I have no doubt there have been billions of songs written, performed, recorded, remembered and sometimes forgotten. But among all the songs that have ever been written, there is a small percentage that have struck a nerve, become part of the cultural zeitgeist, and been re-recorded and performed by hundreds of musicians and bands. Songs like “Caravan” or “Louie Louie” and the song on which I am going to focus for the next hour, “Hey Joe”.
Most people may have first heard the song when the version by Jimi Hendrix was released, and perhaps thought it was an old Blues or folk song from the early part of the 20th century. But, in truth it was written by Billy Roberts, a folk singer and copyrighted in 1962. He performed in New York City and San Francisco in the early sixties, and no doubt many people heard the song during his performances. In 1965, the Los Angeles band, The Leaves released a recording of the song, credited to Dino Valenti. This recording was the start of many different recordings and interpretations of the song.
I have no idea why one song might become a hit, while another one fails. I can only acknowledge that it happens. In the case of “Hey Joe”, it is curious, as there are many similar songs, old folk and blues songs, about murder and jealous lovers and betrayal. But from that category, “Hey Joe” is the song most people remember.
Billy Roberts – Hey Joe
Love – Hey Joe
The Litter – Hey Joe
The Music Machine – Hey Joe
The Soul Benders – Hey Joe
Sandy Nelson – Hey Joe
Yuya Uchida & Flowers – Hey Joe
Patti Smith – Hey Joe
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Hey Joe
The Tangents – Hey Joe
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Hey Joe
Johnny Hallyday – Hey Joe
Dead Moon- Hey Joe
The Make-Up