U.S. Blues
Grateful Dead Lyrics
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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?
You can call this all the United States Blues.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
Grateful Dead's “U.S. Blues” is a celebratory tune that depicts Uncle Sam, a personification for the United States, as a rock and roll fan, sporting a pair of red and white blue suede shoes while waving the flag wide and high.
The first verse of the song is a direct reference to the colors of the American flag, which are red, white, and blue, and the prevalent fashion of blue suede shoes during the 1960s. Uncle Sam, in this context, is a symbol of how the United States, despite all its hardships and struggles, remains alive and kicking, having learned to dodge obstacles as they come, with no reliance on luck. The fourth line, "check my pulse, it don't change," suggests a steadfast commitment by the United States to remain the same, regardless of the times, which is further confirmed in the next line, “stay seventy-two, come shine or rain,” a reference to the year 1772, which marks the beginning of the American Revolution. The stanza ends with the titular chorus, “wave that flag, wave it wide and high.”
The second verse takes Uncle Sam's character to another level, where he tells his fans to shake the hand that shook the hand of P.T. Barnum, the famous showman, and Charlie Chan, the fictional detective, highlighting the power that the United States has globally. Additionally, the lyrics, "back to back chicken shack. Son of a gun, you better change your act" could be an allusion to the current state of America's political and social climate. It encourages citizens to change their worldview and confront their biases to form a more united nation. The second half of the verse repeats the chorus, emphasizing the title of the song’s importance and Uncle Sam's centrality.
Line by Line Meaning
Red and white, blue suede shoes, I'm Uncle Sam, how do you do?
Stereotypical American visuals but I, Uncle Sam, still represent the country. How are you?
Gimme five, I'm still alive, ain't no luck, I learned to duck.
Give me a high five to celebrate that I'm still alive. I haven't been lucky, but I've learned to avoid danger.
Check my pulse, it don't change. Stay seventy-two come shine or rain.
My love for America never changes. It remains strong through all situations.
Wave the flag, pop the bag, rock the boat, skin the goat.
Celebrate America, party, disrupt the status quo, and achieve something difficult.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Continue to celebrate America and show pride in the country.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
Summer has passed quickly.
I'm Uncle Sam, that's who I am; Been hidin' out in a rock and roll band.
I am still representing America and have been in a rock and roll band, but I am still Uncle Sam.
Shake the hand that shook the hand of P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan.
Meet people who are important because they shook the hands of other important people.
Shine your shoes, light your fuse. Can you use them ol' U.S. Blues?
Get ready for success and use some traditional American traits to achieve it.
I'll drink your health, share your wealth, run your life, steal your wife.
I am willing to celebrate with you, share prosperity, be a leader, or be a thief.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Continue to celebrate America and show pride in the country.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
Summer has passed quickly.
Back to back chicken shack. Son of a gun, better change your act.
We have put up with low-quality chicken restaurants long enough. It's time for improvement.
We're all confused, what's to lose?
We may not have everything figured out, but we can still keep trying and not give up.
You can call this all the United States Blues.
All these challenges, accomplishments, and mixed emotions are part of the American experience.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Continue to celebrate America and show pride in the country.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
Summer has passed quickly.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEROME J. GARCIA, ROBERT C. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
justin
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?
You can call this song the United States blues.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
Edward Hammond
Happy 4th of July! Love this song and the studio version still stands as the best recorded version I've heard. My dear departed sister Laura Farrow, a Dead Head most of her adult life, was born on the 4th of July and I play this song every year on this date in her dear memory!
Trey Johnson
Happy 4th
Elmo Blatch
Technically it's "fourth day of July" my friend...
Christina Oswalt
Edward Hammond So sorry to hear about your sister… I also was born on the Fourth of July great day to have a birthday..wave that flag
Shawn Carrano
We all need some more Grateful Dead in 2020!! Stay Blessed out there everyone! ✌😎
Tim Tooker
You too. TT
Zach Collin
Right on, bro!
HyperspaceQ fka Jeffrey S. Geist
I'm posting Grateful Dead on Gab!
karen
Happy Fourth Uncle Sam ....
Anthonyq Colosimo
Summer time done come and gone!