High
Judith de los Santos Lyrics


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Captain, promise me that we won't fall from the sky
'Cause they keep saying that there's nothing wrong
But I can't see it in their eyes

I feel like a pretzel drinking $5 champagne
Forget your airline, I'm taking the train

This is way too high, high for me
I don't like to fly, this high in the air

I'm clinging to my tiny window seat that I can't leave
Killing time with boring magazines
That I've never cared to read

And I wish the sky would suddenly clear
'Cause I can't stand the ring in my ears

This is way too high, high for me
I don't like to fly, this high in the air

And I'm insecure once I get onboard
'Cause I feel for sure I will plunge to my death
Please don't leave me here where I can't walk on solid ground

Pleasant lady what are you smiling for?
Don't sell me headphones while I'm throwing up





High, high for me
I don't like to fly this high in the air.

Overall Meaning

Judith de los Santos's song "High" is a vulnerable and honest portrayal of her fear of flying. She begins the song by asking the captain to promise that the plane won't fall from the sky because she can't see any reassurance in the eyes of those around her. The anxiety she feels is palpable as she compares drinking cheap champagne on the flight to pretzels, and declares that she would rather take the train than be so high in the air.


The second verse delves even deeper into her fear, as she clings to her seat and distracts herself with magazines she doesn't care about. She wishes for the sky to clear and laments the ringing in her ears as the altitude changes. The pre-chorus reveals her insecurity about boarding the plane, and the fear that she will "plunge to her death" once she's on it. This fear is a common one shared by many who are anxious about flying, and Judith's lyrics capture the terror of that feeling perfectly.


Finally, in the last verse, she addresses the flight attendant, who is attempting to sell her headphones while she's feeling ill. The juxtaposition of the attendant's friendliness with her own extreme fear creates a sense of helplessness and isolation. The repetition of the chorus "This is way too high, high for me, I don't like to fly this high in the air" reinforces the visceral fear she feels, and the idea that being so high up in the air is something she just cannot handle.


Line by Line Meaning

Captain, promise me that we won't fall from the sky
Asking the captain to assure that the safety of the flight is guaranteed


'Cause they keep saying that there's nothing wrong
Others have said that there are no issues, but she is still feeling uneasy


But I can't see it in their eyes
She is unable to see the same level of confidence in the eyes of the others


I feel like a pretzel drinking $5 champagne
Feeling very uncomfortable while trying to enjoy a cheap glass of champagne


Forget your airline, I'm taking the train
Preferring an alternate mode of transportation due to a dislike of flying


This is way too high, high for me
Feeling like the height of the airplane is too much to handle


I don't like to fly, this high in the air
Opposing the idea of flying at a high altitude


I'm clinging to my tiny window seat that I can't leave
Holding tightly onto her window seat and being unable to move from it


Killing time with boring magazines
Attempting to pass time with uninteresting reading material


That I've never cared to read
She has no real interest in the magazines she is reading


And I wish the sky would suddenly clear
Desiring for the weather and air to stabilize and become clearer


'Cause I can't stand the ring in my ears
Experiencing discomfort from the ringing in her ears while on the flight


And I'm insecure once I get onboard
Feeling very unconfident and uncertain after boarding the plane


'Cause I feel for sure I will plunge to my death
Having a strong belief that she will not survive the flight


Please don't leave me here where I can't walk on solid ground
Requesting to be safely returned to the ground where she is more comfortable


Pleasant lady what are you smiling for?
Curious as to why the flight attendant is smiling while she is feeling so uncomfortable


Don't sell me headphones while I'm throwing up
Not wanting to be offered headphones while feeling nauseous and sick


High, high for me
Reiterating that the height of the flight is too high for her


I don't like to fly this high in the air.
Reaffirming her dislike for flying at high altitudes




Contributed by Grace W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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