Title: "Eight Miles High"
Artist: The Byrds
Album: Fifth Dimension, 1966
Written By: Gene Clark, Roger McGuinn and David Crosby
In a decade that arguably had the most daring and iconic rock and roll songs, I think that this tune is the greatest single of the 1960's. It is tight, wonderfully written and constructed, and as promised by the title, it truly does soar with an air of mystery. It features still unique 12-String solos from McGuinn (who claims to have been inspired by John Coltrane when playing these dense and frenetic solos) and the best vocal harmonizing in rock (eclipsing even the Beach Boys or the Beatles). There is some dispute regarding songwriting credit. All parties, including Crosby himself, acknowledge that David Crosby contributed very little, just a lyric line or two (Crosby has joked that it was the most profitable phrase he ever wrote: "Rain grey town, known for its sound"). Traditionally, it was viewed as mostly a Gene Clark composition, his last parting gift before he bolted the group, with him writing most of the lyrics and developing the melody of the song. But McGuinn has since claimed that the lyrics were a true collaboration, and that he came up with the melody and music. Clark is unfortunately no longer with us to defend himself.
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22 comments:
I really like this song. Greatest single of the 1960s, though? That's quite a claim. I'll have to listen again (and again) and ponder. And then announce my findings to the world!!
Name a better one from that decade.
Yesterday, Hey Jude, A Day in the Life, I Heard it through the Grapevine, Sunshine of Your Love, Sympathy for the Devil, All Along the Watchtower, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, For What It's Worth, Blowin in the Wind, Georgia on my Mind, Stand by Me, Like a Rolling Stone, Dazed and Confused, Whole Lotta Love, California Dreamin', Proud Mary, Light My Fire, Dock of the Bay, Purple Haze, You Really Got Me, My Generation . . .
A Change is Gonna Come, The Weight, Gimme Shelter, God Only Knows, Suspicious Minds, I've Been Loving You Too Long, ...
I really like that Byrds song. A lot. Just saying, the 1960s covers a lot of good ground. Definitive statements raise eyebrows.
Anonymous: No; No; On technical grounds, I'm not sure this was released as a single, but no; no; Hell No; No; No; No; No; No; No; No; This one would be in contention, I'll give you that one; Not released as a single, and hell no; No; No; No; Another one that would be in contention; No; No; Good one, but probably no and No.
JMW: No; excellent song, but no; Another one in contention; Beautiful song, but ultimately no; No and No.
Keep trying.
Ha! A bit dismissive, aren't we?
I think I'm making the same point as JMW. Many consider the 60's to be the golden age of rock and roll, so declaring "Eight Miles High" as the greatest single of the entire decade is a very bold statement, especially when it is only #13 on your list.
The intent of my song list was strictly to show that there is a lot of good (and important) material from the 60's. Since it was straight from the hip, the list is neither complete nor exhaustive, and I'm sure I missed some obvious choices. I admittedly did no research as to the release dates or the success of said singles, so I will defer to you if some are excluded for technical reasons.
Sincerely,
GNABB Blog Troll
Well, we are dealing with two different things here, though. My list is simply my personal favorite 24 songs. Nothing more, nothing less. But in my commentary, on a more analytical and somewhat more objective level, I made the comment that "Eight Miles High" is the greatest single of the 60's. I still think that is so. Therefore, I can actually have a song from the 60's higher on my list of personal favorites, yet still make the statement that "Eight Miles High" is the greatest single from the era. If that makes any sense. In other words, a list of the best or most important songs would look very different from a list of my personal favorites. But with my commentary, I was sort of mixing the two.
I'd be happy to make a more "objective" list of the songs I consider most important or influential or whatever, but it would look very different from a personal favorites list.
Here's my beef with "Sunshine of Your Love." I really dig Cream, but that song, to me, is one of their least interesting. It is a lumbering bore of a riff, not really a song. For great hard rocking Cream, I'd say go to "White Room," "Strange Brew," "SWALBR," "Crossroads," even "Deserted Streets of the Heart." And "Badge" is a great, great song. I've always disliked "Sunshine of Your Love."
Oops. I meant "Deserted Cities of the Heart," not "Streets..."
Point well taken. My favorites list would not necessarily be the most important, influential or even the "best" of a particular era. Maybe my disagreement with Eight Miles High stems from a differing definition of "greatest single." I actually love the song. I just have an issue with it being the greatest of the entire decade.
Personally, I prefer Badge or SWALBR, but like I said, my list was from the hip, so I was trying to throw out some representative singles of the era which many would consider to be on the same level or greater than Eight Miles High.
I think I would really enjoy Clapton's response to "Mr. Clapton, do you regret the use of such a lumbering bore of a riff in Sunshine of Your Love?" Get to work on that interview, RayTM.
Just because it is a personal favorites list, it does not mean that they are immune from criticism. So challenge me whenever you think one of picks sucks or is just mediocre, that is part of the fun of these things.
But seriously, what are some singles that you think are really better than "Eight Miles High" from the 60's? It is really one of those rare, absolutely perfect songs.
Of your list so far, Red Rain is the only song that I feel is mediocre. I'm not a Peter Gabriel fan, but it seems like there are several better choices.
Tears for Fears is a perfect example of why I would hesitate to criticize a personal favorites list. They would not be on my list, but that song is definitely part of the soundtrack of the 80's, so who can blame you for including it on your list? I hate to admit it, but just off the top of my head, I can think of songs from Journey, the Black Crowes, Widespread Panic (yes, I was impaired for most of the 90's)and numerous cheese metal bands that would make my Top 100 even though I attach little, if any, artistic merit or cultural significance to their works. I certainly couldn't defend their value if pressed to do so, but they remind me of good times, so they would be included.
Of the songs I listed above, I would put "Hey, Jude," "A Day in the Life," "Like a Rolling Stone," "Whole Lotta Love," "(I Can't Get No)Satisfaction" and "Light My Fire" ahead of "Eight Miles High" for greatest single of the 60's, and I think a legitimate argument can be made for most of the others, but that's just my personal opinion.
I hear you. I actually made a Top 200 list for myself (and as a playlist on my iPod), and there were three Journey songs on it. I grew up loving Journey. Screw it, I still love their music. Even the three crappy prog albums they made, pre-Steve Perry. (But Black Crowes? Why not just go to the real thing - The Rolling Stones?)
In the 90's, I'm sure more than one person was introduced to Exile on Main Street by a similar comment. I guess you arrogant audiophiles do serve a purpose after all.
We do what we can for the ignorant masses.
The Black Crowes are far from original, but I've never understood the idea that they're a pale copy of the Stones. They might be a copy of many different bands, but not a perfect copy of any of them, and their best songs are hardly pale.
Plus, Chris Robinson's voice (which can be great) is completely different from Jagger's.
Having just returned from a trip to my iTunes, I realize I've been confused. I think "5D" is the Byrds song I've been thinking of, which is tremendous. "Eight Miles High" is interesting and good, but also noodly at times (most notably 1:30 to 2:20) and kind of Blue Oyster Cult-y (not that that's terrible) and overall not anywhere near the best song/single of the 1960s. I now see just how much you're playing the provocateur. Well played!
Noodly?! One of the most distinctive uses of a 12-string in rock history. It has some of the tightest harmonies I've ever come across; the vocals just soar. It is mysterious and glorious. It is the masterpiece from a band who created many brilliant songs. What is wrong with you people?
Well, the good news is that this debate prompted me to just listen to about two straight hours of the Byrds. Time well spent.
Sunshine of Your Love is a lumbering bore of a riff, and Eight Miles High is noodly. Damn, this is a tough blog.
Sincerely,
The Ignorant Masses
Ray is right about Eight Miles High and Sunshine of Your Love. And I, for one, would say it to Clapton's face. (I wouldn't really.)
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