The Grateful Dead - 'Touch of Grey' Reaction! It's A Crime That This is Their Only Top 40 Hit!

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"Touch of Grey" is a song by the American rock band The Grateful Dead, released in 1987 as the lead single from their album "In the Dark." The song is notable for being the band's only top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number nine. It also became one of their signature songs and a staple of their live performances.
Lyrically, "Touch of Grey" reflects on themes of aging and mortality, with the chorus famously proclaiming, "I will get by / I will survive." The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody contrast with its introspective lyrics, creating a unique blend that resonated with audiences.
The music video for "Touch of Grey" gained significant attention upon its release due to its innovative use of animation, featuring skeleton characters representing the band members. This playful and surreal visual style added to the song's popularity and helped introduce The Grateful Dead to a new generation of fans.
Overall, "Touch of Grey" is considered one of The Grateful Dead's most enduring and beloved songs, showcasing their eclectic musical style and timeless appeal.

[@tenjed4224]

What you all will note and enjoy: the dead took from nearly every avenue to produce their music. Rock, Jazz, Blues, Country, Midi - they did it all.

[@deborahdean]

And folk.

[@kathybwell]

My brother was a serious dead head. Back in the 80s, dead heads would travel around the country, going wherever the GD did. Give TRUCKIN a try. 🔥

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

The Dead was famous for going off on long jam sessions during a song that would last for 20 minutes or more so you never knew what you were going to hear. They also were one of the only bands that let people put recorders on or near the stage so there are thousands of bootleg recordings of their performances. Bill Walton (we went to school together) and he loves the Dead. I remember him sitting in the front row with his feet up on the stage (at nearly 7 foot).

[@sativaqueen1027]

So so many. Ripple is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, pure poetry. For something funky try Shakedown Street.

[@timp4872]

Ripple is my favorite songs of all times

[@tomcurtis8431]

Ripple is sooo good! I hope they’ll react to that song.

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

Shakedown to get the jist of what they can do. Then ripple. But the main thing is to listen to a few examples of every era.

[@Magumba_State]

Ripple is to good!!

[@crazyfingers19]

Estimated Prophet, China Cat Sunflower, Scarlet Begonias. Nice grooves

[@lynneblacketer6479]

Ripple, Franklin's Tower, Sugar Magnolia and so many more. Those are just the first three that popped into my head.

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

Scarlet Begonias, Fire on the Mountain, Uncle John's Band, Box of Rain, etc. So many! Thanks for sharing these songs!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

When the Dead played the Fillmore East here in NYC in the 70's , Bobby took me in with him 3 times when we poor boys were begging for spare tickets outside. A righteous dude!!

[@bobschenkel7921]

"Touch Of Grey" may be their only Top 40 hit, it reached #9, but there are many, many, many great songs in their catalog. Here are some of them: "U.S. Blues", "Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklin's Tower", "Truckin' ", "Sugar Magnolia>Sunshine Daydream", "Sugaree", "Scarlet Begonias>Fire On The Mountain", "Estimated Prophet>Eyes Of The World", "Cassidy", "He's Gone", "Jack Straw", "Alabama Getaway", "Cumberland Blues", "Deal", "Morning Dew" a cover tune, "Dancin' In The Streets" another cover tune, "Knockin' On Heavens Door" yet another cover tune. Did I mention they do cover tunes? One of the best cover bands ever. Only about 450 more songs to go. Please do live versions, that is what we Dead Heads like best. We'll be around. Oh yeah "Around and Around", another cover tune.

[@darinmetzger9346]

I’d tell them to watch out for certain live stuff cause it could get to long and meandering. Live stuff from official releases, Skull and Bones, Reckoning might be a better choice🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🙏

[@donnagonatas3155]

I agree with you. For someone who has never heard the Dead should stay away from the live stuff until they have formed an opinion.​@@darinmetzger9346

[@mikeminiboss708]

They are the grandfathers of jam bands. They created the concept of seasonal tours every year. They pioneered the sound system that made it possible for large outdoor venues.

[@musicdunc]

Listen to a live 1971 version of the Grateful Dead’s version of Hard to Handle. There are a couple live video taped versions readily available on KZbin. Psychedelic funk and soul. You won’t be disappointed.

[@Minkman65]

The Bill Walton influence indicated by Mickey Hart (one of the drummers) wearing the Celtics jacket in the video. While live Dead is where it's at--they were like a jazz band improvising, making each show unique--there are some good studio tracks: Truckin', Althea, Scarlet Begonias, Ripple, Shakedown Street to start with.

[@brandonjones1349]

Follwed these guys in my teens back 91 to 95 until Jerry died. I fuckin miss that shit. On the road ...freedom...great musiv. Great community...grest drugs, and good ole Grateful Dead

[@KOLLIS1969]

Ya'll need to dig some Shakedown Street! They just released an official video of a good one from Sullivan Stadium, Foxboro, MA, 7/14/1990 on thier official channel. Check out some live stuff......Live dead is to studio dead as playoff hockey is to regular season hockey.

[@barbarascotto3873]

Bill Walton was a good man. Spent many concerts standing next to him talking. Fare you well Bill and may the four winds blow you safely home.

[@chrisblack1119]

When this album came out, they had been the highest grossing band in the world for like 10 years running. They never got radio play, but they toured over 150 gigs a year, and made all their money on live shows and merch.

[@tomasworthington6996]

The grateful dead are meant to be listened to live. "The best jam band ever"

[@robertglass1352]

The Grateful Dead are a VERY deep rabbit hole -- but well worth the journey. Check out their live concerts, that is where they really shine.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

They were a road band not relying on record sale they were all about the audience and the music. The would come your town with a massive hi fi sound system and play for hours and hours. They were fun but had some deep songs too. A rock and roll band which played lots of different styles and free form improvisation. Jerry’s ballads are next level.

[@chicagocubs71]

Rip Jerry Garcia

[@timlinj]

Da BEST of rabbit holes. Full of diamonds.

[@ltrane81]

Truckin, Casey Jones, Franklins Tower

[@gtgibb]

Fenom has it exactly right, "Touch of Grey" is a great place to start on the Dead. "Casey Jones" or "uncle John's Band" are also good introductions. "Ripple" is one of the greatest songs of all time. There is a website, something like the annotated grateful dead that does deep dives into the dead. Have y'all done any Little Feat? Another great jam band. "Willin'" has been in a couple of movies, and "Dixie Chicken" is just an earworm.

[@klipkultur3680]

The Grateful Dead, just like Rush, are of those rare bands who have more than an audience, they have a cult following them.

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

The dead had a huge well known following! Thousands of fans followed them for extended periods of time. Rush had about 1/20 the fan base. The grateful dead were just like rush??? That's a weird thing to say?

[@haileyn4219]

@@Stephen-nd1sxrush is a much much bigger band than grateful dead will ever be ,not even a thought

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

@@haileyn4219 how is it living in your alternate reality?

[@haileyn4219]

@@Stephen-nd1sx your hurt by the truth clearly lol,grateful dead are great but nowhere near the musical talent level that rush is,and never will be ,cheers

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

@@haileyn4219 you have changed your argument twice now? The last one is your opinion and I can respect that.

[@Krust_Acean]

Some thing to know about this band. Their studio songs are like brief sketches. They fleshed them out playing live. Deadheads more typically listen to concert recordings. The dead allowed the audience to record their concerts and freely trade their music.

[@deniseadkins9668]

One of the largest grossing (money wise) tour bands ever

[@StevenMichals0812]

Some Dead tunes off the top of my head: Casey Jones, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, US Blues, Scarlett Begonias

[@flippinpages6550]

I started seeing them back in the late 1968's ,San Francisco. They were always a good time . I wasn't a dead head but would go see them especially New Years Eve in the 1970's

[@tonyaristide2582]

70s rocker here , never much of a dead head but I really dug this song.

