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'When I was a little boy, I believed that if you put a tooth under your pillow, a fairy would come in the night and take away the tooth and leave a dime. Now, I believed in myself more than anything. And, I suppose in a way, that's also believing in God. If there is a God and He made you, then if you believe in yourself, you're also believing in Him. So I think everybody should believe in himself. That doesn't mean you've got to believe in heaven and hell and all that stuff. But it does mean that what you are and what you do is your religion. I can't express myself in easy conversation-the words just don't come out right. But when I get up on stage-well, that's my whole life. That's my religion. My music is electric church music, if by 'church' you mean 'religion', I am electric religion.'

Jimi Hendrix#42

MusicArtSpiritualityIdentitySelfBeliefFaithSelf reliance

About this quote

What does it mean?
Hendrix compares believing in oneself to believing in God, suggesting that self-trust is a form of spirituality. He defines his music and stage presence as his personal religion.
In plain terms
Believing in yourself is like believing in God, and your life and music are your religion.
What can you take from it?
Trust yourself and let your creative work define your spiritual practice.

Where it applies

  • creative work
  • personal belief
  • performance

Putting it to work

  • focus on self-trust
  • define personal values
  • express through art

Questions to consider

  • What serves as your personal religion?
  • How do you express your values?

Another view

Equating self-belief with faith in a deity may not resonate with atheists.

More from Jimi Hendrix

  1. 'Technically, I am not a guitar player, all I play is truth and emotion.'

    Permalink to quote #41
  2. 'I wouldn't say that I'm the greatest guitarist ever. I'd say probably that I'm the greatest guitarist sitting in this chair.'

    Permalink to quote #43
  3. 'We call it 'Electric Church Music' because to us music is a religion.'

    Permalink to quote #40

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