Mayer recounts that in 2011 he was listening to Pandora and happened upon the song "Althea" by the Grateful Dead, and that soon Grateful Dead music was all he would listen to. In February 2015, while Mayer was guest hosting The Late Late Show, he invited Grateful Dead guitar player Bob Weir to join him in a studio performance. A bond developed between the two, and while Weir and the other three surviving core members of the Grateful Dead were preparing for their 50th anniversary shows, dubbed Fare Thee Well, Mayer began practicing the band's large catalog of songs. That August, Mayer and original Grateful Dead members Weir, Hart, and Kreutzmann formed the band, along with keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and bassist Oteil Burbridge. Mayer expressed a particularly strong enthusiasm toward playing with the new band.
Phil Lesh, the bassist for the Grateful Dead, did not join Dead & Company. Instead he continued to perform with his band Phil Lesh and Friends. Mike Gordon of Phish briefly auditioned for the bassist role but had to withdraw due to being too busy with other matters.
The band has not released any studio recordings, but all of the concerts from their 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 tours have been (or are being) released on CD, iTunes, streaming services, and through their Livedead.co website.
https://deadandcompany.com/
Sugaree
Dead & Company Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When they bring that wagon around
When they come to call on you
And drag your poor body down
Just one thing I ask of you
There's just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
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 sewn up tight
How come you lay awake all night long?
Just one thing I ask of you
There's just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darlin' 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 know, 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
There's just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darlin' 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 up now Sugaree
I'll meet you at the jubilee
And if that jubilee don't come
Baby, I'll meet you on the run
Just one thing I ask of you
Just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darlin' 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
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
The lyrics of Dead & Company's song "Sugaree" are open to interpretation, but they revolve around themes of loss, anonymity, and the consequences of one's actions. The song begins by describing a situation where someone is being taken away, possibly by the authorities or some other external force. The singer pleads with this person, addressed as "Sugaree," to forget about their connection and pretend they don't know each other.
The second verse suggests that Sugaree had a reputation as a cool and faultless person, but the lyrics question why they would still struggle with sleepless nights. It implies that despite their perceived success, something isn't right beneath the surface. The chorus again emphasizes the importance of Sugaree pretending not to know the singer.
The third verse speaks of the rain as a metaphor for the hardships Sugaree faces despite their accomplishments. It suggests that Sugaree is being called by an unknown force or voice, possibly indicating a reckoning or a change that they must face.
The final verse mentions a possible jubilee, a celebration or gathering, where the singer suggests meeting Sugaree. However, if the jubilee doesn't happen, they promise to meet Sugaree on the run, suggesting an escape from the consequences that await them.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sugaree" convey a sense of impending trouble and the desire to distance oneself from it by severing connections and pretending ignorance. It is a reflection on the complexities of life and the consequences of one's actions, even when they seem to have it all together.
Line by Line Meaning
When they come to take you down
When the authorities or those in power come to bring you down and arrest you
When they bring that wagon around
When they bring the police wagon or vehicle to transport you to jail
When they come to call on you
When they come to visit you, possibly referring to an interrogation or investigation
And drag your poor body down
And forcefully take your body away, likely to jail or imprisonment
Just one thing I ask of you
There is one favor or request I have for you
There's just one thing for me
There is one thing that is important to me
Please forget you knew my name
Please pretend like you don't know my identity or connection to you
My darlin' Sugaree
My beloved, affectionately called Sugaree
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Move your body energetically, Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
But don't reveal to others that we have any association or connection
You thought you was the cool fool
You believed yourself to be a confident and clever person
And never could do no wrong
And believed you could never make any mistakes or do anything wrong
Had everything sewn up tight
Had everything under control and perfectly arranged
How come you lay awake all night long?
Why do you find yourself unable to sleep and restless throughout the night?
You know, in spite of all you gained
You know, despite all the achievements and possessions you acquired
You still had to stand out in the pouring rain
You still had to endure difficulties and hardships, even though you appeared successful
One last voice is calling you
One final message or opportunity is trying to get your attention
And I guess it's time you go
And it's probably time for you to leave or face the consequences
Shake it up now Sugaree
Get yourself together and gather your energy, Sugaree
I'll meet you at the jubilee
I'll meet you at a celebration or gathering of people expressing joy and relief
And if that jubilee don't come
And if that celebration and relief never come to fruition
Baby, I'll meet you on the run
My dear, I'll meet you while we are on the run or attempting to escape
Just one thing I ask of you
There is one favor or request I have for you
Just one thing for me
Just one thing that is important to me
Please forget you knew my name
Please pretend like you don't know my identity or connection to you
My darlin' Sugaree
My beloved, affectionately called Sugaree
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Move your body energetically, Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
But don't reveal to others that we have any association or connection
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Move your body energetically, Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
But don't reveal to others that we have any association or connection
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEROME J. GARCIA, ROBERT C. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind