The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics

Contains all of the lyrics. The annotations are brief and the style of organization is not a narrative one per se, although it is arranged in chronological order of when they were performed. There are over 500 pages but it's not a "read". Robert Hunter shines through nicely throughout as a writer and person, and of course some Jerry quotes are there and these both help to warm the book. I just thought that the annotations would be a lot more interesting with quotes from people who knew or played with the Dead during the tours and studio sets as opposed to literary annotations, such as where Chico, CA is or what the Mission district neighborhood in San Francisco is, and soooo many references to traditional American songs, but with little information beyond that. Nice to read a few lyrics over coffee, but I didn't feel like devouring it after reading through a few songs. It's likely not the fault of the author, but more that the era of the songs' (even the traditional songs) creation and inspiration is a blur and not easy or even necessary to try to nail down. In the end, it's all bigger than a factual thing and that's the beauty and magnetism of the Dead's music anyway, an easy four stars, just not quite a bong hit.

Delightful to hold, endearing to review, reading the lyrics will enable your tune. Enjoy the expanse of a cultural depth unsurpassed except by Metallica, Korn, Yes, or Frank Zappa's cast. Don't furget Jethro Tull, King Crimson and Led Zepplin's woo; and by the way, good times await Stones fans too! Have fun-this is a true history gem for you library and fun.

This book was obviously an extensive labor of detail and specifics. The author has captured the lyrics in timeless thought with passion and spirit as a side dish. The original lyrics are embraced with thought provoking explanation. This is must have reference for any student of the past and the future.

Turn on your favorite Grateful Dead Jam, get comfortable and read along to your favorite songs! When the band jams out you can explore side notes and stories from the band as they remember them. It really brings you closer to the best band that ever walked the earth! My favorite book I own! Amazing! :)

I was expecting more insight into the inspiration for the songs as they were written. Still a good item to have for the discerning dead head as there are some cool facts (who was Joe Brown anyway?) and listing of first/last played dates. See you on tour!

I guess I was expecting a little more depth about what the songs mean, or are based on. The annotation part is excellent, but in a song like Jackstraw which has puzzled me all my life about its provenance, there were many pages about what a jackstraw is, That's important, but what about the story? There's a narrative here. Anybody's theories would have been interesting. I know everyone is closed mouth about this stuff, but still, even fan theories would have been interesting.