U.S. Blues Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Red and white, blue suede shoes
I'm Uncle Sam, how do you do?
Give me five, I'm still alive
Ain't no luck, I learned to duck
Check my pulse, it don't change
Stay seventy-two come shine or rain
Wave the flag, pop the bag
Rock the boat, skin the goat

[Chorus]
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my

[Verse 2]
I'm Uncle Sam, that's who I am
Been hiding out in a rock and roll band
Shake the hand that shook the hand
Of P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan

Shine your shoes, light your fuse
Can you use them old U.S. Blues?
I'll drink your health, share your wealth
Run your life, steal your wife

[Chorus]
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my
[Bridge]
Back to back chicken shack
Son of a gun, better change your act
We're all confused, what's to lose?
You can call this song the United States Blues

[Chorus]
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my
My my my my, oh, my, oh, my, oh, my
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my

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About

Genius Annotation

“U.S. Blues” is a reflection of the political atmosphere in 1974, in which the specter of a modern-day presidential impeachment was no longer a fantasy, but an emerging reality.

Hunter’s lyrics commingle pop icons, cynicism, and patriotism – a rather apt concoction.

It’s worth noting that the debut of both “U.S. Blues” (in its final form) and “Ship of Fools” occurred during the same three nights in late February 1974 at Winterland .

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Lead Vocals
Bass Guitar
Lead Guitar
Rhythm Guitar
Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Recorded At
CBS Studios (San Francisco)
Release Date
June 27, 1974
U.S. Blues Live Performances
U.S. Blues (Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 3/9/81) by The Grateful Dead, Dark Star Jam / Spanish Jam / U.S. Blues (Live at Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, FL, June 23, 1974) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at County Fairgrounds, Des Moines, IA, 6/16/74) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Alexandra Palace, London, September 10, 1974) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Hartford Civic Center, October 14, 1983) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Boston Garden, Boston, MA, June 28, 1974) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR, May 19, 1974) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA, June 12, 1976) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live in Providence, RI, September 4, 1980) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Cow Palace, Daly City, CA, March 23, 1974) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA, March 27, 1988) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, June 18, 1976) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Philadelphia Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA, August 4-5, 1974) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI, August 7, 1982) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live at the Oakland Coliseum, October 9, 1976) by The Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues (Live in Hartford, CT, May 28, 1977) by The Grateful Dead & U.S. Blues (Live at Great American Music Hall, SF, 8/13/75) by The Grateful Dead
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