[@Mikex973]

CASEY JONES AND UNCLE JOHN'S BAND ARE BOTH GREAT GREATEFUL DEAD SONGS.

[@hollywoodpotato5289]

There’s a solid fan video of the Dead doing Ramblin’ Rose out there somewhere.

[@MacMc691]

I was one of those back in the late 80's that didn't understand their music. Someone at our work would sometimes bring this in and play it and not knowing what I was talking about, would criticize it. Fast forward a few years later, I'm attending most of the Dead shows in Northern California where they would often play, never looked back. The magic of this band, at least before Garcia passed, was seeing them live, it was a completely different experience than what I had heard on the radio. Attending their shows, it was as if you were leaving modern civilization, then enter the closed park where they would play and it felt like you were time warping back to the 60's, it was a strange and trippy feeling to say the least. lol

[@alanneel1369]

the Dead needs to be watched live

[@bobschenkel7921]

Commenting on your comments: Phish Heads and Dead Heads look similar, but there are differences. I saw the Grateful Dead about 50 times, and I saw Phish about 10 times. I went to Dead shows because they were a DANCE band, 18,000 Heads all dancing to their own beat, and then there was a collective feel that went through the crowd. At my last Phish show, in 1995, i found myself sitting down, for the first time at one of their shows, and I was disappointed. Saw The Dead from Maine to Florida to Wisconsin to New York and Pennsylvania and many points in between. Phish was mostly Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York. Dead Heads were real road warriors, while we called the Phish Heads "Trustafarians", rich kids who drove around in Jeep Grand Cherokees. Slightly different.

[@karlharden]

Olli, I was prob at that Hampton show. Check out The Dead with Branford Marsalis at The Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY

[@rabbyte3824]

Althea, Brown Eyed Women, Sugary, Samson and Delilah, there are so so so many good tracks.

[@brianfisher6165]

The latest iteration of the Dead are playing the “Sphere” in Vegas this week!!!👌👍✌️😁

[@klipkultur3680]

On August 9, 1995, Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia died from a heart attack at age 53...

[@Treblaholland]

I was listening to the OJ trial, working, when Cathleen Sullivan broke in... choked up. Hard to believe it was that long ago.

[@Krust_Acean]

My recommendation is "Scarlet Begonias - Fire on the Mountain" - live cornell '77

[@toddmurray7016]

Box of Rain, Uncle John's Band, Ripple, Truckin, Franklin's Tower, Friend of the Devil, Black Muddy River ... Great road trip music

[@maxrnb01]

Start with anything from their album “American Beauty “ from ‘69.

[@hog7203]

Back in the early '80s, I had just started playing in my older cousin's country band and I suggested we play some Grateful Dead songs. He said we're not gonna play any of that heavy metal stuff. 😆 I let him listen to the song Sugar Magnolia and he became an instant fan. Phish was a popular jam band, which is what the Dead was known for, long instrumentals. Im not a Phish fan, although they are excellent musicians. The Grateful Dead have much better songs. I actually prefer their studio albums over their live albums/performances, with one exception, the Europe 72 live album.

[@timlinj]

“Eyes of the World “ with Branford Marsalis. 1989 is my masterpiece.

[@treyturner9566]

Bill Walton gave Mickey Hart the Celtics jacket he's wearing.

[@noppawut3442]

💚💚 The Grateful Dead 💚💚

[@colleenmahony8803]

The brilliant musicianship (is) amazing. I attended a show in Vegas, and mid show, it started to rain. Weird for Vegas. But the band seamlessly flowed into "Box Of Rain." When you see a highly produced and choreographed show, there is no room for improvisation. It may be great, but they can't change it up. Dead shows were all about improvisation. It's a whole different vibe.

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

This band has quite the history. A good one at that. Original members were Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh & Mickey Hart. Ron McKernan, better known as Pig Pen, passed away too soon. They have engaged so many add-ons with their live concerts which always made it something special. Thank you for sharing this!

