Uncle John's Band by Grateful Dead

If there’s a most iconic Grateful Dead song, this just may be it. There are many layers in meaning in the lyrics, but the song is generally understood to be about the state of the counterculture as the '60s ended; there’s a sense of foreboding along with a more hopeful sense of rallying the tribes. Listen between the lines and you can hear references to the cultural touchstones of the time, including the violence at the Democratic convention in 1968.

The song was also a big stylistic change for the Dead, putting the psychedelic jams aside for a more homespun, country/bluegrass feel (It’s said they were influnced by the then-recent success of Crosby, Stills & Nash). This song led off the 1970 album Workingman’s Dead which—along with its followup, American Beauty—are considered the band’s two greatest studio albums.

Though it was released as a non-hit single, the lyrics of “Uncle John’s Band” were considered a little strong for radio at the time. There are no cuss words in the lyric, but it does, as they say, take the Lord’s name in vain.

The guitar part is especially tough on this one. There are near-impossible stretches for the orange fret, and lots of tricky chord changes that vary from one verse to another. Pay close attention!

On bass, be prepared to do a lot of walking, especially at the end where there is a fast ascending/descending pattern.

Finally, remember that the Grateful Dead had two drummers. That may help you prep for the alternate-percussion solo in the middle.

Jerry Garcia’s passing put an end to the Grateful Dead in 1995, but the remaining members have regrouped over the years, calling themselves just the Dead.

“Uncle John’s Band” as performed by Grateful Dead courtesy of Warner Music Group
Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter
Ice Nine Publishing Company (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission