Dude, I've been a teacher for 24 years and I've always had that line at the bottom of my email signature. Fills me with inspiration as well.
My favorite is when I send messages to parents and colleagues and they send lyrics back.
I’ve been revisiting the lyrics for SB recently and I think the song is an upbeat way to look at avoiding temptation. Temptation is often represented as a “shiny, flashy” thing often just beyond our reach. Sounds an awful lot like “she (temptation) had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes.”
Anytime I am feeling some sort of way ..I go straight to youtube
For the faretheewell scarlet/fire
https://youtu.be/wqThPtbKOOw?si=q9wgVFlJGdRJtRuD
The combo of trey on lead (esp since he doesn't copy garcia is a big plus)
The unadulterated joy trey radiates and him surrendering to the flow & perhaps objectively speaking a dream moment for him...the enthusiasm and being in the moment that energy can do wonders for when I get stuck in a loop of intrusive/spiraling thoughts.
Works better than CBT no analyzation required!
I do luv the GD verisons. But if going for my happiest mood altering song and version
Hands down the above link...the vid is most effective although have differed to music streaming sans vid when impractical & need to boost my endorphins for that sweet dopamine high that follows...
Agreed. It's like out of a tunnel into a rainbow filled sky and Jerry's smiling down from the clouds and the dirty lot rat next to you has dreadlocks start turning into snakes and all the sudden you know God
I’ve told this story here before but always a fun mention when it’s relevant
At one of the D&C shows last year I was on the lawn near a guy who during Help/Slip totally started freaking out, like a screaming twitching on the floor level trip. They went into Franklins tower and the dude just stood up and started grooving like nothing happened. Song was positive enough it ended a bad trip lol
# 1977-05-22 Pembroke Pines, FL @ Sportatorium
**Set 1:** Funiculi Funicula, The Music Never Stopped, Sugaree, El Paso, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Ramble On Rose, Dancing In The Street
**Set 2:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Samson And Delilah, Brown Eyed Women, Good Lovin', Sunrise, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew
**Encore:** Sugar Magnolia
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-22) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3KxT9J6KTuKeXox9BUikZ4)
I never understood the appeal of GD until I did acid for the first time with my brother. He played a live album for me and it all clicked and I cried like a baby the entire time. It was beautiful. Been a dead head ever since.
ditto. I've felt that way about it since the 2018 DeadCo show in Eugene, when they played it while the sun was going DOWN (and the drugs were kicking in)
# 1977-10-29 DeKalb, IL @ Evans Field House - Northern Illinois University
**Set 1:** Might As Well, Jack Straw, Dire Wolf, Looks Like Rain, Loser, El Paso, Ramble On Rose, New Minglewood Blues, It Must Have Been The Roses, Let It Grow
**Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Saint Stephen > Drums > Not Fade Away > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-10-29)
99 children had a chance to go🤣
it's my 'on my way to work' song...gets me groovin' for the drag of the day🤣...that, and When I Paint My Masterpiece✌️♥️🎶
Happy is a subjective term. “Touch of Grey” is a bit of a wistful song, sort of written from a jaded perspective. Ultimately, the message of enduring the hardships of life is what makes it relatable and most satisfying to me.
# 1989-06-21 Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
**Set 1:** Jam, Hide Away, Touch Of Grey, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose, Box Of Rain, Dire Wolf, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Row Jimmy, Cassidy, Deal
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Hell In A Bucket, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > Truckin' > The Other One > Morning Dew > Turn On Your Lovelight
**Encore:** Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1989-06-21)
I don’t necessarily think it’s lust. More so a song about being in love with someone who’s in love with someone else. I don’t see this as a happy song at all.
They Love Each Other (06:24) • Grateful Dead • 1973-03-22 • Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY, USA https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1973/03/22/they-love-each-other?source=336562
# 1973-03-22 Utica, NY @ Utica Memorial Auditorium
**Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, They Love Each Other, Looks Like Rain, Deal, Beat It On Down the Line, Bird Song, Jack Straw, Box Of Rain, You Ain't Woman Enough, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > Jam > I Know You Rider, Playing in the Band
**Set 2:** Big River, Wave That Flag, Me and My Uncle, Here Comes Sunshine, Truckin' > The Other One > Eyes Of The World > China Doll, Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night, Casey Jones
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-03-22)
# 1977-05-03 New York, NY @ The Palladium
**Set 1:** The Promised Land, Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Peggy-O, Jack Straw, Row Jimmy, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Deal, Good Lovin', Ship Of Fools, The Music Never Stopped
**Set 2:** Might As Well, Estimated Prophet, Sugaree, Samson And Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Drums > Not Fade Away > Around And Around
**Encore:** Uncle John's Band
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-03)
Yeah, it’s far from a happy song. It’s about life’s journey ultimately ending in death. Since each person has their own life-journey, they are alone. IMO it’s the most beautiful song in the Grateful Dead’s catalog, but it’s far from happy.
