Promised Land

Chuck Berry originally wrote and recorded "Promised Land" in 1965. The song was released on Chess Records, a historic label famous for blues and early rock and roll. - Critics regard "Promised Land" as Chuck Berry's geographical love letter to America. It details a journey from the East Coast to the West Coast, mentioning numerous cities and states along the way. - The song's lyrics, framed as a telephone call, were written while Berry was incarcerated in 1961-1962. Despite his circumstances, the song's energetic pace and upbeat rhythm convey a hopeful message. - Chuck Berry's "Promised Land" draws inspiration from "The Wabash Cannonball," an American folk song about a fictional train.

The version of "Promised Land" by the Grateful Dead is a cover of Berry's original, and became a staple in the band's live repertoire. - The Grateful Dead first began performing the song live in 1971, appearing in over 400 concerts within their career. - Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist of Grateful Dead, cited Chuck Berry as a significant influence on his guitar style, which can be heard in their rendition of "Promised Land." - The band's performances of "Promised Land" were often improvised, following their approach of transforming covers into unique interpretations. Their versions varied in length, style, and energy depending on the show. - In some live recordings of the Grateful Dead's version, the band tweaks the lyrics to express their countercultural roots. For example, in a 1972 performance in San Francisco, instead of singing, "Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia," the band sings, "Los Angeles, forget about Norfolk, Virginia," reflecting their West Coast allegiances. - The song is featured in the Grateful Dead’s 1972 live album "Europe '72: Vol. 2" and many other live albums. - 'Promised Land' was often used as an opening song in concerts by the Grateful Dead, setting the tone for the rest of the live performance.