Sky Pilot

Eric Burdon & the Animals

About Sky Pilot

"Sky Pilot" is a 1968 song by Eric Burdon & the Animals, released on the album The Twain Shall Meet. When released as a single the song was split across both sides, due to its length (7:27). As "Sky Pilot (Parts 1 & 2)" it reached number 14 on the U. S. pop charts and number 15 on the Canadian RPM chart.


Year:
2002
7:23
87 

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He blesses the boys as they stand in line
The smell of gun grease
and the bayonets they shine
He's there to help them all that he can
To make them feel wanted he's a good holy man
Sky pilot,
Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

He smiles at the young soldiers
Tells them it's all right
He knows of their fear in the forthcoming fight
Soon there'll be blood and many will die
Mothers and fathers back home they will cry
Sky pilot,
Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile
The order is given
They move down the line
But he'll stay behind and he'll meditate
But it won't stop the bleeding or ease the hate

As the young men move out into the battle zone
He feels good, with God you're never alone
He feels tired and he lays on his bed
Hopes the men will find courage
in the words that he said
Sky pilot,
Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

You're soldiers of God, you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young hands
May God give you strength
Do your job real well
If it all was worth it
Only time it will tell

In the morning they return
With tears in their eyes
The stench of death drifts up to the skies
A soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot
Remembers the words
"Thou shalt not kill."
Sky pilot,
Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

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Eric Burdon & the Animals

The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s. The Animals are known for their deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon and for their gritty, bluesy sound, exemplified by their signature song and transatlantic number-one hit single "The House of the Rising Sun" as well as by hits such as "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", "It's My Life", "Don't Bring Me Down", "I'm Crying", "See See Rider" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". They balanced tough, rock-edged pop singles against rhythm-and-blues-oriented album material and were part of the British Invasion of the US. The Animals underwent numerous personnel changes in the mid-1960s, and suffered from poor business management, leading t… more »

2 fans

Written by: BARRIE ERNEST JENKINS, BARRY JENKINS, DANNY MCCULLOCH, ERIC VICTOR BURDON, JOHNNY WEIDER, VIC BRIGGS

Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin
"Sky Pilot" is a song by "Eric Burdon & The Animals," a British rock band that experienced substantial success in the 1960s.
Release Date and Album
The song was first released in 1968 as a single and later included in the band's 1968 album called "The Twain Shall Meet."
Background
"Sky Pilot" was written by Eric Burdon during the peak of the Vietnam War. Hence, it reflects the prevalent anti-war sentiments of the time.
Genre Classification
The song falls under the genre of psychedelic rock, a genre that emerged in the '60s and is known for its extended solos and complex song structures.
Song Length
At a length of 7 minutes 27 seconds, "Sky Pilot" is significantly longer than most other popular songs from the same era. The British radio version was split into two parts because it was too long to be played in full.
Song Structure
The song is divided into two parts. The first part, "Sky Pilot," is about a military chaplain who blesses a body of troops before a battle while questioning the morality of his role. The second part contains sound effects of war, such as gunfire and explosions, along with a bagpipe solo.
Bagpipe Solo
The bagpipe solo in "Sky Pilot" is a rendition of "All the Bluebonnets Are Over the Border," a traditional Scottish tune. This contributes to the song's distinct sound.
Chart Performance
Despite its unconventional length, "Sky Pilot" achieved considerable chart success. It reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #7 in the UK Singles Chart.
Critical Reception
The song was praised for its powerful anti-war message and innovative sound design. However, it was also criticized by some for its explicit depiction of war.
Legacy
Over the years, "Sky Pilot" has firmly established itself as one of The Animals' most iconic songs. It has been covered by several artists and featured in multiple film and television soundtracks. The song continues to be remembered as a poignant commentary on the Vietnam War.

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