Jerry Garcia — Sugaree
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Length: 5:51
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When they come to take you down When they bring that wagon 'round
When they come to call on you and drag your poor body down
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
You thought you was the cool fool and never could do no wrong
Had everything sewed up tight. How come you lay awake all night long
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Well in spite of all you gained you still had to stand out in the pouring rain
One last voice is calling you and I guess it's time you go
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Well shake it up now Sugaree, I'll meet you at the jubilee
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
When they come to call on you and drag your poor body down
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
You thought you was the cool fool and never could do no wrong
Had everything sewed up tight. How come you lay awake all night long
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Well in spite of all you gained you still had to stand out in the pouring rain
One last voice is calling you and I guess it's time you go
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Well shake it up now Sugaree, I'll meet you at the jubilee
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Comments (86)add comment
Hmmm..Dead song set. Is this a tribute to Bill Walton perhaps?
Yep, gotta get up and dance just a wee bit...
jbtidwell wrote:
Could be, but "Tonight's the Night" was recorded in1975, 4 years later.
Does anyone else heard Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"?
Could be, but "Tonight's the Night" was recorded in1975, 4 years later.
Just want to clarify not overplayed on radio paradise but on the radio
I just love love love this Jeri song even though it’s been overplayed but I got to say I like some live versions of it better than the studio
walk wrote:
yeah that Robert Hunter was just really bad at lyrics
just awful
Oddly enough, some of the readers out there did not recognize that this was a sarcastic comment. Robert Hunter has earned his status as a uniquely gifted lyricist multiple times since the late 60s.
yeah that Robert Hunter was just really bad at lyrics
just awful
Oddly enough, some of the readers out there did not recognize that this was a sarcastic comment. Robert Hunter has earned his status as a uniquely gifted lyricist multiple times since the late 60s.
Aaahhh yea.
Just like fresh air
We need more JG on RP
Just like fresh air
We need more JG on RP
Long Live Radio Paradise
My rating: 8 - Most Excellent but weak
changing to 7 - Quite Likeable next time I am leaving
My rating: 8 - Most Excellent but weak
changing to 7 - Quite Likeable next time I am leaving
Now...we got some music playing. Yeah baby.
Webfoot wrote:
I rather like reading the critiques. It helps me to understand other points of view. The Grateful Dead tend to be polarizing, but so what? Let people say their piece and move on. I don't see much need for personal attacks, whether witty or not. Leave that to the POTUS.
I'm with you there, Webfoot....I've actually been torn lately between the desire to hear others' opinions vs. shutting down the 'hate' speak - I'm firmly on the 'speak freely' side of the fence at this point and let the masses decide if what was said was worthy...hence my reply to your comment about h8thater's comment....
As far as song comments go, I think some of us do get a bit attached to our own opinions and a defensive response is reaction to that. I'm learning to let it slide (like water off a duck's back, eh?) and appreciate your gentle 'quacking' as a reminder ;-)
Long Live RP and Short Live HATE
I rather like reading the critiques. It helps me to understand other points of view. The Grateful Dead tend to be polarizing, but so what? Let people say their piece and move on. I don't see much need for personal attacks, whether witty or not. Leave that to the POTUS.
I'm with you there, Webfoot....I've actually been torn lately between the desire to hear others' opinions vs. shutting down the 'hate' speak - I'm firmly on the 'speak freely' side of the fence at this point and let the masses decide if what was said was worthy...hence my reply to your comment about h8thater's comment....
As far as song comments go, I think some of us do get a bit attached to our own opinions and a defensive response is reaction to that. I'm learning to let it slide (like water off a duck's back, eh?) and appreciate your gentle 'quacking' as a reminder ;-)
Long Live RP and Short Live HATE
LowPhreak wrote:
It's not too "technical" to do - you keep your hi-hat or ride stick going to keep the fast-time beat, and you work under that on the snare, bass drum, toms, cymbals with the other 3 limbs at some division of that fast-time. Common as beans in the drumming world if you're half competent. It also gives for example the bass player something to hang onto to keep his/her line going like it should.
Don't know what to tell you if it's annoying. It isn't to me as a drummer, I love it, and it's all part of the groove of the song. You might not have heard it in many other songs because it's been buried in the recording mix or your audio system doesn't bring it out well. Bill has been working on adding various re-masters and such to the catalog, so hearing details better like this is possible.
It's not too "technical" to do - you keep your hi-hat or ride stick going to keep the fast-time beat, and you work under that on the snare, bass drum, toms, cymbals with the other 3 limbs at some division of that fast-time. Common as beans in the drumming world if you're half competent. It also gives for example the bass player something to hang onto to keep his/her line going like it should.
