"All Along the Watchtower" is a Bob Dylan composition strongly identified with the iconic Jimi Hendrix interpretation, recorded with the Jimi Hendrix Experience for their third studio album, Electric Ladyland in 1968.

The Hendrix version, released six months after Dylan's original, became a Top 20 hit in 1968, it received a Grammy in 2001 & was ranked 40th in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2021.

Of the song, Bob Dylan said it was “A small song of mine that nobody paid any attention to” except Jimi Hendrix, who heard something more in the tune than just a rudimentary three-chord strum. 

This is a truly a mesmerising performance of that song from '68 - Dylan had the grace and good sense to say that Jimi made this song completely his own - and he did !!

As one commenter said "I heard him long ago - 68/69. I was tripping out at the time and I was having a total "Out of body" experience - with the sound track peformed live by Jimi Hendrix - what more could you want !!

Comments:

TonyBurke100

I was a teenager when he recorded this and now I'm 70 and I still get goose bumps when I hear him.

williamdippo7991

Jimi never died . Earth was just a part of his tour . 

vincentpolly5752

The Godfather of Psychedelic Rock.

michaelphenis8240

The guy was a magician. He was doing magic with that guitar.

gilbertochavez5380

I was born in 2012 but I love this song it was my brother who showed me how to love songs from the last century

robertgustison3249

I saw him  in July 25, 1970 at the Sports Arena in San Diego three month before he passed away. I was 21 and in the Navy with VF-121, the original top gun. It was an experience like the ones he asked us about in his song and it seems almost as if it were yesterday. Of course the music was beyond great. He lit his guitar on fire, played and sang with true soul and took the time to talk to the audience at length.  I am 74 now and it is a memory I will enjoy forever.

killmongue99

The best guitar man of all times. Mr Jimi Hendrix 

ellenschwartz-tn5wi

My all time favorite song ever !! NEEDS a LOVE button ️

drbob512

I was fortunate to see Hendrix live on the first day of the 3 day Newport Rock Festival in summer 1969, on a Friday night, and he blew my mind when he played all the songs from the Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced album, including All Along the Watchtower, Purple Haze & Crosstown Traffic. I saw purple velvet sky bc I was a hippie back then & had partaken. So memorable, I will never forget that  peak "experience" the rest of my life. Thx for posting this great song video!

uckbee

What a phenomenon this was 55 years ago and what a wonder it still is; still so fresh, so rich, so expertly nuanced one fails to tired of it.

kallymavromatis123

Watching him makes me cry; what a loss. What a talent. RIP, Jimi.

robertwilliams1534

Still love this song 60 years later

moneybagzz

This is THE greatest song to drive to at night, when you're not that close to home, missing the familiar....not sure why I feel that way....but it captures the zeitgeist of the time that was before my time.....

fmlpa

2024 : still listening. Hendrix was a true certified genius. I bet he had an extraordinary high IQ. He was and always will be the best guitarist God put on this planet. Miss him so much. Love you Jimi.

themartindunehotel2654

PURE GENIUS ! The best version of this legendary song ever !!

kevinsimpson2352

I thank Jimi for introducing me to Bob Dylan ! He truly appreciated Dylan and showed us (the world) what he heard when he listened to Dylan's music. Even Dylan was blown away!

QuantumJG90

The ‘60s are the best! No decade compares. Love Jimi Hendrix. Used to get high and listen to his music. 332 days clean of prescription opioids now.

Cynthia-eu7yu

My favorite Jimi Hendrix song.  The lyrics are soooo good.

ronpatton9424

Oh My God! This is still a MASTERPIECE!

keysersoze660

I painted a life-sized mural of Jimi burning his Strat at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.  I was 15 years old.  The year was 1993.  I have never seen anyone immortalize him better than I did.  Then I saw this and got knocked to the floor.  Absolutely majestic, with a lot of heart and soul.  I can't imagine anyone beating this.  This video is pure art at its best!

user-mc3jg6bz6x

One guitar, one bass, one drum kit, no synthesizer...magic

Dan.d649

Jimi was the man. He entertained, and despite him being so young, was a very accomplished musician. This song ranks way up there to this day, and it is the greatest rock ballad of the late '60s in my opinion. We can't ever forget his "guitar prowess" on stage, because that's how we quickly identified him. Anytime we think about a legend like Jimi Hendrix, we approached the collosal fact that he never died, and that's because Jimi's music always was so powerful with added emotion, that he pretty much was always here with us.

Cemddd

What a style !! Pure talent. RIP legend to himself

4man

This song is so poignant for me. June 1971 I went for basic training in the Navy, having been conscripted. Later, on my ship  i played this when i was duty quartermaster at wake up call in the morning and change of watches.

Jimi still my favourite blues man 53 years later. After a lifetime of war and overcoming the effects of war.

kesavanvallathol5909

 by one and only Jimi Heendrix

Eclipse52776

Just learned the intro on my guitar, I feel proud that I'm getting to learn one of the guitars king songs.

omunozl

This is whole song to me is OTHERWORLDLY""

jewellmendes1496

The Legend Never died 

jenniferboynton9619

I heard him long ago--68/69. I was tripping at the time and it was an "Out of body" experience...

James-ze5tq

You know Jimi is still playing somewhere - he's up in the Stars - rest in peace Jimi Hendrix - hopefully we'll meet again someday - peace and love to you all.