In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Am I High
Asleep At The Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me oh my
Folks all seem to drift on by
Tell me true friend am I high
Am I high
Please Don't Lie
Or have my legs been rubberized
[Chorus]
Was it that gage that incited my rage
Or was it the booze that got me so confused
Perhaps that cocaine caused me to exclaim
As I fell to the floor give me more give more
Am I high
My mouth sure is dry
I keep on laughin' 'lil I cry
Askin' myself
Am I High
Am I high
Just look in my eyes
If you could see them from the other side
You'd still be wonderin'
Am I high
[Chorus]
The song "Am I High" by Asleep At The Wheel is a classic country song that talks about the feeling of being under the influence, but not exactly knowing which substance or substances have caused it. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, and are essentially a plea for help in determining whether or not the singer is high. The song is essentially an exploration of the effects of various drugs and how they can alter a person's perception of reality, leaving them unsure of their own state of mind.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the entire song, as the singer wonders if he is high, with people passing by without even noticing him. He then turns to a friend for help, asking them to tell him if he is high or not. The chorus of the song explores the various substances that might have caused his high, including marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine. The singer is confused and unsure of what is happening to him, and he asks for more of whatever it is that has caused his high.
In the second verse, the singer continues to explore the physical and mental effects of being high, noting how his mouth is dry and how he is laughing until he cries. He then asks the listener to look into his eyes to determine if he is high or not. The song ends with the chorus once again, as the singer continues to wonder what has caused his high and if he will ever be able to get back to reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I high
Questioning whether or not under the influence of a drug
Me oh my
Expressing surprise or disbelief
Folks all seem to drift on by
Others seem to be unaffected and moving normally
Tell me true friend am I high
Asking for an honest opinion about the current state of being
Please don't lie
Requesting for truthful response
Or have my legs been rubberized
Suggesting physical effects of substance use
Was it that gage that incited my rage
Asking if marijuana caused anger
Or was it the booze that got me so confused
Questioning if alcohol caused confusion
Perhaps that cocaine caused me to exclaim
Suggesting that cocaine may have caused an outburst of emotion
As I fell to the floor give me more give more
Describing a physical reaction to drug use
My mouth sure is dry
Noticing physical effects of drug use
I keep on laughin' 'lil I cry
Expressing an emotional response to drug use
Askin' myself
Questioning self
Just look in my eyes
Suggesting that eyes may indicate substance use
If you could see them from the other side
Imagining a non-drug using perspective
You'd still be wonderin'
Indicating uncertainty and ambiguity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BENSON, O'CONNELL, SHERIDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
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