*FIRST TIME* 🎵 Grateful Dead - Touch of Grey Reaction

[@murph3194]

"Not metal" & "Almost a hippie vibe" LOL That killed me. They have no idea but would love to see them fall down this rabbit hole.

[@thedukeofagita3730]

Totally. You’ll know it’s happened once dancing bears appear on the wall behind them. 🤣

[@mybrainhurts1856]

Sweet summer children!!! 😄❤

[@TangoNevada]

They need Misty Fucking Quigley to unwittingly dose them with some Mushrooms or LCD. Then they might get it.

[@tommathews3964]

I almost spit my coffee out over that "almost a hippie vibe"! If there ever was an official "Hippie Vibe" it's The Dead! (and maybe old Airplane) I wish they could have met Owsley for their journey.........;)

[@tommathews3964]

@@thedukeofagita3730 Amen to the Dancing Bears! Look at poor Jamal/Jamel, he's scarred for life! ;)

[@RockN2Country]

Lex was dancing in her chair the way Deadheads dance in concert--she's got the real feel for it!!

[@andyscott5277]

Had the same thought 😅

[@naturalmystery]

Was just about to say that myself. Smiling like a veteran @ laguna seca circa 1988.

[@MidnightTokenFloydChatAccount]

My 1st thought was.... she's on the bus

[@davecummings2424]

She caught the groove int the first few notes and all she could do was smile, smile, smile..

[@jason-basin]

Nah but that sexy thing she does with her shoulder trumps 50 years of dancing by fifty deadheads combined.

[@TuomasLeone]

This is one *very deep* rabbit hole to head down if you care to. There's a lot of variation in the kinds of music the dead played. If you enjoy digging into lyrical meanings, well you're in for a real treat in exploring the lyrics that Robert Hunter came up with for Jerry and the gang. Have fun!

[@thegenxgamerr]

Amen to that. I saw the dead 20 times in the 80's and 90's. Brad it is NOT heavy metal, lol.

[@ThaiThom]

A very deep rabbit hole indeed...

[@Stevie8654]

@@thegenxgamerr I love that I’m into pre 1980 Dead, but you get something out of 80s and 90s Dead. There is something for everyone. Only thing I listen to as much as the Dead is JGB.

[@thegenxgamerr]

@@Stevie8654 Oh I love the early stuff with pig pen and the Godchaux. Terrapin station, blues for allah, awesome albums. I just had the opportunity to see the dead in the 80's and 90's.

[@michaelcrocker4851]

The greatest rabbit hole of all time

[@gretschzeppelin1183]

Brad always looks like he's staring into a crystal ball, while Lex looks like she's dancing under a mirror ball...I love it

[@matthewhoag2609]

Haha perfect description. I just watched them do Metallica And Justice for All and same applies, lol!

[@roguescoop]

Lex is amazing !!! Look at her face during the music.

[@kevinmartin9259]

lol

[@elizabethdemerie13]

The Grateful Dead's catalog is huge and I am so happier discovering them I'm a deadhead for many years and I look forward to seeing more reactions from you two. Thank you 😊

[@TangoNevada]

But, But that was the most "Ehh" Reaction I have ever seen.

[@kevincosta9228]

The Dead are huge in many ways. Yes, the variety of their musical catalog is astounding. So is the emotional reach of their music. They were also at the forefront of sound production technology. Their encouragement of fans to record the shows really means they were pioneers of music sharing. It's also huge that outsiders to the music business back in '60s through the '80s became of the most successful touring bands of all time.

[@arizrich]

The Grateful Dead are the original hippie band, their lyrics are frequently profound as you quickly saw. A few original members that are still alive perform under the name "Dead and Company" these days and still sell out large venues. Go see them sometime, it will be the closest you get to a time machine. Peace!

[@scapito]

Agree... audiophiles leave with a musical high.

[@leesvideopage]

OG Hippie Band... were even name dropped in that song "Hair" kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZWvfax6icyBf7c

[@mzahermz]

yeah im with ya. just wish meyer wouldnt bring POLITICS into it. jerry rolls over in his grave when these morons talk stupid politics.

[@jimglenn6972]

The Dead were the ultimate live band in 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Their library is huge from country, psychedelic, blues and more. I love them. I went to one of their concerts and the sound crew pulled my tape deck into their soundboard. Everyone could record their shows. It was fantastic. The name is from a folktale about the dead who were permitted to interact with the living to accomplish an important task before departing. The lead guitarist was Jerry Garcia… and amazing player!

[@scottfrench4139]

And early '90s.

[@johngriswold2213]

Actually their name was pulled sort of randomly from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, which was a favorite among some of the S.F. "heads" in the 60's. The quote goes something like, "In the land of the dark the ship of the sun is pulled by the grateful dead".

[@submandave1125]

The folk tale of the grateful dead with which I am familiar has nothing to do with helping the deceased accomplishing anything. In the story I know, two princes set out on a competing quest to determine who would inherit the kingdom. As they leave the castle gate, they pass a old, poor, sick stranger on the road. The older prince continues in pursuit of the quest without hesitation, while the younger one stops to help the man. He puts him up in an inn and tends his illness, but the stranger eventually dies. As he has no family, the prince stays after his death to purchase a grave and arrange a proper funeral mass and burial. Finally, after much delay, he continues the quest, knowing his brother has an insurmountable lead but without regret for what he'd done. In the course of his adventures, however, he is repeatedly helped by a mysterious stranger or various animals, eventually completing the quest first and winning the kingdom. At the end of the tale it is revealed that the aid he received was from the spirit of the Grateful Dead in appreciation for how he tended to both the body and soul of a stranger in need. "Reach out your hand if your cup is empty. If your cup is full, may it be so again."

[@tramvis2521]

I'm so glad yall are checking out the dead finally! you should listen to "sugar magnolia" by them

[@Dirk-Merkeldunk]

My daughter Faith was almost named Sugar Magnolia... Almost.

[@tramvis2521]

@@Dirk-Merkeldunk magnolia is a great name! Then the name she goes by could have been Maggie

[@gr8fulted49]

They like the lyric videos, so jams don't currently seem to be in their future in reaction to the Dead.

[@LordEagle]

Nice avi,,,,🤣🤣🤣👍

[@tommathews3964]

@@gr8fulted49 I think they could relate to some studio versions, especially Friend of The Devil, Cumberland Blues type stuff. Easily relateable for most newbies.

[@hifinsword]

This "TOUCH OF GREY" is my favorite Grateful Dead song! Glad you got to hear it and react!

[@natedogg5049]

Listen to Kacey Jones, you'll love it!

[@bobschenkel7921]

So glad you made it, to the realm of the Grateful Dead. There is no one sound for this group, they are all about variety. Folk, Country, Jazz, Psychodelia, Americana, Gospel, Story Songs, and good old straight ahead Rock and Roll. Saw my first show in 1980, Lewiston, Maine, and my last show in 1995, Washington, D.C., and many miles and many smiles in between. No other band made me feel this way, not even Phish, their supposed successors, just Jerry and the rest of the guys, and one gal. "The bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began. There was Cowboy Neil at the wheel of the bus to Neverever Land." A lyric from the song (That's It For) The Other One.

[@mzahermz]

hey bro, i was at that lewiston show. that september 6th show was very very special. my girlfriend had twins at 9:23pm that evening. how could i ever forget,lol,wow.

[@jmfdeadtothecore]

My dad and a couple of his friends traveled up from Cape Cod, MA to catch that show. Two days earlier he had been arrested outside the Dead's show in Providence (2 undercovers busted him with an open container, him and his buddies parked, a couple of them went to find tix and he cracked a beer. Boom, arrested! Shit luck. They had a tent setup next to the arena processing people. He missed everything but the encore). Highly recommend the GDTRFB from the Providence show. He always had an old poster advertising the Lewiston show hanging up in the basement. He passed away in 09 but I kept the poster and got it framed. A few years ago I gave it to one of the friends he went to the show with and she damn neared cried. They're truly a band beyond description. Thanks for the reminder of Lewiston, time to go listen to that Sugaree!

[@bobschenkel7921]

@@mzahermz A beautiful day, and from the sound of it a beautiful night and beyond. Glad it went so well. Congratulations and keep on truckin'.

[@bobschenkel7921]

@@jmfdeadtothecore Crazy story. I envy you that poster and understand his friends reaction. Lewiston was an awesome show, not to mention Roy Buchanan and The Cate Brothers with Levon Helm for openers. Great day.

[@asicerik]

"The evolution of the hippie" Lex is so astute! This is from the later days of their career, so I think that fits perfectly. I agree with Brad's take on the lyrics too: "I'm struggling but I'm optimistic". Love you guys!

[@JC-es5un]

On behalf of your audience…..please dive into this rabbit hole. 👍 “Uncle John’s Band”, “Truckin’ “, “Friend of the Devil”, “ Ripple”, and “Scarlet Begonias” are all amazing classics!

[@mysteriousbeaver666]

I really like Brad’s take on the lyrics. My favorite line is “I know the rent is in arrears / that dog has not been fed in years / it’s even worse than it appears but it’s alright” - as someone going through the hardest time in my life that message of “the struggle” rings true. That said, I will get by - we all will - the world keeps turning. Get busy living or get busy dying!