[@bobschenkel7921]

Jessica, you forgot the original drummer, Bill The Drummer, Bill Kreutzman. But I'll forgive you, it was many years ago. And you did remember Pigpen.

[@MrWhit30]

Everybody will tell you to go the live Dead route, but I think its best a newbie ease into that. There were so many shows and you cant reach Nirvana every night 100% of the time, esp when you take chances like the Dead did, Witt the vast discography of 100s of songs and a different set of songs every night and no song hardly played the same way twice. There are absolutely magical live shows and there are duds, but there might be 5 min of Nirvana even on a bad night. The studio albums may lack some fire, but you can get a good sense of the band with them. Some of my fav studio albums are American Beauty and Mars Hotel. My fav live record is probably Europe 72, just for the song selections, Jerry vocals and guitar, and the overall vibe of that tour captured on that record. Live Dead's Dark Star is an iconic piece of improvisation.. Certain live shows are legendary and as good as music ever gets, like the famous Cornell Univ show. Its a deep hole. lyrically, musically, and culturally. Ive been to a few shows and always loved the Dead because I love rootsy music, great lyric, and inspired improvisation. But I never had the time, money or balls to get totally on the bus. My loss really, but Ive seen some decent shows before we lost Jerry.

[@loisrogers9042]

Truckin' is a song I really enjoy. So chill 😎. An art teacher friend used to travel to shows and sell her tie dyed Ts to pay her way.😊

[@matbritton6816]

Burning 😮💨 in my shed with the rain on the tin roof. Perfect soundtrack. Happy trails amigos. I hope you enjoy your dream when you finally achieve it.

[@depsny]

Hey now.... So you have to keep in mind that most bands play the same show to a different crowd every night. The Dead however played a different show to the same crowd every night. No matter where they played. I had the pleasure of seeing Jerry 30 to 40 times.

[@QueenTubby37]

Live Grateful Dead is where it’s at. 1972, 1973 are some epic shows. Aus 27, 1972 aka The Creamery Benifit some say is the best dead show ever.

[@pooldude317]

I've been seeing and listening since 1973,(and yeah my room mate and I quit our jobs in 1976, headed up to Boston Mass. for the first 5 nights) Deadheads love to share the music, the cool thing is they change the music, they Never play the same set twice in a row, and even the songs will have a different feel to it, Garcia said 'you can't rehearse a jam, it just happens' The Dead can also rock hard, check out Turn on your Lovelight ( checkout 1969-70- 71),or Hard to Handle for some blues Or great Jams like Scarlet Begonias live, or Playing in the Band...Let the Music play the Band...

[@randyallaben9900]

Guys, trust me on this. The GD is a cavernous rabbit hole. Go with Shakedown Street next. I’d stick with studio cuts to start. BTW, love the PE sweatshirt! And The Zep, of course!

[@ZartanDread]

God bless the Grateful Dead

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

You need to go live with the GD. Try Deal from 7/17/89 for a good hot jam.

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

2nd solo melts everyone’s face.

[@jeffcampbell668]

"Estimated Prophet".

[@donaldromesburg1902]

I miss those days ...

[@Pahdopony]

Hey OlliWooDDA - you are welcome anytime to get on the Bus with the rest of us deadheads! ✌🏼

[@BucksBe]

Thank you for reviewing a band so close to my heart. It's really hard to pick ONE song to sum up the band. Actually, it's impossible. They're blues, folk, country, disco, Americana, bluegrass, just one of the great American rock bands. There are many great examples but I'd say the next song should be Terrapin Station. It's a longer song but it's a journey and shows the band's range. Anyways, thanks again for talking about my favorite music. Alos Olli, I go to a Redman show anytime he's in town too 🫡

[@hitchhikemike1]

Thanx guys! Great reaction! Love the dead! This is a fun and small intro! Thanx again

[@ezed3902]

"Truckin" or "Alabama Getaway" guys. You guys will like both.

[@mikeminiboss708]

When Jerry died and the band finally stopped touring, a lot of the fans/family started following Phish to fill the void.

