Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!amd!pesnta!hplabs!sri-unix!GUMBY@MIT-MC.ARPA From: GUMBY@MIT-MC.ARPA Newsgroups: net.music.gdead Subject: Meaning of Lyrics Message-ID: <473@sri-arpa.ARPA> Date: Wed, 7-Aug-85 16:51:49 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.473 Posted: Wed Aug 7 16:51:49 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 22:08:56 EDT Lines: 32 From: David Vinayak WallaceDate: Wed, 31-Jul-85 08:22:55 PDT From: hplabs!pesnta!qumix!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcc3!sdcc12!nm34 at UCB-Vax.ARPA (nm34) There has been much talk about the music of the Dead and its many qualities, however, even though many of us end our articles with a quote, there hasn't been much talk about the words and their meanings. As is true with all forms of artistic communication, the meaning is always a personal experience often independent of authors intentions. However, there is an intention that the author has given to his/her words (I think). Many late nights I have sat with my eyes closed and wondered what was meant by this or that line or by an entire song. I'm sure most Deaders have done the same. Unfortunately, I was only able to come up with general feelings and not a complete "meaning" for a song. I am aware that part of my problem stemmed from the fact that there is no complete "meaning" to many of the songs. They do only paint a general picture of feelings and situations. Other songs, have been given a totally obsure meaning by their authiors. For example, "Dire Wolf" has been described by Hunter as an investigation of the death of the ego that is often aspired to by mystic philosophies (correct me if this is off). I wouldn't have ever have come up with that in a million years. In all I really dont "understand" very many of the Dead's songs, but maybe that is the intention, they are not to understand, but to be felt. Andy Bindman ...!ihnp4!sdcsvax!sdcc12!nm34