[@smittybenzo4693]

In this episode of Brad & Lex, Its alright...Lex presents a Sims theory that Brad is pretty much on board with...Nice!...as the curious couch couple cruise back into the groove of this record, Lex,s "jolly bop" is on display while Brad behaves himself releasing content "side to side sways".

[@DonTrump-sv1si]

This is definitely one of those that you need to see the video with it. Classic!!

[@bradcooper573]

Found this. "The song is about the band aging gracefully. The phrase "Touch Of Grey" is a reference to getting older, as for most people, their hair starts getting grey as they age. Aging gracefully is a challenge, especially in the music industry. According to Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Robert Hunter wrote the lyric as a pick-me-up. "When he wrote 'Touch Of Grey,' we were struggling," Hart said. "But it became an anthem to us. It perked us up."

[@edprzydatek8398]

Well said. A lot of reactors I've seen seem to think from their name that they are a heavy metal band. They were never a heavy metal band. At this point of their lives they were middle aged men and this song got played on the radio and introduced them to a whole new younger audience. But yeah, they should have started their Grateful Dead journey with maybe something from American Beauty or so.

[@andyscott5277]

I’ve read Hunter wrote the lyrics during the come down of an all night coke binge.

[@HumanLiberty]

That’s great because “touch of grey” is the slogan or something for some men’s hair coloring like Grecian formula or similar. I bet it was a TV commercial with that slogan that inspired the lyrics.

[@mrtrick9615]

It’s interesting that you guys identified it as 60s sound because even those this particular tune came out in 87, Grateful Dead were the quintessential 60s folk rock band.

[@andyscott5277]

I’d say “quintessential 60’s psychedelic rock band,” but folk was definitely a facet of their sound, along with blues, jazz, country, avant-garde, progressive, funk, classical, reggae, gospel, soul, disco...

[@timflim4149]

tune became commercially successful for them on the '87 album release, but they had been playing it live since September 1982.

[@3DJapan]

They still kept the 60s sound though, even though it was an 80s song.

[@nicholaswright3678]

The band that time forgot, or as some said, the band that forgot time.

[@timpafundi6321]

Ok, as a Deadhead since 1983, I’ve come to learn that listening to studio versions of Grateful Dead songs will give you way different vibes than listening to a live version of the same song. The moral of my story is live versions are greater than studio versions.

[@cesarnarro6013]

I do believe the great majority of band's studio version of song's are going to be better but of course they are exceptions. I'm thinking that the vibe of seeing the Dead live is what ppl liked about them more than just listening to their live recordings. I don't know because i never really got into them. Only thing i can equate to it is in the early 70's i saw Grand Funk live a few times and i always had a blast, but i never felt a need to listen to a live album from them. I did listen to a couple of their studio albums some.

[@timpafundi6321]

@@cesarnarro6013 Au contrare Mon frere! Every Deadhead knows their live music far surpasses their studio stuff. ✌️☮️

[@Lchristyhastings]

@@cesarnarro6013 Nope. Exact opposite. They are known for being best live act in rock history AND for making crap albums. They also known for insanely high quality live sound system & recordings. Their shows were about musical creation & exploration, not about trying to sound like an album. A good analogy is sports. No one knows what will happen, including the players (they had no set lists, no plans for each show). Studio Dead is like reading a sports page. A live recording is like watching a game on tv. A show is like being at the Superbowl & your team does unimaginably amazing things & wins. The difference is w/ the Dead, the entire stadium is dancing, the fans are all on same side & no one loses.

[@gr8fulted49]

The Grateful Dead is a very deep rabbit hole not everyone gets, but those that do fall all the way down into it. They are the biggest and best jam band around, having first seen my first Dead show in 1971. One reason I've followed you two for so long is Brad prefers the lyric versions of videos, which almost always mean the studio versions which tend to be very good. Unfortunately though, the best of the Dead are the live versions with the jams. We will get by.

[@NoahGower]

Brad is spot on with the lyrics. I heard someone say the Dead are the "joyful bearers of bad news" and I'd agree. This song is all about the struggle. Lex is also right with the evolution of the hippie, their music was absolutely hippie music but spanned so many genres. Give American Beauty a listen, there's so many great songs on that first album.

[@jacobbass8106]

my brother, american beauty is like their 5th studio album

[@cartercarter645]

Lex is sooo right. They are the quintessential hippie band. They had mini cities follow them from show to show. They never had a set list. Each night was different. They allowed the crowd to tape the shows. Truly real music. Love ur reactions. I look forward to them

[@AriseNBMen]

The official video's got skeletons playing the instruments. Pretty fun. I'm in love with you, Lex!

[@danielkelly2234]

Greatest band of all time. Careful, quite the rabbit hole you’re about to enter getting into The Dead……..welcome ☺️

[@kesleycottrell1416]

Ok, better school y'all a bit. The Grateful Dead was there from the beginning of Hippie. They live at Haight- Ashbury in the late 60's. They was the hippie jam band of all time. You will have a very long strange trip discovering this band. Listen to more Grateful Dead and you will understand.

[@25svbn]

Holy cow Lex is bang on everytime. With her interpretation of songs.

[@SG-Cichlids]

I grew up on this band. Brilliant musicians and brilliant lyrics mostly written by one of my favorite song writers Robert Hunter. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.

[@terpreynolds]

This song probably wasn't the best introduction to Grateful Dead. None of their other songs sound like this. "Friend of The Devil" "Scarlet Begonias" or "Fire on The Mountain" all would have been a better first impression. Speaking of hippies, these guys are the epitome of the hippie movement. There's sooo much history surrounding them. Please, please, please don't stop here

[@lorirose5343]

Also would love Ripple and The Music Never Stopped. ✌

[@scapito]

It's a gateway song to discover more of their music.

[@WojMoj]

Yes!!!

[@wtfchuck9100]

My fav Dead song is Ship of Fools, it’s not one of their more widely played songs, it’s just a shipload of good vibes!

[@AdamMcGahan]

I agree that _Touch of Grey_ isn’t representative of the Dead, but I don’t agree that any other particular song would have been a better introduction. No one song is the best introduction to the Grateful Dead for all listeners. Even the songs you mentioned as better, _Scarlet Begonias_, _Friend of the Devil_, and _Fire on the Mountain_ can’t be said to be representative, and while I like _SB_better than _ToG_, I think _ToG_ was a better intro for Brad and Lex.

[@Donnybrook10]

The Dead were THE premier Hippie band. Ive been to many Dead shows. What a free time and nice people. Lots of drugs but greate times

[@ZacCostilla]

This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE Dead song! I’m a disabled veteran and deal with severe chronic pain. There have been times when I just put this on repeat and listen to it until the meds kick in or I passed out from the pain. The video was inspired by a TV show called “It’s Your Move” with a very young Jason Bateman, where he stole skeletons and dressed them up and made a famous groups called “Dregs of Society”, lol.

[@dank.6942]

One of the best guitar solos on a Grateful Dead studio recording. The live shows were their bread and butter, but this is such a great studio song.

[@dmgallibond469]

The Grateful Dead were an incredibly eclectic band. They had a core that consisted of two guitarists, a bass player, two drummers, and a keyboard player. The band's lineup would change sometimes with the death or retirement of a band member as long as the core members stayed around. I think they had two or three keyboard players pass away during the lifetime of the band, and they would often supplement the lineup in live shows by having guest musicians join for a song, an entire concert, or even a whole tour. The band was famous for touring nearly non-stop for decades, and many of their albums were recorded as live takes during sound checks for concerts, not in a traditional studio. A buddy of mine who went to many concerts of theirs in the 1980s and 1990s told me once that they had a repertoire of over 400 songs, and that every night before the concert they would draw up a set list more or less at random. I know that one summer I saw them five times on the same tour and every concert was compeltely different with only two individual songs repeated once during five shows. The band's name comes from medieval European folklore. There was a type of folk tale from that period that involved a traveler coming across the grave or the spirit of someone who had died and had something important that needed to be done (revenge for wrongful death, protection of a child, delivery of an important message, etc.). The traveler would complete the task, and then later in the story the traveler would come into trouble. At that time the spirit of the "grateful dead" (the dead person the traveler had helped) would manifest to rescue them from the peril they faced.

[@Mixolydio]

Congrats Brad & Lex 🎉 on what I hope is only your first song down a beautiful path

[@ChicagoTRS]

The Dead's most commercial song. I always have loved this song...always puts me in a good mood. I always felt the song was about life and how a good attitude can help you get by...like it is not that bad...push on and it really is not that bad.

[@88wildcat]

It was written beforehand but they would have been hard pressed to come up with a better song to symbolize Garcia's recovery from his diabetic coma the year before this song came out.

[@deaDbilly62]

Jerry Garcia the lead guitarist and vocals on this once said about the Dead “were like licorice. Not everybody likes licorice but the people that do really like licorice. “

[@KavaKavana]

Love seeing you guys feeling the vibes of a band many of us flowed from show to show with for years. With the peace and love vibes definitely came hard times but lots of love and hope. As we’d hit the shows and reunite with family and friends we might have a touch of gray but never lost the love

[@floorticket]

The Grateful Dead's only "hit" so to speak, reaching the #9 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 26th, 1987. Creating a subset of Deadheads called "Touch heads" who jumped on the bandwagon that summer.

