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.
Slip Inside This House
13th Floor Elevators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the egg into the flower,
Alpha information sending
State within the heaven shower
From disciples the unending
Subtleties of river power
They slip inside this house as they pass by
In the water that you tread
All surroundings are evolving
In the stream that clears your head
Find yourself a caravan
Like Noah must have led
And slip inside this house as you pass by.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
True conception, knowing why
Brings even more than meets the eye
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
In this dark we call creation
We can be and feel and know
From an effort, comfort station
That's surviving on the go
There's infinite survival in
The high baptismal glow.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
There is no season when you are grown
You are always risen from the seeds you've sown
There is no reason to rise alone
Other stories given have sages of their own.
Live where your heart can be given
And your life starts to unfold
In the forms you envision
In this dream that's ages old
On the river layer is the only sayer
You receive all you can hold
Like you've been told.
Every day's another dawning
Give the morning winds a chance
Always catch your thunder yawning
Lift your mind into the dance
Sweep the shadows from your awning
Shrink the fourfold circumstance
That lies outside this house don't pass it by.
Higher worlds that you uncover
Light the path you want to roam
You compare there and discover
You won't need a shell of foam
Twice born gypsies care and keep
The nowhere of their former home
They slip inside this house as they pass by.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
You think you can't, you wish you could
I know you can, I wish you would
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
Four and twenty birds of Maya
Baked into an atom you
Polarized into existence
Magnet heart from red to blue
To such extent the realm of dark
Within the picture it seems true
But slip inside this house and then decide.
All your lightning waits inside you
Travel it along your spine
Seven stars receive your visit
Seven seals remain divine
Seven churches filled with spirit,
Treasure from the angels' mine
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
The space you make has your own laws
No longer human gods are cause
The center of this house will never die.
There is no season when you are grown
You are always risen from the seeds you've sown
There is no reason to rise alone
Other stories given have sages of their own.
Draw from the well of unchanging
Its union nourishes on
In the right re-arranging
Till the last confusion is gone
Water-brothers trust in the ultimust
Of the always singing song they pass along.
One-eyed men aren't really reigning
They just march in place until
Two-eyed men with mystery training
Finally feel the power fill
Three-eyed men are not complaining.
They can yo-yo where they will
They slip inside this house as they pass by.
Don't pass it by.
"Slip Inside This House" by 13th Floor Elevators is a psychedelic rock song that features heavily coded and dense lyrics. The song starts by referencing Bedouin tribes who are transitioning from animal/human forms into flowers, with the flower being a metaphor for enlightenment. The lyrics then mention a state of higher knowledge that is being communicated through disciples and the river's power. The imagery presented is that of slipping inside a house to receive these teachings or epiphanies. The chorus urges the listener to not pass by this house and to take advantage of the knowledge being offered.
The middle verses describe the importance of finding a community where one can grow in a supportive environment. The lyrics suggest that by living where your heart can be given, your life can unfold in the way you envision. The song talks about going beyond the limits of the physical self, transcending human gods, and arriving at a place where one's creativity is boundless. The final verses reference the seven chakras and the importance of tuning into the "always singing song they pass along."
One interesting aspect of the song is that the lyrics are incredibly dense and coded, making it a challenge to fully comprehend them. Another interesting fact is that the song's title seems to reference a popular drug at the time, LSD, and the idea of "slipping inside" one's own mind while under the influence. The song is considered one of the launching pads for the psychedelic rock genre in the '60s. The lyricist of the song, Roky Erickson, struggled with mental health issues throughout his life and was diagnosed with schizophrenia later on. The 13th Floor Elevators also experimented with electronic instruments to achieve a more unique sound, which can be heard in this song. The song was not initially successful at the time of its release, but its popularity grew in later years, and it is now considered a classic of the psychedelic rock genre.
Chords: D, A, G, C, F, Em, Dm, E, Am
Line by Line Meaning
Bedoin tribes ascending
The nomadic tribes of Bedouin people are moving upward towards a higher state of consciousness.
From the egg into the flower,
Enlightenment is a process of growth from an embryonic state to a blooming flower.
Alpha information sending
The source of all knowledge is sending out information to those who seek it.
State within the heaven shower
A state of pure consciousness can be reached through a divine experience.
From disciples the unending
Endless wisdom is passed down through the generations of disciples and seekers of knowledge.
Subtleties of river power
The subtle yet powerful flow of knowledge is likened to the constant flow of a river.
They slip inside this house as they pass by
Those who seek knowledge slip into a state of higher consciousness as they enter this house.
If your limbs begin dissolving
If you feel like you are losing control or dissolving, it may be a sign of entering a higher state of consciousness.
In the water that you tread
This state of dissolution may occur when you are in the midst of an experience that challenges your understanding of reality.
