Wilco – I Must Be High

I really like this band and many of the bands during this period. Good music and good lyrics…they have it all. This one album is quite different than their later albums. It sounded like a continuation of Tweedy’s former band Uncle Tupelo. 

This song was the opening song on their A.M. album released in 1995. Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar had creative differences with Uncle Tupelo so they split…Tweedy with Wilco and Farrar with Sun Volt. They both released an album within 5 months of each other. 

Wilco was formed in 1994 in Chicago, Illinois, following the breakup of Uncle Tupelo. The band was founded by Jeff Tweedy, along with former Uncle Toledo members John Stirratt, Ken Coomer, and Max Johnston. Over the years, Wilco evolved from an alternative country sound into a more experimental and genre-blending style. After this album, their sound changed from the alt-country sound they had with Uncle Tupelo.  

The album wasn’t a commercial success but it would pick up fans through the years. I’ve also added Casino Queen to this post. The two were the first two the band ever recorded as Wilco. All songs on the album were written by Jeff Tweedy. The album peaked at #27 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart.

Jeff Tweedy: We recorded “A.M.” with Brian Paulson at Easley Studios in Memphis. “I Must Be High” is the first take of the first performance that we ever did as Wilco. Maybe that’s noteworthy. We had all been in a band together as Uncle Tupelo, and we played together a little bit just sitting around with acoustic guitars to learn the songs and everything, but the very first tape that we ever rolled as Wilco recording is basically what you hear on that first song on the record. “Casino Queen” on that record would be the other one I’d talk about. My dad asked me to write a song about it—it’s a real riverboat casino. I took my dad to go to the casino one time, and he said, “This could be something you could write a song about.” He basically forced me to do it

Jeff Tweedy: “We had all been in a band together as Uncle Tupelo, and we played together a little bit just sitting around with acoustic guitars to learn the songs and everything, but the very first tape that we ever rolled as Wilco recording is basically what you hear on that first song on the record.”

I Must Be High

You always wanted more time
To do what you
Always wanted to do
Now you got it
And I, I must be high
To say goodbye
Bye bye bye

You never said you needed this
You’re pissed that you missed
The very last kiss
From my lips
And I, I must be high
To say goodbye
Bye bye bye

And you never looked in my eyes
Long enough to find
Any peace of mind
But now you got it, and I
I must be high
To let you say goodbye
I must be high

Bye bye bye
Bye bye bye

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

33 thoughts on “Wilco – I Must Be High”

    1. You know what? That was me completely…I thought I corrected but I didn’t…I kept typing tupelo! I guess it was my inner Van Morrsion.

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    1. Yea…I’ve seen people split…this album was like Trace…an Americana album but I do think Trace is better than A.M….now onward both changed.

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      2. Their first albums sound much like Uncle Toledo (NOT Tupelo as I originally typed)…same kind of vibe but they both changed some.

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  4. This Wilco album is one I barely know, the next one ‘Being There’ I know a bit better & then came ‘Summerteeth’ which I have. Anyway ‘I must be high’ has that downbeat but easy-going sound I equate to ’90s Wilco, ‘Casino Queen’s is more on the rock side than I would’ve expected. Good suggestion for a song, Tweedy Sr!

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    1. You know…its almost like Beatles – Stones camps with Son Volt and Wilco…. so far I like them both although…I have read where Son Volt…their best album was their debut with Trace…but I need to find out myself.

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      1. I did get to see them in ’99…open for REM. I was impressed but at the time only knew maybe3 songs they played.But they had a good sound and presence – at THAT time, they put me in mind of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Of course, soon their sound went all over the road.

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      2. Yea from what I’ve seen…both of them really changed out of the alt country genre…they kept some but changed quite a bit.

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    1. Thanks Jim…they are really popular with people. I’m just really learning as well…although I know some of their stuff from the late 90s on

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  7. Yeah I grabbed this when it came out. I wanted to hear what Tweedy was going to do after UT. This is what I got and I liked it I stuck around for a few more years then I drifted but occasionally dip back in to hear what they’re up to. Good music.

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    1. I just love this stuff CB…along with Sun Volt but I believe both changed a little after these debut albums but the root of it is still there. I’m enjoying really listening to these bands for the first time…as far as a deep dive.

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      2. I’m tracking down the Crazy Horse one…yea I’ll like that one and it’s a good way to know them better.

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  8. Definitely on board today Max. Most folk think they start with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot but I liked the weirdness of Summerteeth. But they haven’t released an album that hasn’t had at least a couple of songs I really like, even if I don’t take to the whole album. I’ve seen them when they toured NZ three times -yes, they actually did get here- NZ is a destination that even for touring bands is literally ‘the ends of the Earth’- and they were real tight each time.

    (I’m no huge fan of live albums but their take on ‘Misunderstood’ on ‘Kicking Television’ is outstanding.)

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    1. I thought you would like this obbverse. I was going to do a Son Volt and Wilco on the same day but decided to separate them.
      I’ve known about them and heard some of their songs…now I’m taking more of a deep dive to get to know them.
      I remember reading about bands going there in the 60s…on how long of a plane ride and all of that. Glad you got to see them a few times!

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      2. Obb, last week I watched a documentary on Austin City Limits called ‘A Song for You’. Though the actual bits of Wilco, and Tweedy by himself , performing are limited, they do talk to him and tell how Wilco became almost their ‘house band’. If you can find it, you’d probably like it.

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  9. I really like I Must be High, I’m a sucker for that delicate, ethereal pop sound, like The La’s, but tinged with a ruff edge. I like Wilco, but I really like this song. Didn’t know it, but I do now. Thanx.

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  10. I may have to go back and relisten to some Wilco, I’m really only familiar with Impossible Germany…that tune reminded me so much of Fleetwood Mac’s Bare Trees….

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