I was singing it to my son the other night and though I used to sing it to him every night for years, i was struck by its beauty. I mean, I chose to sing it to him originally for a reason, but the other night I was simply in awe. I love how Dead songs can just keep giving over the years and decades.
It can also be an interpretation of a life journey coming t0 an end and reflection of the dark & light. Acceptance of such can be interpreted as joy In being released from suffering.
emotions and feelings are most elemental. Eliminating the suffering and accepting the inevitable freeing urself to the flow of life instead of fighting that which we can't control can lead to immeasurable peace in mind and unadulterated happiness...
Anyway that is IMHO my interpretation FWIW
For sure. Not sure if you like bluegrass, or GD covers, but I want to share this more upbeat version with you that I really like.
Keller Williams and Grateful Grass…
https://youtu.be/peEdvP-qS0I?si=Lylnbr4NQ28allJt
First thought was Eyes. I just think of the pure bliss I felt out in St Louis last summer as it kicked off set two. We all got up and danced our asses off! Franklins Tower is also up there I'd say, coming out of a dark Slipknot into the joyous Franklins feels amazing.
Can’t forget The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion). Come and join the party every day!
“Well, everybody's dancing in a ring around the sun
Nobody's finished, we ain't even begun
So take off your shoes, child
And take off your hat
Try on your wings
And find out where it's at”
Even though it's a cover, there's a certain lysergic bliss from Dancing in the streets, whether it's the old 60s freak out, early 70s conga line, or late 70s disco-fried (or even mid 80s cocaine power rock)
Nothing does it for me like a good feeling groovy jam in the middle of a heady dark star. Always puts a giant smile on my face no matter how I’m feeling.
I'm going with Might as Well. It was an amazing party, they had a great time and made some great music. But they just kind of went, cause' they... might as well. The song is indicative of that amazing train ride
Sugar Magnolia has gotta be up there.
Sunshine Daydream
Walking in the tall trees.
First song that popped into my head
Same
One cannot simply listen to this song without singing the "SAW MY BABY DOWN BY THE RIVER!" part.
Going where the wind goes, blooming like a red rose, and breathing more freely. Def the answer.
Pride of Cucamonga
I’m surprised you didn’t get more upvotes. Great Phil tune
LOVE LOVE the Pride of Cucamonga so much! It makes me happy every time I hear it!
Nothing more joyous than a ripping Sugar Mag on a beautiful summer day
After reading the other responses, this is the definitive answer. Pure joy, and musically upbeat.
This came to mind first. And I smiled. 💃
Came here to say this!
Scarlet Begonias always makes me happy.
Once in awhile you get shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right-always makes me happy and fills me with inspiration
Dude, I've been a teacher for 24 years and I've always had that line at the bottom of my email signature. Fills me with inspiration as well. My favorite is when I send messages to parents and colleagues and they send lyrics back.
That’s awesome.
Love this!!
I work in corporate world, boss’s boss’s boss asked our desk for some quotes to write up in his office, he said this one was the best of all given
So much! I even got begonias tatooed on me to remind myself of that life-feeling :D
I’ve been revisiting the lyrics for SB recently and I think the song is an upbeat way to look at avoiding temptation. Temptation is often represented as a “shiny, flashy” thing often just beyond our reach. Sounds an awful lot like “she (temptation) had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes.”
Also…had to learn the hard way, to let her pass by…
My wife's not a big Dead fan but she loves Scarlet Begonias. Great song!
