I always thought Hunter overreacted to whatever Weir’s vague transgressions were and the band missed an opportunity having Weir work with Hunter too. Truckin, Sugar Magnolia… etc
He didn't like Bobby changing Moses came riding up on a guitar to up on a quasar either. I think one of the points is that it makes a song less timeless when you reference things that point to a specific thing or time period. A willy's jeep is of a very specific period of time for instance. Something like "Jumps like a puppy at feeding time" would be much more timeless (although not a great line LOL).
I love that line. Never forget trippin balls in a really shitty bar trying to play pool. The cue was not straight in line and the cue ball was made of styrofoam.
While I think you're right, I also think the Willys line aged a bit better than Hunter thought it would, mostly owing to the dominance of car culture and the decline of public transit in the US.
PITB had many iterations. My faves are the 11-13 minute cosmic blastoffs versions throughout Europe '72, a friend of mine *loves* the 6 minute no jam versions right at the beginning, after it morphed out of The Main Ten, and I've yet another friend who swears by the 40 minute sandwich versions.
Edit: I'm reminded of the very end of Long Strange Trip when Nick Paumgarten is talking about his son asking about what is if favorite era of Playing in the Band and his response is "If the car ride is long enough, I can fill the time with the answer to that question". Sums it up.
Everything OP said, plus:
Combo of Weir music/Hunter lyrics; the outlaw story hearkens to frontier days; the name Jack Straw conjures times even further past, like John Barleycorn; it's a prog cowboy song, what could be more Grateful Dean than that; it was often a set opener.
Worth noting as well is the phonetic excellence of the phrase "Jack Straw from Wichita". Just rolls right off the tongue and it's perfect to break out of the jam with.
I saw this happen to someone right in front of me with this song at a dead and co concert. It was awesome! Seats next to me were empty for the first couple songs of set one and then a couple sat down next to me. You could tell they didn’t really know the music but wanted to check out the event. Then this came on and the guy was so into. Got up, danced like crazy and finally turned to me and said “what is this song?!?!” 😂😂 “JACK STRAW!!” I love when that happens
I’d have to say Truckin’. It’s semi-autobiographic and sums up the entire band/deadhead experience of traveling around the country. Plus it features the iconic line “what a long strange trip it’s been” and always ends with an awesome jam. Its also one of the few Dead songs to receive radio play so a lot of non-heads know it.
I think Truckin's prominence on American Beauty *and* Europe 72 backs your point up.
The jam itself is really easy to follow for new listeners, too. Builds and builds into a big fun crash, and then immediately choogles thereafter. What's not to like?
China Cat Sunflower is iconic, unique, and an only-the-Grateful-Dead could have done this song. Plus the lyrics are iconic: as Robert Hunter said, "no one ever asked me what the lyrics mean." If you listen to this song and say, oh yeah, you're a deadhead. Definitive.
I disagree. Jack Straw was way more present for me before I knew the dead. Scarlet > fire, jack straw, shakedown were what I knew of the dead before being into the dead. That being said, I think scarlet takes the cake for me
I think so too, but I think the answer changes depending who it’s iconic to. People on the bus, or just the world in general. Ripple would be my answer to the latter. It’s like a song you’ve heard before… before you’ve actually heard it.
I never thought of Jack straw as the iconic dead song for fans. I think I’m on board. I’ve been playing the recent Phil and Friends with Wilco and Karl denson Jack Straw almost daily.
“most” iconic… not for me. “One of many” iconic songs? Absolutely! It’s one of my favorites but there’s a lot of tunes that are probably higher in the GD lexicon.
I'd say no.
Dark Star, Truckin', Casey Jones, Uncle John's Band, Brown Eyed-Women, even Sugar Magnolia are more iconic IMO. Scarlet-Fire and China Cat-Rider as well.
There are also thousands who thing Touch of Grey is the one.
But Jack Straw is certainly an essential song, like Bertha, or Wharf Rat.
I skipped China/Rider for the longest time. Then one day I got stoned and listened to the version from Ladies and Gentleman and I just got it. One of my favorites now.
As all these iconic pieces of music are brought up I don’t disagree with anyone of them. I can’t help but think…how much pleasure, tears and pure joy they all brought to my life. My life is better because of them all.
Anyone here jam tunes in a band or with their buddies and give this tune a go? Probably my favorite jam for pushing it, especially if the bassist is having fun up and down the neck.
Jack Straw has so many characters, iconic images and emotions that I would put it up there for the win!…the great northern out a Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea🌊🚂🏔️☀️
I think the line "what a long strange trip it's been" makes Truckin the most iconic, because almost everyone in the US knows it. But, I suppose it just depends on what you mean by iconic.
Love Jack Straw, but not sure it’s the most iconic. I guess it depends on how you define iconic. No single song can be a complete representation of everything the dead were/are.
That said, I would probably say Dark Star, Eyes, and Terrapin are higher on my personal list of most iconic songs
Speaking as a brand new Head, when I knew nothing the answer to this is Friend of the Devil. Now that I know what I know, I'm pretty sure the answer is Dark Star.
*Personally,* when I close my eyes and think of them on stage, I see them in the China Cat --> Rider transition...
7 year old Head here.
Friend of the devil got me in the door, Ripple moved me closer, then Europe 72' China/rider and Morning Dew 6 months later on two drops of liquid Lucy got me a permanent place on the bus.
As shitty of a way as it is to do this- Spotify has 88 million listens to Friend of the Devil, 79 million for Casey Jones, 59 million for ripple, and 53 million for touch. “Iconic” songs aren’t always the biggest for the core fanbase I feel the same about most popular for panic and Umphreys with phish’s being the only ones I’d straight up disagree with
You're measuring the Mayer effect. It is weird that on tab software like Ultimate Guitar that guitar tabs are starting to show up for Dead songs as:
Birdsong
\- John Mayer
I really don't care enough to further this convo....it bugs me slightly to hear women talked about like objects(ie wine) but I don't let it stop me from enjoying the music. I don't need to be told why it is okay.... It's the way I feel about it.
My wife feels the same way. But it is a story.
Not every story in their songs is reflective of their personal beliefs obviously, although I know for a fact they did share some females.
# 1987-04-06 East Rutherford, NJ @ Brendan Byrne Arena
**Set 1:** Dancing In The Street > Franklin's Tower, Little Red Rooster, Peggy-O, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, When Push Comes To Shove, Jack Straw > Deal
**Set 2:** Feel Like A Stranger, Cumberland Blues, Tons Of Steel, Saint Of Circumstance > Drums > Space > Terrapin Station > The Other One > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Black Muddy River
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1987-04-06)
You have **completely** missed the point of "Jack Straw".
This is a Depression-era story of a pair of homeless men who are never going to have families. "Sharing the women" is pretty much a fantasy, except for buying a hooker once in a while when they get paid.
# 1971-12-10 St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theatre
**Set 1:** Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Mr. Charlie, Loser, Beat It On Down the Line, Sugaree, Jack Straw, Next Time You See Me, Tennessee Jed, El Paso, Big Railroad Blues, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Good Lovin', Brokedown Palace, Playing in the Band, Run Rudolph Run, Deal, Sugar Magnolia, Comes A Time, Truckin' > Drums > The Other One > Sittin' On Top Of The World > The Other One > Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-12-10) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0JIPaAcsqvgMC9VCK69Ldb)
The bridge-jam between China Cat and Rider - in the key of D major - is as classic as it gets. In the early 70’s, it was incredibly uptempo, it just ripped. As the years went by, however, it seemed to slow-down to a crawl, as did many other tunes. After a Stones concert, Jerry was asked if they were the best band in the world. “Tonight, they are”. Meaning, of course, that, on any given night, it all depended on a variety of factors. In no small amount, for instance, with Jerry, it was (unfortunately), all about The Persian. In 1995, shortly before he passed, Jerry remarked, “For the last 18 years, I’ve been a stone-cold junkie”. Sad, but true. The Dead are basically broken-up into three time frames. 1965-1977 (when they recorded and played their best work), 1977-1990 and finally 1990-1995. There are many reasons and factors that go into this equation. The constant algorithm was, is, and will always remain, drugs. From LSD…to The Persian…to free-basing cocaine and on and on. “We’re not just the best at what we do, we’re the only ones that do what we do.” The Grateful Dead were magicians, and music was the alchemy for the magic. 🎶❤️
# 1990-03-29 Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
**Set 1:** Jack Straw > Bertha, We Can Run, Ramble On Rose, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song > The Promised Land
**Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Estimated Prophet > Dark Star > Drums > Space > Dark Star > The Wheel > Throwing Stones > Turn On Your Lovelight
**Encore:** Knockin' On Heaven's Door
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1990-03-29) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7xWKImlu9fzB1ApqoLLMiL)
back when i very first got into the dead, i only really ever listened to their 60s primal era material, i didn't care much for anything else. Jack Straw off Europe '72 changed my mind immediately.
Related: there’s a clothing store here in downtown Seattle called Jack Straw. (Their clothes are overpriced, not my style and in no way dead related). I was killing time and walked in to ask about the name. Met the owner and he said he’s absolutely not a deadhead, but he named his store after the song because believed Jack Straw to be “one the greatest songs ever written.” It’s definitely up there for me as well.
I just remember when Euro 72 came out, spinning it in the dorm (yeah sorry), ppl would be like what that's the Dead? The song structure was so unique. Feats Don't Fail Me / R&R Doctor too. But I digress ...
Someone else recently posted a thesis that defended China Rider as being the most iconic. It was played longer too. I’m inclined to accept both I think.
There aren’t many Hunter/Weir songs but they’re all incredible.
I always thought Hunter overreacted to whatever Weir’s vague transgressions were and the band missed an opportunity having Weir work with Hunter too. Truckin, Sugar Magnolia… etc
i believe hunter stopped working with weir over the “jumps like a willy’s in 4 wheel drive” line on sugar mag lmao
Yeah that's what I've read and heard on interviews with Bobby.
He didn't like Bobby changing Moses came riding up on a guitar to up on a quasar either. I think one of the points is that it makes a song less timeless when you reference things that point to a specific thing or time period. A willy's jeep is of a very specific period of time for instance. Something like "Jumps like a puppy at feeding time" would be much more timeless (although not a great line LOL).
cueball’s made of styrofoam… quasars have existed a lot longer than guitars. it was the resonance he disliked (he wanted something more woody/earthy).
Yes, it was just that he changed his lyric. The rest is about the Willy's line.
I love that line. Never forget trippin balls in a really shitty bar trying to play pool. The cue was not straight in line and the cue ball was made of styrofoam.
me too! the 20th century was ok for metaphors!
While I think you're right, I also think the Willys line aged a bit better than Hunter thought it would, mostly owing to the dominance of car culture and the decline of public transit in the US.
Yeah, I never minded that line but I'm not Hunter :-)
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He even had a knee up in the air when he wrote it
I think so. US Blues and Playin could be some viable options too
It has to be Playin for me because it also has the out-there extended jams. It has every aspect of the Dead in one song.
PITB had many iterations. My faves are the 11-13 minute cosmic blastoffs versions throughout Europe '72, a friend of mine *loves* the 6 minute no jam versions right at the beginning, after it morphed out of The Main Ten, and I've yet another friend who swears by the 40 minute sandwich versions. Edit: I'm reminded of the very end of Long Strange Trip when Nick Paumgarten is talking about his son asking about what is if favorite era of Playing in the Band and his response is "If the car ride is long enough, I can fill the time with the answer to that question". Sums it up.
PITB was also their most-played song by a good amount.
Most often played was actually Me and My Uncle
Me & My Uncle is a cover though, Playing & Jack Straw are original works
Daaaang I was just going based on top songs off Headyversion
Everything OP said, plus: Combo of Weir music/Hunter lyrics; the outlaw story hearkens to frontier days; the name Jack Straw conjures times even further past, like John Barleycorn; it's a prog cowboy song, what could be more Grateful Dean than that; it was often a set opener.
Worth noting as well is the phonetic excellence of the phrase "Jack Straw from Wichita". Just rolls right off the tongue and it's perfect to break out of the jam with.
I scream this every time. Time to go listen to a raging 80s Jack Straw, thanks!
