Eight Miles High

“(That ragged group over there, three boys and a girl, could they possibly be playing “Eight Miles High”?)” (Cunningham 15).

“Eight Miles High” is a song written in the 60s by the band The Byrds.  The song contains some lyrics that seem to fit well not only with The Hours but with Mrs. Dalloway.  “Among those afraid/Of losing their ground” seems to fit with the insanity that seems to be encroaching on a few characters in these novels (Richard and Septimus); they are losing their ground, their “proportion.”  The line at the end of the song, “Some living/Some just standing alone” also serves to point out the contrast between those who live and enjoy the small things in their lives, no matter how trivial (like Clarissa Vaughn and Dalloway) and those who think too much, become too involved, and do not enjoy their lives (like Richard, Septimus and Miss Kilman).

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