Friday, January 30, 2015

Texas Spotlight: The 13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me/Tried To Hide





The region by region Battle of the Garage Bands moves on to Texas. It is a documented fact (from the1966 Census of Garage Bands) that every kid in Texas between the age of 13 and 23 was in no less than three garage bands at each time. Even that weird kid, Marvin, from Waco. He was in three bands just like everybody else. It's a fact. Look it up.

We launch our Texas spotlight with an infamous record from a legendary band. The 13th Floor Elevators. They need no introduction. The song needs no introduction. But I guess we have to say something about it.

You're Gonna Miss Me was composed by 17-year old frontman, Roky Erickson. Roky had already recorded the number in 1965 with his high school band, The Spades. When he met up with The Elevators, they gave the song a fresh coat of paint, changed the tires and added a big fuzzy jug to the song. They recorded the number in '65 and released it in the first week of '66 on Contact Records. Four months later it was released again on International Artists Records in May.

I think we all agree, this is one of the all time greats. Particularly the ominous bridge with the brilliant chord progression that lifts the song to new heights (just like a bridge should).
I gave you the warning
But you never heeded it
How can you say you missed my loving
When you never needed it
You're gonna wake up wondering
Find yourself all alone
But what's going to stop you baby?
I'm not coming home (x3)
Let's be honest, every casual 13th Floor Elevators fan knows both these songs as they are both on the debut album. But what you may not have known is that this Flip-Side, Tried To Hide, is a very different, earlier take than what appeared on the album. We present to you today, that single version. Faster, bassier, boppier. Even a little bit like Love's My Little Red Book there at the opening.

Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!

3 comments:

  1. I've never heard that version of Tried To Hide. I think I like the slower version on the LP more. What's that sound that first appears at :30? It repeats at similar spots in the song. The lead guitar work is particularly cool. Very neat version. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Yeah, I think I'll take the LP version too. But this is pretty amazing. That jug is front and center on this fast, fast version. That breathy thing that you are referencing is pretty amazing, huh?

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  2. found it in a 50cents section 20 years ago

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