As the Grateful Dead gets ready to play its final show tonight, Playing for Change has released a lovely video featuring an international cast of musicians — some well-known, some not — playing “Ripple” (studio version here), a tune from the great 1970 album American Beauty. The new clip features appearances by Bill Kreutzmann, Jimmy Buffett, David Crosby, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. Enjoy….
Update: You can now listen to/stream the Dead’s final shows here.
h/t @stevesilberman
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“Ripple” was part of JamBase’s Songs Of Their Own series. One of 50 tributes to the Grateful Dead: http://www.jambase.com/soto.aspx
So I ask myself why these tears? And play it again.
It reminds me of “i would like to buy the world a coke,” which is one year younger. However, I imagine both songs have predecessors in music history.
I think the predecessor you’re looking for is “Any Dream Will Do” from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9F0AGnUEj4. Very similar melody but with some distinctly different notes.
Best damn song ever made…I don’t care who sings it
brings back wonderful happy and some sad memories.
one of my all time favorites, and these people made it even more beautiful, it’s true about music being the universal language and love the key, as a folk musician myself and I do this song in all my shows, but someone will come up and ask “are you going to do Ripple tonight”, I just smile and say you bet I am
Used to hum this song to my kids now 37&39 to get them to sleep what wonderful memories. Wake up to find out you are the Eyes Of The World !!
Had a rough morning finding out my 13 year old dog needs surgery and may not make it. This has helped eased the pain. Thanks to whomever created this beautiful video and all the wonderful musicians who participated.
Wow – me too. Found myself weeping through the whole song, and then replaying it again and again.
Written by Phil Lesh for his father, who had just passed away.
A Lovely version.
Actually, you’re thinking of Box of Rain. Hunter wrote Ripple.
John – think you are thinking of The New Seekers and “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” – which is what the Coke commercial is based on. Of course, there is a set of alternative lyrics that may be more relevant to a Dead thread… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWKznrEjJK4
Beautiful version of an incredible tune. Makes me miss Jerry all over again…
I know! 3rd time in a row, and the tears keep flowing! Pure Joy!
It WAS beautiful. But I can’t help thinking why weren’t any women given the chance to sing the lead?
You’re thinking of Box of Rain
Fantastic tribute! Beautifully done!
That isn’t Los Angles,CA where David Crosby is…it’s Albany,NY!!!
oops, thanks.
Wow. All those fabulous musicians!
And then Jimmy Buffet?
we are everywhere
Fantastic – simply fantastic – what a world we live in where music can be made like this from artists all over and then enjoyed on-line with such high quality and pleasing video.
Thanks very much.
Michael
Don’t have to be a “Dead Head ” to appreciate this song !!
Can’t share to Pinterest because it says “Invalid image data”
Love this collaboration of musicians and this song…..wanted to save it for future playing and can’t.
what an awesome tribute! let the tears flow!
Yes, would that not be wonderful?
this is my favorite TGD song. this was an amazing tribute to Jerry. i was able to save the post and can listen to it anytime i want. every time i listen to this, i close my eyes and it takes me back to 1995 when i saw The Dead in my home town of Chicago. is there any plans to have this song available on iPod?
Yes.
Keelin Garcia and Tula are both singing melody which IS the lead.
He is FROM Los Angeles, CA.
Love this ……so beautiful
I bought my first GD vinyl in 1966 for 98 Cents with Captain Trips and his top hat gracing the front.”Morning Dew”is great. Pig Pen gave us School Girl Mono only.
It has the feel of a song you’ve heard since early childhood, like a lullaby. It is part of your package, your reality. It is indeed, a great song!
Such an uplifting song on such a gloomy day🥰luv my memories. Cherish all the shows throughout my childhood.
Beautiful – we played this at my husband’s memorial. Play it every year, as loud as possible on the anniversary. Best Dead song ever
It’s all about love…
Awesome song and great world contribute the Dead the Best🌹🦅🌹
Such a great song, wish I could hear them donut again
Wonderful rendition of a beautiful song👏🙌❤️ Side note: The David Crosby edit is actually in Albany NY-Hudson River in the background.
Me too.
We hope to get permission to use this for our crusade to help save the planet!
Dead forever!
I got diagnosed with ALS two years ago.i can no longer speak or sing along but my heart is full of so much Love when I hear this song. It is my favorite. I have played it three times. In my mind I am singing àt the top of my lungs with
David Crosby. Blessings to all who contributed to this simply amazing rendition of my favorite song.My heart is happy ♥️☮️✌🏻🎧🎵🎶🎻🎸🎼🎻🎵🎶
I got diagnosed with ALS two years ago.i can no longer speak or sing along but my heart is full of so much Love when I hear this song. It is my favorite. I have played it three times. In my mind I am singing àt the top of my lungs with
David Crosby. Blessings to all who contributed to this simply amazing rendition of my favorite song.My heart is HAPPY
Im afraid youve confused Ripple with Box of Rain!!- Ripple was written by Robert Hunter&Jerry Garcia. Box of Rain was written by Phil after his father passed. Just thought id let you know…Peace …
Missin’ my best friend , husband Steve . This lifted my shears a bit . Thank you …
The song you mentioned is actually “I’d like to teach the world to sing”. It reminds me of “Country Roads”, and Neil Diamond, go figure. I’m sure can all be reminded of something similar from that era, but this will always be a great song! 😊
Best song ever. Tears for the past moving along so fast. Great memories. Thankyou for the love
as always perfect timing ty. Blessing to all 💜 JG
That was spectacular…thank you
Robert Hunter wrote the lyrics for “Box of Rain” as a gift to Phil when Phil’s father was dying. Phil wrote the music for the song.
Awesome
This is such a beautiful and inspiring song and to do it with all these folks all over the world singing and happy !!!
If I knew the way… I would take you home… this was fantastic! Thanks to all of you and thanks to the GD 🎶❤️🌎
That was beautiful
Perfect tune for Playing for change. Left me in tears again and again.
Jerry was born in San Francisco.
Jerry wrote the music for Ripple.
He spent most of his life in NorCal.
He died in Forest Knolls, a small town just both of SF.
this is brilliant. I’m crying. So freaking good!
Same!!!
So beautiful it brings me to tears as I replay it over and over. Peace. ☮️
May all the people of our planet have a very Jerry day.
Lovely, inspirational. Thank you.
Sorry that was “Box of Rain”
Cheryl,
Music is an all-body experience. Although you cannot sing anymore, the music lives within you, and every muscle, cell, and mist of all, your heart. B
Blessings to you,
Mary
That, too, made my day
Great emotional version of the perfect American ballad