I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.
Jimi HendrixRead
I've been imitated so well I've heard people copy my mistakes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the idea that imitation can extend beyond one's strengths to their failures as well.
Jimi Hendrix's quote speaks to the nature of creativity and influence in the arts, highlighting that not only do people seek to replicate the successful elements of an artist's work, but they can also inadvertently mimic their flaws. This suggests that authenticity and individuality are paramount, as true artistry involves personal expression rather than mere imitation, even if that imitation includes errors.
Themes
ImitationArtistryCreativityInfluenceAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at an art seminar discussing the balance between inspiration and imitation.
More from Jimi Hendrix
All quotes βTechnically, I'm not a guitar player, all I play is truth and emotion.
Jimi HendrixRead
I try all night to play a pretty note.
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It's time for a new National Anthem. America is divided into two definite divisions. The easy thing to cop out with is sayin' black and white. You can see a black person. But now to get down to the nitty-gritty, it's getting' to be old and young - not the age, but the way of thinking. Old and new, actually... because there's so many even older people that took half their lives to reach a certain point that little kids understand now.
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... with Voodoo Child somebody was filming when we started doing that. We did that about three times because they wanted to film us in the studio, to make us (imitates a pompous voice) 'make it look like you're recording boys' - one of them scenes, you know, so okey, let's play this and then we went into Voodoo Child
Jimi HendrixRead
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