submissions
| Grateful Dead – Dark Star Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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I think this song reflects a psychedelic vision off going beyond the madness of a modern culture that seemed hell bent on self destruction- In the 60s many people thought Nuclear war might happen any at any time. A big part of that whole vibe was the belief that it could all just end in a flash ,any second. So dark star is perhaps an escapist fantasy -In the old days it was often coupled with morning dew-which is about the aftermath of nuclear war,Transitive nightfall of diamonds is a beautiful image.They actually made this song their first single-as if it would get played on the radio -what a bucnh of weirdos |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Estimated Prophet Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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Sorry man this song is not about somebody who is just laid back relaxed and groovin on life.Listen to it again
This song is about people who have some sort of altered experience and decide that they are prophets of god.it's satire. a common sight at dead shows over the years have been people who trip out ,anbd decide the represent the deity- And I'll call down thunder and speak the same-my word fills the sky with flamemight and glory gonna be my naem ,and they'll light my way. Musically it's an intricate groove in 7 Pink Floyd did a song in 7 around the same time-Money,their first big hit ,and the first hit in 7 .But they couldn't improvise in 7 the instrumental jam is in 6 then 4 ,The Dead can wail in complex odd meter. |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Ripple Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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The first line asks questions about what is it about music ( and the strange attraction of the Dead) that reaches people- it's not superficial or obvious,not the singer ,or the instrument, But what makes it seem alive? Why does it touch someone ?The 2nd line It'sa hand me down,the thoughts are broken Means there is something the singer ,and listeners recieve that's been passed down,and the source is unknown. The singer questions wether he shoudl even pass this on ,but loves the music and so throws caution to the wind. The chorus says that there is something invisible that moves through the water,the song life,This seem sto suggest spiritual force.
Reach out your hand if your cup is empty-ask and it shall be added unto you,if your cup is full may it be again,The singer wishes well to all but takes no responsibility-the fountain of life and abundance was not made by humans
There is a road...between the dark and the dark of night-Between birth and death we each have our own path ,our own life.
If you lead ,must follow,among other things implies that the leader is dependent on the followers,and should serve them. if you should fall,your followers will abandon you, I fyou shoudl stand-how will you know where to lead-It suggests caution abotu being willing to play the role of leader. The last line ,If I knew the way ,I wold take you home,says.among other thinsg the singer is not playing the role of leader,doesn't claim to have knowlegde about these mysterires ,but does express good will toward the listener. Garica in a nut shell. He wishes all well ,he shares the beauty and abundance he finds He makes no claim to mastery,wishes all well on their personal journey of life. The chorus sugessts the experience of spiritual forces as the source of life beauty and abundance.But the singer seems to say-there's mystery here the ripple in still ater -What will you make of it? |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Ship Of Fools Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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The title/tagline is from a medieval Christian religious allegory.Hunter's writng is full of such stuff,he's very well read.There was a time when those who were considered to be insane were cast off in boats called ships of fools Later the same were put in asylums. The song though , seems like a political /cultural metaphor. |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Dear Prudence (The Beatles cover) Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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This song was written for Mia Farrow's sister Prudence,who was very shy and hid in her room when the Beatles ,and wives,Donavon and The Farrow sisters were all studying with the Maharishi in India. Sexie Saide was written abotu the Maharishsi after he suppsedly mad a pass at mia Farrow,and Lennon became disillusioned. Mia Farrow was married to Frank SInatra-went off to Indoa and the Maharishi with the Beatles,and then married Woody Allen .Strange life eh? |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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" Try on your wings and find out where it's at" is more than just a regular old party. It's the same thing as saying "can you pass the acid test" The acid tests ,when acid was still legal ,being more or less where the Dead and haight ashberry got started .Haight Ashbery through the medium of LSD was the site of a spiritual reaniassance,that is still resonating. try on your wings isn't just about taking acid,but tuning into our existence as spiritual beings having a human experience. The title is 'The Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion" Not just a party song. |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Box Of Rain Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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The last part ,it's just a box of rain.The I ching speaks of rain bringing release,from tension etc. Rain washhes everything clean refreshes ,brings new life. The box part,means it's been packaged.The song is a way of releasing tension;letting go,letting allthe emotions wash through,This could help on a bad trip ,it could ease someone's dying process etc. a song is somehow a package for the healing energy to be delivered in. I don't know who put it there. Peope experience healing energy through the Deas ,but they say it isn;'t them they don't consciously do it. Believe it if you need it. I think the Inch your way through dead dreams can mean getting past superficial identification and treating the dead as Gurus as well as leaving behind the old psycholgical stuff that hangs one up.Coming into the living present moment. |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Box Of Rain Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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Hunter is very skillful at writing lyrics that can have definate meanings for the singer,but have enough ambiguity for others to find their own reflections in. I think this song has many levels of meaning,one of which is a response to the bands followers who want to make them into demigods or gurus- Want do you want me to do to watch for you while you are sleeping,then please don;t be surprised when you find me dreaming too." works for attending a dying parent,or for telling followers ,( as the dead did in so many ways) That they aren't leaders.( "f I knew the way I would take you home", "Story teller makes no choice.....his job is to shed light,but not to master"
This is the last song the band ever played live with GArcia,so the last words he sang with the GratefulDead ( a harmony part) were:" Such a long long time to be gone,and a short time to be there" |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Bird Song Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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In the film festival express,a documentary of a bucnh cof musicians riding a train across Canad and putting on concerts at various stops ,a sort of rolling music fest In one scene Garcia tells Janis he's always been in love with her. |
submissions
| Grateful Dead – Aiko Aiko Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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This is a mrdi gras indian song,The mardi Gras indians dress in very fancy costumes and compete with each other ,theysort of replace gang fighting with trying to ouf=t dress ,outdance and outsing other tribes. The flagboy carries the flag the colors of the tribe ,the spyboy keeps track of other tribes .The song pictures them taunting each other.Jockimo Fina Nay is a challenge ,it's a mock battle song. It bothers me that so many people that are into the Dead don't reall get that the dead are/were very knowledgable about all sorts of traditional and experimental music forms. I wish more Deadheads would learn more about the music styles the folks in the band love |
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