5 Greatest Covers Of “Purple Haze”

“Purple Haze” established Jimi Hendrix’s career as an extraordinary musician. It became the very song with which the people connected with him. And although this wasn’t his first single, it became the first to rise Hendrix and his Experience to even greater heights of fame. And to cover something so ethereal as Hendrix himself is a risky business. But for these 5 artists and their great attempts to accept the challenge, may perhaps result in something far greater than what’s anticipated. Take a listen to them below.

The Cure

Reinventing the song according to their own rules, The Cure’s version is what you need to hear if you want something unexpected yet still blissed-out. It was included on the 1993 Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix album, spearheaded by Robert Smith.

Frank Zappa

When Frank Zappa created his version of “Purple Haze,” he made sure that he was doing it in an awesome way that no one in the universe would ever imagine: mixing Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” and making it wonderfully weird. This outside-the-box performance is peak Zappa creativity.

The Stooges

Iggy Pop’s adoration to Jimi Hendrix is no secret, given that he tries his best to pay tribute to the guitar legend. With that, Pop’s The Stooges gave their rambunctious take on the singer’s greatest song, which sounds so casually splendid.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Try to imitate Hendrix’s style of playing and you’ll end up disappointing yourself. But with Red Hot Chili Peppers, giving justice to the song is more than enough.

Vitamin String Quartet

What makes “Purple Haze” remain iconic over the years is due to how well the song marks itself in different song levels. You may least expect this one, but Vitamin String Quartet’s orchestral version of the song is purely whimsical to hear.