High Times (song)

"High Times"
Single by Jamiroquai
from the album Travelling Without Moving
B-side	High Times (Remix)
Released	1 December 1997 (1997-12-01) (UK)
Format	CD single, cassette single, 12" single
Genre	Funk rock, R&B
Length	4:08 (Radio Edit) 6:00 (Album Version)
Label	Sony Soho Square
Writer(s)	Jay Kay
Producer(s)	Rick Pope
Jamiroquai singles chronology
"Alright" (1997) "High Times" (1997) "Deeper Underground" (1998)

"High Times" is the fourth and final single from British funk/acid jazz band Jamiroquai's third studio album, Travelling Without Moving. The song peaked at #20 on the UK Singles Chart.

Background

The song was written by Jason Kay. The song begins with the quote "You don't need a name in bright lights, you're a rock star. In some tinfoil, with a glass pipe, is your guitar." This refers to crack cocaine. Both cocaine, and many other drugs are referenced in the song, all in a negative light, but it is jet lag the main reference during the chorus, "Last night, turned to daylight and a minute became a day", a desynchronosis that is often caused when travelling around the world during the tours. The radio edit of the song is widely ridiculed among fan circles for its poor editing. There are some abrupt cuts in the song, and some words are cut out in an odd manner, such as the word "this" from the "This twisted, crystal kingdom" line. The Radio Edit was featured on the group's greatest hits compilation, High Times: Singles 1992-2006. Some releases of Travelling Without Moving include a version of the song without the sample "Last Night Changed It All" as sung by Esther Williams and written by Joe Wheeler.^[1]

Music video

The music video for this song is filmed like a documentary with an inexpensive digital camera by the band manager of the band during the Latin American tour. In the video, the group is shown landing in a city airport, happy and excited. The remainder of the video shows candid scenes of Jamiroquai laughing at jokes, television, and having general fun. Chilean fans appreciated this music video for lead singer Jay Kay's cultural jacket throughout the video. However, the last few seconds were censored in some countries due to the usage of marijuana.

Track listing

UK CD #1 (665370 2)

1. "High Times" (Radio Edit) – 4:08
2. "High Times" (Bionic Supachronic Mix) – 8:38
3. "High Times" (Doobie Dub) – 6:46
4. "High Times" (Album Version) – 5:57

UK CD #2 (665370 5)

1. "High Times" (Radio Edit) – 4:08
2. "High Times" (Jamiroquai Mix) – 4:00
3. "High Times" (Jamiroquai Dub) – 5:30
4. "High Times" (Sanchez Radio Edit) – 4:02

UK 12" (665370 6)

1. "High Times" (Bionic Supachronic Mix) – 8:38
2. "High Times" (Jamiroquai Mix) – 4:00
3. "High Times" (Doobie Dub) – 6:46
4. "High Times" (Jamiroquai Dub) – 5:30

References