Eight Miles High
The Byrds Lyrics
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You'll find that it's stranger than known
Signs in the street that say where you're going
Are somewhere just being their own
Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
Rain gray town known for its sound
Round the squares huddled in storms
Some laughing some just shapeless forms
Sidewalk scenes and black limousines
Some living some standing alone
"Eight Miles High" is a song by the American rock band The Byrds, released in 1966. The song uses the theme of airplane travel to explore the psychedelic and surrealistic experiences associated with the counterculture in the 1960s. The lyrics suggest that the journey to the unknown is stranger than anything we can perceive in our daily lives. The signs in the streets are being their own, meaning that they have a life of their own that we cannot control.
The second verse speaks to the loneliness and alienation that can come with a search for enlightenment. The image of a "rain gray town known for its sound" underscores the idea that the journey is often a difficult one. This is further reinforced by the line "nowhere is there warmth to be found among those afraid of losing their ground". The idea is that those who cling to convention will find no comfort in this strange and new world.
The final verse is a snapshot of the street scene, with its surreal juxtapositions of wealth and poverty, meaning and meaninglessness. The image of "black limousines" suggests the greed and excess of the establishment, while the "small faces unbound" are those who have managed to break free from convention and embrace a new way of thinking.
Line by Line Meaning
Eight miles high and when you touch down
At great heights, but upon landing, a strange reality awaits
You'll find that it's stranger than known
Discover a world that is more unusual than what was anticipated
Signs in the street that say where you're going
Visual cues provide direction towards a destination
Are somewhere just being their own
Indifference to direction from others, preferring to make one's own path
Nowhere is there warmth to be found
There is no welcoming presence or sense of comfort
Among those afraid of losing their ground
In a community where insecurity reigns and people dread losing their status or power
Rain gray town known for its sound
The environment is gloomy and noisy, but supposedly distinctive
In places small faces unbound
Individuals less commonly recognized by society thrive in certain corners
Round the squares huddled in storms
People living compactly, despite facing personal challenges
Some laughing some just shapeless forms
While some appear happy, others seem to lack direction or identity
Sidewalk scenes and black limousines
Contrasting images of everyday life and luxury
Some living some standing alone
People living together, yet simultaneously isolated from each other
Lyrics © Alfred, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAIVD CROSBY, GENE CLARK, JIM MCGUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@proud098
Eight miles high
And when you touch down
You'll find that it's stranger than known
Signs in the street
That say where you're going
Are somewhere, just being their own
Nowhere is
There warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
Rain-gray town
Known for its sound
In places small faces unbound
Round the squares
Huddled in storms
Some laughing, some just shapeless forms
Sidewalk scenes
And black limousines
Some living, some standing alone......
@JohnRoberts-wk6rf
I'm with you. I'm 67 and still listen to 60s and 70s music.
@liquidsonly
I'm 65 and I mostly listen Japanese math-rock and jazz. Gotta move on. Although, here I am.
@warshipsatin8764
this was one of my favorite songs as a kid. those shimmering chords sounded like the sun coming out after a thunderstorm
@patriciamays8244
Good description 😂
@patriciamays8244
Yep me on acid
@wallacegeller2111
Im 75 and still digging this song.
@AlunDavies-tm2lt
Don’t give it up Boss
@yanncarduner2558
IT s a gem
@avance1979
We did live the best years, didn't we.....
@user-eo2oz2tf4q
60s 70s... Great Albums