Down in the Bottom Lyrics

Lyric discussion by TedPikul 

Cover art for Down in the Bottom lyrics by Walter Becker

He's not talking about a friend, he's not talking about a bear, he's not talking about Owlsley (good lord). He's talking about...well, anyway, "have you got the bear or has the bear got you" is hipster slang for "are you in control or are you an addict?" That's all.

You're right about Kid Charlemagne, though.