"Green Grass and High Tides" is a song by the Southern rock band Outlaws. It is the tenth and final track on the band's debut album, Outlaws. The song is one of their best known, and has received extensive play on album-oriented radio stations, although it was never released as a single. The song is notable for having two extended guitar solos that stretch the song to nearly 10 minutes.
Outlaws founding member Hughie Thomasson said:
''I wrote that song in Saint Augustine, Florida. We went to a cookout on the beach and everybody forgot to bring their guitars. I was standing by the ocean and there was a breeze and the words kept coming to me. It’s about all the rock stars I liked that died had come back and were playing a show just for me. Like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. And eventually more of course''.
Hugh Edward "Hughie" Thomasson Jr. (August 13, 1952 – September 9, 2007) was an American guitarist and singer, best known as a founding member of Outlaws. The band found great success in the late 70s and early 80s with a string of hits. He was also a replacement guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Live At The Tower Theater 1982.
Hughie Thomasson - Guitar and Vocals
Freddie Salem - Guitar and Vocals
David Dix - Drums
Rick Cua - Bass and Vocals
Lyrics
In a place you only dream of
Where your soul is always free
Silver stages, golden curtains
Filled my head, plain as can be
As a rainbow grew around the sun
All my stars of love who died
Came from somewhere beyond the scene you see
These lovely people played just for me
Now if I let you see this place
Where stories all ring true
Will you let me past your face
To see what's really you
It's not for me I ask these questions
As though I were a king
For you have to love, believe and feel
Before the burst of tambourines take you there
Green grass and high tides forever
Castles of stone souls and glory
Lost faces say we adore you
As kings and queens bow and play for you
Those who don't believe me
Find your souls and set them free
Those who do, believe and love
This time will be your key
Time and time again I've thanked them
For a piece of mind
They helped me find myself
Amongst the music and the rhyme
That enchants you there
Green grass and high tides forever
Castles of stone souls and glory
Lost faces say we adore you
As kings and queens bow and play for you
Yeah, they play just for you
Songwriters: Hughie Thomasson
Green Grass and High Tides lyrics © BMG Rights Management
The Outlaws