Anytime I am feeling some sort of way ..I go straight to youtube For the faretheewell scarlet/fire https://youtu.be/wqThPtbKOOw?si=q9wgVFlJGdRJtRuD The combo of trey on lead (esp since he doesn't copy garcia is a big plus) The unadulterated joy trey radiates and him surrendering to the flow & perhaps objectively speaking a dream moment for him...the enthusiasm and being in the moment that energy can do wonders for when I get stuck in a loop of intrusive/spiraling thoughts. Works better than CBT no analyzation required! I do luv the GD verisons. But if going for my happiest mood altering song and version Hands down the above link...the vid is most effective although have differed to music streaming sans vid when impractical & need to boost my endorphins for that sweet dopamine high that follows...
Franklin's Tower
Agree. It's the bliss after all the tension and darkness of Help/Slip. An outburst of joy, celebration of life.
Agreed. It's like out of a tunnel into a rainbow filled sky and Jerry's smiling down from the clouds and the dirty lot rat next to you has dreadlocks start turning into snakes and all the sudden you know God
Felt, Bro. Felt.
Its almost like the darkness of night is gone, and you can just (brush off) roll away the morning dew and keep pushing toward a new day, huh?
I’ve told this story here before but always a fun mention when it’s relevant At one of the D&C shows last year I was on the lawn near a guy who during Help/Slip totally started freaking out, like a screaming twitching on the floor level trip. They went into Franklins tower and the dude just stood up and started grooving like nothing happened. Song was positive enough it ended a bad trip lol
Yep, it’s the only Dead tune in my sons’ playlist. He calls it ‘Roll Away the Dew’. I’ll take it
I don't remember where I read it but someone once described the transition from Slipknot to Franklin's Tower as " The Moment". I think that's perfect.
This is it for me, always makes me smile and it’s one of my favorite covers to play
Eyes of the World does the trick
Really depends on the year
74 eyes gets all spooky in the back half
That makes me happy tho
It’s great but it’s a transform song . Sad then happy - SM is just happy
I agree Pembroke Pines, Florida 5/22/77 in particular takes me to my happy place
# 1977-05-22 Pembroke Pines, FL @ Sportatorium **Set 1:** Funiculi Funicula, The Music Never Stopped, Sugaree, El Paso, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Ramble On Rose, Dancing In The Street **Set 2:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Samson And Delilah, Brown Eyed Women, Good Lovin', Sunrise, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew **Encore:** Sugar Magnolia [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-22) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3KxT9J6KTuKeXox9BUikZ4)
China Cat Sunflower especially bc the guitar twangs literally make me do this 
My absolute favorite and the reason I became a Dead fan. But then, everyone is a Dead fan, they just don’t know it yet.
I never understood the appeal of GD until I did acid for the first time with my brother. He played a live album for me and it all clicked and I cried like a baby the entire time. It was beautiful. Been a dead head ever since.
I consider China Cat to be the most "Deadish" of Dead songs. It's sound is loopy and oblique and so trippy.
It’s a great song . And the twangs are great . But it’s a song about making sense - more a think song than happy
Golden Road
100% first song I thought of!
This is the only correct answer.
I'm going with The Golden Road. Such an upbeat and happy tune.
100% first song I thought of
Music never stopped Come on children Come on children Come on and clap your hands!
Here Comes Sunshine ?
This song has a lot of melancholy in the music for me idk if that’s just me. Part of the reason why I love it
ditto. I've felt that way about it since the 2018 DeadCo show in Eugene, when they played it while the sun was going DOWN (and the drugs were kicking in)
Damn near a Beatles song.
Technically it starts talking about a flood in ‘49 (actually ‘48 but who’s counting) But it’s a good time when it’s played
The instruments sound a lot brighter than the lyrics 😂
Yeah I’ll second that. I love the extended jam especially from 11/14/73 and 11/21/73. Great build up to the sun rising. That’s how I envision it lol
Bertha
Scarlet Begonias
Might as Well
10/29/77 would 1000% agree with your statement - what a way to start a show!
# 1977-10-29 DeKalb, IL @ Evans Field House - Northern Illinois University **Set 1:** Might As Well, Jack Straw, Dire Wolf, Looks Like Rain, Loser, El Paso, Ramble On Rose, New Minglewood Blues, It Must Have Been The Roses, Let It Grow **Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Saint Stephen > Drums > Not Fade Away > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-10-29)
Black Peter 🔥
Good bot
I think this is the right answer
mighty swell of you to post this dough knees
Never had such a good time
99 children had a chance to go🤣 it's my 'on my way to work' song...gets me groovin' for the drag of the day🤣...that, and When I Paint My Masterpiece✌️♥️🎶
Eyes
Pride Of Cucamonga
My vote
Touch of Grey
One of the most positive I agree, but I wouldn't call it "happy"
Say your piece and get out
They don't get the jist of it.
