How David Crosby Helped Write “Eight Miles High” While High Himself

April 1, 2025

It was a cool evening in 1965 when David Crosby settled into a cozy corner of a dimly lit studio in Los Angeles. The air was filled with creative energy, but it was also thick with the haze of smoke from the small gathering of musicians. Crosby had been experimenting with his music, pushing the boundaries of what folk-rock could be. That night, with a few friends around and a sense of adventure bubbling inside him, he was ready to dive into something new. Little did he know that he would help create one of the most iconic songs of the era—”Eight Miles High.”

As the smoke drifted through the air, Crosby felt his imagination ignite. The idea for “Eight Miles High” began to swirl in his mind, inspired by a flight he had taken just weeks earlier. He was moving through the clouds, feeling the freedom that comes with soaring high above the earth. He grabbed his guitar, strumming a few chords that came pouring out like water from a spring. With every note, the sense of exhilaration deepened, and it felt like he was capturing the essence of flight itself. His friends, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark of The Byrds, joined in, their voices harmonizing with his. They were all high, not just on substances but on the electric thrill of creation.

The lyrics flowed like a river, vivid images of trains, skies, and dreams spilling out of Crosby’s mind. The song’s title, “Eight Miles High,” was a nod to the altitude he had experienced during his flight. It captured the essence of freedom, adventure, and, in a way, the feelings that came with the new counterculture movement. The three musicians worked tirelessly, crafting and refining the song until it felt just right. It was a blend of folk melodies and rock rhythms, a perfect representation of the changing times. Feeling the weight of their emotions and aspirations, they knew they were onto something special.

When “Eight Miles High” was finally released in 1966, it sent shockwaves through the music world. The song was unlike anything that had come before it, blending dreamy lyrics with complex guitar riffs that seemed to take the listener on a journey. Critics hailed it as a masterpiece, but it also stirred controversy. Some people believed that the song glorified drug use, while others simply felt it was a new form of artistic expression. Despite the backlash, the song became a defining anthem of the 1960s, bridging the worlds of rock and psychedelia.

For David Crosby, the experience of writing “Eight Miles High” was more than just a musical achievement; it was a turning point in his career. It opened doors for The Byrds and set the stage for the artistic experiments that were to come in the years ahead. The song taught him that creativity often comes from the most unexpected places, even moments of haziness and confusion. It reinforced his belief in the power of music to convey profound messages and emotions.

As time went on, Crosby faced his own struggles, from battling substance abuse to navigating personal challenges. Yet, the creation of “Eight Miles High” remained a beacon of hope and resilience for him. It was a reminder that beauty could emerge from chaos, that art has the power to lift us above our troubles. Whenever he played it, he felt a surge of inspiration, a connection to that magical evening in the studio. Through the power of music, he continued to soar, and just like the lyrics of the song, he knew that no mountain was too high to climb.