All surroundings are evolving
As you enter a higher state of consciousness, your perception of the world and your place in it will change and evolve.
In the stream that clears your head
This state of dissolution may be a cleansing process that clears your mind and allows for a new perspective to be gained.
Find yourself a caravan
To begin this journey of enlightenment, one must find a group of like-minded individuals to travel with.
Like Noah must have led
The journey to enlightenment is a journey of faith, much like the journey Noah led with his followers.
True conception, knowing why
True enlightenment comes from understanding the purpose behind it.
Brings even more than meets the eye
The benefits of this enlightenment are greater than what one may initially perceive.
In this dark we call creation
The material world that we know is a creation of darkness that is illuminated by the light of consciousness.
We can be and feel and know
Through enlightenment, we have the ability to truly exist, feel, and understand the world around us.
From an effort, comfort station
The journey to enlightenment is not easy, but once achieved, it is a state of comfort and ease.
That's surviving on the go
The journey towards enlightenment is ever-changing, and it is important to adapt and be flexible in this pursuit.
There's infinite survival in
Generating infinite strength and courage is key to this journey.
The high baptismal glow.
The journey towards enlightenment is a baptism of light, which elevates one towards transcendence.
There is no season when you are grown
Enlightenment is an evergreen experience that transcends seasons and time.
You are always risen from the seeds you've sown
The fruits of your efforts, in striving towards enlightenment, will continue to grow and flourish.
There is no reason to rise alone
It is important to share this journey of enlightenment with others, as this a collective human experience.
Other stories given have sages of their own.
Enlightenment is not just confined to one particular story or religion, but is found across many different cultural and religious traditions.
Live where your heart can be given
It is important to live in a place where your heart can be open to the world around you and be receptive to new experiences.
And your life starts to unfold
When you are open to new experiences, you allow your life to unfold and guide you towards enlightenment.
In the forms you envision
As your mind expands, you are able to see the world in different forms and dimensions.
In this dream that's ages old
This journey towards enlightenment is an age-old dream that has been pursued by many.
On the river layer is the only sayer
The river of knowledge is the only true voice that guides us towards enlightenment.
You receive all you can hold
As you open yourself up to the river of knowledge, you will receive as much as you are able to hold in your consciousness.
Every day's another dawning
Each day is a new beginning and a new opportunity to expand your understanding of the world and yourself.
Give the morning winds a chance
Be open to the experiences that come your way each day and be receptive to the opportunities that they present.
Always catch your thunder yawning
Be aware of the moments when you are most awake and alive, and embrace those moments to move towards enlightenment.
Lift your mind into the dance
To continue on the journey towards enlightenment, it is important to allow your mind to open and expand, dancing with the river of consciousness.
Sweep the shadows from your awning
Eliminate the doubts and fears that have been holding you back from true enlightenment and growth.
Shrink the fourfold circumstance
Reduce the complexity of life to its most fundamental principles, in order to more easily understand the world and yourself.
That lies outside this house don't pass it by.
Be mindful of the distractions and obstacles that exist outside of the journey towards enlightenment, and don't let these things obscure your vision or distract you from your pursuit.
Higher worlds that you uncover
Beyond the material world, there exist higher worlds and planes of existence that can be uncovered through enlightenment.
Light the path you want to roam
Enlightenment illuminates the path forward, freeing you to choose your own direction.
You compare there and discover
Through enlightenment, you are able to compare and contrast different paths forward, leading to personal discovery and growth.
You won't need a shell of foam
Enlightenment frees you from the superficiality of appearances and the need to hide behind them for validation or validation.
Twice born gypsies care and keep
Those who have been reborn through enlightenment are able to travel the world freely, and care and safeguard their newfound enlightenment.
The nowhere of their former home
The old way of life is no longer a place of belonging or comfort, and is viewed as a place of nowhere for the enlightened.
You think you can't, you wish you could
The journey towards enlightenment can seem daunting or impossible, but it is natural to wish for the freedom and growth that come with it.
I know you can, I wish you would
Enlightenment is within the reach of all who seek it, and is wished for by those who are already on the journey.
Four and twenty birds of Maya
The forces of illusion or Maya are everywhere, represented here as 24 birds.
Baked into an atom you
These forces of illusion are ever present, even on a subatomic level.
Polarized into existence
The material world is created through the polarization of these forces of illusion.
Magnet heart from red to blue
The heart and soul of humanity are the magnetic force that moves us towards understanding and enlightenment, represented here as the movement from red to blue.
To such extent the realm of dark
The forces of darkness or illusion are so pervasive and extensive that they seem to be the only reality.
Within the picture it seems true
The material world is so pervasive that it seems to be the only reality, but this is an illusion.
But slip inside this house and then decide.
Enter this house of enlightenment to gain a new perspective and decide for yourself the true nature of reality.
All your lightning waits inside you
The potential for growth, illumination, and transcendence exists within each of us.
Travel it along your spine
This potential energy can be unlocked and channeled along the spine and through the central nervous system.
Seven stars receive your visit
The seven chakras, or energy centers of the body, have the potential to receive and process this energy and move towards enlightenment.
Seven seals remain divine
As you move towards enlightenment, the seven seals or locks that have kept you bound in ignorance, are lifted.
Seven churches filled with spirit,
The seven churches represent the seven chakras, each filled with the spirit and energy of enlightenment.
Treasure from the angels' mine
This energy is a treasure, mined from the unlimited potential of the divine or angelic realm.
The space you make has your own laws
As you journey towards enlightenment, you create a space within yourself that is governed by your own unique rules and laws.
No longer human gods are cause
You are no longer defined by worldly or human constructs of power, status, or success.
The center of this house will never die.
The journey towards enlightenment centers around the eternal, divine, and infinite energy that exists beyond the confines of the material world.
Draw from the well of unchanging
Enlightenment is found in tapping into the unchanging, eternal, and infinite source of knowledge within us all.
Its union nourishes on
This union with the divine nurtures and sustains us on our journey towards enlightenment.
In the right re-arranging
Through a re-arrangement of our thoughts and beliefs, we can align ourselves with the divine and move towards enlightenment.
Till the last confusion is gone
The final goal of the journey towards enlightenment is to eliminate all confusion, doubt, and ignorance, and move towards true understanding and knowledge.
Water-brothers trust in the ultimust
Those who have achieved enlightenment have a deep trust in the ultimate power of the divine and the universe.
Of the always singing song they pass along.
Enlightenment is a journey of expansion and growth, and those who have become enlightened continue to pass along their knowledge and guidance to others.
Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Василий Зайцев
Bedoin tribes ascending
From the egg into the flower,
Alpha information sending
State within the heaven shower
From disciples the unending
Subtleties of river power
They slip inside this house as they pass by
If your limbs begin dissolving
In the water that you tread
All surroundings are evolving
In the stream that clears your head
Find yourself a caravan
Like Noah must have led
And slip inside this house as you pass by.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
True conception, knowing why
Brings even more than meets the eye
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
In this dark we call creation
We can be and feel and know
From an effort, comfort station
That's surviving on the go
There's infinite survival in
The high baptismal glow.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
There is no season when you are grown
You are always risen from the seeds you've sown
There is no reason to rise alone
Other stories given have sages of their own.
Live where your heart can be given
And your life starts to unfold
In the forms you envision
In this dream that's ages old
On the river layer is the only sayer
You receive all you can hold
Like you've been told.
Every day's another dawning
Give the morning winds a chance
Always catch your thunder yawning
Lift your mind into the dance
Sweep the shadows from your awning
Shrink the fourfold circumstance
That lies outside this house don't pass it by.
Higher worlds that you uncover
Light the path you want to roam
You compare there and discover
You won't need a shell of foam
Twice born gypsies care and keep
The nowhere of their former home
They slip inside this house as they pass by.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
You think you can't, you wish you could
I know you can, I wish you would
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
Four and twenty birds of Maya
Baked into an atom you
Polarized into existence
Magnet heart from red to blue
To such extent the realm of dark
Within the picture it seems true
But slip inside this house and then decide.
All your lightning waits inside you
Travel it along your spine
Seven stars receive your visit
Seven seals remain divine
Seven churches filled with spirit,
Treasure from the angels' mine
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
The space you make has your own laws
No longer human gods are cause
The center of this house will never die.
There is no season when you are grown
You are always risen from the seeds you've sown
There is no reason to rise alone
Other stories given have sages of their own.
Draw from the well of unchanging
Its union nourishes on
In the right re-arranging
Till the last confusion is gone
Water-brothers trust in the ultimust
Of the always singing song they pass along.
One-eyed men aren't really reigning
They just march in place until
Two-eyed men with mystery training
Finally feel the power fill
Three-eyed men are not complaining.
They can yo-yo where they will
They slip inside this house as they pass by.
Don't pass it by.