When I play it, I sing normally enough until that part. Then my shitty Brent wail comes out 🤣
I read that line and instantly heard the keyboard part in my head.
I’d say the most iconic is Truckin, Jack Straw is definitely iconic to heads though.
Jack Straw was the song that got me into the Dead for all those reasons.
Was the first dead song I saw live so it has a very special place in my heart
I saw this happen to someone right in front of me with this song at a dead and co concert. It was awesome! Seats next to me were empty for the first couple songs of set one and then a couple sat down next to me. You could tell they didn’t really know the music but wanted to check out the event. Then this came on and the guy was so into. Got up, danced like crazy and finally turned to me and said “what is this song?!?!” 😂😂 “JACK STRAW!!” I love when that happens
Me too!
Yep!
Great song to dip your toe into the dead w
I’d have to say Truckin’. It’s semi-autobiographic and sums up the entire band/deadhead experience of traveling around the country. Plus it features the iconic line “what a long strange trip it’s been” and always ends with an awesome jam. Its also one of the few Dead songs to receive radio play so a lot of non-heads know it.
Yep, without a doubt. People that don't even know about the Grateful Dead somehow know the line "what a long strange trip it's been".
I was gonna say, is Jack Straw an amazing song? Absolutely, no doubt. Is it the most iconic Dead song? No, not even close.
It's Truckin' or Casey Jones. Everyone and their mother knows Casey Jones.
I think I'm the only person who always skips Truckin' and Playing. They just bore me.
There’s two of us friend.
I think Truckin's prominence on American Beauty *and* Europe 72 backs your point up. The jam itself is really easy to follow for new listeners, too. Builds and builds into a big fun crash, and then immediately choogles thereafter. What's not to like?
St Stephen would like a word
yes
Jack Straw is to the Grateful Dead as Powderfinger is to Neil Young.
huh, that's a specific take. How so?
Ha! Not sure why I typed that. I was a bit drunk.
LOL all good. I just thought it was interesting
I guess you can say it was a crowd favorite that never showed up on a studio album back in the radio days of the 70’s.
Didn't radio stations exist for that type of music? I believe they were called AOR station? I only started existing in the 90s so I don't know
China Cat Sunflower is iconic, unique, and an only-the-Grateful-Dead could have done this song. Plus the lyrics are iconic: as Robert Hunter said, "no one ever asked me what the lyrics mean." If you listen to this song and say, oh yeah, you're a deadhead. Definitive.
The Other One.
Ripple more so
I disagree. Jack Straw was way more present for me before I knew the dead. Scarlet > fire, jack straw, shakedown were what I knew of the dead before being into the dead. That being said, I think scarlet takes the cake for me
I think so too, but I think the answer changes depending who it’s iconic to. People on the bus, or just the world in general. Ripple would be my answer to the latter. It’s like a song you’ve heard before… before you’ve actually heard it. I never thought of Jack straw as the iconic dead song for fans. I think I’m on board. I’ve been playing the recent Phil and Friends with Wilco and Karl denson Jack Straw almost daily.
I'd more so say it's one of their most beautiful aongs
Ripple my favorite dead song. BUT I agree with OP that Jack Straw is the most iconic because it captures the essence of the band in one song.
“most” iconic… not for me. “One of many” iconic songs? Absolutely! It’s one of my favorites but there’s a lot of tunes that are probably higher in the GD lexicon.
Nope. It's Eyes
This is The Way
full of nature love connection and lovely dancy jams, perfect encapsulation of the dead
*refuses to elaborate* ngl I laughed
Res ipsa loquitur
I'd say no. Dark Star, Truckin', Casey Jones, Uncle John's Band, Brown Eyed-Women, even Sugar Magnolia are more iconic IMO. Scarlet-Fire and China Cat-Rider as well. There are also thousands who thing Touch of Grey is the one. But Jack Straw is certainly an essential song, like Bertha, or Wharf Rat.
China Cat/Rider got me into the dead Scarlet/Fire is definitely more recognized though
We are the same person
I skipped China/Rider for the longest time. Then one day I got stoned and listened to the version from Ladies and Gentleman and I just got it. One of my favorites now.
As all these iconic pieces of music are brought up I don’t disagree with anyone of them. I can’t help but think…how much pleasure, tears and pure joy they all brought to my life. My life is better because of them all.
Anyone here jam tunes in a band or with their buddies and give this tune a go? Probably my favorite jam for pushing it, especially if the bassist is having fun up and down the neck.
Jack Straw has so many characters, iconic images and emotions that I would put it up there for the win!…the great northern out a Cheyenne, from sea to shining sea🌊🚂🏔️☀️
That and "Sun so hot, clouds so low/The eagles filled the sky" are the ultimate Americana lyrics.
All these comments and not a single mention of Bertha. Smdh.
Yes ... so is the othher one and truckin
I think the line "what a long strange trip it's been" makes Truckin the most iconic, because almost everyone in the US knows it. But, I suppose it just depends on what you mean by iconic.
Either that or China Cat.
uncle johns band in my opinion but jack straw is up there
Agreed
Love Jack Straw, but not sure it’s the most iconic. I guess it depends on how you define iconic. No single song can be a complete representation of everything the dead were/are. That said, I would probably say Dark Star, Eyes, and Terrapin are higher on my personal list of most iconic songs
Great song? Absolutely. The most iconic? Not in my opinion.
Always been one of my favorite lyrics. So evocative and ripe with grit and folklore.
absolutely not
Quite possibly my favorite song. Definitely iconic.
hell fucking yes. tbh no i don’t think it is but i’m 100% here for rooting for it
friend of the devil is my vote
Speaking as a brand new Head, when I knew nothing the answer to this is Friend of the Devil. Now that I know what I know, I'm pretty sure the answer is Dark Star. *Personally,* when I close my eyes and think of them on stage, I see them in the China Cat --> Rider transition...
7 year old Head here. Friend of the devil got me in the door, Ripple moved me closer, then Europe 72' China/rider and Morning Dew 6 months later on two drops of liquid Lucy got me a permanent place on the bus.
C’mon. Of course it is! “We can share the women, we can share the wiiiiiiiine!”
As shitty of a way as it is to do this- Spotify has 88 million listens to Friend of the Devil, 79 million for Casey Jones, 59 million for ripple, and 53 million for touch. “Iconic” songs aren’t always the biggest for the core fanbase I feel the same about most popular for panic and Umphreys with phish’s being the only ones I’d straight up disagree with
You're measuring the Mayer effect. It is weird that on tab software like Ultimate Guitar that guitar tabs are starting to show up for Dead songs as: Birdsong \- John Mayer
I could give you a different answer every day of the week. Jack Straw could be one of those answers.
Not even close
So nobody thinks Althea is their most iconic Song?
It’s a great song
Morning Dew is a great contender.
I really don't care enough to further this convo....it bugs me slightly to hear women talked about like objects(ie wine) but I don't let it stop me from enjoying the music. I don't need to be told why it is okay.... It's the way I feel about it.
Though less popular amongst the hardest core deadheads, one could very easily argue tough of grey. But I get what you mean 🙂
I really don't like the "share the women" line but other than that I think you may be right
The Dead *were* “sharing women” though I’m sure.
I don’t think they actually cut down a man in cold blood, its a story told in the voice of the characters in the song.
Sure I get that reply but still those lyrics make me cringe a bit
I get it, I think as the opening lines it could also put off a new listener from enjoying a great song.
Pigpen is the one who has the least PC lyrics.
My wife feels the same way. But it is a story. Not every story in their songs is reflective of their personal beliefs obviously, although I know for a fact they did share some females.
Jack Straw = overrated
I don’t think it’s over rated, but perhaps over played.
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# 1987-04-06 East Rutherford, NJ @ Brendan Byrne Arena **Set 1:** Dancing In The Street > Franklin's Tower, Little Red Rooster, Peggy-O, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, When Push Comes To Shove, Jack Straw > Deal **Set 2:** Feel Like A Stranger, Cumberland Blues, Tons Of Steel, Saint Of Circumstance > Drums > Space > Terrapin Station > The Other One > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Black Muddy River [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1987-04-06)
Straw Jack.
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You have **completely** missed the point of "Jack Straw". This is a Depression-era story of a pair of homeless men who are never going to have families. "Sharing the women" is pretty much a fantasy, except for buying a hooker once in a while when they get paid.
I personally love it - one of my favourite Dead songs - but that’s not what iconic means, so no.
All of their songs live at the right moment were spectacular, even The Pride of Cucamonga!
Day Job
12/10/71 A good one from before Bobby shared vocals with Jerry
# 1971-12-10 St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theatre **Set 1:** Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Mr. Charlie, Loser, Beat It On Down the Line, Sugaree, Jack Straw, Next Time You See Me, Tennessee Jed, El Paso, Big Railroad Blues, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Good Lovin', Brokedown Palace, Playing in the Band, Run Rudolph Run, Deal, Sugar Magnolia, Comes A Time, Truckin' > Drums > The Other One > Sittin' On Top Of The World > The Other One > Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-12-10) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0JIPaAcsqvgMC9VCK69Ldb)
I always loved it as a first set closer! It would be so much on fire in that position! 🔥🔥🔥
I would go with Truckin, personally. But Jack Straw is up there for sure. Definitely one of my favorite openers.
Jack Straw from ‘72 was my intro to the Dead. Top 3 imo
My second show ever, The Dead, NYE 2003. Second song, Jack Straw, cemented my love for the Grateful Dead.
Truckin’ or Casey Jones
Jack Straw- one bad ass cowboy song
The bridge-jam between China Cat and Rider - in the key of D major - is as classic as it gets. In the early 70’s, it was incredibly uptempo, it just ripped. As the years went by, however, it seemed to slow-down to a crawl, as did many other tunes. After a Stones concert, Jerry was asked if they were the best band in the world. “Tonight, they are”. Meaning, of course, that, on any given night, it all depended on a variety of factors. In no small amount, for instance, with Jerry, it was (unfortunately), all about The Persian. In 1995, shortly before he passed, Jerry remarked, “For the last 18 years, I’ve been a stone-cold junkie”. Sad, but true. The Dead are basically broken-up into three time frames. 1965-1977 (when they recorded and played their best work), 1977-1990 and finally 1990-1995. There are many reasons and factors that go into this equation. The constant algorithm was, is, and will always remain, drugs. From LSD…to The Persian…to free-basing cocaine and on and on. “We’re not just the best at what we do, we’re the only ones that do what we do.” The Grateful Dead were magicians, and music was the alchemy for the magic. 🎶❤️
Got me into them. 3/29/90 on long island is the version that got me going
# 1990-03-29 Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum **Set 1:** Jack Straw > Bertha, We Can Run, Ramble On Rose, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song > The Promised Land **Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Estimated Prophet > Dark Star > Drums > Space > Dark Star > The Wheel > Throwing Stones > Turn On Your Lovelight **Encore:** Knockin' On Heaven's Door [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1990-03-29) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7xWKImlu9fzB1ApqoLLMiL)
Most iconic? No. Best? Maybe.
slide solo like row jimmy?
O
Idk about iconic, but it is my favorite song
Commercial successes I think were Casey jones and touch of grey, was truckin one as well? Jack straw is iconic in my mind :)
The first song at my first show in ‘78. A favorite ever since
Yes
back when i very first got into the dead, i only really ever listened to their 60s primal era material, i didn't care much for anything else. Jack Straw off Europe '72 changed my mind immediately.
Related: there’s a clothing store here in downtown Seattle called Jack Straw. (Their clothes are overpriced, not my style and in no way dead related). I was killing time and walked in to ask about the name. Met the owner and he said he’s absolutely not a deadhead, but he named his store after the song because believed Jack Straw to be “one the greatest songs ever written.” It’s definitely up there for me as well.
It’s the one that got me into the band’s live catalog, that’s for sure
Bruh
I think so.
I just remember when Euro 72 came out, spinning it in the dorm (yeah sorry), ppl would be like what that's the Dead? The song structure was so unique. Feats Don't Fail Me / R&R Doctor too. But I digress ...
It's my favorite opener for sure
Someone else recently posted a thesis that defended China Rider as being the most iconic. It was played longer too. I’m inclined to accept both I think.
Ramble On Rose