Scarlet Begonias
Grateful Dead
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As I was walkin' down Grosvenor Square, Not a chill to the winter but a nip to the air, From the other direction she was calling my eye, Could be an illusion but I might as well try, might as well try. She had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes, And I knew without askin' she was into the blues. She wore scarlet begonias tucked into her curls, I knew right away she was not like other girls, other girls. In the heat of the evening when the dealin' got rough, She was too pat to open and too cool to bluff. As I picked up my matches and was closin' the door, I had one of those flashes, I'd been there before, been there before. Well I ain't often right but I've never been wrong, Seldom turns out the way it does in the song. Once in a while you get shown the light In the strangest of places if you look at it right. Well there ain't nothin' wrong with the way she moves, All scarlet begonias or a touch of the blues. And there's nothing wrong with the look that's in her eyes I had to learn the hard way to let her pass by, let her pass by. The wind in the willow's playing "Tea for Two," The sky was yellow and the sun was blue, Strangers stopping strangers just to shake their hand, Everybody's playing in the heart of gold band, heart of gold band.
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Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Christie Hunter
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Musical Classification"Scarlet Begonias" belongs to the rock and psychedelic genres. As a product of the Grateful Dead, it underscores the band's iconic, experimental style.
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Release DateThe song was first included in the Grateful Dead's 1974 studio album, "From the Mars Hotel."
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Composer Details"Scarlet Begonias" was written by lyricist Robert Hunter and composed by vocalist/guitarist Jerry Garcia, both integral artists behind the Grateful Dead ensemble.
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Song LengthThe running time of the original studio recording is approximately 4:19 minutes.
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Quirky FactsThe name 'Scarlet Begonias' actually refers to a type of begonia flower. The song was inspired by Robert Hunter's experiences living in London during the 1970s.
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Live PerformancesGrateful Dead included "Scarlet Begonias" in their live performances, and it became a fan favorite. The band often performed it as a medley with another song, "Fire on the Mountain."
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Notable Cover VersionsRenowned artists like Sublime, Jimmy Buffett, and Bruce Hornsby have recorded cover versions of this song, signifying its enduring popularity.
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Song PopularityBy 1995, "Scarlet Begonias" was the fifth most-performed song by the Grateful Dead, featuring in approximately 11% of their concerts.
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Cultural ImpactThe song's profound lyrics have been interpreted by fans and scholars alike to discuss themes of love, freedom, and the unpredictability of life.
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Live Concert FactThe longest performance of "Scarlet Begonias" was 22 minutes and 55 seconds, played on March 22, 1990, at the Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Studio Recording LocationThe song was recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco, California.
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Memorable LyricsThe song's memorable opening line - "As I was walking 'Round Grosvenor Square" - establishes a strong narrative and geographical setting that was unusual for typical rock songs in that era.
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"Scarlet Begonias Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/18552797/Grateful+Dead/Scarlet+Begonias>.
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