After Be-Bop-A-Lula had become a huge hit in 1956 (peaking at #7 and spending 20 weeks in the Billboard Pop Chart), Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps (often mis-named as 'the' Blue Caps) were unable to follow it up with the same level of commercial success, but released critically acclaimed songs like Race With The Devil (#96 in Billboard) and Bluejean Bop (#49).
Following a visit to Europe in 1959, Vincent managed to attract a new huge and discerning audience there, especially in England and France. By that time his career had mostly ended in the US. In 1960, while on tour in Britain, Vincent and songwriter Sharon Sheeley were seriously injured in a high-speed traffic accident. Vincent broke his ribs, collarbone, and added further damage to his already weak leg which he had injured in a motorcycle accident in 1955 and refused to have amputated, and Sheeley suffered a broken pelvis. Both Vincent and Sheeley survived, but the accident killed Vincent's tourmate and Sheeley's fiancé, Eddie Cochran.
Vincent subsequently moved to England in 1963. His stage shows became "must see" events and his bands through those years were to spawn some of the most respected players in the world today. It was during his early tours of Britain that he adopted the trademark leather outfit, at the suggestion of British Rock 'n' Roll impressario, Jack Good.
High On Life
Gene Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You try to explain to a Berkeley cop
He choked with with my peats and shot me down for pot
I said, man I'm clean, I'm just about to blow my top
They finally took me in for possession of...
Love and my pocket knife
But I swear to God I was only high on life
High on livin', high on lovin'
I have no suit lapel in which to hold my flower
I said Lord, that's okay man
It's just the lateness of the hour
Well I be clean when heaven lets if shower
They finally took me in for possession of...
Love and my pocket knife
But I swear to God I was only high on life
High on livin', high on lovin'
High on livin', high on lovin,' and lovin' and forgivin'
High on livin', high on lovin'
High on livin', high on lovin,' and lovin' and forgivin'
High on livin', high on lovin'
High on livin', high on lovin,' and lovin' and forgivin'
The song "High On Life" by Gene Vincent tells the story of a man who was wrongfully accused of having drugs on him by a police officer. He pleads with the officer that he has no drugs, but he was only high on life - experiencing the pure joy of living. Despite his protest, he was arrested for possession of "love and my pocket knife." Throughout the song, Vincent emphasizes the importance of living life positively, being high on living, loving, and forgiving.
The verse "I have no suit lapel in which to hold my flower" suggests that the singer is a carefree and unconventional character. He is not bound by societal norms and lives by his own rules, taking pleasure in the beauty of life's simple things rather than material possessions. The line "They finally took me in for possession of love and my pocket knife" implies that he was arrested for being a free spirit and violating societal norms.
Overall, the song advocates for living life fully and positively, without the influence of drugs. Vincent sings about the importance of love, forgiveness, and the beauty of the simpler things in life. The lyrics also suggest an underlying theme of rebellion against societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Green hickorywood will make your fireplace hot
Burning green hickorywood will create a lot of heat in your fireplace.
You try to explain to a Berkeley cop
You attempt to justify your actions to a police officer in Berkeley.
He choked with with my peats and shot me down for pot
The officer mistook your peat moss for marijuana and shot you despite your innocence.
I said, man I'm clean, I'm just about to blow my top
You insisted that you were not guilty and were getting agitated.
They finally took me in for possession of... Love and my pocket knife
You were eventually arrested for carrying a pocket knife and having too much love in your heart.
But I swear to God I was only high on life
You claimed that your positive outlook on life, not drugs, was responsible for your behavior.
High on livin', high on lovin'
You were feeling great and full of love.
High on livin', high on lovin,' and lovin' and forgivin'
You were experiencing an abundance of positive emotions, including love and forgiveness.
I have no suit lapel in which to hold my flower
You don't have a flower to put on your suit lapel because you're not wearing a suit.
I said Lord, that's okay man, It's just the lateness of the hour
You prayed to God and explained that you were not concerned about having a flower because it was late at night.
Well I be clean when heaven lets if shower
You will be pure when God washes away your sins.
High on livin', high on lovin'
You are still feeling great and full of love.
High on livin', high on lovin,' and lovin' and forgivin'
You continue to experience an abundance of positive emotions, including love and forgiveness.
High on livin', high on lovin'
You are still feeling great and full of love.
High on livin', high on lovin,' and lovin' and forgivin'
You are still experiencing an abundance of positive emotions, including love and forgiveness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RONNIE SELF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gene V Rocks
"i was only high on living" great Gene...i love his music,no matter what they say but he is one of my greatest heroes!
Eddie McKeown
The Rock'n'Roller who never surrendered!
Bianca Bagnolet
C'est magnifique j'aime beaucoup c'est trop génial j'adore
Cookie Ceo
Loved Gene Vincent. Great music. I will live on forever.
Thomas Haverstock
One of the the greates singer every
Max Brand
The Day the World Turned Blue is the song Gene would've had a hit if it was given more airplay and High On Living is a good one a mixture of Country & Pop that was at it's peak.
Berny Rock
Peut-être son dernier album mais toujours cet immense talent ? !!!!!!!
rockake
I bought Gene´s last album back in the summer of 1978 at a time I did not yet know that Gene had died almost seven years earlier. I loved the song then and I still do. Yes, Ronnie Self wrote the song but it was also recorded by ex-Blue Cap Scotty McKay who might adviced Gene to record it himself.
psychkoala
Ronnie & Gene - two of the greatest Rockabilly artists of all time !
zummazumma
i love this song - it's my new fav