This is a perfect example of the psychedelic music of the 60s. I remember when it first came out it was hugh hit. You need to listen to other songs from this iconic 60s band. They were known for doing covers of Bob Dylan songs such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" , "My Back Pages" and "All I Really Want To Do" with a rock and psychedelic flavor. They also wrote some great songs such as this one and "Mr. Spaceman" and "Chestnut Mare".
The Byrds had just completed a tour of England, and the lyrics of the song were impressions of London. Though the cruising altitude of the Byrds transatlantic flight was closer to six miles high, the band thought that the line "Eight Miles High" made a cooler sounding lyric and title. That choice backfired, when various radio stations misinterpreted the title and song to be about a drug experience, and banned broadcasting the recording. The song's style of music was inspired by a tape repeatedly played by the band, of certain John Coltrane Jazz saxophone music, and Ravi Shankar Indian sitar music. Band vocalist David Crosby worked out the harmonies. The song was the final studio recording that the Byrds made with vocalist Gene Clark.
I always loved the Byrds, with their unique acoustic guitar sound. I always liked the song 5D (fifth dimension) off this same album, however one of their biggest hits is Chesnut Mare.
I’m liking hearing songs that I remember hearing from this time that seems to be forgotten now days - I had a guitar riff stuck in my head for over a year but couldn’t remember the words- FINALLY found it- Pictures of Matchstick Men and You by Status Quo - very psychedelic sound too with unforgettable riff😊
Double Entendre - double meaning - was a common approach the psychedelic bands used to keep their drug songs from getting banned from the airwaves. Yeah, maybe the reference was to a plane flight, but all of the Byrds, including especially David Crosby, were quite the drug users. Another example of this from that period was The Association's *Along Comes Mary* which was supposedly about some girl, but Mary was Marijuana. The same year 1966, Paul McCartney recorded his ode to Marijuana entitled *Got To Get You Into My Life* which was also a song that praised marijuana. You might want to react to both of them as Along Comes Mary was the single best song The Association did (I'd recommend it as "one of those Must Hear" songs from the 1960's) & GTGYIML is damned catchy, too, though no Uber Classic (horns are used in it prominently)
Yeah man! This takes me way back to when my oldest sister was dropping acid and listening to the Beatles while I was digging all her .45’s on a portable battery operated record player. 😊 Not at the same time, just that era.
Traffic, "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys", "Dear Mr Fantasy", "Light up, or leave me alone". Head East, "Never been any Reason", Three Dog Night, "Liar*, "One Man Band". Zebra, "Who's behind the Door?" Blue Oyster Cult, *Dominance and Submission", " Hot Rails to Hell", "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll*. *Then came the last days of May"...
Except for the fact that 707s didn't cruise eight miles high, it is a very accurate description of crossing the Atlantic and spending time in London in the 1960s. It describes their first trip there.
Typical Byrds sound. Twangy 12 string. It's about going on tour, landing in strange grey towns and not knowing where you are. It was very popular at gigs, and they always had to play it. They missed it once and the audience almost tore the place apart. On their album, known as untitled, the live track is 20 minutes long, including a fabulous bass solo, then the lyrics break in and the crowd go wild. Great piece of music. Other brilliant Byrds songs are, Chestnut mare, So you wanna be a rock and roll star., Mr. Spaceman. Turn turn Turn. Bells of Rhymney.
Signs in the street that say where you're going, are somewhere just being their own. That is such an LSD line. The Byrds claimed that it wasn't a drug song, to keep it from being banned on the radio, but seriously.....
This is a perfect example of the psychedelic music of the 60s. I remember when it first came out it was hugh hit. You need to listen to other songs from this iconic 60s band. They were known for doing covers of Bob Dylan songs such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" , "My Back Pages" and "All I Really Want To Do" with a rock and psychedelic flavor. They also wrote some great songs such as this one and "Mr. Spaceman" and "Chestnut Mare".
The Byrds had just completed a tour of England, and the lyrics of the song were impressions of London. Though the cruising altitude of the Byrds transatlantic flight was closer to six miles high, the band thought that the line "Eight Miles High" made a cooler sounding lyric and title. That choice backfired, when various radio stations misinterpreted the title and song to be about a drug experience, and banned broadcasting the recording. The song's style of music was inspired by a tape repeatedly played by the band, of certain John Coltrane Jazz saxophone music, and Ravi Shankar Indian sitar music. Band vocalist David Crosby worked out the harmonies. The song was the final studio recording that the Byrds made with vocalist Gene Clark.
