Scarlet Begonias

Grateful Dead

About Scarlet Begonias

"Scarlet Begonias" is a song by the Grateful Dead. The lyrics were written by Robert Hunter and the music by Jerry Garcia. The live debut of "Scarlet Begonias" came on March 23, 1974 at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. The song begins in Grosvenor Square in London and also references "Tea for Two" from No, No, Nanette by Irving Caesar and Vincent Youmans. The third stanza uses gambling/loss imagery that occurs in many Grateful Dead songs. The line "As I picked up my matches and was closing the door" uses the symbolism of playing poker with matchsticks to indicate a very low stakes gamble that was made for fun. The line "Everybody's playing in the Heart of Gold Band", was used by Keith and Donna Godchaux to name their new group "Heart of Gold Band" when they left Grateful Dead in 1979. The recording first appears on the 1974 release From the Mars Hotel. When "Fire on the Mountain" was incorporated into the band's repertoire in 1977, "Scarlet Begonias" would often be paired with it when played live, resulting in what would be nicknamed "Scarlet > Fire". 


Year:
2000
9:30
44 
#1

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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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Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long musical improvisation. "Their music," writes Lenny Kaye, "touches on ground that most other groups don't even know exists." These various influences were distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that made the Grateful Dead "the pioneering Godfathers of the jam band world." They were ranked 57th in the issue The Greatest Artists of all Time by Rolling Stone magazine. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and their Barton Hall Concert at Cor… more »

10 fans

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.
Release Date
The song was first included in the Grateful Dead's 1974 studio album, "From the Mars Hotel."
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.
Song Length
The running time of the original studio recording is approximately 4:19 minutes.
Quirky Facts
The 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.
Live Performances
Grateful 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."
Notable Cover Versions
Renowned artists like Sublime, Jimmy Buffett, and Bruce Hornsby have recorded cover versions of this song, signifying its enduring popularity.
Song Popularity
By 1995, "Scarlet Begonias" was the fifth most-performed song by the Grateful Dead, featuring in approximately 11% of their concerts.
Cultural Impact
The song's profound lyrics have been interpreted by fans and scholars alike to discuss themes of love, freedom, and the unpredictability of life.
Live Concert Fact
The longest performance of "Scarlet Begonias" was 22 minutes and 55 seconds, played on March 22, 1990, at the Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Studio Recording Location
The song was recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco, California.
Memorable Lyrics
The 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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