The first Psychedelic song?

Metanoia · 03-16-2012, 10:05 PM

I have searched all over the internet trying to find out what the first "real" psychedelic song ever recorded was. I have also been trying to discover what the roots of psychedelic music are and as to whether psychedelic music as we know it today existed sometime before the 1960's.

The earliest song I have come across that sounds psychedelic-ish is Syncopation by Tom Dissevelt which apparently was recorded sometime between 1957-1959. I don't know much about this song other than it sounds way ahead of its time, it has a very progressive/electronic feel to it which I did not know existed during the 1950's.

If anyone out there could give me more information about this subject then it would really make me happy! I am new to this forum and I look forward to seeing all of your answers.

-Metanoia

TockTockTock · 03-17-2012, 12:19 AM

Many people consider The Byrds' "Eight Miles High" to be the first psychedelic song, but honestly, the earliest renderings of the genre (to my knowledge) can be traced to Joe Meek's I Hear a New World (1960) album.

However, I find it to be extremely difficult to pinpoint the creation of certain genres to just one specific area (like a band, album, or song). You're only able to do this with very few of them (industrial music being one). So really... I am sure there are multiple examples of early psychedelic music.

mr dave · 03-17-2012, 06:45 AM

I'd be really surprised if some of the more creative DaDaists from the 20s didn't inadvertently create some rather psychedelic sound swirls, though they were likely never documented that way.

Metanoia · 03-17-2012, 11:57 AM

Thank you for your responses.

I find that surf music seems to have a lot of similar qualities to psychedelic music.

But yes, it is difficult to trace back the roots of any type of music, although I do like to try

PoorOldPo · 03-17-2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metanoia

I have searched all over the internet trying to find out what the first "real" psychedelic song ever recorded was. I have also been trying to discover what the roots of psychedelic music are and as to whether psychedelic music as we know it today existed sometime before the 1960's.

The earliest song I have come across that sounds psychedelic-ish is Syncopation by Tom Dissevelt which apparently was recorded sometime between 1957-1959. I don't know much about this song other than it sounds way ahead of its time, it has a very progressive/electronic feel to it which I did not know existed during the 1950's.

If anyone out there could give me more information about this subject then it would really make me happy! I am new to this forum and I look forward to seeing all of your answers.

-Metanoia

These guys were pioneers of the pychedelic genre.

Country Joe and The Fish - Grace - YouTube

**Janszoon** · 03-17-2012, 03:49 PM

I don't mean to sound snarky, but Country Joe and the Fish are one of the reasons I've always considered American psychedelic very inferior to British.

blastingas10 · 03-17-2012, 04:10 PM

What British psychedelic bands do you think are superior to country Joe and the fish?

**Janszoon** · 03-17-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

What British psychedelic bands do you think are superior to country Joe and the fish?

Well Pink Floyd and Soft Machine for starters, but more than likely if you name a British psychedelic band, I probably like them more than Country Joe and the Fish.

Salami · 03-17-2012, 04:52 PM

Kula Shaker?

**Janszoon** · 03-17-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salami

Kula Shaker?

Wrong time period.

03-16-2012, 10:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Metanoia Groupie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4	The first Psychedelic song? I have searched all over the internet trying to find out what the first "real" psychedelic song ever recorded was. I have also been trying to discover what the roots of psychedelic music are and as to whether psychedelic music as we know it today existed sometime before the 1960's. The earliest song I have come across that sounds psychedelic-ish is Syncopation by Tom Dissevelt which apparently was recorded sometime between 1957-1959. I don't know much about this song other than it sounds way ahead of its time, it has a very progressive/electronic feel to it which I did not know existed during the 1950's. If anyone out there could give me more information about this subject then it would really make me happy! I am new to this forum and I look forward to seeing all of your answers. -Metanoia

03-17-2012, 03:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I don't mean to sound snarky, but Country Joe and the Fish are one of the reasons I've always considered American psychedelic very inferior to British. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

03-17-2012, 12:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
TockTockTock They/Them Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,914	Many people consider The Byrds' "Eight Miles High" to be the first psychedelic song, but honestly, the earliest renderings of the genre (to my knowledge) can be traced to Joe Meek's I Hear a New World (1960) album. However, I find it to be extremely difficult to pinpoint the creation of certain genres to just one specific area (like a band, album, or song). You're only able to do this with very few of them (industrial music being one). So really... I am sure there are multiple examples of early psychedelic music.

03-17-2012, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Metanoia Groupie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4	Thank you for your responses. I find that surf music seems to have a lot of similar qualities to psychedelic music. But yes, it is difficult to trace back the roots of any type of music, although I do like to try

03-17-2012, 04:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	What British psychedelic bands do you think are superior to country Joe and the fish?

03-17-2012, 04:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
Salami Get in ma belly Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,385	Kula Shaker?