Eight Miles High
Roger McGuinn & Calexico Lyrics

The lyrics of "Eight Miles High" by Roger McGuinn and Joan Baez evoke a sense of disorientation and alienation. The opening line "Eight miles high" hints at a lofty, transcendent state, but quickly juxtaposes it with the disorienting experience upon "touching down." This sudden descent into a world that is "stranger than known" suggests a disconnect between the expected and the reality encountered. The signs in the street, meant to guide and provide direction, are instead described as merely existing "just being their own," implying a sense of chaos and unpredictability.

The lyrics then pivot to a portrayal of a bleak and desolate urban landscape, where warmth and comfort are elusive. The reference to a "Rain gray town" paints a picture of a dreary, lifeless environment, devoid of vibrancy or joy. The town is known for its sound, perhaps hinting at a superficial reputation or facade that hides the underlying emptiness and despair. The line "In places small faces unbound" suggests a sense of individuals lost or disconnected from their surroundings, further emphasizing the isolation and lack of belonging.

The following verses delve into scenes of urban life marked by indifference and detachment. The "Round the squares huddled in storms" imagery conveys a sense of people gathered together in the midst of turmoil or crisis, with some individuals finding amusement in the chaos while others become shapeless and lost in the crowd. The mention of "Sidewalk scenes and black limousines" juxtaposes the everyday mundanity with symbols of wealth and privilege, highlighting the stark contrasts and inequalities present in the city. The final lines reflect a sense of isolation and solitude, with some individuals merely existing while others stand out as loners or outcasts in the crowd.

Overall, the lyrics of "Eight Miles High" paint a vivid portrait of a disorienting and unsettling urban landscape, where individuals struggle to find connection and meaning amidst a backdrop of chaos and emptiness. The imagery employed by the songwriters conveys a sense of alienation, disillusionment, and fragmentation, inviting listeners to contemplate the complexities and contradictions of the human experience in a modern, impersonal world.