Higher from Higher by Painter Fingers

I wrote this song when I was 15. There exists another version out there on CDRs recorded around 1999-2000. My high school band Shylocke released an album called Everywhere at Once, which was created on a Tascam 8-track cassette recorder (with one channel not working).

I decided to re-record this one now, for today, more than 25 years later.

"Higher" holds a special place in my heart because of the people I played it with so many times, and those who sang along at some of those childhood-defining moments like our first Across the Street Bar gig in Dallas or the Jasper High School battle of the bands in 10th grade. Here is a version that now calls back those times, but looks upon them with different and older eyes.

In 2024, I lost a dear friend to a tragedy. One of her last communications with me was suggesting that I record "Higher" again.

And so, here it is.

This recording is dedicated to the loving memory of Stephanie Bower. My dear friend, you will be missed.

Tracklist

1.	Higher	4:43

Lyrics

Another year has come and gone
Not where I thought I'd be
Last year when I was hoping
Oh, what has yesterday done to me

Don't know, but it's all through
Another one with what to do

High was so much higher
When we were closer to the ground
And farther from the sky

What was growing older?
We were all too young to know
Just why
We're all where we are

What happened to the time?
Where did it all go?
Did they even hear our song?
Will we ever know?

It's strange
I thought we'd get there
Somehow, I know
Oh, I know we'll get there

High was so much higher
When we were closer to the ground
And farther from the sky

What was growing older?
We were all too young to know
Just why
We're all where we are

I'm not where I thought I'd be
But no one ever is
Least I know where I'm going

Oh, I know we'll make it
When it stops raining
On all our sunny days

High was so much higher
When we were closer to the ground
And farther from the sky

What was growing older?
We were all too young to know
Just why
We're all where we are

I'm not where I thought I'd be
But no one ever is
Least I know where I'm going

Oh, I know we'll make it
When it stops raining
On all our sunny days

Credits

from Higher, track released January 3, 2025
Music and lyrics by Travis Charles Hagan
Produced by Travis Charles Hagan
Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drum machine, keys and synthesizer by Travis Charles Hagan

Label: Make Weird Art

Cover art by Stephanie Bower, a picture of a painting she made in high school

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