Grateful Dead shows were...a happening, I mean it was like nothing else. They'd come through the Midwest in the summer and get us right. That first time at Deer Creek 92 was one of the moments were, for me, life took a positive turn. We partied, don't get me wrong but I became a better human, had so much fun, they opened things up for me, smashed barriers, added spontaneity. After Jerry Passed we did SICK O FEST for a few years trying to fill thst void Jerry left. It was sick. Go see Dead and Company, then Widespread Panic, itsmore than just the music, the vibe is fire but providing a hint at what it was like...nothing is like a Grateful Dead concert, been searching lol.
So these lyrics were written by Robert Hunter. Jerry's songwriting partner. He wrote this plus To Lay Me Down and Brokedown Palace on the same afternoon. All three masterpieces in one day. Also the sing along at the end was the bands office staff and others.
Had what i consider the only “religious experience” I’ve ever experienced, during this song live.. and it kind of left a mark. Something I’ll never forget.
I like that it begins with (IMHO) a Zen Koan: "would you hear my voice come through the music... " The music from an unstrung harp! Opens the mind to the endless possibilities of meaning.
So. By the end of the song, you might say that you were swaying back and forth in your chair. Dancing even. And that's generally what happens when you listen to the Dead.
I've been to over 20 Dead shows, so you can appreciate how much joy it brought me when I saw you, Ren, doing the Dead Dance near the end of the song. Peace!!
It's about the mystery of living existence. You might need the awareness and energy of a few 100 mics of acid to see it but that song is like religion.
For me the songs message is: do what makes you happy, no one else can make you happy but yourself, but it's not always gonna be easy to find your happiness ...
This is often played at biker and hippie funerals. I always cry but at the same time there are so many wonderful memories of beautiful people who have blessed my life.
That excellent mandolin work, by David Grisman, always gets me on "Ripple"! How many suggestions could you get for Dead songs?!!!! Tons! "Cumberland Blues" "Brown Eyed Women" "Uncle John's Band" "He's Gone" "Tennessee Jed" "Bertha" "Bird Song" "Black Muddy River" "Dire Wolf" "I Know You Rider" "China Cat Sunflower". As far as Bobby vocals: "Sugar Magnolia" "Estimated Prophet" "Truckin'" "Cassidy" Pigpen vocals (before his passing) "Mr. Charlie" "Operator" "Big Boss Man" "Easy Wind" I could go on forever.......you have entered the deepest of all rabbit holes! You must check out some live shows. Plenty of material on You Tube or even watch "The Grateful Dead Movie" I LOVE seeing youngsters get into The Dead!! I've been stuck here (Happily!) since late 68!
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung Would you hear my voice come through the music? Would you hold it near as it were your own? It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they're better left unsung I don't know, don't really care Let there be songs to fill the air Ripple in still water When there is no pebble tossed Nor wind to blow Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty If your cup is full, may it be again Let it be known there is a fountain That was not made by the hands of men There is a road, no simple highway Between the dawn and the dark of night And if you go, no one may follow That path is for your steps alone Ripple in still water When there is no pebble tossed Nor wind to blow You who choose to lead must follow But if you fall you fall alone If you should stand then who's to guide you? If I knew the way I would take you home
I've listened to the tune many times but this time I hear it more clearly... The point of view is from a sage or a God, informing us of the mystery at the core of things, and as well that it can't exactly be shown to us but that we have to search individually... referring to personal salvation... so it's a type of religious message, "protestant" in nature, so it stands for YOU making your own interpretation instead of expecting answers from the mysterious leader.
You'd make a great Dead Head. Fist time I went to a Grateful Dead show I danced my way down a hill right past security to the front of the stage and didn't stop dancing till the concert was over.
Regarding the lyrical context of Ripple, here's a blog post (on in a series about grateful Dead songs) by David Dodd: www.dead.net/features/greatest-stories-ever-told/greatest-stories-ever-told-ripple
And I thank you for viewing my reaction! P.S. All of you DeadHead fans have been a lovely bunch! I always see love and a welcoming environment from you all when I read my comments.
@@renreactsmore6389 That's great to hear, but not too surprising. The Dead community is unique, wondrous and life affirming. If you love great music and love to dance, come one, come all. Ty, for your positive reaction. Enjoyed your responses. 😉👍👌👌
I'm late to your party on this but I love it. Jerry and Bob Weir shared mic time equally. You really ought to check out some live stuff. View from the Vault is on youtube, the whole 3 hour show.
There are multiple lead singers in the Dead. You happened to pick all ones with Jerry singing. Bob Weir also songs many Dead songs. He has a different sounding voice.
@@kperry1969, he certainly had a unique sound. To me, his voice sounded a lot smoother earlier on (e.g., around the time of Reckoning) than it did later. But then again, the same is true of Jerry and Bob when you compare how they sounded in the ‘60s and ‘70s to how they sounded by the mid-80s. And of course Phil sang a few too...
@@renreactsmore6389 sorry, but i watched a few more and you did stop the songs. some people don't mind, but just hate it because i feel you can say all you want after the song is over. plus, stopping the song ruins the flow. i will still keep checking. thx for replying.
You are so cute, Ren! I djed house and techno in the midwest in the early days of raving and moved on to nightclubs after...then when i moved out to cali seven years ago i started dating a deadhead and have since really become a huge fan. Check out their current lineup Dead and Co. with John Mayer standing in for Jerry. John has such an incredible voice that really polishes these amazingly written songs and he also is a guitar player on the level of the rest of the band (who have been playing for over fifty years together!) There is so much in the Dead catalog that I am still discovering songs new to me... And although I have heard of this song, and may have heard it a few times before, I never really LISTENED to it until now so thank you!
In my many years of listening to the Grateful Dead I have never heard the interpretation that Ripple is about a child who dies. One thing that most deadheads understand is that the lyrics can be interpreted in many ways (Ripple invites this in the first verse) and that each listener attaches their own meaning to the song. If for you, it is about a child who dies, so be it...it's a hand me down, the thoughts are broken. For me the song is about finding one's own path through life, a path that is not always clear and can sometimes be fraught with peril...between the dawn and dark of night. It also touches on the unexplained mysteries of life...ripple in still water. Of course my interpretation is no better than yours, they just are I wish you well!
This has got to be one of the greatest songs ever written.
Hunter was a quality poet and also a great songwriter in his own right.
This is one of the bands best songs
Grateful Dead shows were...a happening, I mean it was like nothing else. They'd come through the Midwest in the summer and get us right. That first time at Deer Creek 92 was one of the moments were, for me, life took a positive turn. We partied, don't get me wrong but I became a better human, had so much fun, they opened things up for me, smashed barriers, added spontaneity.
After Jerry Passed we did SICK O FEST for a few years trying to fill thst void Jerry left. It was sick.
Go see Dead and Company, then Widespread Panic, itsmore than just the music, the vibe is fire but providing a hint at what it was like...nothing is like a Grateful Dead concert, been searching lol.
So these lyrics were written by Robert Hunter. Jerry's songwriting partner. He wrote this plus To Lay Me Down and Brokedown Palace on the same afternoon. All three masterpieces in one day. Also the sing along at the end was the bands office staff and others.
Greatest singer songwriter duo ever
@@thomaspospisil3932 Slow done, pachuco - ever heard of Lennon and McCartney?
Didn't they lock him in a hotel room with a case of Retsina?!?
Seeing someone new getting on the bus✌✌✌✌
Makes all the difference.
Had what i consider the only “religious experience” I’ve ever experienced, during this song live.. and it kind of left a mark. Something I’ll never forget.
I like that it begins with (IMHO) a Zen Koan: "would you hear my voice come through the music... " The music from an unstrung harp! Opens the mind to the endless possibilities of meaning.
I can dig it.
I played this for all the people who were kind enough to come to my father's memorial service years ago.
So. By the end of the song, you might say that you were swaying back and forth in your chair.
Dancing even.
And that's generally what happens when you listen to the Dead.
I've been to over 20 Dead shows, so you can appreciate how much joy it brought me when I saw you, Ren, doing the Dead Dance near the end of the song. Peace!!
There's an official video now, with a pretty cartoon filled with Dead imagery in the background, for Ripple. ripple grateful dead official video
It's about the mystery of living existence. You might need the awareness and energy of a few 100 mics of acid to see it but that song is like religion.
One of the saddest songs of all time. I could cry.
For me the songs message is: do what makes you happy, no one else can make you happy but yourself, but it's not always gonna be easy to find your happiness ...
This is great, this one always get them! One of the best Hunter-Garcia songs ever!
One of my very favorite Dead songs
my favorite song of all time
Touch of Grey (studio version) is really awesome! Very catchy
In my opinion this is the best Grateful Dead studio album
Best studio album, yes, you are correct =)
Yes, followed by Workingman's Dead and Wake of the Flood. Imho.
@@waynej2608
I will second that thought
I'm not crying, you're crying.
This is often played at biker and hippie funerals. I always cry but at the same time there are so many wonderful memories of beautiful people who have blessed my life.
People will be singing this song 100 years from now. A classic
And the dead live on
This song has lots of meaning and heart.
That excellent mandolin work, by David Grisman, always gets me on "Ripple"! How many suggestions could you get for Dead songs?!!!! Tons! "Cumberland Blues" "Brown Eyed Women" "Uncle John's Band" "He's Gone" "Tennessee Jed" "Bertha" "Bird Song" "Black Muddy River" "Dire Wolf" "I Know You Rider" "China Cat Sunflower". As far as Bobby vocals: "Sugar Magnolia" "Estimated Prophet" "Truckin'" "Cassidy" Pigpen vocals (before his passing) "Mr. Charlie" "Operator" "Big Boss Man" "Easy Wind" I could go on forever.......you have entered the deepest of all rabbit holes! You must check out some live shows. Plenty of material on You Tube or even watch "The Grateful Dead Movie" I LOVE seeing youngsters get into The Dead!! I've been stuck here (Happily!) since late 68!
And also "Althea" one of my favorites
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music?
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home
Love your stuff Ren!! The GD played this electric at the old Cap Center in early Sept 1988..I believe it was a "make a Wish" request,,Double encore..
I've listened to the tune many times but this time I hear it more clearly... The point of view is from a sage or a God, informing us of the mystery at the core of things, and as well that it can't exactly be shown to us but that we have to search individually... referring to personal salvation... so it's a type of religious message, "protestant" in nature, so it stands for YOU making your own interpretation instead of expecting answers from the mysterious leader.
You'd make a great Dead Head. Fist time I went to a Grateful Dead show I danced my way down a hill right past security to the front of the stage and didn't stop dancing till the concert was over.
I think your great! Meaningful song!
California Sunshine? See Augustus Stanley Owsley
You couldn't hear the lyrical content? Please watch the lyrics video and pay attention to what Jerry is singing. It's a very deep song
Regarding the lyrical context of Ripple, here's a blog post (on in a series about grateful Dead songs) by David Dodd: www.dead.net/features/greatest-stories-ever-told/greatest-stories-ever-told-ripple
To get to the core of the Dead and the dead heads watch this a live version of ripple.
The dead has so much to offer you
Bird song and more.love this always😊
im so happy you did these reactions
check out a west l.a. fade away or throwing stones
David Grisman. The Grateful Dawg!
I like how you drop "California Sunshine" in at 5.55 like it's nothing.
Listening to the Dead, it's better to drop Orange Sunshine! Then you're in the groove...
Sunshine Daydream. 😎
You are a wonderful woman!
Thanks for the reaction! Love, a DeadHead
And I thank you for viewing my reaction!
P.S. All of you DeadHead fans have been a lovely bunch! I always see love and a welcoming environment from you all when I read my comments.
@@renreactsmore6389 That's great to hear, but not too surprising. The Dead community is unique, wondrous and life affirming. If you love great music and love to dance, come one, come all. Ty, for your positive reaction. Enjoyed your responses. 😉👍👌👌
My absolute favorite
It’s a deep song . Lovely💫
Hey Ren,if you watch the studio version of that song,it pictures exactly what you were picturing in your mind,perceptive vibe!!
Great reaction , made me subscribe
Deadhead ❤️🔥
I'm late to your party on this but I love it. Jerry and Bob Weir shared mic time equally. You really ought to check out some live stuff. View from the Vault is on youtube, the whole 3 hour show.
There are multiple lead singers in the Dead. You happened to pick all ones with Jerry singing. Bob Weir also songs many Dead songs. He has a different sounding voice.
Check out Cassidy, Playing In The Band, Weather Report Suite, or The Other One.
@@SmilingMedicineEntertainment Little Red Rooster!
Brent!
@@kperry1969, he certainly had a unique sound. To me, his voice sounded a lot smoother earlier on (e.g., around the time of Reckoning) than it did later. But then again, the same is true of Jerry and Bob when you compare how they sounded in the ‘60s and ‘70s to how they sounded by the mid-80s. And of course Phil sang a few too...
🤘🏾❤⚡💙💀 🌹
Its about death. And what have u done for others... before u part this earth
I’m sixty and have heard a lot of the dead but I’ve never this, really like it. Thanks!
this is the album that turned me on to the GD 50 yrs ago. This was the song that hooked me!
50 years later and I'm still on the bus...
Groovey!
No Love For Bobby, Spotify?!😂😅
Just stubbled on your channel...INSTANT SUBSRIBE. The main reason is because you didn't stop or talk over the song. Keep it up...NICE JOB
Thank you!!!
@@renreactsmore6389 sorry, but i watched a few more and you did stop the songs. some people don't mind, but just hate it because i feel you can say all you want after the song is over. plus, stopping the song ruins the flow. i will still keep checking. thx for replying.
Check out Shakedown Street. Disco Dead 🤣😅
You are so cute, Ren! I djed house and techno in the midwest in the early days of raving and moved on to nightclubs after...then when i moved out to cali seven years ago i started dating a deadhead and have since really become a huge fan. Check out their current lineup Dead and Co. with John Mayer standing in for Jerry. John has such an incredible voice that really polishes these amazingly written songs and he also is a guitar player on the level of the rest of the band (who have been playing for over fifty years together!) There is so much in the Dead catalog that I am still discovering songs new to me... And although I have heard of this song, and may have heard it a few times before, I never really LISTENED to it until now so thank you!
Ren is cool name , still love the dead ?
Hey there! The Dead were actually on my mind this morning. I might be tapping back in to their material soon.
React to Bird Song!
Great job love the 🐓 got some in my nieghborhood in Quincy Ma Live is always better but this is deec
...add Sugaree
It is about a child who dies. :( now listen to it again. Tape your reaction.
In my many years of listening to the Grateful Dead I have never heard the interpretation that Ripple is about a child who dies. One thing that most deadheads understand is that the lyrics can be interpreted in many ways (Ripple invites this in the first verse) and that each listener attaches their own meaning to the song. If for you, it is about a child who dies, so be it...it's a hand me down, the thoughts are broken. For me the song is about finding one's own path through life, a path that is not always clear and can sometimes be fraught with peril...between the dawn and dark of night. It also touches on the unexplained mysteries of life...ripple in still water. Of course my interpretation is no better than yours, they just are I wish you well!
Svetlana Maksimova I’ve never heard anyone interpret the lyrics that way either... in my own many years of listening to the Dead.
bullshit, you just made that up.
It can be about anything you like, just enjoy it.
@@lakecrazy Cher got an Oscar for that movie. The Band never got a mention for the soundtrack, but Cher got an Oscar. Now I'm sad again.