Photo: Carl Lender, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Jerry Garcia was always way more than the Captain Trips of the music scene. Sure, his drug habits were legendary (and ultimately, lethal), but when he wasn’t bending his own reality with hallucinogens, he was bending ours with his music. Over 35 years, he wrote and recorded some of the most iconic and enduring songs of the 20h century. His work with the Grateful Dead needs no introduction (and if it does, go listen to American Beauty before you read another word). His solo output, on the other hand, might. Sometimes overlooked in favor of his collaborations with the Dead, his own recordings showcase his incredibly far-reaching musical ambitions. There’s rock and roll, country, bluegrass, folk, psychedelia, reggae… all of it extraordinary, and all of it underpinned by his rare ability to transform personal pain into something joyful. Here, we doff our hat to the master as we countdown the top 10 Jerry Garcia songs of all time.
# 10 – Comes a Time
From the end of 1974 to late 1975, the Grateful Dead took a well-earned break from their non-stop touring schedule. Rather than do the sensible thing and put his feet up for a while, Garcia hit the studio to record his third solo album. Like his previous non-Dead recordings, Reflections features a blend of cover tunes and originals, with Dead lyrist Robert Hunter drawn in to lend his talents to five of the eight tracks. The result is an easy-going, jazzy affair that barely puts a foot wrong. “Comes a Time” is one of the standouts. A beautiful, emotive ballad with some sublime finger-picking from Garcia and some equally sublime (although typically obtuse) lyrics from Hunter, it closes out the album in style.
# 9 – Might as Well
If “Comes a Time” is a stunning finish to Reflections, “Might as Well” is an equally sensational opening. The first track to Garcia’s third solo outing takes a nostalgic look back at the Dead’s time on the Festival Express Tour, that infamous rail trip that took some of the most prominent artists of the ’60s on a raucous, whisky-fueled journey across America. By 1976, the hippie dream had shriveled up and died, but Garcia breathes fresh life into its memory with this energetic romp.
# 8 – They Love Each Other
When it came time to record Reflections, Garcia had the chance to recruit some new faces. He didn’t, preferring to stick to what he knew by enlisting members of the Jerry Garcia Band for half the album, and the Dead for the rest. On “They Love Each Other,” the Dead are out in force, delivering one of the slickest, sweetest performances of their career to create a shimmering piece of pop gold. It may be gentler than the ballsy, bluesy numbers we were used to, but it’s none the worse for it.
# 7 – Loser
It was a Dead concert staple before Garcia cut “Loser” for his eponymous 1972 solo debut. Left to his own devices, Garcia transformed it into something far more melancholy than the band had ever managed on stage. A tale of a deadbeat gambler who’s just “10 gold dollars” away from desperation, it’s a vocal and musical triumph, with Garcia supplying all the instrumentation aside from percussion, which Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann ably supplies.
# 6 – Rubin and Cherise
Recorded for the 1978 album Cats Under the Stars, “Rubin and Cherise” took Hunter and Garcia three long years to write. Was it worth the effort? Hell yes. Inspired by the film ” Black Orpheus,” this bittersweet tale of a New Orleans love triangle ranks as one of the pair’s most poignant and affecting collaborations. Who else but Hunter would think of using a mandolin melody as a metaphor for a lover’s voice? And who else but Garcia could deliver it so flawlessly? A joy.
# 5 – Run For The Roses
The 1980s weren’t a good time for Jerry Garcia. His addictions had grown to epic proportions, leading to conflicts with the band and increasingly shambolic live performances. It didn’t stop him from making some incredible music, though. On the titular track to the 1982 album Run For the Roses, he proved he could still deliver a sweet melody when the occasion called. Hunter’s lyrics take a sideways blow at his bandmate’s woes (“Reach for the sun, catch hold of the moon/They’re both too heavy, but what can you do?”) but Garcia’s honeyed vocals and dreamy guitar transforms the pain into a thing of beauty.
# 4 – Deal
Hunter could never resist a tale about a no-good card play. Jerry Garcia, however, could, and he initially met “Deal” with some reluctance- although in fairness, it was very early in the morning when Hunter burst into his apartment with it and he was reading the paper at the time. After a lot of convincing, he agreed to put the paper down and add the melody. Lucky for us he did. Originally played as a straight-up boogie at the Dead’s live shows, Garcia beefed it up with a killer riff and a raspy vocal for his definitive 1972 solo version.
# 3 – Bird Song
Following the tragic death of Janis Joplin at the age of just 27 years old, Garcia and Hunter paid tribute to their friend with the magnificent “Bird Song.” A sumptuous, wonderfully tender number that drips with emotion without ever crossing the line into sentimentality, it’s one of the highlights of Garcia’s first solo album.
# 2 – The Wheel
Some songs take weeks, months, or even years to get right. Some take minutes. The deliciously hooky “The Wheel” is a prime example of the second kind. In the middle of recording his first solo album, Garcia started bashing away at the piano. Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann joined in, and they managed to concoct a rip-roaring piece of classic rock between them. Hunter later chimed in with some weird but beautiful lyrics about the circle of life. Garcia added some harmonies and guitar, and the result ended up becoming one of his signature tunes.
# 1- Sugaree
Finally, we come to “Sugaree,” the highlight of Garcia’s debut album and, all these years later, still his finest piece of work. On the surface, it’s a sunny ode to a dancing hippie chick. But this is a song written by Robert Hunter – surface readings don’t cut it. Dig beneath the laid-back, breezy chug and you’ll find a song dripping with menace. Richly textured, executed with precision, and accompanied by an astonishingly raw bassline from Phil Lesh, it’s Garcia’s magnum opus
Top 10 Jerry Garcia Songs List article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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Updated November 17, 2023
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
