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Rock music is very much painted as a cutthroat business where it’s every man for himself, but the truth behind some of its biggest exports is a lineage of influence in which they’re as starry-eyed over their heroes as the rest of us. Elvis Costello is no different on both ends of that spectrum – lapped up by fans and fellow musicians for his striking way with words, but also just as reverent of his rock idols as he possibly can be.
However, it seems that being granted the status of being liked by Costello is akin to getting an award in itself. He’s no fan of Michael Jackson or Led Zeppelin or even the post-1960s incarnation of Fleetwood Mac. By any standards, he’s a hard rocker to please. But one band who shoots above and beyond those hard-to-climb heights are none other than the Grateful Dead.
In many ways, the Grateful Dead can be seen as California’s somewhat more eclectic—and longer-lived—answer to the Beatles. They swirled into a world of rock, folk, and psychedelia towards the end of the 1960s. They quickly rose to prominence in this period and through the turn of the decade into the 1970s, leading a countercultural revolution and leaving a slew of Deadheads reeling in their wake.
For Costello, four of the band’s greatest songs spiralled out of this early ‘70s era, the first two of which were borne out of a particularly frantic spell of time. Both the albums Workingman’s Dead and America Beauty were churned out one after the other over the course of just one year in 1970, at the height of a prolific partnership between Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, the Grateful Dead’s songwriting maestros.
It’s no wonder then that Costello, a songwriting god in his own right, revels at the mark of the tunes ‘Dire Wolf’ and ‘Box of Rain’ from each record, respectively. Especially in songs like the former, the enigmatic characterisation of the everyman is a storytelling hook bound to reel in an aspiring wordsmith like Costello – and this worship of the Grateful Dead’s prime was not set to end any time soon.
The rocker’s other two favourite tunes from the band are ‘Tennessee Jed’ from Europe ’72 and ‘Stella Blue’ from 1973’s Wake of the Flood. Yet the continuation of the Grateful Dead’s dominance in this specific period came against a decidedly stark backdrop, and so the fact they were still able to keep producing standout songs like these were the mark of the musical magic they were made of. The band had lost their original keyboardist Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan at a tragically young age in early 1973, and the devastation this wreaked is evident, especially in the likes of ‘Stella Blue’ where: “A broken angel sings/ From a guitar/ In the end there’s just a song”.
Opening the world’s eyes to a songwriting muse of grief and angst was revolutionary by the Grateful Dead’s standards, and as such, the lyrical connections to Costello’s own later work are more than clear. Above all, he stands out for holding his ground – he doesn’t need to be lured in with huge production or iconoclasts because he recognises the makings of rock legend in the craftmanship that the Grateful Dead poured from every word.
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Elvis Costello, the legendary singer-songwriter and music aficionado, recently shared his picks for the four best Grateful Dead songs. Known for his eclectic taste and deep appreciation for all genres of music, Costello’s choices are sure to be interesting and thought-provoking. Here are his top picks:
1. “Scarlet Begonias” – Costello praised this song for its infectious groove and poetic lyrics. He noted that it perfectly captures the band’s unique blend of rock, folk, and psychedelic influences.
2. “Eyes of the World” – This epic, jazz-inspired track was another favorite of Costello’s. He highlighted the intricate instrumentation and improvisational spirit that define the Grateful Dead’s live performances.
3. “Terrapin Station” – Costello lauded this ambitious, multi-part suite for its ambitious composition and emotional depth. He described it as a standout moment in the band’s extensive catalog.
4. “Ripple” – Finally, Costello chose this gentle, introspective ballad as one of the Grateful Dead’s finest moments. He praised its timeless melody and heartfelt lyrics, calling it a true classic.
Overall, Costello’s picks showcase the diversity and musical prowess of the Grateful Dead. Whether you’re a die-hard Deadhead or a casual listener, these songs are definitely worth a listen.
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