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.
Til Then
13th Floor Elevators Lyrics
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La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
I hear the sound of feet,
Of dancing in the street,
There's a dance that's coming on,
The sound of bells a ringing,
The sound of people singing
Something, I love something,
Something, I love something
Brings sadness from the heart
And the madness soon departs
Until we've found a way
As what it takes to say
When each man lends his voice
And grabs his only choice
Something, I love something,
Something, I love something
Something I love
Our dance is coming on,
And you know it won't be long
This is where the laughter plays,
So to lift your happy ways,
As the echo builds and swirls,
And you know the carpet fills,
And everyone will fly through space,
And so joins the human race
La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
The new will soon be found
As the air fills up with sound
The sound of bells a ringing,
The sound of people singing
And each man lends his voice
And grabs his only choice
Something, I love something,
Something, I love something
And you know I love those bells,
And you know I love those bells
Something else I'd love to say
The song "Til Then" by 13th Floor Elevators begins with a repetitious la-la refrain that sets the tone for the lyrics. The singer hears the sound of feet dancing in the street, and the anticipation of a coming dance builds. There's a sense of joyousness that permeates the song, and the lyrics serve to convey an uplifting message. However, there's also a note of sadness and madness that the singer feels deep in their heart, which dissipates as the song builds. The lyrics suggest that one finds happiness when they have found their true voice and grabbed hold of their only choice.
The singer feels that the dance is coming soon, and it won't be long before it is at hand. They suggest that the dance will provide a respite from the trials of life. It's a place where laughter abounds, and one can lift their happy ways. The lyrics also suggest that the dance is a place where everyone will join the human race, even if it's just for a moment. The singer wants to express something else they love and hint at it being the sound of bells. The song ends with the same la-la refrain that opened it, tying the message together.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la la
Repetition of nonsensical syllables for musical effect and to create a lighthearted mood
I hear the sound of feet,
The singer can hear the footsteps of people dancing in the street
Of dancing in the street,
People are dancing in the street, creating a lively atmosphere
There's a dance that's coming on,
There is an imminent dance event about to happen
Have a feeling it won't be long
The artist believes that the dance will start soon
The sound of bells a ringing,
Bells are ringing, adding to the celebratory vibe
The sound of people singing
People are also singing, contributing to the joyful noise
Something, I love something,
The artist feels deep affection for something, though it's not clear what it is
Brings sadness from the heart
Though the artist loves something, it also brings sadness or emotional pain
And the madness soon departs
Despite any sadness, the festive atmosphere helps to dissipate feelings of craziness or chaos
Until we've found a way
The singer suggests that there is a need to work towards something, possibly a solution to a problem
As what it takes to say
The following lines will provide an answer or solution to the previous statement
When each man lends his voice
Individuals contributing their voices or opinions to a cause is an important part of the solution
And grabs his only choice
People must take hold of their own autonomy and make their own decisions for the greater good
Our dance is coming on,
The singer repeats that the dance is about to happen
And you know it won't be long
The listener should also be aware that the dance will start soon
This is where the laughter plays,
The dance is a happy occasion filled with laughter
So to lift your happy ways,
The dance will improve everyone's mood and make them feel more joyful
As the echo builds and swirls,
The music and movement of the dance creates an echo effect that intensifies and moves in a circular motion
And you know the carpet fills,
Metaphorically, the dance floor or space is filling up with energies and emotion
And everyone will fly through space,
The people dancing will feel as if they are flying because of the freeing and uninhibited nature of the dance
And so joins the human race
Dancing is a universal activity that brings people together and creates a shared human experience
The new will soon be found
It's implied that something groundbreaking or exciting will happen soon
As the air fills up with sound
The musical sounds will grow louder and more intense as the dance progresses
And each man lends his voice
As previously stated, individual voices are crucial to achieving something positive
And grabs his only choice
People must take control of their own actions and make choices that will benefit everyone
And you know I love those bells,
The singer expresses their love for the sound of bells, which could symbolize the celebration or start of something new
Something else I'd love to say
The artist wants to express another sentiment, but it's not revealed what that is
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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