WALSTIB

Growing up, I heard Truckin' and Casey Jones on the radio along with all the other rock songs, and while the Grateful Dead stood out as something different, I didn't really get into them until college.  Our dorm's music room had lots of their records, and a guy in the dorm was a Deadhead and let me copy his tapes (which I put on blanks I got from my job thanks to an awesome boss...) Finally went to a show with one of my best friends from high school, and things took off from there.

Their songs span many American musical styles- rock, country, blues, bluegrass, jazz.  They cover many songs from all those styles, and have too many originals to count (well, I know some obsessed Deadhead has counted them...)  Their lyrics are often great examples of the storyteller's art.  They let fans record their shows from the start.  They did things their own way, in music, the music business, and life.  Their music was the soundtrack to long sections of my life, and I still listen sometimes (not almost continuously as I used to, but I'm glad there's a Dead channel on satellite radio.)  Here are a few of my favorites.  There are too many to pick from, but these always make me smile and dance.

China Cat Sunflower--->I Know You Rider
An archetype: a Dead original, with psychedelic lyrics, that segues into a folk song.



Scarlet Begonias
Perhaps my favorite Dead song, though Liberty is in a dead heat with it.  Love the lyrics:
Once in a while
you can get shown the light
in the strangest of places
if you look at it right



Tennessee Jed
I would love it just for this one verse:
I ran into Charley Phogg
He blacked my eye and he kicked my dog
My dog he turned to me and he said
Let's head back to Tennessee, Jed



Liberty
One of their last songs; I love the lyrics and attitude.
If I was the sun, I'd look for shade
If I was a bed, I would stay unmade
If I was a river I'd run uphill
If you call me you know I will