Don't know what to tell you if it's annoying. It isn't to me as a drummer, I love it, and it's all part of the groove of the song. You might not have heard it in many other songs because it's been buried in the recording mix or your audio system doesn't bring it out well. Bill has been working on adding various re-masters and such to the catalog, so hearing details better like this is possible.
Thanks, LowPhreak, for your continued drumming expertise shared with those of us reading RP song comments! I've noticed a lot of things on some of the re-mastered tracks esp. with the FLAC "stream" - and often it is in the percussion tracks that "new" sounds come alive. Long Live RP!!
walk wrote:
yeah that Robert Hunter was just really bad at lyrics
just awful
yeah that Robert Hunter was just really bad at lyrics
just awful
Well...this ain't Lennon and McCartney for sure. Be honest, now.
This is like a lot of GD songs: it's more about the groove than brilliant or innovative music. It's definitely an anthem of its time, though, so I give it a 10.
Bill please keep airing more Jerry Garcia or Grateful Dead, since my ears got too much acquainted with listenable music and I needed a detox. 
lizardking wrote:
Once again, h8rhater to the rescue with witty comebacks to the downers. And this is such a great tune....the track that turned me into a fan of Jerry and GD in general. He was so cool. LONG LIVE RP!!
I rather like reading the critiques. It helps me to understand other points of view. The Grateful Dead tend to be polarizing, but so what? Let people say their piece and move on. I don't see much need for personal attacks, whether witty or not. Leave that to the POTUS.
Once again, h8rhater to the rescue with witty comebacks to the downers. And this is such a great tune....the track that turned me into a fan of Jerry and GD in general. He was so cool. LONG LIVE RP!!
PS - as I understand, Sugaree is a song about a prostitute...which is why he can't admit to knowing her.
I rather like reading the critiques. It helps me to understand other points of view. The Grateful Dead tend to be polarizing, but so what? Let people say their piece and move on. I don't see much need for personal attacks, whether witty or not. Leave that to the POTUS.
My late beloved sister Annie sent me this album in the post in 1973, thanks RP for the memory.
kingart wrote:
yeah that Robert Hunter was just really bad at lyrics
just awful
Nice tune. Better than nice. A Deadhead special.
But somebody shoulda gone down to the local bodega bought this dude some more f'ing lyrics.
But somebody shoulda gone down to the local bodega bought this dude some more f'ing lyrics.
yeah that Robert Hunter was just really bad at lyrics
just awful
idiot_wind wrote:
I think we ALL need the "Jubilee" (as I understand it) right now. In ancient Hebrew history (i.e. old testament) back when interest was not charged (just like Islam too doesn't "allow" it) every 7 years there were adjustments made to balances owed, and then after 7 cycles of these 7 years (i.e. every 50th year) was the Jubilee, the wiping away of all debts/grand forgivness. I'm a bit fuzzy on my details although I think that's the overall gist.
How in the heck do you get to the Jubilee?
And if it don't come, then do you catch it on the run?
And if it don't come, then do you catch it on the run?
I think we ALL need the "Jubilee" (as I understand it) right now. In ancient Hebrew history (i.e. old testament) back when interest was not charged (just like Islam too doesn't "allow" it) every 7 years there were adjustments made to balances owed, and then after 7 cycles of these 7 years (i.e. every 50th year) was the Jubilee, the wiping away of all debts/grand forgivness. I'm a bit fuzzy on my details although I think that's the overall gist.
h8rhater wrote:
The key point here is that you both don't get it.
Thanks for keeping the Good Old Grateful Dead AND Jerry G in rotation, Bill!
The key point here is that you both don't get it.
Thanks for keeping the Good Old Grateful Dead AND Jerry G in rotation, Bill!
Once again, h8rhater to the rescue with witty comebacks to the downers. And this is such a great tune....the track that turned me into a fan of Jerry and GD in general. He was so cool. LONG LIVE RP!!
PS - as I understand, Sugaree is a song about a prostitute...which is why he can't admit to knowing her.
Comes across as sincere. Like it meant something to him.
Got to be honest, I'm struggling with this one.
Nice tune. Better than nice. A Deadhead special.
But somebody shoulda gone down to the local bodega bought this dude some more f'ing lyrics.
But somebody shoulda gone down to the local bodega bought this dude some more f'ing lyrics.
He sounds so young.
Not my favorite rendition of this ...
Ugh.
Nice GD track. But I think Jerry must have run short on the lyrics.
How in the heck do you get to the Jubilee?
And if it don't come, then do you catch it on the run?
And if it don't come, then do you catch it on the run?
cptbuz wrote:
personally, i kinda like it, and the drums being up front in the mix. Gives it an old time jazz kinda feel to it.
is it me, or is the high hat mixed way too high on this track? sounds like tictictictictic to me...otherwise, love Jerry & this tune.
personally, i kinda like it, and the drums being up front in the mix. Gives it an old time jazz kinda feel to it.