Tommy Hall / Roky Erickson
Mark Plummer
Corrected lyrics
Slip Inside This House
Tommy Hall & Roky Erickson
Bedoin in tribes ascending
From the egg into the flower
Alpha information sending
States within the heaven shower
From disciples the unending
Subtleties of river power
They slip inside this house as they pass by
If your limbs begin dissolving
In the water that you tread
All surroundings are evolving
In the stream that clears your head
Find yourself a caravan
Like Noah must have led
And slip inside this house as you pass by
Slip inside this house as you pass by
True conception, knowing why
Brings even more than meets the eye
Slip inside this house as you pass by
In this dark we call creation
We can be and feel and know
From an effort - comfort station
That's surviving on the go
There's infinite survival in
The high baptismal glow
Slip inside this house as you pass by
There is no season when you are grown
You are always risen from the seeds you've sown
There is no reason to rise alone
Other stories given have sages of their own
Live where your heart can be given
And your life starts to unfold
In the forms you envision
In this dream that's ages old
On the river layer is the only sayer
You receive all you can hold
Like you've been told
Every day's another dawning
Give the morning winds a chance
Always catch your thunder yawning
Lift your mind into the dance
Sweep the shadows from your awning
Shrink the fourfold circumstance
That lies outside this house
Don't pass it by
Higher worlds that you uncover
Light the path you want to roam
You compare there and discover
You won't need a shell of foam
Twice born Gypsies care and keep
The nowhere of their former home
They slip inside this house as they pass by
Slip inside this house as you pass by
You think you can't, you wish you could
I know you can, I wish you would
Slip inside this house as you pass by
Four and twenty birds of Maya
Baked into an atom you
Polarized into existence
Magnet heart from red and blue
To such extent the realm of dark
Within the picture it seems true
But slip inside this house and then decide
All your lightning waits inside you
Travel it along your spine
Seven stars receive your visit
Seven seals remain divine
Seven churches filled with spirit
Treasure from the angels' mine
Slip inside this house as you pass by
Slip inside this house as you pass by.
The space you make has your own laws
No longer human gods are cause
The center of this house will never die
There is no season when you are grown
You are always risen from the seeds you've sown
There is no reason to rise alone
Other stories given have sages of their own
Draw from the well of unchanging
Its union nourishes on
And the right re-arranging till the last confusion is gone
Water brothers trust in the ultimust
Of the always singing song
They pass along
One-eyed men aren't really reigning
They just march in place until
Two-eyed men with mystery training
Finally feel the power fill
Three-eyed men are not complaining.
They can yoyo where they WILL
They slip inside this house as YOU pass by
Don't pass it by
scottelliottmusic
They make psychedelic music seem so much more real and alive than the Beatles ever could. The Beatles always seemed like they were putting it all on to follow the trends. They recorded the same pop music, just dressed up in funny sounds. These guys get it. His lyrics and delivery are much more urgent, and to me more moving.
Beat S
Strawberry fields and Lucy in the sky with diamonds blow this away creativity and sound wise
J T
@Beat S Yeah, I mean no doubt 13th Floor Elevators is going to get more "cool points" for liking, being much more obscure to most people and not a household name like the Beatles, but it's ridiculous to denigrate the Beatles, which I think people who are into also truly great music do, just because of their utterly insane popularity, which they didn't ask for and got to the point they just stopped touring, because it clearly was no longer about the music at all, but purely their fame driving the whole screaming teenage girl hysteria.
Their massive contribution to music to me, actually lies in the fact that they could've kept doing the innocent, safe, and commercially preferable pop music they were, but instead decided to do whatever they wanted, essentially making it beyond acceptable to experiment, jam, etc.
Not to mention they did both still do amazingly good pop songs (McCartney, especially), but also clearly very innovative tracks for the time and culture: for example, Tomorrow Never Knows came out a year before this album on Revolver, and around the same time the Elevator's first album came out, which was honestly somewhat typical "garage rock" stuff (You're Gonna Miss me, etc.) in terms of sound/composition, albeit with Rocky's insane vocals and the weirdness/unique sound of the electrified jug.
Saliv88
“You think you can’t, you wish you could.
I know you can, I wish you would!”
I know there’s more to the line, but if you isolate that part it’s pretty uplifting.
warship satin
its a cult recruiter line lol
davieb1966
RIP Roky. An absolute legend. 'Psychedelic Sounds...' is the finest LP ever made, closely followed by 'Easter Everywhere'
Kenneth Thompson
Gremlins have pictures & Holiday Inn Tapes are both brilliant albums too! Just so many brilliant albums Roky created too choose from!!
Slow-Mo Moon Buggy
The most underrated psychedelic song EVER written. It's right up there in my top 10 psych songs of all time. Roky can emote lyrics like few can or could. He was feeling it on this. Bless you Roky and thank you.
T W
The Phantom - I get what you’re saying, I do think you’re correct don’t get me wrong, but I think he was more meaning it’s underrated in the sense that hardly anyone knows it, but suppose that’s the case for the majority of good music
Slow-Mo Moon Buggy
The PhantomBy "underrated" I mean I have never met anyone who knew about this song. No disrespect for The Mighty Elevators intended. Be well!