The Dead were not folk musicians (as in Pete Seegers song, Casey Jones) or known to be historians in their time. This song is not about ANY train.
I believe it is about much more than just drugs/cocaine. This song has deeply sexual overtones. Please, don"t miss the reference to the "lady in red"
A train is a sexual reference to serial sexual encounters with a single, usually willing, partner. Musicians (esp, deadheads) are surrounded by groupies on the road. Think about Grand Funks reference to the well known (yes... in the biblical way) sexual groupie, Connie Hamzy. Recall the lyric, Sweet sweet connie was doing her act, she had the whole band and thats a natural fact.
Cocaine as a drug has been widely associated as a precursor to a heightened sexual appetite. I believe this is why, High on cocaine, Casey Jones is "ready" and "speeding".
The trouble ahead, trouble behind may refer to simultaneous front and rear encounters, or it may just reinforce the "train" of band members.
The driving fireman is "coming" around the bend (you know its the end). The fireman screams and the "engine" just gleams. I think you get the picture.
Perhaps the trouble with you and me is that despite our two good eyes, we don't see the lack of love/meaning embodied in these drug crazed band orgies popular on the road of the era.
I should stay above the fray but I don't think these activities were unique to Hippies.
Regardless of the interpretation, its still a catchy tune!
About the song...
The Dead were not folk musicians (as in Pete Seegers song, Casey Jones) or known to be historians in their time. This song is not about ANY train.
I believe it is about much more than just drugs/cocaine. This song has deeply sexual overtones. Please, don"t miss the reference to the "lady in red"
A train is a sexual reference to serial sexual encounters with a single, usually willing, partner. Musicians (esp, deadheads) are surrounded by groupies on the road. Think about Grand Funks reference to the well known (yes... in the biblical way) sexual groupie, Connie Hamzy. Recall the lyric, Sweet sweet connie was doing her act, she had the whole band and thats a natural fact.
Cocaine as a drug has been widely associated as a precursor to a heightened sexual appetite. I believe this is why, High on cocaine, Casey Jones is "ready" and "speeding".
The trouble ahead, trouble behind may refer to simultaneous front and rear encounters, or it may just reinforce the "train" of band members.
The driving fireman is "coming" around the bend (you know its the end). The fireman screams and the "engine" just gleams. I think you get the picture.
Perhaps the trouble with you and me is that despite our two good eyes, we don't see the lack of love/meaning embodied in these drug crazed band orgies popular on the road of the era.
I should stay above the fray but I don't think these activities were unique to Hippies.
Regardless of the interpretation, its still a catchy tune!
All the best.