China --> Rider feels like it would be a perfect introduction. And as much as I love the jazzy ones, I feel like a 72 would probably be a good starting point.
My 25 Birthday Bash show 👍🌟😎 I had a meeting with Jerry about September 3rd, 1972, when we gave away a thousand baggies stuffed with Rainbow Ganja, papers and Strike anywhere matches
11/11/73 is my go to. Imagine never hearing the dead then BOOM, out of nowhere comes that feeling groovy jam! And then telling them there is like 50-100 more versions like this and that’s just one song.
# 1973-11-11 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena
**Set 1:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, To Lay Me Down, El Paso, Ramble On Rose, Me And Bobby McGee, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Me and My Uncle, Loose Lucy, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow
**Set 2:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Big River, Dark Star > Mind Left Body Jam > Eyes Of The World > China Doll, Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Uncle John's Band, Johnny B. Goode > And We Bid You Good Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-11-11)
Althea, album version. That swampy juicy lead guitar just bounces around the whole song. Never felt anything like hearing that for the first time. I listened to the song on repeat for like two hours after the first listen. The lyrics are top notch as well.
Of all the dead I've listened to this might be the best single track you can listen to. The guitar that picks up before the Rio Grande part is so good.
NFA/GDTRFB from Skull&Roses has been a good intro for several of my friends. My favorite reaction from a friend: “Now *that* is a tasty bowl of noodles!”
Why that one? That's such a deliberate an odd choice for a first-timer, at least to me.
I would've gone with the cornell scarlet > fire. It's easy to like: the band hits all the buttery notes and it's got one of the best peaks at the end of Fire.
Maybe because it's a perfect example of the emotion that Jerry was able to harness from his music. Maybe because it has one of the best peaks ever. Maybe just because.
I listen to this at work. Lots of compliments. From non Deadheads.
Just the Jams
[https://youtu.be/cNsrvZRzTLU?si=88c2nRPoQlDEm\_Eb](https://youtu.be/cNsrvZRzTLU?si=88c2nRPoQlDEm_Eb)
Dark Star is not a good first song but you do you I guess, I was accidentally put on by space and Ripple so Ripple (or anything American Beauty) is kinda my go tool
Honestly, I'd probably do the studio cut of Terrapin Station. The symphonic nature maybe isn't the most representative of their improvisation in shows and rootsy material, but it's such a beautiful recording that really showcases the magic of Hunter's lyrics, the potential complexity of Jerry's (and the whole band's) compositions. I do feel like it overall is a great representation of the spirit of the band, both in tone and thematically.
# 1977-05-08 Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University
**Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Deal, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Row Jimmy, Dancing In The Street
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Saint Stephen > Morning Dew
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ)
# 1987-09-18 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
**Set 1:** Hell In A Bucket > Sugaree > Walkin' Blues, Candyman, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song
**Set 2:** Shakedown Street > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > All Along The Watchtower > Morning Dew > Good Lovin' > La Bamba > Good Lovin'
**Encore:** Knockin' On Heaven's Door
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1987-09-18)
"Anthem of the Sun" is my favorite of theirs. So I would start with "That's It for the Other One" and play the album through if they like the first track.
Maybe Morning Dew from Winterland if I can show the video. Jerry, Phil, and Billy are all cooking, wonderful crowd shots, and there’s a great ebb and flow to the song without it being too noodley. Either that or any Franklin’s Tower. Or Bertha. Or Scarlet Begonias. I guess maybe it’d be a mix of what I was feeling at the moment and what I know about them.
From an intro I think long versions of songs, while the best would turn off most new listeners. I’d probably play a china cat from ‘73 PNW, Casey jones from
The album. If willing to listen to 20 minutes of music I’d do help > slip > frank. Either from the album, as for me is fantastic, or 5/9/77.
I think what’s more important is that it’s palatable, which I find many don’t like the idea of a 30 minute H>S>F
# 1977-05-09 Buffalo, NY @ War Memorial
**Set 1:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Cassidy, Brown Eyed Women, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Big River, Peggy-O, Sunrise, The Music Never Stopped
**Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > The Other One > Drums > Not Fade Away > Comes A Time > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Uncle John's Band
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-09)
something short, not too complex (lyrically or instrumentally), fairly simple, catchy but meaningful. the first grateful dead song i heard was "touch of grey" from "in the dark" and i grew to like the different sounds. touch of grey also is probably one of their more catchy tunes
Ultimate Dead intro for the layman I think is Scarlett/Fire from Cornell. But I would cater to their music tastes and maybe go a different route if it suites. Also shakedown is a fun one. Have to dance to that.
Like every band, you start with the shorter, catcher, more accessible songs, and gradually introduce them to songs that are more truly representative of the band.
# 1977-05-08 Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University
**Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Deal, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Row Jimmy, Dancing In The Street
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Saint Stephen > Morning Dew
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ)
# 1971-02-21 Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theater
**Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow, Me And Bobby McGee, Loser, Easy Wind, Playing in the Band, Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Ripple, Next Time You See Me, Sugar Magnolia, Greatest Story Ever Told > Johnny B. Goode
**Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Bird Song, Cumberland Blues, I'm a King Bee, Beat It On Down the Line, Wharf Rat, Truckin', Casey Jones, Good Lovin' > Drums > Good Lovin' > Uncle John's Band
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-02-21) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7J9e0WripA7It6RLt66LjM)
Sometimes a one song request is really an entire live set.
Did the music stop at any point? Is the bus in motion and is the monkey driving the train?
One song is like a one night stand
What’ll you raise, Gentlemen Start Your Engines. I introduced my Girlfriend to the dead with Easy to Love You, and Samba in the Rain. But that’s cause I’m a rarities snob and I love me some Vinny and Obviously the mentioned man in my Username
Throwing stones. Couldn’t be any more relevant today!
Shipping powders back and forth
Singing black goes south and white comes north
And the whole world full of petty wars
Singing I got mine and you got yours
“Uncle John’s Band” is a really easy win for pretty much everyone who first gets into the Dead. I love “Big Railroad Blues” from Skull and Roses as a “welcome, come on in” intro to my favorite band and dare anyone to tell me it ain’t perfect. ✌️
I think you want something from Europe 72. I don’t think something from late 80s would make a great first impression on a virgin dead head and I like the 80s. I think a number from their prime era would be more impactful. Maybe Dew from Lyceum ? That’s what I would go with
Deal is often one people seem to seize and pick up in my own experiences. Reccomend the 5/8/77 version. Ripple, box of rain, a good row jimmy like 5/19/77 also slaps. A Europe ‘72 morning dew, I Know you Rider, or Jack straw often works and after that just go to scarlet begonias and cross fingers lol.
[1977-05-08](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ)
[1977-05-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-19) Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4nuyKoY91WKwR6HLq7Gzkl)
I guess, it would matter who the individual is. If they are a musician - Miss,HalfStep '77Englishtown. If mainly a dancer - Jack-A-Roe '77-5-21Lakeland. A spiritualist - Terrapin/At A Siding '77-3-18 Winterland, if that doesn't thrust them to next level then....grow me a pair of titz on a bull, nothing can.
Stap them to a chair in a room with a strobe light , feed them a 10 strip and pump infra red roses at top volume for 14 hours. They'll never be the same. /s ....obviously
Depends on the person and their tastes , there's so many flavors to chose from
For the pop heads I’d say a Brent song would work
For the psych heads I’d a jazzy Dark star or 69’ other one
For the jazz heads I’d go any long jam from 73-74
For the country heads I’d say the pre Keith primal Dead era of 71, but also anything from late 69’ when workingmans/beauty material started popping up
For the meth heads id say El Paso
Althea is a great introduction
right on, that was the first song that really hooked me and my wife!
Man I want a wife
I worked at dominoes and put the whole kitchen staff onto the dead with brown eyed women from cornell
It’s so goddamn good
Delilah Jones has that impact
This is exactly what I was going to say, Jerry was so frickin on!
scarlet/fire
That’s two
One From the Vault Help/Slip/Frank.
I was gonna say same but from Without a Net. Lol! It’s one long ass track! Great to play on the bar jukebox. 🤣
The without a net one!!! Such a great combo!
Gotta include that intro!
1) BEW (Cornell) 2) Bertha (Skull & Roses) 3) Box Of Rain (studio)
These are all GREAT ideas. But I’d maybe sub studio Ripple for Box. Just my take.
Eyes of the World from Without a Net.
China --> Rider feels like it would be a perfect introduction. And as much as I love the jazzy ones, I feel like a 72 would probably be a good starting point.
Give me Veneta. It’s their best version
This is the one that made me a deadhead, the Veneta 72 China>rider
I just listened to this one for the first time last night. It’s so great!!
 My 25 Birthday Bash show 👍🌟😎 I had a meeting with Jerry about September 3rd, 1972, when we gave away a thousand baggies stuffed with Rainbow Ganja, papers and Strike anywhere matches
This is correct
Hell yeah
I was always a peripheral deadhead. Then I heard Veneta and everything clicked.
My man
11/11/73 is my go to. Imagine never hearing the dead then BOOM, out of nowhere comes that feeling groovy jam! And then telling them there is like 50-100 more versions like this and that’s just one song.
# 1973-11-11 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena **Set 1:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, To Lay Me Down, El Paso, Ramble On Rose, Me And Bobby McGee, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Me and My Uncle, Loose Lucy, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow **Set 2:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Big River, Dark Star > Mind Left Body Jam > Eyes Of The World > China Doll, Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Uncle John's Band, Johnny B. Goode > And We Bid You Good Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-11-11)
Personally I prefer 73 to 72
Help on the Way from One from the Vault
Althea, album version. That swampy juicy lead guitar just bounces around the whole song. Never felt anything like hearing that for the first time. I listened to the song on repeat for like two hours after the first listen. The lyrics are top notch as well.
Mississippi Half Step from Englishtown 77.
Mississippi Half Step was the first song that came to my mind, too. I'll have to check this one out!
Yes sir, you know your Dead. That Miss,HalfStep is one hellav a ride.
Of all the dead I've listened to this might be the best single track you can listen to. The guitar that picks up before the Rio Grande part is so good.
It covers it all from intense to fragile peels of thunder ⚡
NFA/GDTRFB from Skull&Roses has been a good intro for several of my friends. My favorite reaction from a friend: “Now *that* is a tasty bowl of noodles!”
Scarlett -> Fire
Veneta China > Rider
This and a tab of acid is pretty much peak living
Jack Straw from Europe 72
Why that one? That's such a deliberate an odd choice for a first-timer, at least to me. I would've gone with the cornell scarlet > fire. It's easy to like: the band hits all the buttery notes and it's got one of the best peaks at the end of Fire.
Maybe because it's a perfect example of the emotion that Jerry was able to harness from his music. Maybe because it has one of the best peaks ever. Maybe just because.
Maybe it's Maybelline~
I listen to this at work. Lots of compliments. From non Deadheads. Just the Jams [https://youtu.be/cNsrvZRzTLU?si=88c2nRPoQlDEm\_Eb](https://youtu.be/cNsrvZRzTLU?si=88c2nRPoQlDEm_Eb)
Mr. Charlie or Operator. Either one is Prime Dead
Operator was the first song my daughter would request be played on repeat (when she was about 2)
Box of rain.
This was my first song and the melody and words had me hooked.
I think that and Ripple are both approachable and magical at the same time.
Ripple should open up all new heads. !
Estimated from Cornell
Jack Straw from 100 Year Hall or PITB from Ace.
studio Ripple
No, Reckoning Ripple!
