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]
In Asleep At The Wheel's song "Am I High?", the lyrics aim to narrate a person's confusion and uncertainty about whether they are high or not. The song begins by questioning one's state of being high and the confusion that comes with it. The person is perplexed as everyone around them seems to drift away while they are stuck in a trance. The lyrics ask a true friend to confirm if they are high or not, indicating the person's desperation to know the truth about their situation.
The chorus explores the different substances the person might have taken that could create such a state of mind. The person is unsure if it was the "gage," i.e. marijuana, that caused their rage, was it the "booze" that got them confused or was it the "cocaine" that made them demand more. The song concludes with the person's dry mouth, laughing until they cry, and still wondering "Am I High?" The lyrics encapsulate the feeling of being confused and not knowing what's going on, coupled with the uncertainty that comes with taking drugs.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I high
Questioning whether or not I am under the influence of drugs
Me oh my
Expressing surprise or shock at the idea of being high
Folks all seem to drift on by
Noticing that the people around me are behaving oddly or moving slowly
Tell me true friend am I high
Asking a trusted person for an honest answer about my state of mind
Please Don't Lie
Requesting that the person I am asking for an opinion tells the truth
Or have my legs been rubberized
Wondering if my physical sensations are due to drug use or another cause
Askin' myself Am I High
Continuing to ask myself if I am under the influence of drugs
Was it that gage that incited my rage
Wondering if a particular drug (in this case, marijuana) caused me to become angry
Or was it the booze that got me so confused
Considering whether or not alcohol caused my state of confusion
Perhaps that cocaine caused me to exclaim
Thinking about the possibility that cocaine influenced my behavior or speech
As I fell to the floor give me more give more
Describing a situation in which I became physically out of control and may have asked for more drugs
Just look in my eyes
Suggesting that my physical appearance might provide clues as to my drug use
If you could see them from the other side
Joking that my eyes are so bloodshot, they might be visible from the perspective of the other side of my head
You'd still be wonderin' Am I high
Asserting that even if someone were to examine me closely, it might still be difficult to determine if I am under the influence of drugs
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.