Grateful Dead Family Discography: Might As Well

Might As Well

Composer: Jerry Garcia / Robert Hunter

Might As Well was first performed live by the Grateful Dead on June 3, 1976. It was regularly played through 1976 but then performed only 5 times in 1977, not at all in 1978 and twice in 1979. The song returned to the repertoire in 1981 and was performed regularly through the first half of the 1980's. From 1986 onwards it was played a few times some years and not at all in others. The last performance was in March 1994. In total it was performed just over 100 times.

Robert Hunter comments on the origins of this song in Box Of Rain: Lyrics 1965 - 1993:

In the early seventies a train was leased for a trip across Canada, stopping in major cities to throw music festivals. On board were Delaney and Bonnie, Ian & Sylvia, The Band, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Charlesbois, the New Riders, and various other acts that boarded from time to time. Everyone agreed we had just about the best time of our collective lives in that week of non-stop music and partying. Nearing her last days, Janis, for one, wished aloud that the ride would never have to stop.

Grateful Dead recordings

Dick's Picks, Vol. 33, Grateful Dead, 2004
Dick's Picks, Vol. 34, Grateful Dead, 2005
Spirit of '76 bonus CD, Grateful Dead, 2006

Ratdog

Ridgefield CT, April 25, 2005
Baltimore, MD, November 2, 2005
Atlanta, GA, November 15, 2005
Danbury, CT, March 21, 2006
Providence, RI, April 3, 2006
Westbury NY, November 1, 2006
Lowell MA, November 10, 2006
Peekskill NY, March 6, 2007
Springfield MA, March 15, 2007
Lincoln RI, July 11, 2007
Columbus OH, July 17, 2007
Santa Fe NM, July 25, 2007
Bristow VA, August 14, 2007
Norfolk, VA, November 7, 2007
Saratoga Springs, NY, August 19, 2008
Westbury, NY, October 30, 2008
Clearwater, FL, November 18, 2008

Jerry Garcia

Reflections, Jerry Garcia, 1976
All Good Things: Jerry Garcia Studio Sessions, Jerry Garcia / Jerry Garcia Band, 2004
The Very Best Of Jerry Garcia, Jerry Garcia, 2006

Robert Hunter

Holmdel, NJ, August 10, 2004

Other recordings

Might as Well...The Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead, The Persuasions, 2000