[@WilliamGTurner]

What about Truckin'? Was #1 in certain parts of California for 2 weeks in 1970 lol

[@cesarnarro6013]

@@WilliamGTurner charted 60 something nationally

[@scapito]

I was 10 yo when I heard this song and fell in love with the band.

[@artothewanderer9517]

I’m not a dead head at all. But I love their few hits lol. My favorite is Casey Jones.

[@WilliamGTurner]

@@cesarnarro6013 haha yes I know. I was playing off the Europe 72 live version of Truckin where they introduced the song as being a #1 for 2 weeks in Northern California. It was never #1 nationally, as you said. No argument with you, man. :-)

[@AdamMcGahan]

It's the happiness of resignation. Like "This place is broken, but there's not a ton you can do about it, so just stop fighting and roll with it". "Hell in a Bucket" is probably a good companion sentiment song.

[@hakashaqU812]

Excellent suggestion...Hell in a Bucket... They are gonna trip on the different singer....lol

[@BlackHatCinephile]

I think the meaning of the song, and I think Jerry is speaking for the entire band, though mostly himself, is about a man who has identified with himself as a young person, and in Jerry's case, an actual representative of the youth and its culture, now he's turning into an old man, looking and feeling more and more like what he once saw as the opposition. But he's gonna accept it and be what he's become, like it's a new chapter in his story.

[@JohnD.1969]

Anyone that hasn't read the history of the band, quite frankly, should. Incredibly interesting. Every facet from the members to the way they organized their touring. A bunch of hippies from San Francisco started something in 1965 that influenced the way the music industry did and still does things.

[@joshwilliams3653]

Ok, how to begin. Man so much awesome to cover. This band was the of the jam band movement. Their live shows were something to behold. Known for breaking into random jame in the middle of songs, to the crowds delight in realizing its still the same song. This is a journey that literally millions have embarked only to end up living,loving,and embracing the lifestyle and feeling this band and all others since Magically empower one with. The fans are diehard and are known to literally follow them wherever they go. Living bohemian lives in vans,campgrounds and living well off the community of likeminded. They share everything with each other. Truly something beautiful to experience. One would not think there is a mass of people who still epitomize the peace love Energy of the 60s. I think you too should experience it. I think you will be happy you did. Bit of background, the band wrote alot of their songs off of poems from robert hunter. Reclusive but wonderful poet. Get yourselves a tye dye.a necklace of semiprecious stones, any mind expanding substance if thats your thing, For there is fire on the mountain and it is a scarlet fire. Shit just wait till you get to the bootlegs! Please dont miss out on the full experience. It will change your perception of what living should be. Open your hearts and enjoy!.

[@njWordsmith]

I've always felt that Uncle John's Band would be a great way to start listening to the Dead.

[@123bhar]

Lex, I love how you feel songs. You're comment that's it gave you a freeing feeling... No other band has been able to give me this feeling so consistently through their library. Do Shakedown Street next. You guys are gonna love it! So funky!

[@GENXleaningright]

As a deadhead I welcome you to the fold. 1965 and still the survivers are on tour. The happiest hippies you'll ever meet.

[@mzahermz]

my first concert of the grateful dead was 8/4/76 and been to 172 more shows up until 94. us loyal followers were called DEADHEADS. we actually called the concerts SHOWS instead of concerts because there was always something magical about it all. they performed in over 2000 shows and there was never a show that was repeated the same as the previous one. every show had different songs, so it always made it a special adventure going on tour. the grateful dead mastered it and did it to perfection and made it into being a way of life. this song touch of grey hit the top of the charts when it came out in 87. awesome song besides a ton of others. the music they played was so pure and to the heart. u could actually get HIGH just listening to the music without taking any kind of drugs, but the drugs seem to work much more "hand in glove" along with the music to give it that special apex ultimate experience.im glad to see u guys enjoyed it and hope u can do more grateful dead stuff. try out JACK STRAW and even LOOKS LIKE RAIN songs along with a ton of others. believe me, u will definitely feel the impact of the purity and beauty as it carries your soul. luv u guys, peace out.

[@Horicert]

For future Grateful Dead songs, do the live versions, please. The studio versions aren't terrible, but the band really comes alive in concert.

[@binkle76]

but i would argue listening to the studio versions first, then graduating to live versions, as it will blow your mind even more

[@richardbernier6761]

Lex would have been in her element at a Dead concert, everyone just grooving to the musical vibes of peace,love and music

[@kesleycottrell1416]

I love the Dead, seen them a lot. Going to Dead shows is what we did in the summer. Miss those days. RIP Jerry.

[@bevil4aday]

I saw them in 86 in Ann Arbor, MI. Was a great show.

[@kesleycottrell1416]

I was there a couple times. We used to do the North East. We always started at Buckeye in Ohio and went until Philly. Good times.

