Best Grateful Dead Songs

anthonybecerra831

The Top Ten

1 St. Stephen

Not the best but top 10

Sorry I think this is like the tenth best, not the best ever - GuyInANateGrinder

This song is the best song ever

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!

2 Friend of the Devil

Reminds me of Robert Johnson - Doom

3 Casey Jones
4 Truckin'

"What a song man, what a song, perfect. You will never get tired of listening it."

5 Touch of Grey

Best one - Solacress

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 - Sabbath

2 Comments
6 Ripple

There is no question best lyrics and melody

Read the lyrics and listen to the most beautiful Dead tune ever!

7 China Cat Sunflower

Never got into them, but love this song

8 Scarlet Begonias

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.

9 Terrapin Station

Indeed this is the #1 song of this Band.

This is their best song.

Should be #1. Best Dead song ever.

Progressive, complex music and lyrics. My favorite Dead material.

3 Comments
10 Box of Rain

A box of rain will ease the pain, and love will see you through. Becca 💙

The Contenders

11 Eyes of the World

Always one of my favorites!

12 Playing In the Band
13 Uncle John's Band
14 Sugar Magnolia

What can be said?

15 U.S. Blues
16 Standing On the Moon
17 The Golden Road
18 Morning Dew
19 Shakedown Street
20 Black Muddy River
21 Franklin's Tower
22 Dark Star
23 Fire On the Mountain
24 The Other One
25 Cosmic Charlie
26 Dire Wolf
27 It Must Have Been the Roses
28 Wharf Rat

Always a favorite of mine!

29 Althea
30 Alabama Getaway

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 - mneilan

31 Estimated Prophet

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

1 Comment
32 Sugaree
33 The Music Never Stopped
34 Brokedown Palace

Second only to Ripple in its beauty!

35 Jack Straw
36 Hell in a Bucket
37 Bertha
38 That's It for the Other One

I think this song deserves more attention. It's one of the earliest progressive rock songs. - shadomatrix

It's pretty much progressive.

39 Row Jimmy

Provably the most underrated on this list - GuyInANateGrinder

40 Throwing Stones
41 Tennessee Jed
42 I Will Take You Home
43 Unbroken Chain

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.

44 Alligator
45 Looks Like Rain
46 Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
47 Loser
48 Me and My Uncle
49 Mississippi Half Step

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.

50 Stella Blue
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List Stats

300 votes
62 listings
9 years, 83 days old

Top Remixes (8)

1. Eyes of the World
2. St. Stephen
3. Morning Dew
hvd
1. Casey Jones
2. Friend of the Devil
3. Black Muddy River
ryanrimmel
1. Touch of Grey
2. Uncle John's Band
3. Truckin'
Billyv

WRemix
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