| Grateful Dead – Mr. Charlie Lyrics | 1 year ago |
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Ron McKernan, or known affectionately as "Pigpen" or "Piggy" was the front man for the Grateful Dead in its early years. Long after Piggy's death, Jerry would remark that if you've not heard Pigpen sing, you really hadn't heard the band. "Mr. Charlie" is about hard drug abuse. The shotgun is a syringe, ready to go once it "takes a little skin" by piercing through so the shotgun can "unload." It doesn't require a life or limb. I suggest the "voodoo all night long," the drums and Mr.Charlie persuading the user that he "can't do nothin' wrong" all describe the perceived euphoria caused by the drug. I don't know that Piggy used heroin; but he, often with his buddy Janis, seemed constantly to share a bottle of Southern Comfort. McKernan drank himself to death at age 27. Jerry, of all people, died from being hooked on heroine. And Janis died at 27 as well. Tragic. |
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| Grateful Dead – China Cat Sunflower Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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I’ve been listening to this song ever since I splurged and bought Europe ‘72 in my freshman year of college (‘72-‘73). I play guitar. I have listened to this song at least 100x. I graduated Dean’s list in English, went to law school and practiced law about 40 years. From a lyrical standpoint, the song is nonsensical, a hodgepodge of images meandering through one’s consciousness all surrounding a cat to which the observer attributes extraordinary powers, so much so that the words are a fun fantasy. Musically, it is a feast. Hard to believe it is based on a simple 1-6-5 chord progression. Jerry’s solos follow this progression with octave bounces in the arpeggios and blend beautifully with Phil and of course Bob, who plays the high spread in a different harmonic arpeggio complementing Garcia. I will add that from what I understand, Jerry taught Bob his part, I suppose as the young dyslexic Bob was still defining what would become a remarkably brilliant career as arguably the best rhythm guitar player ever. I never tire of this perfect blend of notes and beat. |
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