@@supafrogg258 Thanks for the backstory! I hadn't heard those details before. Lucky for me the NYC radio stations played this sing all the time.
@steveullrich7737
NYC, eh? I saw the Byrds when they performed at Fordham University, Bronx. Best wishes!
@@supafrogg258 Well actually Long Island but we all listened to the FM stations from the city.
I always loved the Byrds, with their unique acoustic guitar sound. I always liked the song 5D (fifth dimension) off this same album, however one of their biggest hits is Chesnut Mare.
I’m liking hearing songs that I remember hearing from this time that seems to be forgotten now days - I had a guitar riff stuck in my head for over a year but couldn’t remember the words- FINALLY found it- Pictures of Matchstick Men and You by Status Quo - very psychedelic sound too with unforgettable riff😊
It’s about a flight to London, but it doesn’t have to have only one meaning.
"Rain gray town." I've been to London.
Liverpool, I believe. Very accurate for the Sixties.
And it still sounds like its coming thru a transistor radio. Three channels- left, right both😂 great tune, ah the memories. 🙏🍁
One of my all-time favs...love the 60s...great selection...peace
Great music. I felt goosebumps immediately, from the first guitar riffs. A fantastic band!
Double Entendre - double meaning - was a common approach the psychedelic bands used to keep their drug songs from getting banned from the airwaves. Yeah, maybe the reference was to a plane flight, but all of the Byrds, including especially David Crosby, were quite the drug users. Another example of this from that period was The Association's *Along Comes Mary* which was supposedly about some girl, but Mary was Marijuana. The same year 1966, Paul McCartney recorded his ode to Marijuana entitled *Got To Get You Into My Life* which was also a song that praised marijuana. You might want to react to both of them as Along Comes Mary was the single best song The Association did (I'd recommend it as "one of those Must Hear" songs from the 1960's) & GTGYIML is damned catchy, too, though no Uber Classic (horns are used in it prominently)
This song is so iconic it was mentioned in Don McLean's American Pie
Everyone should hear Duran Duran, "Ordinary World" at least once in their life.
the version by "GOLDEN EARRING " is good too
A classic song from my formative (teen) years...I hate to change the subject; but you might want to listen to the version by Leo Kottke...
Yeah man! This takes me way back to when my oldest sister was dropping acid and listening to the Beatles while I was digging all her .45’s on a portable battery operated record player. 😊 Not at the same time, just that era.
Traffic, "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys", "Dear Mr Fantasy", "Light up, or leave me alone". Head East, "Never been any Reason", Three Dog Night, "Liar*, "One Man Band". Zebra, "Who's behind the Door?" Blue Oyster Cult, *Dominance and Submission", " Hot Rails to Hell", "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll*. *Then came the last days of May"...
The flight was 6 miles high, they were 2 miles higher.
Here's a suggestion for you. You like Bob Dylan, The Byrds covered Mr. Tambourine Man by Dylan, a #1 Billboard Charts topping hit.
Except for the fact that 707s didn't cruise eight miles high, it is a very accurate description of crossing the Atlantic and spending time in London in the 1960s. It describes their first trip there.
Typical Byrds sound. Twangy 12 string. It's about going on tour, landing in strange grey towns and not knowing where you are. It was very popular at gigs, and they always had to play it. They missed it once and the audience almost tore the place apart. On their album, known as untitled, the live track is 20 minutes long, including a fabulous bass solo, then the lyrics break in and the crowd go wild. Great piece of music.
Other brilliant Byrds songs are, Chestnut mare, So you wanna be a rock and roll star., Mr. Spaceman. Turn turn Turn. Bells of Rhymney.
James Gang "Walk Away"
Thanks for reacting to this one😊I love The Byrds...hope you will react more to them.
The Byrds did a great job with this song. I like the Roxy Music version of it much better. You should try it.
I always think of Don McLean's American Pie when I hear this song. Have you heard/reacted to American Pie? Its in top 10 Essential Songs.
Check out The Zombies- Time of the season, and She's not there
Signs in the street that say where you're going, are somewhere just being their own. That is such an LSD line. The Byrds claimed that it wasn't a drug song, to keep it from being banned on the radio, but seriously.....
another song by them turn turn turn
Please check out "Feel a Whole lot Better". Trust me.
Golden Earring better version