[@Omegaphats]

Grateful Dead is a deep deep matrix to become involved with. Touch of grey arguably their most known song is very far from any fans favorite

[@bradhelms9408]

Indeed. Their only " Top Ten " hit, and the worst possible introduction to them.

[@BlackHatCinephile]

Bleh. There's nothing wrong with Touch Of Grey. It's a great song, with a heartfelt meaning. Maybe you're just hooked on elitism. Does tunefulness offend you? Pffft🤣

[@Omegaphats]

@@BlackHatCinephile agree , nothing wrong with the song. Robert Hunter arguably one of the greatest songwriters and his craft is displayed here. Nothing personal champ just not a huge favorite

[@BlackHatCinephile]

@@Omegaphats Yeah, well, you know. Thought I saw some posin'. Maybe I didn't.

[@bradhelms9408]

@@BlackHatCinephile Sure, but it's hardly representative of their catalogue.

[@NetProphet76]

The dead are simultaneously the record holder for having played live in front of the most fans in their career AND technically a one hit wonder. This was their only top 10 song and it only got to #9

[@georgestevens1502]

Lex probably doesn't realize it, but she has the quintessential Beatific smile while listening to this. Jerry's music still brings it out in later generations. Sublime!

[@russlanders6518]

The video to this song is really great. The dead music is timeless. So many great songs

[@40granite]

Thank you for doing this song. My brother was a diehard Grateful Dead fan. He passed away unexpectedly last January and I miss him terribly. I had the Jerry Garcia, “Every silver lining’s got a touch of grey” quote engraved on his headstone. This reaction made my day. Thank you so much! Love you guys!

[@andyscott5277]

That’s exactly right, struggling but we will get by. A lot of Grateful Dead music is like that, know it’s helped me through some hard times. The Dead’s catalogue is a deep rabbit hole. They have so many amazing songs and recorded live music. This is a good one, huge hit in the 80’s, but probably not the best representation of their sound. Should definitely check out the studio recording of “Shakedown Street,” it’s very funky, think you both would like it. Sky’s the limit from there, as they have so many great tunes. Hope you’ll react to more of their music!

[@bobjimonlyhughcanpreventfl342]

When I was a kid (I’m about ur guys age btw) an old friend that introduced me to the Dead said that they have a song for every feeling, every season, even every time of your day by day grind. They’re a group with an EXTENSIVE catalog of music and collaborations with other artist live and recorded. They also encouraged people to record their live performances, when others where starting to clamp down on copyright they defined what it means to “live for the music”. In a large way they helped the beginning of the live music scene flourish, I believe they’re the longest touring band in American history, if not, gotta be top 3

[@melod7670]

The Dead are known for their live performances, with '77 being a really good year for the boys. I'm a huge Dead fan but I really don't care for this song that much just because it's one of the few Dead songs you hear on the radio. Fire on the Mountain, Shakedown Street, Loser, Althea and The Music Never Stopped are some of my personal favorites..

[@jazzzman8050]

“Evolution of the hippie vibe” is a great take on this song. By ‘86, the Dead had been through a lot, and the music biz and the world in general had massively changed. I think this was Hunter/Garcia’s oblique observations on that, and yet they had survived thus far : )

[@zzzzzach]

Only thing that bothered me about the studio version was the choice to put the keyboards so far up front in the mix and Phil's noodling in between the chorus lines far back.

[@timflim4149]

If I had to only listen to one band the rest of my life it would be the good ol' Grateful Dead. greatest American rock band there ever was, ever will be. their river runs deep. glad you got a chance to hear them.

[@hakashaqU812]

Wish I could thumbs up more than once...perfectly said...

[@ArlyMusic]

Hola from Costa Rica ! Shakedown Street is some funky grooves from The Grateful Dead

[@russrollins9978]

This was my son's favorite song when it came out. He was only 4 at the time, but he loved the video for the song and would come running whenever he heard it to watch the skeletons performing.

[@rebeccacurry3647]

Me too 😊

[@iceman590444]

Brad, you may not see this, but if you do I want you to know this was the first Dead song my late Mom showed me so long ago.. I'm almost 27.. I had to pause before I start it because of what you said in those few first seconds.. I always cry personally it is a beautiful song.. And if any young ones are reading this, please don't ever be ashamed to cry in any situation. Own your feelings!

[@binkle76]

oh lord... you've stepped into a whole new world. I wish I could be your Sherpa for this journey. Jamel_AKA_Jamal went on this ride and recently posted a Dead concert review. Look to that brother to guide you. They're one of the bands that you need to hear their studio version AND live versions to really appreciate what they did. Starting in 1965 (officially) and continuing thru 1995 (officially), they defined the Jam Band genre while throwing a lot of blues, disco, Americana, straight up rock, country, soul, and concept albums into the mix. The band continues on today, despite half of their original members being dead (no pun intended), including the voice you just heard, Jerry Garcia, the figurehead of the group. They are a path worth taking.

[@spencerific93]

That feeling that you describe at the end of the video, Brad... that's how The Dead makes you feel. Very warm and relaxed. I never had an appreciation for The Dead until I dropped acid and listened to some of their music at a friend's house about half a decade ago. I'm sure others can relate lol. It'll bring out the hippie in anyone.

[@johnward43]

This song was everywhere in 87-88. It was a huge hit.

[@tjsogmc]

Brad hit this one right on the head. It's about hard times, but keeping up the happy outer face and convincing yourself it's gonna be all right....

[@IDONTCAREWYT]

You need a stream dedicated to nothing but the Grateful Dead. Their catalog is huge, plus they rarely played a set the same way twice in concert. The band is LEGENDARY. And yes. They were part of the psychedelic hippie scene. They have some VERY psychedelic songs.

[@justaguy214]

For their four good songs? Nah.

[@fredgarvin5381]

He meant to say 144 great songs.

[@Mixolydio]

I so hope this is the beginning of a deep dive. It was such a pleasure to watch Jamel aka Jamal fall in so gradually at first into what he is so passionate about. I hope Brad & Lex at least get deep enough to hear at least a few peak live performances.

[@cesarnarro6013]

@@Mixolydio I seriously doubt that they're going to dive into the " Dead "

[@suzannevosburg4622]

This came on the radio tonight. I forgot how much I love them!!! This song is perfection 💕💕

[@kevinmartin9259]

Lex smiling all through out the vid says it all.. LOVE THE SMILE!! Brad dude show more emotion broo love ya!!

[@shawnjames460]

You were talking about hearing the bass and rythem or lead.In this song the bass is real easy to pickout.You can hear the bass pretty much backing up the rythem through the whole song especially through the solo!

[@Garciadann]

So many great songs that tell a story and misic that you have to dance to. Fire on The Mountain, Terrapin Station, Brown Eyed Woman, Eyes of The World..

[@umpdaddy1]

The Dead could kick ass in many different genres of music. Country (Mama Tried), folk rock (Me and My Uncle), early rock (Johnny B. Goode) all from the self titled album known informally as Skull and Roses. My favorite from that album is a melding of a Buddy Holly song with a traditional folk song "Not Fade Away/Going Down the Road Feelin' Bad". It's a kick ass jam band masterpiece.

[@827dusty]

You two would have made good "Dead Heads." The Dead Heads would follow the Band to every city on a particular concert tour, even in Europe or Egypt, wherever they went, it was one big party. This Band is in its own category. I can't explain them. Nobody can. They just Jammed, really it was an experience more than a concert. Play some more of them please. "Truckin" is a great upbeat song.

[@thedukeofagita3730]

Brings back memories of the greatest part of dead shows- the parking lot and Shakedown. Some people will understand, others not so much. Side note- The Grateful Dead was the ONLY band I ever saw that had EVERY ass moving in Giants Stadium. Springsteen was a close second. Edit- the video for Touch of Gray was awesome and you should definitely check it out.

[@roguescoop]

Lex is so great !!! She has such a buoyant spirit -- it lights up the room !!

[@stevemariman8769]

That's a great song! 80s sound with a 60s & 70s vibe.

[@TheStefan6969]

Definitely The Deads biggest commercial hit. Catchy song and cool video where the band are all skeletons etc. Nice!!!! 😉❤✌🏼

[@TheStefan6969]

Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead were a California Bay Area staple from the 60's Haight/Ashbury days until Jerry's passing. The band does still play with guest singers etc. But there's no replacement for Jerry!!! 💯

[@TheStefan6969]

And once again Lex was Dead on with her observations!!!!! 🤗

[@dRTAdave]

They have an award winning official video for this song that I can't fathom would be copyright blocked given the band's free use policy. Brad, I know this is a year ago but you really need to smile more. Lex beams and radiates joy. You look like you're in pain more often than not. If this song can't make you smile I don't know what does. You're too cerebral which is great, but this song is a celebration. Just enjoy the vibes. When Garcia came out of his diabetic coma and relearned guitar this was the anthem of sorts albeit they'd been playing it in concert many years before it was recorded and charted so high. Most deadheads around prior to the charting hated what this song did to the deadhead scene but we all still love it. I just wish you'd match your lovely wife's liberating abandon sometimes.

[@urbangrouse]

There is a lot of stuff here with The Grateful Dead... such a grate band! A couple you might want to check out next are "Ripple", and "Cumberland Blues". Cheers!

[@blaiseprisciotta553]

Great tune! Definitely do Shakedown Street!