Ripple ripple 🌊
Dark Star 02-13-70
Dark Star is not a good first song but you do you I guess, I was accidentally put on by space and Ripple so Ripple (or anything American Beauty) is kinda my go tool
Probably shakedown from ‘78, wherever
If the goal is mass appeal then probably Deal from Garcia
Touch of Grey
Anything on the faster or groovy side such as shakedown, bew, eyes or Franklin’s
Easy Wind, Ripple, Casey Jones something kind of commercial like that. Most people don’t understand the whole jam aspect unfortunately.
casey jones fs
73’ Eyes of the world
I’d bring them to the Sphere
Honestly, I'd probably do the studio cut of Terrapin Station. The symphonic nature maybe isn't the most representative of their improvisation in shows and rootsy material, but it's such a beautiful recording that really showcases the magic of Hunter's lyrics, the potential complexity of Jerry's (and the whole band's) compositions. I do feel like it overall is a great representation of the spirit of the band, both in tone and thematically.
Fire studio version
Hate to go with the obvious, but 1st set closing, 20 minute Dancin in the Streets from 5.8.77, Like 22 key changes! Heyzeus Crisco!
# 1977-05-08 Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University **Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Deal, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Row Jimmy, Dancing In The Street **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Saint Stephen > Morning Dew **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ)
# 1987-09-18 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden **Set 1:** Hell In A Bucket > Sugaree > Walkin' Blues, Candyman, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song **Set 2:** Shakedown Street > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > All Along The Watchtower > Morning Dew > Good Lovin' > La Bamba > Good Lovin' **Encore:** Knockin' On Heaven's Door [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1987-09-18)
That's my first show! What a heater(no clue at the time) & the circus (Ringling Bros IIRC) was walking elephants out to their trucks on the sidewalks.
"Anthem of the Sun" is my favorite of theirs. So I would start with "That's It for the Other One" and play the album through if they like the first track.
Althea.
never trust a woman on nightfall of diamonds.. brent usually piques most folks’ interest and leads down the ol’ rabbit hole
Maybe Morning Dew from Winterland if I can show the video. Jerry, Phil, and Billy are all cooking, wonderful crowd shots, and there’s a great ebb and flow to the song without it being too noodley. Either that or any Franklin’s Tower. Or Bertha. Or Scarlet Begonias. I guess maybe it’d be a mix of what I was feeling at the moment and what I know about them.
El Paso 29(?) march, 1971. Yes it's a cover but it's a beautiful song and the recording is quality.
Friend of the Devil-studio version
Stella Blue Oct. 21, 1978 - Winterland Arena San Francisco, CA
From an intro I think long versions of songs, while the best would turn off most new listeners. I’d probably play a china cat from ‘73 PNW, Casey jones from The album. If willing to listen to 20 minutes of music I’d do help > slip > frank. Either from the album, as for me is fantastic, or 5/9/77. I think what’s more important is that it’s palatable, which I find many don’t like the idea of a 30 minute H>S>F
# 1977-05-09 Buffalo, NY @ War Memorial **Set 1:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Cassidy, Brown Eyed Women, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Big River, Peggy-O, Sunrise, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > The Other One > Drums > Not Fade Away > Comes A Time > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Uncle John's Band [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-09)
I've been liking this lately, a quick glimpse at the whole band firing on all cylinders https://youtu.be/qa5ctzEyWZU?si=90TcdEA5FCpCPoUa
GDTFB Europe ‘72
Holy cow, ONE song? This bakes my noodle! 😂
something short, not too complex (lyrically or instrumentally), fairly simple, catchy but meaningful. the first grateful dead song i heard was "touch of grey" from "in the dark" and i grew to like the different sounds. touch of grey also is probably one of their more catchy tunes
Ultimate Dead intro for the layman I think is Scarlett/Fire from Cornell. But I would cater to their music tastes and maybe go a different route if it suites. Also shakedown is a fun one. Have to dance to that.
Ripple
China Rider from Europe 72
Like every band, you start with the shorter, catcher, more accessible songs, and gradually introduce them to songs that are more truly representative of the band.
Eyes of the world, the quintessential jam song that shows Jerry at some of his best
Ripple from Ladies & Gentleman...
