Estimated Prophet

This song is about people who interpret the Grateful Dead's music as divine and see themselves a "prophet" for said divinity. The Dead have (or at least had) a great many fans who take their music a bit too seriously. You could, perhaps, call them zealots. Members of the band were often a little freaked out by this crazy type of fan. Bob Weir and John Barlow decided to pen a song about it. However in typical Grateful Dead fashion the song is highly nuanced. So much so that most people who hear the song don't understand its meaning. This is great example of the way lyrics to Grateful Dead songs operate on such a sophisticated level. While lots of fans write songs about crazy fans the song meaning is rarely veiled.

Lets contrast Weezer's 'Freak Me Out' which is somewhat thematically similar. Freak Me Out is not subtle. Even the title pretty much says all you need to know. Also, Freak Me Out is told from the point-of-view of the band. It is an ok song but is thematically rather shallow.

Estimated Prophet, on the other hand, expresses itself through as religious rant through the eyes of the crazy fan. It is a brilliant and mostly misunderstood song.

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.

According to Weir while on the road they would skip through the Bibles that were in hotel rooms. One night Garcia called Weir and told him to check out the books of Ezekiel and Daniel, they thought it was a reference to aliens visiting earth and other interesting strange things, so the song was wrote about that and people that would meet them after shows and share their spaced out trip experiences. Some of these people were so persistent it got annoying, so part of what Weir is singing is "I have heard it all before so please keep your mouth shut"

There's a book about what each dead song means but I can't remember the name, that is my source for info, as well as interviews.

I was reading a New York Times article about the marriage of African religion and Christianity on a plantation on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (Terrapins are the mascot of sports teams for U. of Maryland btw) and came across these lyrics for "Zekiel saw the Wheel":

‘Zekiel saw de wheel, way up in the middle of the air ‘Zekiel saw de wheel, way up in the middle of the air De big wheel run by faith, little wheel by the grace of God Wheel in a wheel, way in de middle of de air.’

Hmmm.... Terrapin Station, the album and the song, always had this sort of sublime spiritual quality, a mystery that I could feel but never explain. I think Barlow and Bobby were diving deep into the American folk music culture here. "Estimate" is a great song, don't want it explained too much, but I used to think it was about how California was a sort of promised land. Sometimes it works better to just leave meaning alone and let it be mysterious.

This may possibly be my fav. dead song. He's layin the allegory on so thick, and the harmonies are awesome. Not to mention the background is so full of bass, it makes the song like rubber, amazing. I of course won't forget to mentions just how buttery Jerry's voice is. Beautiful song, lyrical arrange is perfect.

Bobby sang Estimated.

I love the sof tguitar solos with this song. I wish "Terrapin Station" would be more popular. This is one of my fav. Grateful Dead songs.

I love this song, haven't worked out what every line means according to the central theme but I'd say it's just about how this guy is in no hurry to get wherever he's going and that whatever happens when he gets there won't bother him at all. "I'll be knocking on the golden door" makes me think that it's about him dying and he's not worried about it, he feels safe and he's going to enjoy life until his time comes, while everyone else is all worried.

It's a great song that is not mentioned very much. But the guitar in this song is just great.

About a person who's been cast out from a group of people while they seek to have fun amongst themselves-because he stands out in a different sort of way. This person's quest in life is not driven by a quest for material things or popularity, but by things that make his soul feel good. This many times is not the case with the people in the world-not just the politicians and warmongers, but even everyday people who claim to be peaceful and free loving, but in reality are selective in who the choose to share their love with. "Don't worry about me": you guys are having fun now, but the "voices" (spirit of the earth-or god) seems to tell me that my path is the right one-and you soon find out that it is, long after I am gone-that's my estimation. The bridge: "calling down thunder" that is him in his anger (I'll have my revenge)-everyone feels this when they are rejected. California is metaphor; he has something that he is looking forward to in the near future (probably an actual trip to CA-if Bob actually wrote it). This guy realizes he is destined for great things in life-he's taking his time because there is a reason why he's here, and when it comes to realization, he's gonna shine-you'll see.