Following the album's release, the Screaming Jets went to the UK where they based themselves for over two years, touring there and throughout Europe with a variety of hard rock and heavy metal bands. During a series of shows with Ugly Kid Joe, Heaney was fired and replaced for the rest of the tour by one-time Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland.
The band's next album Tear of Thought, which featured Heaney's drumming, was initially slow to gain acceptance until a cover of Boys Next Door's "Shivers" saw the Screaming Jets back in the charts. Heaney was permanently replaced in the line-up by former BB Steal drummer Craig Rosevear and after a US tour with Def Leppard Lara was replaced by Melbourne musician Jimi "The Human" Hocking, who had previously fronted his own band, Jimi Human and Spectre 7, that released an album and two singles at the turn of the decade.
While the Screaming Jets remained only moderately successful overseas, in Australia they were one of the top-drawing live bands of the early-mid 1990s and perhaps the last remaining example of the pub rock acts that had ruled the country's live scene in the late 1970s - mid 1980s. While their single releases rarely scored high on the charts, they won significant airplay on rock radio and the band's tours were wildly successful. In 1995 the Screaming Jets' self-titled album made history when it became the first CD launched via live Webcast.
By the late 90s the Screaming Jets were touring less often and had not released an album of new material since 1996. Hocking had left in 1997 to be replaced by former Judge Mercy guitarist Izzy Osmanovich and after an extensive Australian tour in 2000, Rosevear left to be replaced by Col Hatchman. Although no longer the force they had once been, the Screaming Jets could still draw large crowds and in 2001 were selected to tour with Kiss and Alice Cooper; at the end of that year the band announced an extended break from all touring and recording, playing a final series of shows.
In December 2002, the Screaming Jets did another brief tour in support of a self-financed live album that had been recorded the previous year, but then did not play live again until mid-2004. Since then have continued to record and tour, though more sporadically than during the early 1990s and have also signed a record publishing deal with Universal Records.
High As A Kite
The Screaming Jets Lyrics
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Cut me laughin with a child's delight
And as for us these kind of days go I've found worse.
See got me up as high as a kite.
I rule the earth.
You want to touch the sky.
But I could soon fly from your sight.
Yes I could and leave you all to wonder why.
Time is the test so I don't need your blessing each day.
As high as I like and as much as I know.
Time is the test so I don't need your blessing today.
Got me so low that I can see the dirt
My mind it wallows in the gutter.
But I'll just keep my big mouth shut
And listen to every word that you utter.
Said as high as I like and as far as I know,
Time is the test so I don't need your blessing each day.
Well as high as I like and as much as I know, Time is the test so I don't need your blessing each day.
don't need nothin
Yeah well as high as I like and as far as I know Time is the test so I don't need your blessing each day.
Said as high as I like and as much as I know time is the test.
I'll take it as high as I like and as far as I go.
Said as high as I like and as much as I know time is the test.
So I don't need your blessing today.
The Screaming Jets's song "High As A Kite" is a rock anthem about freedom and living life on your own terms. The song is about feeling euphoric and unstoppable, as if you have the world at your feet. The opening line "I'm as high as a kite, my mind soars high above the earth" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is in a state of pure ecstasy, laughing uncontrollably and feeling like a child once again. In the chorus, the singer declares that he doesn't need anyone's approval and he can do whatever he wants, flying as high as he pleases.
As the song progresses, we see a different side of the singer. He goes from feeling invincible to feeling small and powerless. "Got me so low that I can see the dirt, my mind it wallows in the gutter" is a stark contrast to the previous chorus. However, even in this state, the singer is content to listen and learn from others, showing a sense of humility.
Overall, "High As A Kite" is a song about the ups and downs of life. It's about embracing the good times and weathering the bad, all while staying true to yourself and enjoying the ride.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm as high as a kite, my mind sours high above the earth.
My mind is elevated to a state of euphoria, soaring high above the troubles of the world.
Cut me laughin with a child's delight
I am laughing uncontrollably, like a child filled with joy and wonder.
And as for us these kind of days go I've found worse.
Considering the circumstances, these days are not as bad as they could be.
See got me up as high as a kite.
I am lifted to a high state of mind that resembles flying a kite.
I rule the earth.
In this elevated state, I feel powerful and in control of everything around me.
You want to touch the sky.
Others may aspire to reach great heights, like touching the sky, but I am already there.
But I could soon fly from your sight.
I am so elevated that I could quickly disappear from your view and fly away.
Yes I could and leave you all to wonder why.
My departure would leave others wondering why I am able to achieve such a high state of mind.
As high as I like and as far as I know Time is the test so I don't need your blessing each day.
I am in control of how high I go and I am aware that time is limited, so I do not require anyone's approval to enjoy this state of mind.
Got me so low that I can see the dirt My mind it wallows in the gutter.
At times, I can sink so low that I see the negativity and filth in the world and it affects my state of mind.
But I'll just keep my big mouth shut And listen to every word that you utter.
Despite my elevated state, I will remain humble and listen to what others have to say.
don't need nothin
I require nothing from anyone to maintain this elevated state of mind.
Well as high as I like and as much as I know Time is the test so I don't need your blessing each day.
Once again, I am in control of how high I go and I am aware that time is limited, so I do not require anyone's approval to enjoy this state of mind.
Said as high as I like and as far as I know, time is the test.
I am certain that time will eventually bring me down from this elevated state, so I will enjoy it while it lasts.
I'll take it as high as I like and as far as I go.
I will maximize my elevated state to the fullest extent possible.
So I don't need your blessing today.
Once again, I do not require anyone's approval to enjoy this state of mind.
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Earthy Irwin
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Great work Grant Walmsley