Grateful Dead aren’t exactly known for their lyrics, specifically. That’s not a dig, either. They were one of the greatest jam bands of all time, capable of communicating more through instrumentation than mere words. That being said, a few of their famous songs’ lyrics are memorable, and we think they’re worth revisiting. Let’s take a look!
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1. “Dark Star”
“Dark star crashes, pouring its light into ashes / Reason tatters / The forces tear loose from the axis”
Robert Hunter successfully turned a delightful acid trip into a song with “Dark Star”. This is one of Grateful Dead’s deepest songs, and it manages to blend together what an acid experience is like with science fiction imagery and sounds that are an absolute joy to behold.
2. “The Stranger”
“What is the secret of this tie that binds? / Two souls in communion both body and mind”
Ron McKernan (better known as “Pigpen”) wasn’t exactly a strong songwriter in Grateful Dead. His songwriting credits are pretty small in the grand scheme of things. However, he got one thing incredibly right with “The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)”. In fact, we think this song showcases just how much he improved through the years as a lyricist.
3. “The Other One”
“The bus came by and I got on / That’s when it all began / There was cowboy Neal at the wheel of the bus to never ever land”
We have to hand it to Bob Weir: Writing music when you’re dyslexic isn’t easy. However, he managed to put together a few stunning songs during his time with Grateful Dead. Our favorite has to be “The Other One”, which has since become one of the band’s most important pieces of work.
4. “Scarlet Begonias”
“Once in a while, you get shown in the light / In the strangest of places if you look at it right”
Some of the best Grateful Dead lyrics you’ll find in the band’s discography can be found in “Scarlet Begonias”. We’d be bold enough to say that the above lyric, specifically, can be applied to what Grateful Dead meant to their legions of Deadheads. Sometimes, music created in the oddest places can bring people so much joy.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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