The Grateful Dead in concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, August 3, 1994. From left is Phil Lesh, Bob Wier, Jerry Garcia, and Micky Hart. (Credit: Northfoto on Shutterstock)
Embarking on a journey through the best of the Grateful Dead’s vast musical landscape is like setting out on a long, strange trip indeed. For over three decades, this iconic band wove a tapestry of sound that defied easy categorization, blending elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, and psychedelia into a unique sonic brew. From their early days in the 1960s San Francisco scene to their final show in 1995, the Dead created a body of work that continues to captivate listeners and inspire new generations of musicians. Their songs are more than just tunes; they’re living, breathing entities that evolved over countless live performances, each rendition a unique expression of the moment. Whether you’re a seasoned Deadhead who’s attended hundreds of shows or a curious newcomer drawn in by the band’s legendary status, the world of Grateful Dead music offers an endless adventure of discovery. In this article, we’ll explore the best Grateful Dead songs that exemplify their musical genius, lyrical prowess, and unparalleled ability to transport listeners to higher planes of consciousness. So, tune up, turn on, and let’s dive into the best of the Grateful Dead’s sonic universe!
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Best Grateful Dead Songs, According to Experts
1. “Ripple” (1970)
When it comes to Grateful Dead songs, “Ripple” consistently ranks among every music expert’s favorites. “Ripple was featured on the Grateful Dead’s 1970 album American Beauty and was released alongside Truckin’,” writes Music Grotto. “The song was the result of a prolific afternoon of composition by Grateful Dead member Robert Hunter, during which he reportedly drank half a bottle of fortified wine.”
What is a hippie? If you can’t outright define it, this song gives off the same energy. “If you love the hippie vibes the Grateful Dead has to offer, we highly recommend giving ‘Ripple’ a listen. ‘Ripple’ is arguably the most hippie song the Grateful Dead ever wrote. Often referred to as the ultimate peace and love anthem, this song is lyrically and musically awesome,” adds Rocks Off Mag.
Looking for inspiration? The Grateful Dead has you covered. “Musically, the song is a straight-up country tune, while lyrically it draws part of its inspiration from the 23rd Psalm,” writes Ultimate Classic Rock. The lyric features trippy wordplay and hippie imagery: ‘Reach out your hand if your cup be empty / If your cup is full may it be again / Let it be known there is a fountain / That was not made by the hands of men.‘”
2. “Friend Of The Devil” (1970)
Have you ever felt like a misfit trying to find a new planet? The second song on our list of best Grateful Dead songs explains just that. “The narrator of Friend Of The Devil is on the run – from the law, from relationships – and unable to trust a soul. It’s set to a nimble acoustic backing which emphasizes the captivating interplay between the band members,” points out This Is Dig.
The “American Beauty” album is iconic and this song is one of its finest. “Friend of the Devil is a classic Grateful Dead story song about an outlaw on the run and once again comes from 1970’s American Beauty album,” adds Blues Rock Review. “The song was a collaborative effort with lyrics by Robert Hunter altered by John Dawson from ‘New Riders of the Purple Sage.’ The second half of the original line, ‘I set out running but I take my time / It looks like water but it tastes like wine’ was changed to ‘a friend of the devil is a friend of mine,’ which became the title line of the song.”
Attempting to describe the energy behind this song is like trying to describe what it’s like to be high. The lyrics take you somewhere but you never quite understand where you are and you realize that you don’t really need to understand. “The song’s lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and colorful characters, as the band weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and the search for freedom. With its catchy melody and infectious chorus, Friend of the Devil has become a beloved classic of the Grateful Dead’s repertoire, inspiring countless fans to join in the band’s celebration of the outlaw spirit and the joys of life on the road,” writes Singers Room.
3. “Uncle Johns Band” (1970)
Have you ever really listened to this song? “Uncle John’s Band is the Grateful Dead at the height of their song craft, featuring a strong melody over sparse acoustic backing,” writes Ultimate Classic Rock. “Its harmony singing owes an obvious debt to Crosby Stills and Nash, with a lyric that is drawn from the tumultuous social changes of that time, but still hints at ’60s optimism. Its unique blend of song structure and lyrical perspective earn it a spot in the Top 10 Grateful Dead Songs.”
This song was recorded more than 50 years ago and still remains a highly streamed classic. “The Grateful Dead first began playing Uncle John’s Band in 1969; it was recorded for their 1970 album Workingman’s Dead. The song, inspired by bluegrass and folk music, featured largely acoustic instruments; it was praised for its layered vocal harmonies. Its musical and lyrical accessibility made it popular with fans, and it remains one of the band’s best-known songs,” says Music Grotto.