[@rabbyte3824]

13:45 @fenom202 you are 100% correct about that progression of fandom. Your Nas analogy was absolutely correct! “Ripple” of anything off of Working Man’s Dead are some their most accessible songs. But eventually you need to switch to the live stuff and that’s when it gets interesting

[@TomG626]

Shakedown Street, Franklins Tower, China Cat Sunflower>I know you rider. Those will be a good start. God bless.

[@daledubell9256]

Loved the reaction. Look for any version of the Dead doing Turn On Your Lovelight by Bobby Blue Bland

[@mikelind8607]

Whatever you do ALWAYS do live versions with this band.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

The Grateful Dead was born in San Francisco 🌉 many years before I was born. No Top 40 hits on the mainstream pop charts until this one.The hit songs were in the rock charts. Those songs were in the 1960s and 1970s. GD stood apart from other bands: GD permitted bootleg recordings. The late Jerry Garcia said that the fans did the promotions by those bootlegs. FREE promotions = good business. Jerry Garcia was smart 🤓 in the music business. His manager was the late Bill Graham. A great combination 👌.

[@RobRager]

Now, I was riding a tricycle at the time, but..l believe their name predates Metal, by a half a decade, or so. 😉 The Dead sound like everything from bluegrass to funk..sometimes in the same song!

[@loveit7484]

Think you'll dig "Althea'. I love all there music. // May I suggest The Almand Brothers : One way out. First time here. Liking this!

[@VinnyMickeyRickeyDickeyEddy]

Uncle John's Band is another good Dead song that is pretty popular. Casey Jones is probably their second biggest hit, also Sugar Magnolia and Friend of the Devil. I love touch of grey though - like y'all said, it honestly helped me thru some tough times. But yeah this is the style of music.

[@waltercrain2910]

everyone will tell you the live dead is where it's at (and they're right). but i think it can be a gentle intro to start with the clean simple studio versions. 2 fantastic companion studio albums to start with are "american beauty" and "workingman's dead". it's fun to know the "straight" studio versions, then appreciate how the live ones each have their own character. added: this is a studio version of "touch of gray". it was played many times on tour before it came out on a studio album.

[@RealDiehl99]

Yup....Bill Walton (R.I.P.) was a big fan of the Grateful Dead. I've read he gave the drummer the Celtics jacket that he's wearing in this video.

[@tommathews3964]

Ironically, Heavy Metal is about the only type music they never played! Beautiful ballads: Ripple, Brokedown Palace, Black Peter. Scorching rockers: Jack Straw, Good Lovin’, One More Saturday Night, Cassidy, Bertha. Bluegrassy: Cumberland Blues, Friend of The Devil. Uncle John’s Band. Cowboy Songs: El Paso, Mexicali Blues, Me and My Uncle. Funk: Dancing in The Streets, Shakedown Street. Quirky fun songs: Brown Eyed Women, Mr. Charlie, Tennessee Jed. Jammy: Eyes of The World, Terrapin Station, Morning Dew. Dark Star, The Other One…it’s all here and best enjoyed live (directed by a knowledgeable Deadhead to point you to the best stuff!)

[@rc1564]

Love this one

[@ericdobey]

RIP Bill Walton 😢

[@13terapyn]

Glad to have you on the bus. Just please commit yourself to listening to their live recordings. Dick's Picks are a great choice. hardcore deadheads are the best resource for suggestions in regards to what show and what songs. Scarlet Begonias is a personal favorite

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Yes, this was a late album for the Dead, and was considered too commercial to a lot of diehard Deadheads. But the song has stood the test of time, it's a very good track. However, there's an even better track on this 1987 album, that I think you should react to. It's called, *"Throwing Stones".* Such a cool song, you guys will dig it, I'm sure!

[@dawngipe6324]

I used to play guitar hero and rock band when my daughter was growing up and she didn't like the greatful dead, and their song Truckin was on it, so I'd turn it up real loud....she hated it and I would just play it and laugh the whole time....😂...I wasn't a big follower of the band, but certain songs from them I like

[@peterlewis90]

Great review. As far as Grateful Dead songs go , I think Shakedown Street would be a great next reaction.

