Best Grateful Dead Songs
The Top Ten
Sorry I think this is like the tenth best, not the best ever
This song is the best song ever
Not the best but top 10
St Stephen performed live (not the album version) really is the Grateful Dead's greatest song of all! It's so bumpy, alive and jumping. And it's a hoot to play live with friends too. The version that's included on "Live Dead" which leads into "The Eleven" (which I'd consider perhaps another one of their greatest songs of all! That jam is so complex and fiery!) is the best version available of the amazing St. Stephen. There are some Dick's Picks that include St. Stephen into The Eleven, but for the casual fan or the curious, you just can't beat St. Stephen/The Eleven from "Live Dead". I hope that those of you who've never heard this brilliant song, choose to check it out on YouTube!
Reminds me of Robert Johnson
"What a song man, what a song, perfect. You will never get tired of listening it."
There is no question best lyrics and melody
Read the lyrics and listen to the most beautiful Dead tune ever!
Best lyrics ever in a song.
It came into concerts around '82, and didn't make it to a record til '89, I think. Perfect song for a perfect time in the band's long strange trip
How is this song last?
This song had a powerful meaning to it
Best one
Never got into them, but love this song
A box of rain will ease the pain, and love will see you through. Becca 💙
I was tripping at a show somewhere and I met the girl of my dreams while this song was playing. This was in the late eighties. I never got her name or number, but if you're reading this, lady gypsy sugar plum fairy, I hope all is well in the bubbly maroon love sauna.
A powerful masterpiece that in its best versions leaves goosebumps. One of the greatest songs by one of the greatest bands ever. This song can transcend time and at times be a symbolic image of the mightiest images possibly portrayed by this genius of a band.
One of the most beautiful tunes ever written, with sounds that send chills down your spine just thinking about them. One of a kind and powerful
Progressive, complex music and lyrics. My favorite Dead material.
A very powerful song.
The Contenders
Always one of my favorites!
Great song about life
What can be said?
Woodstock version is awesome
Always a favorite of mine!
It has a different feel than most of the Dead songs. It has an unusual time pattern that adds to the cool mood.
Should be number 1 on all lists
Best dead tune ever
Best song ever
I bought my first Dead album, Go to Heaven, out of curiosity. I was intrigued by the name of the band. Strangely, I knew nothing about them. The first song I heard was Alabama Getaway. This was around 1985. I liked the song very much and I thought Garcia's guitar style was interesting. This song is the song that got me into the band in the first place,
This song should be #1 for real, I mean, is not even on the "The Best of" album, what a joke haha
This song should be number 1 amazing guitar solos
Second only to Ripple in its beauty!
I think this song deserves more attention. It's one of the earliest progressive rock songs.
It's pretty much progressive.
Provably the most underrated on this list
As I type this, I'm looking at a ranking of 56. This is one of my favorite songs by ANY band. The lyrics, written by a guy in prison seeking redemption; the musical mood changes; the odd time signature. The complexity is a big reason it wasn't intended to be played live, even by one of the all-time great live bands.
Have seen the Dead many times and Half-Step is my favorite opening number. I mean, I always love it, but like Cold Rain & Snow it's a perfect opening number.