[@rebeccacurry3647]

Thank you for playing one of my favorites from my childhood ❤️ grew up on the Dead especially on New Year's Eve my dad would put on a recording of one of their NYE shows and it would play all night into the morning. I remember being a kid just finding a few cousins to play with while the adults all danced and got blasted to the Dead. LoL 🤣

[@joedmac78]

I see lex bouncing in her chair.. damn she would've loved a dead show.. it was a once in a lifetime unique experience. I went to their last concert in Philly before Jerry died... Once you experience the show you understand what it's about. It's hard to describe but it's something you want everyone to experience because it's so awesome

[@chrishillyer9370]

They are a band beyond description for sure. My favorite band by far.

[@j09j19]

Hippies and wannabe hippies have made a life choice to follow the dead as they tour the country. It's a different lifestyle, but their most devoted fans are the nicest, most welcoming, loving people. Going to a Dead concert is a memorable experience both onstage and observing and interacting with true dead heads.

[@keithgiles1233]

Lex had a permagrin the whole song! I LOVE the dead

[@zzzzzach]

If things went just right, right time, right place, right friends, I could see Lex as a full on Deadhead. She'd be in heaven twirling in the stratpsphere, groovin to the sounds of the Dead live with Jerry. She feels the music so much. Will these two ever get to the live gems? Scarlet/Fire Cornell '77? Brad might need some fungus to help him get there. Lex doesn't need it. I think even Brad would like the vibe though.

[@tommathews3964]

I can see Lex with a Skull and Roses tee shirt on, flowers in her hair, twirling away to a long "China>Rider" jam of some such. Not sure I can see Brad going there, but I hope I'm wrong! That's the best thing about The Dead, there's something there for everyone!

[@zzzzzach]

@@tommathews3964 Maybe Brad with a little help from some fungus among us? Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile

[@MarkStarCrashes71]

Been watching you both a while and was wondering when you’d get around to America’s greatest band. There is NO ONE like them - one of the greatest live acts ever. Keep listening, but ALWAYS pick a live song to react to - anything from 1972, 74, especially 77, and anything from 89-90.

[@bearhall4919]

I love how everybody who does these videos are surprised to find out that the Dead aren't a metal band. I also love watching people get turned on to it almost instantly. Good stuff.

[@kappakai78]

Yesssss! I’ve only recently gotten into the Dead. Happy y’all are trucking with me on this trip.

[@esquare807]

I never know what to expect from Lex. Could be flipping pancakes, homecoming football game or the Sims. Her analogies are so great.

[@howardblock5290]

Absolutely my favorite band great reaction , thank you

[@sparkomatic]

You both are on point. It WAS the evolution of the hippie. And it definitely was happy but not happy. That's what makes it interesting and quirky. Nice job. Enjoying your reactions. -s

[@lorddix]

This was the only Grateful Dead song to reach the top 40 on the Billboard top 100 charts peaking at # 9 after 22 years of performing. There are so many songs that you could react to such as Ripple, Box of Rain, Uncle John's Band, Friend of the Devil, Turn on Your Love Light, Casey Jones, Throwing Stones, I need a Miracle, Shakedown Street amongst a plethora of others. I was lucky enough to see them live 3 times.

[@dapablo2]

The Grateful Dead are the biggest story of any band going.

[@joedonlewis9820]

The Grateful Dead was freakishly good live. The "quality" of the music was remarkable.

[@tcanfield]

You nailed the key word. Quality music for quality people. Nothing but cream !

[@hog7203]

Hippie sounding music.... you definitely nailed that. They got a bunch of great music. I suggest "Sugar Magnolia" for your next Dead song.

[@wreckingKREW1]

By their own admission,the Dead was much more about their live music than anything they ever did in the studio. Saw them well over 100 times myself,every show an experience unto itself. Think of Woodstock as a sort of traveling road show,best way I can describe it.

[@dialtones6]

Good on you, Brad. This was the aging surviving GD. Most of them never thought they'd live to be the ages they were when they recorded this late in their music careers.

[@steveshute3810]

When they play this live, they get the whole audience singing along to "We will get by!" over and over at the end. It's an awesome live song too.

[@stephenbrown199]

My favorite band of all time seen over 100 times

[@kellifranklin4432]

Now we're talking. I saw The Dead 11 times. That's not much by Dead fan measures but I couldn't travel around the country. I did take my 5 year old daughter to a show the year Jerry Garcia passed away. I hope y'all go down this well worn rabbit hole. My favorite song is St Stephen. This is a gold mine of great music and every Dead fan will have a fave song and most won't be the same!

[@bernardpayne9962]

The Dead are icons of the 60s-70s. My favs are 'Friend of the Devil' and 'Easy Wind'.