[@TheDivayenta]

They were a phenomenal jam band.

[@zerogravitycircus2420]

RIP Bill

[@donaldgilbreath4200]

I like this song a lot. I even went to that concert. Im glad i did, even though i would have never done it again. Greatful dead has so many great songs if you like folk music. You need to hear Casey Jones.

[@Ms.Andrist]

This is such a jammin song.

[@jamescarter1881]

I see some of y'all are from the 757 . Am still in 757 born and raised

[@jimuicker4731]

You're about to go on a journey. Please react to "Mountain Dew Live at Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 5/8/77". It's a cover of a nuclear disarmament folk song that the band had been playing for about 10 years at that point.

[@arjaylee]

The Dead were not a singles band. The other commercial hit was Truckin. There are many concerts available to listen to. The Dead were the original Jam Band

[@martinl8574]

I think we added some new dead heads. Welcome aboard friends. I was Born in 1960. All the different musical genres I love are all new to you. You'll never catch up to it all! Relax and enjoy a neverending journey! For myself, I am blessed!

[@jeffheistad-johnson5532]

Please react to Shakedown Street, fire on the mountain, or scarlet begonia. I think you will really appreciate those songs. Thanks for your reactions

[@MarkStarCrashes71]

Always live versions with the GD. Pretty much ANY LIVE VERSION OF ANY SONG in the years 1972-1974, 1977 or 88-90 is going to melt your faces.

[@user-gu9of6fv7i]

at my second marriage myself and all of me groomsmen work Gerry Garcia ties. all the basic same color schemes, but each different. I left mine at moms house and she mailed it to me. all I got in the mail was an open box and a letter from the post master apologizing for losing what had been in the box. woe was me, but I got by.

[@alysonb4487]

I can’t wait for them to react to a different song, this song is special in its own way but I hate that it’s always the first suggestion! I suggest china cat sunflower/I know you rider ❤

[@gregrodriguez5697]

Olliwood..I was at those shows in Hampton.

[@VEGAFLICKS]

Check out 'Shakedown Street' by the Grateful Dead. Funky Dead stilo. 😎

[@kengoodman756]

People loved this song in the 80s, but go back and check out songs like Scarlet Begonias, China Cat Sunflower, Playing in the Band, Franklin's Tower, etc.

[@chrisblack1119]

The Grateful Dead performed over 2500 songs in their repertoire. You could listen to one song a day for years and never run out. You can break their music down into periods. Their early stuff is different from their country stuff, which is different from their prog stuff, which is different from their 80s stuff. And all of that is different from the rest of their catalog that defies categorization. Last but not least, they did hundreds of cover songs. Versions of songs you know done with their own twist.

[@nicholasrudolph6219]

Try the studio version of Ripple. Maybe the most beautiful lyrics of any song ever. It's like going to church.

[@nicholasrudolph6219]

And then Shakedown Street. These three songs sound nothing like each other at all.

[@jonahmarshall9144]

Y’all should do Shakedown Street!

[@InkedMisfit]

Buddy of mine went to Hershey cuz he heard the dead was playing and he wanted to get some acid. He got there and it was a Madonna concert 😂

[@marklynn3994]

You'll no doubt notice the atmosphere inside the venue is a little...um...hazy LOL

[@TheNorcalmonkey67]

Eyes of the World or Fire on the mountain should be next....(not sure if y'all are ready for the live stuff ....no disrespect)....much like Garcia himself said....we're like licorice...not everyone likes licorice but the ones who do....REALLY like it....

[@thorzzz1z]

i was stationed at Langley AFB from 85-89, lived at Mercury west apartments, straight across from the Hampton Coliseum, it was the same way then, i couldn't go anywhere all them freaks would rush me at the stoplights, got tickets man? got tickets? lol

[@thisisitreactions]

Mercury West lol! Our stomping grounds. Thank you for your service!