Such a shame RP can't play any live versions, they're so much better.
Grateful Dead then Jerry Garcia 1:15 later... Be back in 5.
One of my favorite Garcia albums. Thanks for playing! :-)
halfgazo wrote:
Um i'm not sure if its the high hat or the ride the drummers tic-ing away. it is very annoing though. From a technical point of view I don't know how he keeps it going.
It's not too "technical" to do - you keep your hi-hat or ride stick going to keep the fast-time beat, and you work under that on the snare, bass drum, toms, cymbals with the other 3 limbs at some division of that fast-time. Common as beans in the drumming world if you're half competent. It also gives for example the bass player something to hang onto to keep his/her line going like it should.
Don't know what to tell you if it's annoying. It isn't to me as a drummer, I love it, and it's all part of the groove of the song. You might not have heard it in many other songs because it's been buried in the recording mix or your audio system doesn't bring it out well. Bill has been working on adding various re-masters and such to the catalog, so hearing details better like this is possible.
Um i'm not sure if its the high hat or the ride the drummers tic-ing away. it is very annoing though. From a technical point of view I don't know how he keeps it going.
It's not too "technical" to do - you keep your hi-hat or ride stick going to keep the fast-time beat, and you work under that on the snare, bass drum, toms, cymbals with the other 3 limbs at some division of that fast-time. Common as beans in the drumming world if you're half competent. It also gives for example the bass player something to hang onto to keep his/her line going like it should.
Don't know what to tell you if it's annoying. It isn't to me as a drummer, I love it, and it's all part of the groove of the song. You might not have heard it in many other songs because it's been buried in the recording mix or your audio system doesn't bring it out well. Bill has been working on adding various re-masters and such to the catalog, so hearing details better like this is possible.
winniemama wrote:
RabbitEars wrote:
i think acid must have a lot to do with it.
The key point here is that you both don't get it.
Thanks for keeping the Good Old Grateful Dead AND Jerry G in rotation, Bill!
Just don't get the love and devotion...I cringe when I hear the Dead stuff. 
RabbitEars wrote:
i think acid must have a lot to do with it.
The key point here is that you both don't get it.
Thanks for keeping the Good Old Grateful Dead AND Jerry G in rotation, Bill!
Excellent version of this on "One from the Vault".... Made me a deadhead....
winniemama wrote:
i think acid must have a lot to do with it.
Just don't get the love and devotion...I cringe when I hear the Dead stuff.
i think acid must have a lot to do with it.
Not a big Dead fan, but I LOVE THIS SONG!! I like the remake by Graham Parker even better though. 10!
cptbuz wrote:
is it me, or is the high hat mixed way too high on this track? sounds like tictictictictic to me...otherwise, love Jerry & this tune.
Um i'm not sure if its the high hat or the ride the drummers tic-ing away. it is very annoing though. From a technical point of view I don't know how he keeps it going.
horstman wrote:
...snatched away. And all because he didn't take care of himself
thats kind of an understatement! - not taking care of oneself - is quite different from what he was doing...
I absolutely Love Jerry and company >>>LIVE (no pun intended Jer), but their studio recordings seem too well formatted and lack that live version swagger.
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cptbuz wrote:
is it me, or is the high hat mixed way too high on this track? sounds like tictictictictic to me...otherwise, love Jerry & this tune.
It's not you - It's me.
...It could definitely come down - it's distracting. It does imply that they wanted the feel to be up tempo but it machines it's way though an otherwise nice organic song.
Just don't get the love and devotion...I cringe when I hear the Dead stuff.
is it me, or is the high hat mixed way too high on this track? sounds like tictictictictic to me...otherwise, love Jerry & this tune.
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Yeah, I do wonder why my live selections (short and long, and always official releases with good sound quality) are consistently dissed.
Probably because of all the hootin' and hollerin' which (for some) can be distracting. But that's just my opinion.
Do any of the dials on the album cover go to 11?
Nice song, Graham Parker did a great version, any chance of a play?
horstman wrote:
I don't detract from your feelings. They were very real for you, I'm sure. But if you have any belief in God at all, you will surely meet him sometime in the future.
...
Months later, the dead was playing on the radio and I suddenly found myself crying. I arrived at work a mess.
....
It's a strange psychological fact that people develop really strong emotional ties with people they've never met in their lives. So, someone famous dies, and people who never ever knew that person get really cut up about it, possibly more than if it were some distant relative that they really had met a couple of times.
I don't detract from your feelings. They were very real for you, I'm sure. But if you have any belief in God at all, you will surely meet him sometime in the future.
moneygrip wrote:
ahhhhh....Jerry.
prefer the live cuts, but still top notch
Agreed
pvcnote wrote:
Yes RIP, 'cause you were very boring!!! 
