"Machine Gun" is a song written by American musician Jimi Hendrix, and originally recorded for the 1970 Band of Gypsys album, with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles.

[3][4] Hendrix's long guitar solos and percussive riffs combine with controlled feedback to simulate the sounds of a battlefield, such as helicopters, dropping bombs, explosions, machine guns, and the screams and cries of those wounded or grieving.

[5] He was backed by drummer Mitch Mitchell, bassist Cox, and conga player Juma Sultan, who along with Larry Lee and Jerry Velez, performed at Woodstock as "Gypsy Sun and Rainbows".

The rather sparse lyrics, which differ in every performance, relate the point of view of a soldier fighting in war: Machine gun, tearin' my body all apart Evil man make me kill you, evil man make you kill me Evil man make me kill you, even though we're only families apart Well, I pick up my axe and fight like a farmer But your bullets still knock me down to the ground With the Band of Gypsys, Hendrix's vocals are accompanied by drummer Miles's vocals.

This version, which was edited to 7:30 (actual length was about 12:56), was not well received among fans, as Douglas had brought in session musicians to overdub drum, bass and even guitar parts, which had been lacking due to either poor recording quality or damage to the tapes[citation needed].