was enjoying it, and I still do enjoy it.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I’m gonna put a curse on you and all your kids will be born completely naked.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Every city in the world always has a gang, a street gang, or the so-called outcasts.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

To be with the others, you have to have your hair short and wear ties. So we’re trying to make a third world happen, you know what I mean?

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

When I die, just keep playing the records.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

My goal is to be one with the music. I just dedicate my whole life to this art.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I wish they’d had electric guitars in cotton fields back in the good old days. A whole lot of things would’ve been straightened out.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

White collar conservative flashin down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I’m gonna wave my freak flag high.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

The reflection of the world is blues, that’s where that part of the music is at. Then you got this other kind of music that’s tryin’ to come around.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

All I’m gonna do is just go on and do what I feel.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I got a pet monkey called Charlie Chan.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I just hate to be in one corner. I hate to be put as only a guitar player, or either only as a songwriter, or only as a tap dancer. I like to move around.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Music is a safe kind of high.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Music is my religion.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

It’s funny how most people love the dead, once you’re dead your made for life.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

We have time, there’s no big rush.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I don’t have nothing to regret at all in the past, except that I might’ve unintentionally hurt somebody else or something.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

You have to forget about what other people say, when you’re supposed to die, or when you’re supposed to be loving. You have to forget about all these things.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I have this one little saying, when things get too heavy just call me helium, the lightest known gas to man.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you’ll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you’re gonna be rewarded.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Even Castles made of sand, fall into the sea, eventually.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Excuse me while I kiss the sky.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

I’ve been imitated so well I’ve heard people copy my mistakes.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

When I die, I want people to play my music, go wild and freak out and do anything they want to do.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

If I’m free, it’s because I’m always running.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

The time I burned my guitar it was like a sacrifice. You sacrifice the things you love. I love my guitar.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Imagination is the key to my lyrics. The rest is painted with a little science fiction.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

It all has to come from inside, though, I guess.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)

Rock is so much fun. That’s what it’s all about – filling up the chest cavities and empty kneecaps and elbows.

Jimi Hendrix

American guitarist (1942-1970)