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April 19, 2007
Numerology: Enough 8's
by David Klein
As much of a conundrum as the number 7 presented, 8 ups the ante significantly with two out-and-out ‘60s rock classics heading the pack: “Eight Days a Week” and “Eight Miles High.” 
It really comes down to this: Are you a Beatles man or a Byrds man?
In this corner, you've got Lennon and McCartney at the peak of the collaborative powers, their voices melding in a delirious, rough-hewn harmony of rare beauty. Hand claps that practically make the song. Those swelling, heavenly chords that seem to arrive out of nowhere, to mark the song's beginning and end, and a clever, purposeful use of the number “8.” All wrapped around a single that is 2:44 of pure hook, 8DAW looks invincible.
the Beatles - "Eight Days a Week"
But maybe you are made of stronger stuff. Maybe the whole “ooh I need your love babe” thing is no longer relevant to your nuanced existence. Perhaps you prefer the challengers, in the corduroy trunks and rectangular purple shades: The Byrds. The ominous distorted bass line that opens the track like a Morse code signal, soon joined by those unmistakable Byrds harmony vocals, and that guitar: Coltrane lines after a trip through a psychedelic play-doh factory and filtered through McGuinn’s 12-string Rickenbacker. This startlingly vivid reenactment of the drug experience is unlike much of the blantantly drug-inspired music from this era, which today sounds more campy than trippy. “Eight Miles High,” on the other hand, manages to convey both the euphoria (through, what else, euphoric vocals) and the paranoia that a lysergically altered consciousness can bring. Building to a satisfyingly chaotic ending—always a plus—8MH looks like a winner.
the Byrds - "Eight Miles High"
It’s probably pointless to say one is better than the other, unless it makes sense to argue that a lemon is better than a lime, or a crocus is better than a snapdragon. I’m tempted to consider these two old warhorses like Dame Judi Dench and Helen Mirren canceling each other out at the Oscars, and give the statue to Anna Paquin in an upset. And I think I see my Anna Paquin right now, in the form of R.E.M. My computer screen is now bathed in autumnal light and slow-moving kudzu, as Michael Stipe emerges in miniature, followed by mini Pete Buck, mini Mike Mills and mini Bill Berry, and a miniature locomotive. Look everybody, it’s “Driver 8.” I’ve always been a sucker for that song. But wait, how could R.E.M. win out over the Byrds, when R.E.M’s trademark sound is like, two thirds Byrds?
I still have half a mind to choose “Driver 8,” but what about “8-Ball” by Underworld, from the soundtrack to Leo DeCaprio's big emission of cinematic greenhouse gas, 2000’s The Beach? From all the pressure that went into making that piece of hokum, a diamond was squeezed out, in the form of this fantastic, unheralded track. The time might be right for“8-Ball” to go global…
It’s pretty obvious that I am struggling with this one. Maybe it’s too big a decision to make on my own. If you care about this pressing issue, please post a comment and let me (and the rest of the world, including the remaining Byrds and Beatles) know. As it stands, Anna Paquin will be doing “The Swim” on a remote beach, in terpsichorean homage to Michael Stipe and company’s upset victory over rock royalty (while a pantless Harvey Keitel looks on), unless I am barraged with views to the contrary.
Numerology is our pal Dave's ill advised quest to find the definitive song for every number from one to a hundred. It looks easy now, but there are rough times ahead.
Previously: No. 1, 2-4, 5-7, 7 (counterpoint)
Posted by Jeff Klingman at April 19, 2007 01:30 PM
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Comments
Let’s see…process of elimination….
While 8Ball provide some pleasurable aural sensations, I didn't fall in love. I wouldn't say this "owns" the number 8.
8 Miles High. Annoying Guitar Solo, noodly and distracting. "Too many notes." It merely sees the number from 8 miles up and from up there it looks like a little tiny psychedelic ant.
So, two down. Now here’s the hard part.
Driver 8- ah…what is it about this song?is it the memories? This was one of the songs that made it onto almost every mix tape/cd I made for quite a while there. Is it the immediate impact of the first guitar notes on my gut? Is it the yearning, lonely, evocative bridge? What IS IT about this song????
8 Days a Week. This is an absolutely IRRESISTABLE song. One of the finest example of catchy, melodic pop ever written. And seeing how there are only 7 days in a week…I think we have ownership.
Posted by: ms lurker at April 19, 2007 03:24 PM
Being partly responsible for 8 Ball being making the cut, I feel somewhat reluctant to pass over it to cast my vote for 8 Days a Week. But it's hard not to, not only for the fact that it is fantastic pop, but because the number in the title has extra significance. And lets face it, the reason we appreciate the numerology of these records needs to transcend the mere fact that they are good songs, it's an acknowledgement that number has a special value (no pun intended).
Posted by: bongo at April 19, 2007 05:09 PM
in spite of my usual lack of love for the beatles (oh the blasphemy) they actually get my vote. making me a beatles man, then? i suppose.
Posted by: mnnico at April 20, 2007 01:04 PM
Not even a mention of "8 Arms To Hold You"? See, I am definitely more of a Veruca Salt Guy than an REM guy. Despite my cavils, this is a really great series. Do you need anyone to write a fil-in column for a number which doesn't inspire you too much? Let me know.
Posted by: jonny at April 21, 2007 04:46 PM
Jonny,
Eight Arms to Hold You was the name of a record by Veruca Salt (the 1997 follow-up to '94's vastly better but I never really got into it the way you did American Thighs), not the name of a song. Thus it is eligible for this list. (American Thighs, on the other hand, has no less than three numerically songs to its credit.)
I appreciate your kind offer to fill in for me, but it seems like a dangerous precedent to set, like breaking down the fourth wall in the theater. Pretty soon I would be toppled from my lofty perch.
But if you have anything good for "43," we could probably work something out.
David
Posted by: david at April 23, 2007 12:53 PM
