In 1969 the band were all arrested for possession of marijuana and Roky was incarcerated in Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where he reportedly underwent electroshock therapy and was placed on Thorazine amongst other controversial treatments. Many claim he has never been the same since. Sadly in the intervening years record execs and managers displayed the bad side of the music business and took full advantage of his condition often leaving him living in poverty while they hoarded all the cash.
In 2001 Roky's youngest brother, Sumner Erickson (ex-tuba player for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), was appointed his legal guardian and an improvement in Roky's faculties has been reported since, leading to a return to live shows.
An excellent documentary on Roky, "You're gonna miss me" (2005), chronicled his troubled life - his schizophrenia, incarceration for possession of a joint, and talented and eccentric family.
I Walked With a Zombie
Roky Erickson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie last night
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie last night
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie last night
I walked with a zombie (he walked with a zombie)
I walked with a zombie (he walked with a zombie)
I walked with a zombie last night
I walked with a zombie (he walked with a zombie)
I walked with a zombie (he walked with a zombie)
I walked with a zombie last night
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie last night
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie
I walked with a zombie last night
Walk walk walk walk walk walk
Roky Erickson's song "I Walked With a Zombie" is an eerie and hauntingly beautiful tune about a person who has encountered and walked with a zombie. While the song may seem like a simple repetition of the same lines, it is a deeper reflection on the darker side of humanity. The repeated chorus "I walked with a zombie" is an allusion to the feeling of being lost, trapped, or unable to escape a situation or mental state, much like the zombie itself.
The "zombie" in the song can be interpreted in multiple ways, whether it be a metaphorical representation of addiction, depression, or any other mental state that can consume and control one's life. The repetitive chorus emphasizes the inescapable nature of such struggles and the feeling of being stuck in a perpetual cycle. The final line of the song, "Walk walk walk walk walk walk," emphasizes the idea of being trapped, unable to break free from a repetitive cycle or pattern.
In summary, "I Walked With a Zombie" by Roky Erickson is a haunting song that reflects on the darker side of humanity and the feeling of being trapped and controlled by forces beyond our control. The repetitive chorus and final line speak to the inescapable nature of such struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked with a zombie
He had an experience with a zombie
I walked with a zombie last night
The experience was recent and occurred during the previous night
Walk walk walk walk walk walk
Repeating this line emphasizes his experience of walking with the zombie
Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TacomaPaul
The lyrics.
Genius.
Zickcermacity
I was exposed to this track about 4 years ago, when the store chain where I worked started playing Halloween-spooky themed music during the 3 weeks of October leading up the holiday.
I SWORE this was something the Rolling Stones did decades ago. Not just Roky's voice, but the arrangement, all of it!
The Steve Gaines Rock Band
I heard this playing in Walmart; I guess it was a Halloween playlist. I was sure it was Mick Jagger singing. He sure sounds like Mick.
Thomas J
Mick sounds like rocky *
danielscissorhands
Cool. Thanks for uploading.