The band rattled to the middle of the Hot 100 in 1966 with You're Gonna Miss Me, anchored by Roky Erickson's unforgettable yelping vocals, Stacy Sutherland's guitar, and Tommy Hall's electric jug runs. According to myth, Tommy's jug was tuned by the amount of marijuana stored in it.
The group pioneered some of the first garage psychedelia on its albums The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators 1966, and the followup Easter Everywhere 1967.
However, Texas at that time was an extremely conservative area that still hadn't come to terms with 50's rock 'n' roll. The authorities and the police set out to bust the entire band for pot (and—not surprisingly—succeeded).
Stacy Sutherland was jailed. To avoid a prison term, Roky pleaded insanity—a misguided ploy that landed him in Rusk State Hospital for the criminally insane for 3 years. That turn of events spelled the end of the band, although there was a posthumous 1968 LP, Bull of the Woods.
Roky Erickson was released from hospital in 1973 and embarked upon a successful solo career that resulted in a CBS album produced by Stu Cook from Creedence Clearwater Revival. During the 1980s he struggled with mental illness and withdrew from public life for many years. However, in the 2000s he has re-emerged with one of his late 70s/early 80s backing bands, The Explosives, playing regular gigs including the Austin City Limits festival in September 2005, as well as Coachella in California, the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden and Montreal World Film festival in Canada.
On May 31, 2019, Roky Erickson passed away.
I Had to Tell You
13th Floor Elevators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With it's finger clinging,
But I can hear you singing,
In the corners of my brain.
Every doubt has found me.
Every sound of grows drier.
Everything is quiet.
But the song that keeps me sane.
Echo in my voice softly.
I can feel your strength,
Reinforcing mine.
If you fear I'll lose my spirit,
Like a drunkard's wasted wine,
Don't you even think about it,
I'm feelin' fine.
Mmmhmmm
I can hear your voice,
Echo in my voice softly.
I can feel your strength,
Reinforcing mine.
If you fear I'll lose my spirits,
Like a drunkard's wasted wine,
Don't you even think about it,
I'm feelin' fine
Mmmhmmm
The lyrics of "I Had to Tell You" by 13th Floor Elevators convey an emotional state of chaos and doubt, with the singer feeling overwhelmed by the world around them. Yet, there is a sense of resilience in the face of these challenges, as the singer describes being able to hear the voice of someone they care about singing in their mind. This voice becomes a source of comfort and strength, offering reassurance that they can overcome whatever difficulties they may face.
The repeated refrain of "I can hear your voice, echoing in my voice softly" suggests an intimate connection between the singer and the person whose voice they hear. This connection is further highlighted by the image of their strength reinforcing the singer's own. The reference to the fear of losing one's spirit, like "a drunkard's wasted wine," adds a sense of urgency to the lyrics, implying that the singer is in danger of losing themselves to despair or anxiety. However, the final line, "Don't you even think about it, I'm feelin' fine," suggests a determination and confidence in the face of adversity.
Overall, the song showcases the power of human connection and the ways in which the love and support of others can help us navigate even the most challenging of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Chaos all around me,
I am currently surrounded by disorder and confusion.
With it's finger clinging,
The chaos seems to be aggressively holding onto me.
But I can hear you singing,
Despite the chaos, I can still hear your voice singing in my mind.
In the corners of my brain.
Your voice seems to be coming from deep within my thoughts.
Every doubt has found me.
I am currently experiencing doubt in every aspect of my life.
Every sound of grows drier.
The sounds around me are becoming dull and lifeless.
Everything is quiet.
There seems to be a sense of emptiness and stillness around me.
But the song that keeps me sane.
Your voice and the song you're singing is the only thing that can keep me mentally stable and grounded.
I can hear you're voice,
Your voice is still present in my mind.
Echo in my voice softly.
I can almost hear my own voice echoing your words.
I can feel your strength,
Your influence and strength is tangible in my life.
Reinforcing mine.
It feels like you are empowering me to be stronger and more resilient.
If you fear I'll lose my spirit,
If you are worried that I will lose my optimism and energy.
Like a drunkard's wasted wine,
Like a person who has lost all control and usefulness, like wasted wine.
Don't you even think about it,
Do not concern yourself with this, I am capable of maintaining my spirit.
I'm feelin' fine.
I am doing well and feeling mentally healthy and stable.
Mmmhmmm
An expression of contentment and satisfaction.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
v2lovers
i love this song more than can be conveyed here
Svetick Semitsvetick
i know I'm very late, but me too. i feel you
Svetick Semitsvetick
i love this song to death too
Sisterray Ray
RIP Roky. Such a beautiful song.
driloc
Just pick certain bands, entirely up to the listener, and be thankful that you share the love of their music amongst a few intimate souls in your Earth circle. This is one, and most people don't get it or get it too late. Keep enjoying.
CircunferenciaPunga
try Blops, from Chile.
Dave Stone
That album cover. Psychedelic yet spiritual an radiating in the sun. Love this one. How legendary for witness ears Roky singing a love ballad then blow your ear drums out with is cut to the bone scream an voice only ears can describe. Stands alone to the ones who KNOW!
Dawn Kelly Irvine
Beautiful! One of my favorite songs.
jimmy swope
the beauty of this song is overwhelming,love you Roky.
joe a
such a stunning track ✨ the harmonica makes it even dreamier...