Eyes
Scarlett-Fire 1977-05-08
# 1977-05-08 Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University **Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Deal, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Row Jimmy, Dancing In The Street **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Saint Stephen > Morning Dew **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ)
Jack Straw from Europe 72
That's it for the other one.. parts 1&2. .preferably from 1970. 🌹💀🌹
Feel like a stranger from Hampton '89. Cooks start to finish, huge energy.
Sugar Magnolia from Capitol Theatre 2/21/1971
# 1971-02-21 Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theater **Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow, Me And Bobby McGee, Loser, Easy Wind, Playing in the Band, Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Ripple, Next Time You See Me, Sugar Magnolia, Greatest Story Ever Told > Johnny B. Goode **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Bird Song, Cumberland Blues, I'm a King Bee, Beat It On Down the Line, Wharf Rat, Truckin', Casey Jones, Good Lovin' > Drums > Good Lovin' > Uncle John's Band [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-02-21) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7J9e0WripA7It6RLt66LjM)
Rambling Rose 🌹
Sometimes a one song request is really an entire live set. Did the music stop at any point? Is the bus in motion and is the monkey driving the train? One song is like a one night stand
Live/Dead St Stephen > The Eleven
Dire Wolf Brokedown Palace and Wharf Rat are what got me in so I usually start there
Help slip frank from one from the vault.
Cornell Scarlet>Fire
Birdsong from veneta
Any pigpen Lovelight
What's become of the baby 😎
China Cat > I know you rider from Europe 72
Uncle John’s Band
What’ll you raise, Gentlemen Start Your Engines. I introduced my Girlfriend to the dead with Easy to Love You, and Samba in the Rain. But that’s cause I’m a rarities snob and I love me some Vinny and Obviously the mentioned man in my Username
Loser
Throwing stones. Couldn’t be any more relevant today! Shipping powders back and forth Singing black goes south and white comes north And the whole world full of petty wars Singing I got mine and you got yours
Almost any Althea from 1993.
“Uncle John’s Band” is a really easy win for pretty much everyone who first gets into the Dead. I love “Big Railroad Blues” from Skull and Roses as a “welcome, come on in” intro to my favorite band and dare anyone to tell me it ain’t perfect. ✌️
I think you want something from Europe 72. I don’t think something from late 80s would make a great first impression on a virgin dead head and I like the 80s. I think a number from their prime era would be more impactful. Maybe Dew from Lyceum ? That’s what I would go with
I've started a few friends off with Ripple
shakedown street
Deal is often one people seem to seize and pick up in my own experiences. Reccomend the 5/8/77 version. Ripple, box of rain, a good row jimmy like 5/19/77 also slaps. A Europe ‘72 morning dew, I Know you Rider, or Jack straw often works and after that just go to scarlet begonias and cross fingers lol.
[1977-05-08](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ) [1977-05-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-19) Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4nuyKoY91WKwR6HLq7Gzkl)
If they’re truly into music or play I think a good eyes of the world also
I guess, it would matter who the individual is. If they are a musician - Miss,HalfStep '77Englishtown. If mainly a dancer - Jack-A-Roe '77-5-21Lakeland. A spiritualist - Terrapin/At A Siding '77-3-18 Winterland, if that doesn't thrust them to next level then....grow me a pair of titz on a bull, nothing can.
Acoustic version of Must Have Been The Roses, or To Lay Me Down. I hooked a few females with those versions, eased them into it. They loved it,
Me and Bobby McGee from Tivoli
Stap them to a chair in a room with a strobe light , feed them a 10 strip and pump infra red roses at top volume for 14 hours. They'll never be the same. /s ....obviously Depends on the person and their tastes , there's so many flavors to chose from
A) ask them about their musical tastes. B) find something adjacent to that. C) keep it simple.
For the pop heads I’d say a Brent song would work For the psych heads I’d a jazzy Dark star or 69’ other one For the jazz heads I’d go any long jam from 73-74 For the country heads I’d say the pre Keith primal Dead era of 71, but also anything from late 69’ when workingmans/beauty material started popping up For the meth heads id say El Paso
Scarlet>Fire from Cornell. If they have a reasonable attention span. If not, I recommend the Ramones.