Cosmic Charlie is the Dead poking fun at some of their own (psychedelically challenged) fans...
The thing is, when you are trippin' on acid a lot, you tend to get "concerned about the deep unreal" a little too much.
And you don't pay enough attention to the basics and the nitty gritty of daily life.
I grew up in the 70's and I remember guys that had blown their minds with too much acid. And had kinda lost their grip on reality. Fit the description of "Cosmic Charlie" perfectly. We used to call these folks "burn outs" because something in their brain got fried...
The ones I remember were very dependent on family members to take care of them as otherwise they would have ended up homeless. So think about a "space cadet" acid head that took it too far "out there" and has lost his or her grip on consensual reality and then some of these lyrics start to make sense, like:
"Go on home your mama's calling you." - Childlike and dependent.
Rosy red and electric blue I bought you a paddle for your paper canoe - Living in fantasy land.
Say you'll come back when you can, whenever your airplane happens to land - Flying high in the chemical skies? You ever coming back down?
Maybe I'll be back here, too. It all depends on what's with you. - I'll be here whenever you come down from your cosmic acid trip...
Then there's that incredibly classic line:
"I just wonder if you shouldn't feel,
Less concerned about the deep unreal". - Having tripped on acid a couple hundred times, I can tell you that when you are on a STRONG psychedelic kick, you become VERY concerned about the deep unreal and NOT very concerned about basic day to day survival issues, like even food and shelter become secondary....
The very first word is "How do you do?",
The last "Go home your mama's callin' you."
Calling you, calling you, calling you, calling you,
Go on home your mama's calling you.
This last section is like they're singing to the person that's taken too much acid "Just relax man, you'll be allright" go on back to a space of safety (home), addressing the Cosmic Acid tripper like if they are a child. (If you've ever been with someone who is tripping heavily on acid, they ARE vulnerable like a child....
Anyone who's done A LOT of psychedelics will understand this song. However, it's not something I recommend (other than in moderation). You gotta be VERY strong to handle messing with your psyche that heavily...
Hope this helps....
@ShivaX BS again. Song is WAY deeper than you think! The line "go on home your mama's calling you" is directed toward those in the way of progress, the line "bought you a paddle for your paper canoe" is directed toward false assumptions and beliefs. The MAN Cosmic Charlie was named after the SONG, the song is NOT about him!
@ShivaX BS again. Song is WAY deeper than you think! The line "go on home your mama's calling you" is directed toward those in the way of progress, the line "bought you a paddle for your paper canoe" is directed toward false assumptions and beliefs. The MAN Cosmic Charlie was named after the SONG, the song is NOT about him!
@ShivaX Is it "deep unreal" or "people unreal" ?
Everywhere that I see the lyrics, it's "people unreal."
Although "deep unreal" probably makes more sense.
@ShivaX Is it "deep unreal" or "people unreal" ?
Everywhere that I see the lyrics, it's "people unreal."
Although "deep unreal" probably makes more sense.
Cosmic Charlie is the Dead poking fun at some of their own (psychedelically challenged) fans... The thing is, when you are trippin' on acid a lot, you tend to get "concerned about the deep unreal" a little too much. And you don't pay enough attention to the basics and the nitty gritty of daily life. I grew up in the 70's and I remember guys that had blown their minds with too much acid. And had kinda lost their grip on reality. Fit the description of "Cosmic Charlie" perfectly. We used to call these folks "burn outs" because something in their brain got fried... The ones I remember were very dependent on family members to take care of them as otherwise they would have ended up homeless. So think about a "space cadet" acid head that took it too far "out there" and has lost his or her grip on consensual reality and then some of these lyrics start to make sense, like:
"Go on home your mama's calling you." - Childlike and dependent.
Rosy red and electric blue I bought you a paddle for your paper canoe - Living in fantasy land.
Say you'll come back when you can, whenever your airplane happens to land - Flying high in the chemical skies? You ever coming back down? Maybe I'll be back here, too. It all depends on what's with you. - I'll be here whenever you come down from your cosmic acid trip...
Then there's that incredibly classic line: "I just wonder if you shouldn't feel, Less concerned about the deep unreal". - Having tripped on acid a couple hundred times, I can tell you that when you are on a STRONG psychedelic kick, you become VERY concerned about the deep unreal and NOT very concerned about basic day to day survival issues, like even food and shelter become secondary....
The very first word is "How do you do?", The last "Go home your mama's callin' you." Calling you, calling you, calling you, calling you, Go on home your mama's calling you.
Anyone who's done A LOT of psychedelics will understand this song. However, it's not something I recommend (other than in moderation). You gotta be VERY strong to handle messing with your psyche that heavily... Hope this helps....
@ShivaX BS again. Song is WAY deeper than you think! The line "go on home your mama's calling you" is directed toward those in the way of progress, the line "bought you a paddle for your paper canoe" is directed toward false assumptions and beliefs. The MAN Cosmic Charlie was named after the SONG, the song is NOT about him!
@ShivaX BS again. Song is WAY deeper than you think! The line "go on home your mama's calling you" is directed toward those in the way of progress, the line "bought you a paddle for your paper canoe" is directed toward false assumptions and beliefs. The MAN Cosmic Charlie was named after the SONG, the song is NOT about him!
@ShivaX Is it "deep unreal" or "people unreal" ? Everywhere that I see the lyrics, it's "people unreal." Although "deep unreal" probably makes more sense.
@ShivaX Is it "deep unreal" or "people unreal" ? Everywhere that I see the lyrics, it's "people unreal." Although "deep unreal" probably makes more sense.