Raga Rock

The song is credited to Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn (aka Roger McGuinn), and David Crosby. It was released first as a single in 1966, backed with “Why.” It was also released later that year on The Byrds’s album Fifth Dimension.  “Eight Miles High”  went to #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #24 on the U.K. Singles Chart.   On the track are Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke.

There was a U.S. radio ban on “Eight Miles High” because it was felt that the lyrics advocated the use of recreational drugs. Did it? You be the judge. Anyway, the song is considered progressive, with its Indian influences, jazz influences, and impressionistic/poetic lyrics. The song became influential itself in the genres of psychedelic rock, raga rock, and psychedelic pop. It has been inducted in to the Grammy Hall of Fame and is also on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Here are the lyrics to “Eight Miles High” by The Byrds:

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 its 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

For other songs by The Byrds: “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

Please click here for the Daily Doo Wop YouTube channel, to which you can subscribe. Thank you for stopping by The Daily Doo Wop. Hope you enjoyed “Eight Miles High” by The Byrds.