Noah Cyrus’ most recent singles have seen her settle into a new level of authenticity, highlighted by her softer, stripped-down vocals and the sounds of her Nashville hometown. The earth tones and simplified sartorial choices come to life in “I Got So High That I Saw Jesus” and its accompanying music video. What’s more, in this time of such uncertainty and enforced hibernation, Cyrus’ quieter side and tale of personal revelation invite us all to the silver linings of looking in – creeds and religious authorities notwithstanding.
Reflecting on the song, Cyrus shares, “Religion or spirituality can mean many different things to many different people. This song is not about or for one religion or belief system. Jesus basically represents a greater understanding and knowledge that everything has its purpose and everything will work itself out the way it’s supposed to. It will be OK, so long as we are guided by compassion and community. Both are needed more than ever right now.”
Within the song’s hook – harking to its title – Noah declares, “He said / It’s all gonna be okay.” Still, Cyrus shows a journey from despair (“How pretty soon, there won’t be any water left to turn to wine”) to faith (“There’s so much Kingdom left to come”) in just a few verses while bluntly calling attention to the role cannabis plays along the way (“Well, I’m gonna burn one down right now”).
Originally birthed from a poignant personal experience, this soothing heartfelt track is taking on more gravity by the day – a subtext which Cyrus is very much aware of. She continues, “I was born and raised Christian with strong beliefs and still hold those values. I was smoking weed one night, and had this epiphany, then wrote the song, hence the title.“
Cyrus adds, “I hope this song resonates with people, especially with all that is going on in the world right now. Humans have evolved in so many beautiful ways, but we’ve also gotten so out of touch with the world, and each other. We’ve all lost sight of so many of the simplest things. As PJ, who I wrote the song with put it: it’s about existential dread. What I love about the song is the multiple meanings it holds and how it will [affect] each and every listener differently.”
Listen to “I Got So High That I Saw Jesus” below:
