Grateful Dead — U.S. Blues
Album: From The Mars HotelAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 522
Length: 4:36
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Red and white, blue suede shoes
I'm Uncle Sam, how do you do?
Gimme five, I'm still alive
Ain't no luck, I learned to duck.
Check my pulse, it don't change
Stay seventy-two come shine or rain
Wave the flag, pop the bag
Rock the boat, skin the goat
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my
I'm Uncle Sam, that's who I am
Been hidin' out in a rock and roll band
Shake the hand that shook the hand
Of P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan.
Shine your shoes, light your fuse
Can you use them ol' U.S. Blues?
I'll drink your health, share your wealth
Run your life, steal your wife.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my
Back to back chicken shack
Son of a gun, better change your act
We're all confused, what's to lose?
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
I'm Uncle Sam, how do you do?
Gimme five, I'm still alive
Ain't no luck, I learned to duck.
Check my pulse, it don't change
Stay seventy-two come shine or rain
Wave the flag, pop the bag
Rock the boat, skin the goat
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my
I'm Uncle Sam, that's who I am
Been hidin' out in a rock and roll band
Shake the hand that shook the hand
Of P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan.
Shine your shoes, light your fuse
Can you use them ol' U.S. Blues?
I'll drink your health, share your wealth
Run your life, steal your wife.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my
Back to back chicken shack
Son of a gun, better change your act
We're all confused, what's to lose?
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
Comments (77)add comment
have not heard this song in a while, thanks william and alanna
fredriley wrote:
It's 4 minutes. How is that long? This comment is 14 years old. Maybe there was a longer version playing back then.
As Joe Strummer said: "F*ckin' long, innit?". That's the thing about bands in the 60s - you sure got your money's worth with track lengths ;(
Maybe track length should be shown in the song metadata on RP so's we know how long to mute for when a Sucko-Barfo comes on?
It's 4 minutes. How is that long? This comment is 14 years old. Maybe there was a longer version playing back then.
FlatCat wrote:
So this forum is only for positive comments? How treacly dull that would be.
As a general rule, any criticism gets down thumbed into oblivion and the most banal praise sits atop the comments....and it is treacly dull...I usually read the comments from bottom to top...way more interesting that way. Wish I could default it to that manner...
So this forum is only for positive comments? How treacly dull that would be.
As a general rule, any criticism gets down thumbed into oblivion and the most banal praise sits atop the comments....and it is treacly dull...I usually read the comments from bottom to top...way more interesting that way. Wish I could default it to that manner...
Could never figure out why I never heard them play this at shows I attended, or live versions on the Dead satellite radio channel.
It's, it's, it's....patriotic!
It's, it's, it's....patriotic!
Perfect....given the day!
My favorite 4th of July song!
Thanks Bill
Thanks Bill
flatpicker wrote:
I don't like a whole bunch of The Dead's music, but this one always worked for me. I also love how Captain Trips & The Boys always looked like they were having a blast in those old photos from Haight Street, even when they're standing next to garbage...
I don't like a whole bunch of The Dead's music, but this one always worked for me. I also love how Captain Trips & The Boys always looked like they were having a blast in those old photos from Haight Street, even when they're standing next to garbage...
Just leaves me cold. Sounds like generic bar blues to me. There seems to be nothing remarkable about either the musical or lyrical content here. I'm stifling a yawn.
caregiver wrote:
Heard this on Beale street in Memphis. Great afternoon!
Heard this on Beale street in Memphis. Great afternoon!
Great song, Fantastic album!!!
As Joe Strummer said: "F*ckin' long, innit?". That's the thing about bands in the 60s - you sure got your money's worth with track lengths ;(
Maybe track length should be shown in the song metadata on RP so's we know how long to mute for when a Sucko-Barfo comes on?
Maybe track length should be shown in the song metadata on RP so's we know how long to mute for when a Sucko-Barfo comes on?
zenhead wrote:
Another grate comment from Maine
yay, it's the "dreadful grate!"
Another grate comment from Maine
ugh,...make it stop....
yay, it's the "dreadful grate!"
FlatCat wrote:
So this forum is only for positive comments? How treacly dull that would be.
Ya totally missed the point of the comment. Feel free to diss anything and everything to your heart's deepest pleasure. My point is the obvious tendency among a fair proportion of the commenters on this site to denigrate the enjoyment that others get from, oh let's say, the Grateful Dead. You don't like a band or a performer or a performance? Great. But since music is so personal and preferences so idiosyncratic, my idea of good music is not actually better than yours. Some seem to get pleasure from explaining how much they do not like something that others like. This is something that simply does not make much sense to me. That's all.
So this forum is only for positive comments? How treacly dull that would be.
Ya totally missed the point of the comment. Feel free to diss anything and everything to your heart's deepest pleasure. My point is the obvious tendency among a fair proportion of the commenters on this site to denigrate the enjoyment that others get from, oh let's say, the Grateful Dead. You don't like a band or a performer or a performance? Great. But since music is so personal and preferences so idiosyncratic, my idea of good music is not actually better than yours. Some seem to get pleasure from explaining how much they do not like something that others like. This is something that simply does not make much sense to me. That's all.
skibbenr wrote:
I just had to jump in and say that in 1976 the Dead taught me what patriotism could be. At a show in that bicentennail year in Chicago I was amazed to see American flags flying all over the stage.
About half way through the show however I realized that they truly loved America. America the brave, America the free, America the beacon of liberty. Since then, I've moved to Canada for all kinds of reasons, but I still carry that sense of what America used to represent within its borders and around the world. It's sad that its lost so much of that. And now, thanks in part to the Dead, I'm a proud and patriotic Canadian.
About half way through the show however I realized that they truly loved America. America the brave, America the free, America the beacon of liberty. Since then, I've moved to Canada for all kinds of reasons, but I still carry that sense of what America used to represent within its borders and around the world. It's sad that its lost so much of that. And now, thanks in part to the Dead, I'm a proud and patriotic Canadian.
Mugro wrote:
America means different things to different people, just as the Dead themselves do. There is no one way to be patriotic, and there is no one way to view or enjoy the Dead.
We humans each see the world through our own unique prism.
the Steal Your Face icon ~~~ a skull - with red, white, and blue... we Dead take our freedoms very seriously lol
if the thunder don't get you ~ then the lightning will
caregiver wrote:
could not say it better!
could not say it better!
RAD
bluefrog wrote:
No, you're not the only one. During their time, I was listening to music of two types: astral/space rock (Yes/ELP) and music that sounded best at megawatt levels (Mountain/Cream). Never enjoyed their easy, folksy style, although I have grown to like a lot of their stuff, and this one is good.
Am I the only one who doesn't like the dead ?
It's not any sort of loathing or particular criticism of their music, I just don't like them.
It's not any sort of loathing or particular criticism of their music, I just don't like them.
No, you're not the only one. During their time, I was listening to music of two types: astral/space rock (Yes/ELP) and music that sounded best at megawatt levels (Mountain/Cream). Never enjoyed their easy, folksy style, although I have grown to like a lot of their stuff, and this one is good.
skibbenr wrote:
America means different things to different people, just as the Dead themselves do. There is no one way to be patriotic, and there is no one way to view or enjoy the Dead.
We humans each see the world through our own unique prism.
I just had to jump in and say that in 1976 the Dead taught me what patriotism could be. At a show in that bicentennail year in Chicago I was amazed to see American flags flying all over the stage.
About half way through the show however I realized that they truly loved America. America the brave, America the free, America the beacon of liberty. Since then, I've moved to Canada for all kinds of reasons, but I still carry that sense of what America used to represent within its borders and around the world. It's sad that its lost so much of that. And now, thanks in part to the Dead, I'm a proud and patriotic Canadian.
About half way through the show however I realized that they truly loved America. America the brave, America the free, America the beacon of liberty. Since then, I've moved to Canada for all kinds of reasons, but I still carry that sense of what America used to represent within its borders and around the world. It's sad that its lost so much of that. And now, thanks in part to the Dead, I'm a proud and patriotic Canadian.
America means different things to different people, just as the Dead themselves do. There is no one way to be patriotic, and there is no one way to view or enjoy the Dead.
We humans each see the world through our own unique prism.
Never was really a deadhead, but this I like a lot, along with Workingman's Dead and American Beauty.
C57BL6 wrote:
my my my, my oh my
C57BL6 wrote:
my my my, my oh my
my my my oh my
my my my, my oh my
my my my, my oh my
bam23 wrote:
Positive or negative, it's the place for everyone to voice their comments. I like this song!
Why do so many of my fellow humans (recording their wisdom on this web site) feel a strong urge to express their dislike of experiences that others enjoy? So you don't like the Dead. Is this something that you feel you must express, not in a manner that actually shows any substance, just the equivalent of "It doesn't have a good beat, I can't dance to it"? I, for one , like this song.
Positive or negative, it's the place for everyone to voice their comments. I like this song!
bam23 wrote:
So this forum is only for positive comments? How treacly dull that would be.
Why do so many of my fellow humans (recording their wisdom on this web site) feel a strong urge to express their dislike of experiences that others enjoy? So you don't like the Dead. Is this something that you feel you must express, not in a manner that actually shows any substance, just the equivalent of "It doesn't have a good beat, I can't dance to it"? I, for one , like this song.
So this forum is only for positive comments? How treacly dull that would be.
C57BL6 wrote:
my my my, my oh my
my my my oh my
my my my, my oh my
I think I feel a twirl comein on....
rdo wrote:
lighten up Francis
Great reference! I was just singing "boom chockalacka boom chockalacka boom chockalacka boom!" to my baby boy...
(even though I agree with him)
lighten up Francis
Great reference! I was just singing "boom chockalacka boom chockalacka boom chockalacka boom!" to my baby boy...(even though I agree with him)
For Horstman: Sounds like Phish
bam23 wrote:
lighten up Francis
Why do so many of my fellow humans (recording their wisdom on this web site) feel a strong urge to express their dislike of experiences that others enjoy? So you don't like the Dead. Is this something that you feel you must express, not in a manner that actually shows any substance, just the equivalent of "It doesn't have a good beat, I can't dance to it"? I, for one , like this song.
lighten up Francis
I want to copy your response and paste it whenever someone has felt the need to proclaim that one of the bands that I love is complete trash. I'm not a big Dead fan, but I totally see what others like about them - especially tunes like this.
bam23 wrote:
bam23 wrote:
Why do so many of my fellow humans (recording their wisdom on this web site) feel a strong urge to express their dislike of experiences that others enjoy? So you don't like the Dead. Is this something that you feel you must express, not in a manner that actually shows any substance, just the equivalent of "It doesn't have a good beat, I can't dance to it"? I, for one , like this song.
Papernapkin wrote:
I guess it's like hearing Michael Bolton on the radio and thinking, 'There is so many more talented musicians. Why do they keep playing this crap?' GD sings out of tune, they're mediocre musicians, and their lyrics are dull.
Oh, there's Papernapkin again. Spewing more ignorance about revolutionary musicians.
I guess it's like hearing Michael Bolton on the radio and thinking, 'There is so many more talented musicians. Why do they keep playing this crap?' GD sings out of tune, they're mediocre musicians, and their lyrics are dull.
Oh, there's Papernapkin again. Spewing more ignorance about revolutionary musicians.
rating a 10 to counter the ignorant haters out there
Good stuff from one of my favorite Dead albums. Play on RP. 9
Obviously, the Dead are for those who can hear them, eh?
This is about their only overtly political song, delivered in a comical manner, as their spirit has no invective whatsoever.
Morphed from its predecessor, the hilarious "Wave That Flag"
This is about their only overtly political song, delivered in a comical manner, as their spirit has no invective whatsoever.
Morphed from its predecessor, the hilarious "Wave That Flag"
bam23 wrote:
I guess it's like hearing Michael Bolton on the radio and thinking, 'There is so many more talented musicians. Why do they keep playing this crap?' GD sings out of tune, they're mediocre musicians, and their lyrics are dull.
Why do so many of my fellow humans (recording their wisdom on this web site) feel a strong urge to express their dislike of experiences that others enjoy? So you don't like the Dead. Is this something that you feel you must express, not in a manner that actually shows any substance, just the equivalent of "It doesn't have a good beat, I can't dance to it"? I, for one , like this song.
I guess it's like hearing Michael Bolton on the radio and thinking, 'There is so many more talented musicians. Why do they keep playing this crap?' GD sings out of tune, they're mediocre musicians, and their lyrics are dull.
I just had to jump in and say that in 1976 the Dead taught me what patriotism could be. At a show in that bicentennail year in Chicago I was amazed to see American flags flying all over the stage.
About half way through the show however I realized that they truly loved America. America the brave, America the free, America the beacon of liberty. Since then, I've moved to Canada for all kinds of reasons, but I still carry that sense of what America used to represent within its borders and around the world. It's sad that its lost so much of that. And now, thanks in part to the Dead, I'm a proud and patriotic Canadian.
Why do so many of my fellow humans (recording their wisdom on this web site) feel a strong urge to express their dislike of experiences that others enjoy? So you don't like the Dead. Is this something that you feel you must express, not in a manner that actually shows any substance, just the equivalent of "It doesn't have a good beat, I can't dance to it"? I, for one , like this song.
lewinter wrote:
Takes me right back to summers of 86-88! 
uh, 70's with the Big Bambu. The neurophsical markers are still in place and kick in with the Dead. Reminds me of the fun we had.
When will the Dead die? Not soon enough for me.
appreciate what they stand for....can not stand them.
No substance, ho hum....
A SMILE WITH NO EMOTION.
bluefrog wrote:
Am I the only one who doesn't like the dead ?
It's not any sort of loathing or particular criticism of their music, I just don't like them.
SOOOO TRUE. I've thought the same thing. Nothing disrespectful. Just can't stand 'em.
Am I the only one who doesn't like the dead ?
It's not any sort of loathing or particular criticism of their music, I just don't like them.
How do you do? ;)
BikeCoachDave wrote:
whathesaid
ooo, thats pretty sad.
whathesaid
lewinter wrote:
Summer time done come & gone My oh My oh my
my my my oh my
how do you say? Sucko Barfo?
yeah. that.
WAVE THAT FLAG !!!!
ivann wrote: :-({|= (pimp) 
How sad. On that basis I won't try looking for anything that would justify their popularity. Maybe it's a US thing?
Well... the Dead were REALLY best live, UNF not e'nuff high quality live stuff around here. I'd upload some of the rockin' live stuff in my library, but its too low bitrate (c'mon 160k ain't bad) for submission on RP. ANYONE out there with good live recordings, UPLOAD!!!!
anyway, that's my rant.... thx Bill & Rebecca
buddy0407 wrote:
The alltime best Grateful Dead song ever.
ooo, thats pretty sad.
ivann wrote:
How sad. On that basis I won't try looking for anything that would justify their popularity. Maybe it's a US thing?
I did hear that the Jerry Garcia estate gets more money from royalties paid by Ben & Jerry's for the sale of 'Cherry Garcia' than they do for the music of Grateful Dead.
That's simply because you don't hear much Dead played on the radio or used to sell things on TV. Neither of those are bad things.
buddy0407 wrote:
The alltime best Grateful Dead song ever.
How sad. On that basis I won't try looking for anything that would justify their popularity. Maybe it's a US thing?
I did hear that the Jerry Garcia estate gets more money from royalties paid by Ben & Jerry's for the sale of 'Cherry Garcia' than they do for the music of Grateful Dead.
A vintage RP segue-the Heads into the Dead!!! 
The alltime best Grateful Dead song ever.
God they suck so strongly 
I actually gave this to my brother for Christmas once. I wasn't mad at him,he actually requested it.
Fraticide would have been kinder.
I actually gave this to my brother for Christmas once. I wasn't mad at him,he actually requested it.
Fraticide would have been kinder. Summer time done come & gone My oh My oh my
Takes me right back to summers of 86-88!
"Wave that flag"
I'm Uncle Sam,
That's who I am.
Been hiding out
in a rock'n'roll band.
What a pleasant surprise! 
Ugly Rumors
Brings back Friday afternoons in college to me. Thanks Bill! \:D/
:-({|= (pimp) This song brings back some great memories (closely associated with buzzes) and I\'m not really even into the Dead. :)
Cool little tune that played well in concert when it was slipped into odd places where a bit of levity was called for. Later, it became on encore that felt obligatory. My five year old daughter loves to act it out - waving the flag, rocking the boat... My oh my oh my.
Rucka-rucka!
We could use a bit more of the Grateful Dead philosophy right about now.
Do more Dead!
as Homer Simpson would say: \"Grateful Dead, mmmmmmmmmmmm\"
(pimp)
(pimp) Ahhhhh......a timeless classic! 