Great Forgotten Songs #51 – 13th Floor Elevators “You’re Gonna Miss Me”

“You’re Gonna Miss Me” is a song by the American psychedelic rock band the 13th Floor Elevators, written by Roky Erickson, and released as the group’s debut single on Contact Records, on January 17, 1966.

Hear the song below:

It was reissued nationally on International Artists, in May 1966. Musically inspired by traditional jug band and R&B music, combined with the group’s own experimentation, “You’re Gonna Miss Me”, along with its Stacy Sutherland and Tommy Hall-penned B-side, “Tried to Hide”, was influential in developing psychedelic rock and garage rock, and was one of the earliest rock compositions to utilize the electric jug. Accordingly, critics often cite “You’re Gonna Miss Me” as a bona fide garage rock song, as well as a classic of the counterculture era.

“You’re Gonna Miss Me” reached number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the 13th Floor Elevators’ only single to chart nationally. The failure of the song to achieve a higher chart listing is attributed to poor distribution by a disestablished record label. In addition, the band was prevented from consistently touring during their parole for possession of marijuana. The song was also included as a track on their debut album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators, in November 1966.

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Rafael Polcaro: I am a Brazilian journalist, a Classic Rock and Heavy Metal lover. Music has always been part of my life, helped me through tough moments and was with me to celebrate the good ones. When I became a journalist I knew I wanted to write about my passions. After college I did a postgraduate degree in digital communication. This has helped me to make the website better and bring the best of classic rock to the world! MTB: 0021377/MG