Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Artificial Energy
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I took my ticket to ride
Just a matter of time now
Til I'll be up in the sky.
Coming up on me now,
I'm king for a night
What's it gonna be now?
How willful things are building insightDo you think it's really the trip that you seek?
I've got my doubts it's happened to me.
Artificial energy
I've got a strange feeling
I'm going to die before my time
'Cause I'm coming down off amphetamines
And I'm in jail 'cause I killed the queen.
The lyrics to The Byrd's song "Artificial Energy" explore the theme of excess and the dangers of artificially induced highs. The singer, sitting alone and vulnerable as the song begins, seems to be on the cusp of a trip of some kind that promises to make them "king for a night." However, as the lyrics continue, doubts begin to bubble up - "do you think it's really the trip that you seek?" - and a sense of foreboding takes hold. The singer worries they'll die before their time due to their reckless behavior, symbolized by the reference to amphetamines and the fact that they are "in jail 'cause I killed the queen."
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting all alone now
I am currently isolated and with myself
I took my ticket to ride
I have decided to embark on a journey
Just a matter of time now
It won't be long before my journey takes off
Til I'll be up in the sky.
I'll soon be up in the sky as part of my journey
Coming up on me now,
Everything is beginning to unfold
I'm king for a night
I have a feeling of dominance and control
What's it gonna be now?
What surprises and challenges await me?
How willful things are building insight
I am learning and gaining experience from the challenges and surprises
Do you think it's really the trip that you seek?
Is this journey really what I want and need?
I've got my doubts it's happened to me.
I have my reservations about the journey I am on
Artificial energy
An unnatural or temporary form of fuel
I've got a strange feeling
I have a sense that something is not quite right
I'm going to die before my time
I fear that my journey may have serious consequences and may end my life prematurely
'Cause I'm coming down off amphetamines
The artificial energy I used to fuel myself is wearing off
And I'm in jail 'cause I killed the queen.
The consequences of my actions have led to me being imprisoned
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CHRIS HILLMAN, MICHAEL JAMES CLARKE, ROGER MC GUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@channelchenes4541
"Eight Miles High", a song about air travel:
Gets banned on radio for drug references
"Fifth Dimension", a song about Einstein's theory:
Gets banned on radio for drug references
"Artificial Energy", finally a song blatantly about drugs:
Does NOT get banned on radio
@williamclark6233
Sitting all alone now
I took my ticket to ride
Just a matter of time now
Til I'll be up in the sky.
Coming up on me now,
I'm king for a night
What's it gonna be now?
How willful things are building insight
Do you think it's really the trip that you seek?
I've got my doubts it's happened to me.
Artificial energy
I've got a strange feeling
I'm going to die before my time
'Cause I'm coming down off amphetamines
And I'm in jail 'cause I killed the queen
@gurusoft1
One of the 10 greatest albums of the 1960s. Certainly the most underappreciated. A stunning electronic folk rock journey.
@vinonavortex5582
Thought this album was one of the all time best when it came out still think so todat
@valuecalc
I love it when the fellows refer to The Beatles' classic "Ticket to Ride."
@donaldmattia1491
One of my favorite Byrds albums,every song a gem.
@elizabethlinsay9193
ABSOLUTELY!!!!
@MAR18012
One of my favorite albums period...
@ericbono
@@MAR18012 It's a masterpiece along w/ David Crosby's If I Could Only Remember My Name
@frommetoyou1981
This song is one of the best opening album tracks ever. The brass is sensational.
@ofthewordintheworld
that's how to do it :)
@vinonavortex5582
You are so right