13th Floor Elevators - Slide Machine (1967)

Formed in 1965 and lasting until 1968, this group is considered one of the first psychedelic bands. ZZ Top, as well as Big Brother and the Holding Company, claim to be largely inspired by their work. Related to this, their work has been said to be paramount to the development of garage and punk rock, distinctly in their first single, “You’re Gonna Miss Me”. Quite uniquely (even by ‘60s standards), the band recorded each album and played each live performance under the influence of LSD.

This song is taken from the group’s most celebrated album, Easter Everywhere, which features their eight-minute fan-favorite “Slip Inside This House” and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Baby Blue”. If you listen closely, you can hear the group’s famous electric jug, which sounds a bit like a UFO sound effect from an old science fiction movie.



13^th Floor Elevators - Slide Machine (1967)

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Lyrics:

Been down south where they use the slide machine
Where the gods of old are heard but seldom seen
And here I been just stuck up in between
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you

Well, the slide machine, it sweeps bones right off the road
For the tandem trucks and the moats that they towed
And me, I've just been looking for one going slow
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you

My woman here, she's got a dozen names
She's sought by soldiers and they try to keep her tame
And her rewards will leave them just the same
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you

Well I’ve been down south where they use the slide machine
Where the gods of old are heard but seldom seen
And here I been just stuck up in between
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you
Trying to- trying to- trying to get back to you