Shakedown Street

Grateful Dead

About Shakedown Street

"Shakedown Street" is a song by the Grateful Dead. It was written by lyricist Robert Hunter and composed by guitarist Jerry Garcia. It was released as the title track on the album Shakedown Street in November 1978. The song was first performed live on August 31, 1978 at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in Morrison, Colorado. The song "From the Heart of Me" was also played for the first time during the performance. It depicts the reasons for inner-city urban decay. The album for which the song is the title track reached #41 on the Billboard Top 200 for 1979. The term "Shakedown Street" was later used colloquially to describe the area outside of Grateful Dead concerts where vendors sold their wares. 


Year:
2003
12:23
106 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

You tell me this town ain't got no heart (well, well, well, you can never tell)
The sunny side of the street is dark (well, well, well, you can never tell)
Maybe that's cause it's midnight, in the dark of the moon besides

Maybe the dark is from your eyes (maybe the dark is from your eyes)
Maybe the dark is from your eyes (maybe the dark is from your eyes)
Maybe the dark is from your eyes (maybe the dark is from your eyes)
You know you got such dark eyes!

Nothin' shakin' on shakedown street, used to be the heart of town
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart, you just gotta poke around

You think you've seen this town clear through (well, well, well, you can never tell)
Nothin' here that could int'rest you (well, well, well, you can never tell)
It's not because you missed out on the thing that we had to start

Maybe you had too much too fast (maybe you had too much too fast)
Maybe you had too much too fast (maybe you had too much too fast)
Maybe you had too much too fast (maybe you had too much too fast)
Or just over played your part

Nothin' shakin' on shakedown street, used to be the heart of town.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart, you just gotta poke around.

Since I'm passing your way today (well, well, well, you can never tell)
I just stopped in 'cause I want to say (well, well, well, you can never tell)
I recall your darkness when it crackled like a thundercloud

Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart (don't tell me this town ain't got no heart)
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart (don't tell me this town ain't got no heart)
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart (don't tell me this town ain't got no heart)
When I can hear it beat out loud!

Nothin' shakin' on shakedown street, used to be the heart of town
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart, you just gotta poke around

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long musical improvisation. "Their music," writes Lenny Kaye, "touches on ground that most other groups don't even know exists." These various influences were distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that made the Grateful Dead "the pioneering Godfathers of the jam band world." They were ranked 57th in the issue The Greatest Artists of all Time by Rolling Stone magazine. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and their Barton Hall Concert at Cor… more »

10 fans

Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Shakedown Street" is a song by the American rock band Grateful Dead. It was first released on their album of the same name in November 1978, serving as the album’s main track.
Composer
The band's lyricist Robert Hunter wrote the lyrics, while rhythm guitarist Bob Weir is credited for the music.
Title Significance
The song's name, "Shakedown Street," was later adopted by Grateful Dead fans as the name for the impromptu and semi-authorized merchandising bazaars that sprang up in the parking lots at the band's concerts, adding to the legacy of the song.
Inspirational Lyrics
The lyrics are about experiencing hard times and not letting the judgment of others bring you down. Barely scraping by and living on "Shakedown Street" is a metaphor for a place or situation that is not ideal, but where one makes the best of what they have.
Long Live Performances
"Shakedown Street" was performed by the band more than 200 times in live concerts from 1978 to 1995.
Popular Cover
The song has been covered by several other bands and artists, including Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Ornette Coleman.
Critical Reception
The song faced criticism at the time of its release for its disco influences; however, it has since gained a cult following, largely due to the band's engaging live improvisations during their concerts.
Cultural Influence
The song has significant cultural influence among the Grateful Dead's fan community (known as "Deadheads") and is widely recognized even among casual listeners of the band.
Album Artwork
The original cover art for the "Shakedown Street" album was created by Gilbert Shelton, the cartoonist best-known for the comic "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers," connecting the band to the countercultural underground comix of the era.
Inclusion in Compilation
"Shakedown Street" is included in influential music compilations like the 2001 release "The Very Best of Grateful Dead," highlighting the song's continued popularity and significance in the band’s discography.

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