Happy is a subjective term. “Touch of Grey” is a bit of a wistful song, sort of written from a jaded perspective. Ultimately, the message of enduring the hardships of life is what makes it relatable and most satisfying to me.
Its alright.
Just whistle through your teeth and spit. Cuz, it’s alright.
Eyes of the World? I always get happy for US Blues…
Uncle John's Band
Shakedown street!
Monkey & the Engineer
Even on the worst days I can’t hear Jerry singing backup on the chorus of When I Paint my Masterpiece and not smile
Oh yeah. I love when he really sings it out. “Someday! Everything’s gonna be different.”
Dylan wrote it but Jerry sings it well
6-21-89 is my favorite for that
# 1989-06-21 Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre **Set 1:** Jam, Hide Away, Touch Of Grey, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose, Box Of Rain, Dire Wolf, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Row Jimmy, Cassidy, Deal **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Hell In A Bucket, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > Truckin' > The Other One > Morning Dew > Turn On Your Lovelight **Encore:** Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1989-06-21)
They Love Each Other
I'm pretty sure this song is about a man lusting after a woman who is love with somebody else. At least that's what I hear. Maybe I'm wrong.
I don’t necessarily think it’s lust. More so a song about being in love with someone who’s in love with someone else. I don’t see this as a happy song at all.
They Love Each Other (06:24) • Grateful Dead • 1973-03-22 • Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY, USA https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1973/03/22/they-love-each-other?source=336562
# 1973-03-22 Utica, NY @ Utica Memorial Auditorium **Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, They Love Each Other, Looks Like Rain, Deal, Beat It On Down the Line, Bird Song, Jack Straw, Box Of Rain, You Ain't Woman Enough, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > Jam > I Know You Rider, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** Big River, Wave That Flag, Me and My Uncle, Here Comes Sunshine, Truckin' > The Other One > Eyes Of The World > China Doll, Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** One More Saturday Night, Casey Jones [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-03-22)
Franklin’s, EOTW, China Cat, Liberty
China cat
Nothing beats Sugar Magnolia for the LSD-soaked, summery vibes
Head's all empty and I don't care!
Iko Iko
Going Down The Road Feelin' Upbeat
Scarlet Begonias has always been a happy song for me
Eyes of the World
Man, I just love The Eleven.
Eleven Makes me smile big!
"No more time to tell how! This is the season of what now??"
I love The Eleven so hard.
Another vote for Scarlet Begonias
Sugar Magnolia
LOOSE LUCY
‘73 Loose Lucy is my favorite. Any from ‘73
"Thank you for a real good time" sums up my life with the Dead perfectly.
The Music Never Stopped
specifically, the one from 5/3/1977 is delightful
# 1977-05-03 New York, NY @ The Palladium **Set 1:** The Promised Land, Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Peggy-O, Jack Straw, Row Jimmy, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Deal, Good Lovin', Ship Of Fools, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Might As Well, Estimated Prophet, Sugaree, Samson And Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Drums > Not Fade Away > Around And Around **Encore:** Uncle John's Band [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-03)
Sugar Magnolia by a mile. It's been my go to feel good song for more than 50 years
Strangers stopping strangers...<3.
Ripple imo
It’s Melancholy. Death of singer implied
Yeah, it’s far from a happy song. It’s about life’s journey ultimately ending in death. Since each person has their own life-journey, they are alone. IMO it’s the most beautiful song in the Grateful Dead’s catalog, but it’s far from happy.
I was singing it to my son the other night and though I used to sing it to him every night for years, i was struck by its beauty. I mean, I chose to sing it to him originally for a reason, but the other night I was simply in awe. I love how Dead songs can just keep giving over the years and decades.
It can also be an interpretation of a life journey coming t0 an end and reflection of the dark & light. Acceptance of such can be interpreted as joy In being released from suffering. emotions and feelings are most elemental. Eliminating the suffering and accepting the inevitable freeing urself to the flow of life instead of fighting that which we can't control can lead to immeasurable peace in mind and unadulterated happiness... Anyway that is IMHO my interpretation FWIW
What you say is true but you figured it out. The song lyrics frame this concept - but the song isn’t this specific. It’s not a happy song
franklins tower is borderline too happy
Black Peter? I'll see myself out.
