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The Grateful Dead (and friends) Play Reggae

The Grateful Dead played only one reggae song, Stir It Up. Various Jerry Garcia bands played a number of reggae songs as did Phil Lesh & Friends, Bob Weir, and various Bill Kreutzmann groups.

The term reggae is used here in the broader sense of the word incorporating the more specific genres of ska, rocksteady and reggae.

This page documents 16 reggae songs played by the Grateful Dead and related bands.

54-46 Was My Number

54-46 Was My Number was performed by Voodoo Dead in 2015.

The song was originally released on a single by The Maytals in 1970

See more information about the song.


 
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Can't Blame The Youth

Can't Blame The Youth was performed by Phil Lesh with the Terrapin Family Band in 2015.

The song was originally released on a Peter Tosh single in 1972.

See more information about the song.


 
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Congo Man Chant

Congo Man Chant was performed by Voodoo Dead in 2015.

The song was originally released on a single by The Congoes in 1977

See more information about the song.


 
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Could You Be Loved

Could You Be Loved was performed by Billy & The Kids in 2023.

The song was first released on a single and on the Uprising album in 1980.

See more information about the song.


 
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Get Up, Stand Up

Jams based on Get Up, Stand Up were played by Phil Lesh & Friends and by Voodoo Dead.

The song was first recorded by The Wailers in 1973 and released on the Burnin' album and, in some countries, on a single.

See more information about the song.


 
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The Harder They Come

The Harder They Come was performed over 350 times by various Jerry Garcia groups between 1973 and 1995. Also played by Phil Lesh & Friends, Billy & The Kids, Voodoo Dead and Bob Weir with Soul Ska.

The song was originally released on a single by Jimmy Cliff in 1971

See more information about the song.


 
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I Shot The Sheriff

I Shot The Sheriff was performed by The Other Ones and Phil Lesh & Friends.

The song was originally released on the Wailers album Burnin'.


 
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Intensified

Intensfied was performed by Bill Kreutzmann, Scott Murawski and Mike Gordon.

The song was originally released on a single by Desmond Dekker in 1968

See more information about the song.


 
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Johnny Too Bad

Johnny Too Bad was played a handful of times by the Jerry Garcia Band in 1994 and 1995.

The song was originally released on a single by The Slickers in 1970

See more information about the song.


 
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Monkey Man

Monkey Man was played by the Kreutzmann / Burbridge / Murawski Trio in 2008.

The song was originally released on a Maytals single in 1969.

See more information about the song.


 
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No Woman No Cry

No Woman No Cry was played by the Trichromes, on one occasion with Bob Weir sitting in. Bob Weir also played the song with Dave Matthews & Blues Traveler.

The song was originally released on the Natty Dread album in 1975

See more information about the song.


 
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Pressure Drop

Pressure Drop was played by Bill Kreutzmann, Steve Kimock and Mike Gordon in 2007.

The song was originally released on a Maytals single in 1969.

See more information about the song.


 
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Sitting In Limbo

Sitting In Limbo was performed over 100 times by various Jerry Garcia groups between 1974 and 1994 and was also performed by Bobby & The Midnites, Ratdog, and the Phil Lesh Trio.

The song was originally released on a Jimmy Cliff single in 1971.

See more information about the song.


 
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Stir It Up

Stir It Up was performed by the Grateful Dead, the Other Ones, the Jerry Garcia Band and the Heart Of Gold Band.

The song was first recorded by The Wailers in 1967 and released on a single.

See more information about the song.


 
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Stop That Train

Stop That Train was performed by various Jerry Garcia groups between 1974 and 1994.

The song was originally released on the Wailers album Catch A Fire.

See more information about the song.


 
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Struggling Man

Struggling Man was performed by Jerry Garcia with Reconstruction in 1979 and with the Jerry Garcia Band between 1990 and 1995.

The song was originally released on a Jimmy Cliff single in 1972.

See more information about the song.


 
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Three Little Birds

Three Little Birds was played by the trio Bill Kreutzmann, Scott Murawski and Mike Gordon in 2008. It was also performed by Bob Weir sitting in with Michael Franti and Spearhead in 2014.

The song was originally released on the Bob Marley & The Wailers LP Exodus in 1977.

See more information about the song.


 
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Last updated August 2023