The full ranking
Thirty years of Garcia, Hunter, and Weir: cosmic jams, outlaw ballads, and the songs that built the Deadhead canon. Ranked across Paste, Ultimate Classic Rock, and more.
Ripple
American Beauty's gentle benediction, a country-folk hymn with lyrics drawn partly from the 23rd Psalm and a melody as plain as a nursery rhyme. The most beloved acoustic song in the catalog, sung at memorials and singalongs ever since.
Casey Jones
Workingman's Dead's cocaine-fueled train-wreck story song, carried by one of rock's most quotable opening lines. Bluesy, folksy, and groovy, it stays one of the Dead's most universally recognized tracks.
Touch of Grey
The 1987 surprise that gave the Dead their only Top 10 hit and their first music video. Its defiant chorus, 'I will get by, I will survive,' carried the band's classic feel into the MTV era.
Truckin'
American Beauty's road-weary closer, written by all four principal songwriters about life on tour. Home to 'what a long, strange trip it's been,' a line the Library of Congress later named a national treasure.
Eyes of the World
Wake of the Flood's fluid, optimistic centerpiece, built for movement and endless improvisation. For many Deadheads it is the band's defining musical statement.
Friend of the Devil
An outlaw-on-the-run story song from American Beauty, equal parts bluegrass picking and psychedelic folk. One of the most covered and most accessible songs the Dead ever wrote.
Dark Star
More concept than song, the ultimate improvisational canvas, stretched past half an hour in concert. Its 1969 Live/Dead version is the crown jewel of the band's jamming.
Terrapin Station
The ambitious 1977 suite that pushed the Dead into orchestral, conceptual territory. Paste called the full medley the greatest Grateful Dead track ever, their answer to the Abbey Road medley.
Uncle John's Band
Workingman's Dead at the height of its songcraft, with Crosby, Stills and Nash-style harmonies over sparse acoustic backing. A mission statement disguised as a folk song.
Sugar Magnolia
A sun-soaked Bob Weir country-rocker from American Beauty, and one of the band's most-performed songs. A staple closer that sent crowds chanting long after the final chord.
Ranked across 3 sources: Paste · 20 Greatest Grateful Dead Songs (2024); Top40Weekly · 21 Best Grateful Dead Songs, Ranked (2026); Ultimate Classic Rock · Top 10 Grateful Dead Songs. Full scoring is on the Methodology tab above.
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