Dude! or dudette, I think I have some music that is right up yer alley, check out the Archies.. right at yer emotional maturity level.
jbtidwell wrote:
Does anyone else heard Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"?
Not till you said that...........thanks
ahhhhh....Jerry.
prefer the live cuts, but still top notch
Hands Down... My favorite GD song.
horstman wrote:
...snatched away. And all because he didn't take care of himself.
pvcnote wrote:
Yes RIP, 'cause you were very boring!!!
When Jerry died, I didn't cry. I was angry. One of my favorite musicians in the entire green and blue planet had been snatched away. And all because he didn't take care of himself.
Months later, the dead was playing on the radio and I suddenly found myself crying. I arrived at work a mess.
I find it troublesome when hateful people have to express their negativity in an open forum designed primarily for free thought about music and not deathwishers. May whatever God you believe in bless your troubled soul my son.
Maybe not my favorite, especially studio, but imho any Jerry is good Jerry. 
jbtidwell wrote:
Does anyone else heard Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"?
This song came out four years before Rod's...while I do hear a little similarity in the backround riff, you'll have to bust Rod's chops for that.
This tune hit me at the right time of day, made me feel great.
pvcnote wrote:
Yes RIP, 'cause you were very boring!!!
That's just not nice at all! I wish this lack of respect was not present here at RP, but unfortunately with you being here, it is.
WOW!!!!...........that was boring
jbtidwell wrote:Dude! What are you smoking?
(pimp)
Does anyone else heard Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"?
Jerry: remembered and missed.
Yes RIP, 'cause you were very boring!!!
RIP Jerry you are not forgotten
RIP Jerry
8/1/42 - 8/9/95
I respect the Dead. I don't like the Dead.
And hearing this song as a bumper on Al Franken's show is bad enough.
Mugro wrote:
Bill, maybe you could respond to this. I have always wondered why radio stations don't play live cuts from the Dead. Obviously, you wouldn't want to play a 15 minute song, but I'm sure that you could find a version of Sugaree on a volume of Dick's Picks that you could play. The quality of DP should make recording quality not an issue.
Just wondering. BTW, thanks for playing the album version at least!!!
Yeah, I do wonder why my live selections (short and long, and always official releases with good sound quality) are consistently dissed.
Please don't forget you knew my name...
Leslie wrote:
Ah. Another one of my favorite Dead tunes. Much better live of course, just like everything else. Bill and Rebecca you need to add some of my live cuts to your collection! Hint Hint. 
Bill, maybe you could respond to this. I have always wondered why radio stations don't play live cuts from the Dead. Obviously, you wouldn't want to play a 15 minute song, but I'm sure that you could find a version of Sugaree on a volume of Dick's Picks that you could play. The quality of DP should make recording quality not an issue.
Just wondering. BTW, thanks for playing the album version at least!!!
Kinda makes you want to sing along. 
jbtidwell wrote:
Does anyone else heard Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"?
no
Does anyone else heard Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"?
:sunny.gif: :sunny.gif: :sunny.gif:
JrzyTmata wrote:
like this :goodvibes:
:D/
Shake it, shake it, Jrrrrr-zy
Friday just got even better!
Another classic that is much better live... but thanks!
Ah. Another one of my favorite Dead tunes. Much better live of course, just like everything else. Bill and Rebecca you need to add some of my live cuts to your collection! Hint Hint.
soothing tune to end a evening with a smile
thanks
Nice Song. very simple but effective.
What a great way to start the day! Thanks RP! Simply awesome! 
teletwang wrote:
How do you shake a Sugaree?
like this :goodvibes:
teletwang wrote:
How do you shake a Sugaree?
If you have to ask how to shake it, it's no sense trying to answer.
There is a very nice cover of this on the first CD from Wake the Dead. They do \"A Celtic celebration Of the songs of The Grateful Dead - Celtic music mixed with Grateful Dead tunes.\" Their CD is available on the Grateful Dead website.
"Sugaree was written soon after I moved from the Garcia household to China Camp. People assume the idea was cadged from Elizabeth Cotten's ‘Sugaree,’ but, in fact, the song was originally titled 'Stingaree,' which is a poisonous South Sea manta. The phrase 'just don't tell them that you know me' was prompted by something said by an associate in my pre-Dead days when my destitute circumstances found me fraternizing with a gang of minor criminals. What he said, when departing, was: 'Hold your mud and don't mention my name.'
"Why change the title to 'Sugaree'? Just thought it sounded better that way, made the addressee seem more hard-bitten to bear a sugar-coated name. The song, as I imagined it, is addressed to a pimp. And yes, I knew Libba's song, and did indeed borrow the new name from her, suggested by the 'Shake it' refrain."