When Dead fans think of their badge of honor, this is the song that comes to mind. “Another song that is almost a call to arms for the Dead, Uncle John’s Band is an outsider’s anthem – an idealistic ballad depicting a singer gathering a motley crew of outcasts and misfits together,” adds This is Dig. “Written just as the hippie dream was fading, Robert Hunter later said of the lyric: ‘It was my feeling about what the Dead was and could be. It was very much a song for us and about us, in the most hopeful sense.’ As the first song on Workingman’s Dead it heralded a new direction for the band, but beneath the Americana exterior came a more unusual influence, emphasizing Garcia’s musical curiosity, as he later explained: ‘At that time, I was listening to records of the Bulgarian Women’s Choir and also this Greek-Macedonian music, and on one of those records, there was this little turn of melody that was so lovely that I thought, Gee, if I could get this into a song it would be so great. So I stole it!'”
4. “Touch of Grey” (1987)
A good song can freeze a moment in time and etch it into your soul. “The 1987 single ‘Touch of Grey’ is undoubtedly one of the band’s best numbers and is widely known for the iconic refrain ‘I will get by / I will survive’ which is just an insight into the dark lyrics which belie the sounds and sonic landscape that the band create,” shares Far Out Magazine. “The joy of those lyrics is the juxtaposition they enjoy being balanced by the upbeat pop sound. With music composed by Jerry Garcia, the single remains one of the band’s few moments swimming in the mainstream—not their favourite place to be.”
“Touch of Grey” takes you from the highest peaks of joy to the deepest valleys of introspection, all within the span of a few minutes. “‘Touch of Grey’ is one of the Grateful Dead’s most beloved songs. It encapsulates everything the band stands for a free-spirited and positive attitude, upbeat energy, and a unique melding of folk, rock, and blues,” adds Midder Music.
“The song is a celebration of life and the joys of living, as the lyrics exhort the listener to embrace the present moment and to let go of their worries and fears. Touch of Grey is a classic rock anthem that has become a staple of the Grateful Dead’s live shows, and it continues to resonate with fans of all ages,” says Singers Room.
5. “Sugar Magnolia” (1970)
When “Sugar Magnolia” hit the airwaves, all of a sudden, your world transformed into a stadium and your kitchen become your stage. You just had to sing along! “Sugar Magnolia stands as one of the Grateful Dead’s best-known songs, and one of the key tracks from perhaps their best-known album, American Beauty. Written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir, the song may be responsible in no small part for the group’s hippie appeal, with its sunny good-time feel and lyrics like, ‘Sweet blossom come on, under the willow / We can have high times if you’ll abide/ We can discover the wonders of nature / Rolling in the rushes down by the riverside,‘” shares Ultimate Classic Rock.
A truly epic song is like a rollercoaster for your emotions and Sugar Magnolia takes you to the highest peak. “It reeks of everything that made the band brilliant,” writes Far Out Magazine. “Taken from American Beauty, an album which saw the group really hit their stride, the song is imbued with a powerful beauty that not many can match. You can thank Robert Hunter and Bob Weir for the lyrics which helped to turn a sea of hippies into a fanbase known simply as Deadheads.”
A fantastic song knows exactly which button to push to make you smile and “Sugar Magnolia” satisfies. “Sugar Magnolia is from 1970’s American Beauty album and was written by Bob Weir and Robert Hunter. Weir wrote the first half of the song and when he performed what he had in the studio for the first time Hunter easily completed it. It’s believed that the song was about Weir’s girlfriend and it became one of the ‘Dead’s’ indelibly popular classics,” writes Blues Rock Review.
If you had to choose one Dead song to represent your life, which song would you choose? Leave a comment to let us know!
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China doll.. hands down the best..
half step
and or brown eyed women
Big Boss Man, New Speedway Boogie, Terrapin Station, Bertha, Sugar Magnolia.
The author mentions going to see john meyer, who was a part of the now defunct dead and company. The photo selected doesnt show billy or vince who were part of the band at the time. The author of the article has clearly never been to a show nor is a fan. Weak.
Tough to narrow it down and it can change depending on mood and what’s grabbing my attention at a given time, but at this moment in time I’ll go with…
The Eleven
Scarlet Begonias
Eyes of the World
Cold Rain and Snow
Jack Straw
I love Touch of Grey, but agree it doesn’t belong in a list purporting to be the top 5 Dead songs.
Brokedown Palace, Althea, Franklin’s Tower – those are among my favorites.
Article was written by an obvious Non “Head”,
Shakedown, Althea, Ripple, Franklin’s Tower…. To name with you????
You obviously don’t know anything about the Grateful Dead. The fact that Touch Of Gray is on this list proves you must have only polled Deadhead wannabes. Jerry hated that song and so does every true Deadhead I know. Sugar Magnolia is the only song that belongs on that list. The other 3 are very good songs, but the band has so many other well qualified songs. Do some real research.
I love Touch of Grey, but agree it doesn’t belong in a list purporting to be the top 5 Dead songs.
I’ve had a rough go of it when considering my relationships with women. Althea has become both my Grateful Dead obsession and the story of my life. (Self centered to the extreme…) I find the simple riff of Jerry’s guitar and the supporting play of the band haunting and spiritual…transcendent. I really didn’t connect with the studio version on Go to Heaven, but after hearing many live performances I was hooked.
Let me guess, she ran you out in the cold rain and snow, and she’s been trouble all your life?
not even close….
What a ridiculous article that is not based in reality.
Sorry, nope
This is a terrible list
Sugar Magnolia should be #1, and Touch of Grey does not belong on this list, but Me and My Uncle does
Me and My Uncle is one of my top Dead COVERS, but I suspect this list is just for their originals. No El Paso and tons of their other amazing renditions of others’ works.
Truckin
Sugaree
Yup, also add Box of Rain.
None of those songs are in my top 5.
Ummmmmm, as a lifelong deadhead, I can tell u that this article is just a list of songs from the dead lamest album, “Skeletons in the Closet” and no real head would say ANY of songs are what any of us would ACTUALLY recommend to anyone curious about the dead… there was obviously zero actual research done to write this.
Where’s Shakedown Street? Franklin’s Tower? TERRAPIN???
Just…no. If u don’t know a single thing about the Dead, pls don’t write about the Dead. ????
Right on man, my thoughts exactly. Where is Althea, Dark Star, where is Bird Song or a host of fantastic live cross overs and 25 minute live versions. In fact the best of the Dead are live performances
Those 5 songs are worthy of recognition. Why so negative? True the classics you mention are in the song hall of fame – beyond words. Let’s celebrate all of the Dead – songs that speak volumes to different people. Be kind sir, the music unites us. We treasure so much variety and talent. So much to love.
Right on, Chana, thanks.
Excellent comment. Also, when recommending songs by an artist to someone largely unfamiliar with their work, it makes sense to suggest the more mainstream records to lure them into the fold. It’s kinda like handing out free samples of food at a supermarket or shopping mall. “Ooh, that’s good, let me see what else they have.” Once there, they can start exploring the lesser known and more obscure works that diehard fans prefer. I have a friend who started liking Queen after the Bohemian Rhapsody movie came out. I told him that there were many more where those songs came from, you’ll just never hear them on the radio. He couldn’t believe how many great songs they actually have in their catalogue.
I’ve seen the dead plenty and Sugar Magnolia always brings the sunshine straight to me! My soul just wakes up and I feel it deep in my bones! I would’ve chosen different tunes but this will always be one! Althea is a must, though.
Although never a ripple fanatic it is widely considered, amongst the fanbase I’ve encountered, as one of tge most harmonizing numbers ever written or played especialy acoustic style which without question was at the very top of their numbers to be played accusticly. And even not a fanatic of ripple I’d take a ripple closer over a shakedown opener any show, ,anytime, anywhere!!!! Having seen shakedown at least 50times it still to my ear brings no more excitement than the first time i heard it!!!
I caught a accustic ripple at fenway directly beside possibly their second most accusticly preferred numbers with friend of devil early in first set which was less surprising than the third and final song played on their brief departure from electric which was an unimaginable accustic Darkstar, all three were a legendary performances in order which all three could be considered premium work all of which were far more valuable than shakedown street! Just an opinion not a judgement bevin
Yeah 2 comment about Shakedown Street
Couldn’ agree more!
It’s fun 2 have the memories.
2 thumbs 4U
This is the most generic list of Dead songs that could have been compiled. It’s very obvious that the author is not a Dead Head or even likes the Dead.
Not obvious at all. Just go with it .
Thanks, Cap’n.
Has she ever seen the band or actually spoken to anyone who has??
Your top five are all stellar choices. But my all-time #1 is “Eyes of the World”!
Truckin… sums up my life with reference to many of my travels, both personal and shared. That’s gotta be on one of the top five when in doubt keep moving.
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