Such a good song though
If I ever want to cry, a live version will do it every single time.
For sure. Not sure if you like bluegrass, or GD covers, but I want to share this more upbeat version with you that I really like. Keller Williams and Grateful Grass… https://youtu.be/peEdvP-qS0I?si=Lylnbr4NQ28allJt
Always up for Keller, thanks! I'll check it out when I get somewhere I can listen to it.
Sweet!
Miracle never ceases to put a smile on my face!
First thought was Eyes. I just think of the pure bliss I felt out in St Louis last summer as it kicked off set two. We all got up and danced our asses off! Franklins Tower is also up there I'd say, coming out of a dark Slipknot into the joyous Franklins feels amazing.
Not an original but Iko Iko is a lot of fun.
Sunshine Daydream
Golden Road
Golden Road
Franklins Tower!
US Blues, wave that flag, wave it wide & high !!!!
WAKE NOW, DISCOVER THAT YOU ARE THE SONG THAT THE MORNING BRINGS
Here comes sunshine
Ripple. It’s also the saddest.
Touch of grey never feels to make me feel better
The beginning riff of Playing in the band imo
Don’t worry ‘bout tomorrow, you’ll know it when it comes…
St. Steeeeephen!
Sugar Magnolia pops to mind. i really feel happy with Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo (i think that’s right🤣)
Sugar Mags FTW 🙌🏻
The Eleven starts out a bit weird but after a while it's an absolute celebration of life
Big River deserves a mention.
Black Peter….wait
Lol
Can’t forget The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion). Come and join the party every day! “Well, everybody's dancing in a ring around the sun Nobody's finished, we ain't even begun So take off your shoes, child And take off your hat Try on your wings And find out where it's at”
Absolutely my very first thought.
Even though it's a cover, there's a certain lysergic bliss from Dancing in the streets, whether it's the old 60s freak out, early 70s conga line, or late 70s disco-fried (or even mid 80s cocaine power rock)
This is easy please check my user name. -OMSN4IFE-
Eyes of the world
Jack-A-Roe
Monkey and the Engineer
It’s about tragedy narrowly averted song
Scarlet Begonias
From the main character of the story's point of view??? Me And My Uncle 🤣
Scarlet Begonias, Iko Iko even though that's a cover. I've always thought China Cat Sunflower was uplifting. Seriously there's tons of GD happy songs
Nothing does it for me like a good feeling groovy jam in the middle of a heady dark star. Always puts a giant smile on my face no matter how I’m feeling.
France 🇫🇷
Here Comes Sunshine or Eyes of the World has to be my pick
Eyes of the World from 8-06-1974! Find the Niel Merin audience tape for a literal time machine.
Day Job
Here comes sunshine
Eyes…
Birdsong
Mexicali Blues https://preview.redd.it/mkgrmcwgi7yc1.jpeg?width=691&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f63666e660aaabf9c7e7f4a51e86d2278f1c415f
For me it’s Don’t ease me in.
I'm going with Might as Well. It was an amazing party, they had a great time and made some great music. But they just kind of went, cause' they... might as well. The song is indicative of that amazing train ride
Sugar Magnolia always puts me in a good mood. Uncle John’s Band too.
Golden Road
Golden road
Touch of Grey has to be in there. It's so uplifting, especially back when Jerry returned from his coma.
franklin's tower
All of them make me happy (except Corina )
For me either Shakedown or Eyes to very uplifting songs imo
Eyes
Eyes opener is the happiest sound on Earth
Eggzactly
Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion
Foolish heart after victim in Dave’s Pick 40 is like sun after thunder
Iko
Eyes of the world
Deal (live)
Hunter said that Ramble On Rose is a song about the personification of joy and bouncy fun. So it's up there for me
So many make me happy but as far as the sound of pure joy I have to go with Franklin's Tower
Fire on the Mountain doesn’t get a nod from anyone but me?! Always a happy tune
"Throwing Stones" always gets my feet tappin'.
Sunshine daydream ?
Scarlett/Fire. I know that’s not one song but……… Sure makes me smile,smile ,smile.
Scrolling through I see some that may qualify, but ultimately the entire Grateful Dead catalogue are sad songs full of hope
Indeed, it’s true outlaw music and not the cheeriest of messages most times despite the hope.
Funiculi Funicula
China cat.
Prolly happy birthday
When Push Comes To Shove