Eight Miles High

"Eight Miles High" is a single from The Byrds' 1966 album Fifth Dimension. Written by Gene Clark, Roger McGuinn, and David Crosby, it is one of the earliest pieces of psychedelic rock music. The obscure lyrics were written by Clark, and describe the group's plane trip to England in 1965. The song was banned by some radio stations because of its alleged reference to drugs.

McGuinn's twelve string guitar playing was heavily inspired by John Coltrane's saxophone on "India" (1961). The plane's engine is supplied by Chris Hillman's bass line, while the frenetic rhythm guitar work by Crosby and fast drumming of Michael Clarke add some turbulence to the flight. In an old tape added to the 1996 re-issue of the album, Crosby said that the catastrophic ending of the song made him "feel like a plane landing".

An earlier version of this song had been recorded in RCA Studios in late 1965. It was later covered by Leo Kottke, Roxy Music, Hüsker Dü and Golden Earring.

Lyrics

Eight miles high and when you touch down

You’ll find that it’s stranger than known

Signs in the street that say where you’re going

Are somewhere just being their own

Nowhere is there warmth to be found

Among those afraid of losing their ground

Rain gray town known for it’s sound

In places small faces unbound

Round the squares huddled in storms

Some laughing some just shapeless forms

Sidewalk scenes and black limousines

Some living some standing alone

Links

• McGuinn plays the break on the 12-String from THE KENCAVE

Sources

• ByrdWatcher: A Field Guide to the Byrds of Los Angeles
• Article by BBC - Radio 2 Sold on Song
• Lyricsfreak
• [McGuinn plays the break on the 12-String ] at THE KENCAVE