English group The Animals posed on stage at the Palladium Show in London in 1968. From left to right: Eric Burdon, Barry Jenkins, Hilton Valentine,...

About the song

In the realm of 1960s rock music, few bands epitomized the genre’s raw energy and psychedelic experimentation quite like The Animals. Hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, this quintet burst onto the international scene in 1964 with their transatlantic hit, “The House of the Rising Sun.” Their music, characterized by Eric Burdon’s gritty vocals, Alan Price’s driving organ riffs, and the band’s tight ensemble work, resonated with a generation seeking a sound that broke free from the constraints of traditional pop music.

Sky Pilot, released in 1968, stands as a testament to The Animals’ willingness to push the boundaries of rock music. Sky Pilot is a seven-minute epic that seamlessly blends elements of hard rock, blues, and psychedelia, creating a soundscape that is both exhilarating and thought-provoking.

The song’s opening is a cacophony of sound, with distorted guitars, pounding drums, and Burdon’s impassioned vocals setting the stage for a musical journey that is both intense and introspective. The lyrics, penned by Burdon, are a reflection on the Vietnam War and the social and political turmoil of the late 1960s. Burdon’s voice, imbued with a raw emotion that is both personal and universal, conveys the angst and disillusionment of a generation grappling with a world in turmoil.

As the song progresses, it builds in intensity, with the band’s instrumentation reaching a fever pitch. Price’s organ solos are particularly noteworthy, as they weave through the song’s structure like a thread of psychedelic energy. The lyrics become increasingly abstract, reflecting the song’s exploration of altered states of consciousness and the blurring of reality and perception.

The song’s climax is a powerful and cathartic release, with Burdon’s vocals soaring over a wall of distorted guitars and pounding drums. The final moments of the song fade away in a haze of reverb and feedback, leaving the listener with a sense of both exhilaration and exhaustion.

Sky Pilot is a challenging and rewarding listen, a song that demands attention and rewards it with repeated exploration. It is a testament to The Animals’ creativity and their willingness to experiment with the boundaries of rock music. Sky Pilot is a true psychedelic rock anthem, a song that captures the spirit of an era of social and political upheaval and the search for new forms of expression.

Video

Lyrics

He blesses the boys as they stand in lineThe smell of gun grease and the bayonets they shineHe’s there to help them all that he canTo make them feel wanted he’s a good holy man
Sky pilot…..sky pilotHow high can you flyYou’ll never, never, never reach the skyHe smiles at the young soldiers
Tells them its all rightHe knows of their fear in the forthcoming fightSoon there’ll be blood and many will dieMothers and fathers back home they will cry
Sky pilot…..sky pilotHow high can you flyYou’ll never, never, never reach the skyHe mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile
The order is givenThey move down the lineBut he’s still behind and he’ll meditateBut it won’t stop the bleeding or ease the hate
As the young men move out into the battle zoneHe feels good, with God you’re never aloneHe feels tired and he lays on his bedHopes the men will find courage in the words that he said
Sky pilot… sky PilotHow high can you flyYou’ll never, never, never reach the skyYou’re soldiers of God you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young handsMay God give you strengthDo your job real wellIf it all was worth it
Only time it will tellIn the morning they returnWith tears in their eyesThe stench of death drifts up to the skies
A soldier so ill looks at the sky pilotRemembers the words“Thou shalt not kill”Sky pilot…..sky pilot
How high can you flyYou never, never, never reach the sky

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *