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Grateful Dead — Ripple (live)
Album: Reckoning
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2372









Released: 1981
Length: 4:25
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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

La da da da La da da da da
La da da La da La da da da
La da da da La da da da da
La da da da La da da da da
Comments (288)add comment
 rednred wrote:

I had just, the moment before this song began playing, sent a message to a lifelong friend from New Jersey and California about going to Grateful Dead concerts in the 1970s with Bill Walton, the most famous Deadhead, and the greatest college basketball player of all-time. I love serendipity like that, which happens so often in life. "Ripple" is right up there with "Sugar Magnolia", "Box of Rain", and a few others as my favorite Grateful Dead songs ever. Songs that I never ever get tired of hearing. Especially with the variety of excellent live versions, like this one, that are out there. And kudos, Bill, on your great set list, and segues. U2s "One Tree Hill" to "Ripple" to a cover of the Dead's "I Know You Rider"  to The Doors great "When the Music's Over". It doesn't get any better than that!


Walton just passed the other day (5/27/24). Another hard loss. Fuck cancer.
After perhaps 40 years of listening to this song, I FINALLY learned who "Otis" was! It was Bob Weir's dog Otis, who wandered on stage for a minute during the song. It was never something I thought enough about to google it, but one day last week someone posted a picture of Otis to one of the Grateful Dead Facebook pages I follow. Am I the last Dead fan to learn this? Perhaps. If not, perhaps you are. 
Thanks so much RP! You just made my day. 
 scrubbrush wrote:

makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine



They could be mine - this was played at my wedding to a dead head who left the planet for parts unknown 16 years ago. These words and notes carry so much with them.
spirit of freakdom
 h8rhater wrote:
No.  I think he got it right the first time.  

You, of course, mean a loyal following of fans of their fantastic genre-spanning music.  Fans that remain fans nearly 30 years after Jerry Garcia's passing AND new fans that recognized their amazing talent after that time.


”Country rock” is not “mellow”. It is a genre of its own.  Played on “Mellow” mix, this is a 2.  However i will acknowledge that if country rocks is your thing, i expect you would rate it MUCH higher, and i would not argue.  Classic “Country Rock”.  But don’t invite me over to listen with you and keep it off the “Mellow” playlist… thank you.
The studio version was the final song played at my company's CEO's funeral service. I was good until this played, then... 

He was a 61yo Deadhead in remission and I miss the conversations we had about obscure artists that play in small venues. 

RIP Bob Kirst, you are missed.
 the_jake wrote:

I'm no music critic, but I play one on RP, and the Greatful Dead have always been a weak group musically, to me. But, they do have a loyal following of groupies.


You, of course, mean a loyal following of fans of their fantastic genre-spanning music.  Fans that remain fans nearly 30 years after Jerry Garcia's passing AND new fans that recognized their amazing talent after that time.
 scrubbrush wrote:

makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine



This is what beautiful songs do; transmit from one speck of consciousness to another, a feeling more than a concept.
Garcia and Hunter could really compose a song. Love the early 80’s dead.
ahhhh...such a lovely song
 mattenuttall wrote:


Well, Mr. Foster. the tune in question is played with questionable musical finesse. Perhaps that is the egregious error for which you're condemning both the GD and this station's programming choices. 
But, that's the point: a little bit of space -- messiness -- really works in  this context, this style of music. It fits the words, too. And, the lyrics are as good a whack at an avuncular mysticism as any other I've assessed. Wouldn't we all like to believe a ripple in still water is possible?
And, holy crap that's a happy clapping crowd forming the substrate of it all....
So, an emoji may have been briefer, but I give this song a smiley-clapping-happy dancing-banana 9 out of 10.


I'm so happy that I'm a music ignoramus. I read the complaints and whining about all different kinds of music and wonder "what the hell?" It must be hard to find radio which satisfies the high level listener that many seem to be. I don't think I've heard anything on RP that I didn't really enjoy.

As for the Grateful Dead, well I guess there are lovers and haters and not too many between. I'm a lover and I always get a kick out of the occasional musical mutterings of Jerry and the GD folks.

I guess ignorance really is bliss!
 sfoster66 wrote:

And off to find another station...another day of the GD making RP unlistenable...and go ahead and give me all the thumbs down, at this point its a badge of honor...

(just as a point of order, remember when we'd listen to someone's opinion and try to see what they were saying rather than smashing some computer icon to express our thoughts on their stupidity....I miss those days...)



Well, Mr. Foster. the tune in question is played with questionable musical finesse. Perhaps that is the egregious error for which you're condemning both the GD and this station's programming choices. 
But, that's the point: a little bit of space -- messiness -- really works in  this context, this style of music. It fits the words, too. And, the lyrics are as good a whack at an avuncular mysticism as any other I've assessed. Wouldn't we all like to believe a ripple in still water is possible?
And, holy crap that's a happy clapping crowd forming the substrate of it all....
So, an emoji may have been briefer, but I give this song a smiley-clapping-happy dancing-banana 9 out of 10.
I'm sure this song had a time and place when it was great. That time has passed, and that place is somewhere else. As of now, a solid "Meh."
 sfoster66 wrote:

Hyperbole much?


When will we ever see the end of this "xxx much" trend? Why not use something like standard English to express your annoyance? There exist a number of ways to express this attempted thought that avoid the muchness.
A solid 10! BillG - more Dead pls, and not the standard stuff. Was lucky enough to be there (SF) when they recorded this … up against the riser on Bob’s side. So magical 🧙‍♂️
 wrangler wrote:

if you don't like this song, then you clearly do not like music

{#Cowboy}

Hyperbole much?
And off to find another station...another day of the GD making RP unlistenable...and go ahead and give me all the thumbs down, at this point its a badge of honor...

(just as a point of order, remember when we'd listen to someone's opinion and try to see what they were saying rather than smashing some computer icon to express our thoughts on their stupidity....I miss those days...)
makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine This comment nailed it. I feel exactly the same way- my favorite Dead song

That's Otis  :)
 scrubbrush wrote:

makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine




Because it's one of the greatest songs ever written and performed--and by a band that all in all I'm not even sure I could ever really like. 
I'm not a DeadHead but everytime I hear this song, I get it.  Beautiful song and I hope to hear it around a campfire in Northern Saskatchewan with the Aurora Borealis putting on a show someday.  
Ahh...the gods have spoken again, playing through this imperfectly wonderful bunch of misfits.
I've posted I'm not their biggest fan, that their sound/style just isn't my thing. But... I've heard this one enough that it's growing on me and I have caught myself enjoying it and warming up to it.  So. There's that.
As 'cum laude' is missing, I'll be happy with a 10. Deahhead forever!!
 deadheadmark wrote:
Shiver me Timbers!  IMHO... best song ever!  Love watching  Playing  For Change's version!  What a tribute to the Man!  If you haven't watched it.. you are missing out.  Love ya Jerry!  Peace to All
 
Buffet and Crosby singing the Dead? I've got something in my eye it seems.

I met Washboard Chas in New Orleans when he was a kid street musician.  Guess he's a middle-aged street musician now? 

Playing for Change does some beautiful  stuff . One Love by them is a masterpiece also.

Shiver me Timbers!  IMHO... best song ever!  Love watching  Playing  For Change's version!  What a tribute to the Man!  If you haven't watched it.. you are missing out.  Love ya Jerry!  Peace to All
Such lovely people.  Sigh. 
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
That's Otis

https://www.google.com/url?sa=...
A beautiful song by a master poet and lyricist. RIP, Robert Hunter.
She used to work in a diner...
 scrubbrush wrote:
makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine
 

i hear ya. 
I hit the 10 button harder but it still won't go above...

Then 10 it is
I love you I love you I love you peace for all good men
 lizardking wrote:
I would've been a Dead Head under slightly different circumstances in life. And I know a lot of RPsters say the GD are "off key, noodlers" and I say "they sound like they had a BLAST and Jerry has to be one of the most genuine and coolest Rockstars ever!"
Keep cranking the dead, BnR, and Long Live RP!
 
I just sat down to write the same.  Grew up and lived in the NYC area in the 70s.   Not the same scene. Might have gone that way had I lived in CA.

Classic GD.  Fills me with nostalia, tho I can't say why exactly.

Been with my spousal unit for 40 years.  GD years precede.
Avuncular, in all the best ways.....
I had just, the moment before this song began playing, sent a message to a lifelong friend from New Jersey and California about going to Grateful Dead concerts in the 1970s with Bill Walton, the most famous Deadhead, and the greatest college basketball player of all-time. I love serendipity like that, which happens so often in life. "Ripple" is right up there with "Sugar Magnolia", "Box of Rain", and a few others as my favorite Grateful Dead songs ever. Songs that I never ever get tired of hearing. Especially with the variety of excellent live versions, like this one, that are out there. And kudos, Bill, on your great set list, and segues. U2s "One Tree Hill" to "Ripple" to a cover of the Dead's "I Know You Rider"  to The Doors great "When the Music's Over". It doesn't get any better than that!
Love you dead. Love you alive. Forever to dance. Boy do I miss those shows and my tribe.
Reminds of good old Baptist Gospel music:)
oh Jerry how I miss thee!
Oh my darling Jerry come to me at night and lift my spirits to dancing lights! You’re always here for me. Thank you so much for playing this
8 -> 7 - Quite Likeable
I would've been a Dead Head under slightly different circumstances in life. And I know a lot of RPsters say the GD are "off key, noodlers" and I say "they sound like they had a BLAST and Jerry has to be one of the most genuine and coolest Rockstars ever!"
Keep cranking the dead, BnR, and Long Live RP!
Live or studio, this is easily my fav GD tune. 
{#Stop} {#Frustrated}
Wilco likes this
This has always been my favorite version of this song. Reckoning captures something essential about the Dead's incredible chemistry. And the tune itself is incredible. It's one of many examples of how good Hunter-Garcia were as a songwriting team. 
 deepwoodskev wrote:

Soldier. Not Soldier's.

 
Half the people in Chicago say "Soldier's".  I'm used to it by now, DWK.
 idiot_wind wrote:
Can you imagine hearing this for the last time in July, at Soldier's field in Chicago, next to lake Michigan...with a beautiful summer night?  

 
Soldier. Not Soldier's.

 wrangler wrote:

if you don't like this song, then you clearly do not like music

{#Cowboy}



 
Whatever.
 I was at the July 9th, 1995 show at Soldier Field. Who knew it would be the final show with Jerry...
idiot_wind wrote:
Can you imagine hearing this for the last time in July, at Soldier's field in Chicago, next to lake Michigan...with a beautiful summer night?  

 


 wrangler wrote:

if you don't like this song, then you clearly do not like music

{#Cowboy}



 
Okay, I admit it.

if you don't like this song, then you clearly do not like music

{#Cowboy}


 hallogallo wrote:

This one time, I was sitting outside on a bench whilst the missus was in a store on Main Street in Telluride.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and a random dude comes down the street playing 'Ripple.'  He was doing an amazing job on a challenging tune.  It was a rather cosmic moment, just sitting there taking it all in ...
 
Being from Colorado and having spent much of my time in the mtns, I can readily picture this image. Images such as that is what makes me long to go back home to those mtns.
 justin4kick wrote:
I would like to nominate the following bands for the RP PSD-award:

1. Grateful Dead
2. RHCP
3. Nirvana 

 DanO-1 wrote:

I would like to nominate you for President of the Idiot League.

 
I'm just not sure that OP is up for a leadership position in that league. 

I mean where are Dave Matthews Band, U2, and David Byrne? 
Say hey!
What a day!
oh jerry
come out n play!


Twirl twirl
spin away

thank you mr deejay 
 

I love everything about this song. Beautiful lyrics, lead & harmony vocals, guitar, piano... everything. Don't understand folks not liking the Dead, but to each his/her own.
 justin4kick wrote:
I would like to nominate the following bands for the RP PSD-award:

1. Grateful Dead
2. RHCP
3. Nirvana 

 
I would like to nominate you for President of the Idiot League.
I would like to nominate the following bands for the RP PSD-award:

1. Grateful Dead
2. RHCP
3. Nirvana 
 pankman wrote:


Enviable! I demand the PSD-function for web-radio devices here and now! 

 
I second! I listen through a Raspberry Pi and can't PSD. How about PSD by text message?
May all your cups be full again y'all
 jkhandy wrote:
PSD...zzzzzzz
 

Enviable! I demand the PSD-function for web-radio devices here and now! 

Can be easy keeping to the tune when the audience is clapping off the beat. Great song.



This one time, I was sitting outside on a bench whilst the missus was in a store on Main Street in Telluride.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and a random dude comes down the street playing 'Ripple.'  He was doing an amazing job on a challenging tune.  It was a rather cosmic moment, just sitting there taking it all in ...

They closed Friday night's show (7/3/15) with this.
 idiot_wind wrote:
Can you imagine hearing this for the last time in July, at Soldier's field in Chicago, next to lake Michigan...with a beautiful summer night?  

 
I'll be there.  Either got lucky or they like my envelope art (probably just lucky).  
Heard this a few times at Jerry or Jerry/Dog shows, but never the Dead as far as I can remember.  If they decide to do an acoustic set in Chicago, I'll be in heaven. 
Hate to say it - but I actually prefer Jane's Addiction's cover of Ripple - great tune!!!
 
PSD...zzzzzzz
 idiot_wind wrote:
Can you imagine hearing this for the last time in July, at Soldier's field in Chicago, next to lake Michigan...with a beautiful summer night?  

 

Tickets on sale tomorrow, AT 10 AM!!  (pardon my 1996 Johnny Mars of 'XRT impersonation)
Can you imagine hearing this for the last time in July, at Soldier's field in Chicago, next to lake Michigan...with a beautiful summer night?  
One of the most beautiful, trippy, sweetest, soulful, smartest, pensive, happiest, quirkiest, songs ever written.

And its cool.  
I'm not much into the Dead, but Robert Hunter certainly can write a lyric.

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
Great song or *greatest* song? 
Caught myself humming along, so I bumped this up to a 4.
Neil Young - Unknown Legend
I've never been close to a Dead head. What I hear, I am sometimes bored by. Or at least I fail to see the adulation others bestow. Musta been better living through chemistry. But if I can i.d. one superlative Dead song, this is it. And Sugar Magnolia too. Bring them on always. 
 scrubbrush wrote:
makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine

 
Best comment I've read today.
One of three Dead songs I think are good - that I like. 
This version SUCKS.
IMO.
 


Country Joe McDonald - Lead Guitar, Vocals and Jerry Garcia - Guitar in Memory of Michael Bloomfield "Blues For Michael", recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, Califórnia, 1990.



The intro reminds me of a song by Shawn Mullins, don't know which one ("Lullaby"?).

A transcendent song.



 dig wrote:

No offense, but that is one of the worst covers ever.
 
AGREE ... thinking about that cover gives me shivers. I love both Jane's and the Dead. As for a Dead cover, I like "Stella Blue" from Ryan Adams (he played it live circa '05/'06) ... Poolside covered Neil Young's "Harvest Moon", I'd love to hear them give their take on any Dead song.
18 years man. Still breaks my heart. 
"That's Otis..."  Lolz... : )


 PA1749 wrote:
Play Jane's Addiction's cover from Deadicated!
 
No offense, but that is one of the worst covers ever.
                             {#Sunny}  
I was just reading Nick Paumgarten's essay in the New Yorker on the Dead's enormous recording vault.  My reaction: you guys are weird.
This is the best recording of this deeply spiritual song I've heard.  Bravo, Bill.
Definitely not a fan of the Dead, but this song is sweet and well done live.
Wow- a lot od Dead bashing.  I'm no Head, but the music is golden.  As their current incarnation- Furthur- they are putting out wonderful live shows.  Saw them for 3 nights at Red Rocks in October and I 'highly' enjoyed!!
 scrubbrush wrote:
makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine
 

hysterical
Saw them at American Unersity, with Blood Sweat & Tears as opening act 😄😄😄😄
  angelomisterioso wrote:
Saw them in Boulder, with Warren Zevon as the opening act 😃😃
 

I can't even handle the truth of this.  
Saw them in Boulder, with Warren Zevon as the opening act 😃😃
Play Jane's Addiction's cover from Deadicated!
A kind, beautiful song.  Thanks for playing!
makes me sentimental about memories that I'm not even sure are mine
Not much better than live Dead!
 bokey wrote:

Wastoids stumbling around on stage with untuned instruments? Yeah, I've seen that  ugly , disgraceful , ripoff, con artist sight.
 
Not (often) true.  The Dead were anything but cons — they'd play hours and hours of music with a new set list every day/night.

The funny thing was that the Dead put on some of the BEST shows I've ever seen as well as a few of the WORST.  I knew it was a bad show when my pals and I started hoping Bobby would "save" the show with Throwin' Stones or a Marty Robbins tune; it's not that Bobby was bad ... it was just that it was usually the Jerry songs and guitar that had magic, and Bobby's sometimes sounded like fluff in comparison. (Sorry Mr. Weir... I am truly grateful for those shows you pulled out of the muck!)
Beautiful melody, beautiful sentiment, beautifully sung.

"Lift up your hand / if your cup be empty. . ."
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
The only Dead concert I ever went to was when I was pregnant with my oldest, now 16-year-old son. The first time I "felt the baby move" was during that show. And I was NOT high. At least, not high on any substances....
 
My, now 19 year old, also enjoyed her first Dead concert like your son.

SIR:  apparently Otis belonged to Bob

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgans/1218333086/



prefer the studio version to this one.... but it always makes me smile when I hear that song.
When my daughter was a baby and couldn't sleep, we'd go for a drive and listen to the Grateful Dead... she always loved that and it always calmed her down.... 
The only Dead concert I ever went to was when I was pregnant with my oldest, now 16-year-old son. The first time I "felt the baby move" was during that show. And I was NOT high. At least, not high on any substances....


Hooray for hippies!
I've never been a Dead fan, but I really like this song.  Solid 8

Jerry Garcia by ~RussCook
Russ Cook  ©2010 ~RussCook

A submission for all you deadheads floating free in deviant space. Really digging this wacom pencil thing.


 jwb wrote:
My favorite part of this song is the stoner doofuses clapping out of time in the background.
 

hey, cut Bobby some slack...it had been a long strange trip ;) {#Roflol}
 toterola wrote:

But you took the time to call attention to yourself. What's up with that? {#Shhh} {#Stupid}
 

...and you took the time to call attention to him calling attention to himself. You're on an internet message board - if you have to ask the question...

 Papernapkin wrote:

Had to turn it off.
 
But you took the time to call attention to yourself. What's up with that? {#Shhh} {#Stupid}
I KNEW you'd be playing The Dead after "Take a Look"  ... LOL

Not a good arangement!
Oh no! It's Ripple, again!

Blagh.


Grateful Dead - "Ripple" Live

"This is truely a gem"



 K-BILLY wrote:

YOU PROBABLY NEVER SAW THEM PERFORM!
Long Live Hippies!
 
Wastoids stumbling around on stage with untuned instruments? Yeah, I've seen that  ugly , disgraceful , ripoff, con artist sight.

 Papernapkin wrote:

Had to turn it off.
 
{#Yes}

 jgunter wrote:
had to turn it up
 
Had to turn it off.