Yes, that is THE Robert Hunter. And yes, he is considered a member of The Grateful Dead. When they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he was included as a part of the band. After all, without Robert Hunter (and John Barlow as far as I'm concerned) there would be no Grateful Dead, at least as we know it. He wrote many of the songs that Jerry sang--Hunter wrote 'em & Garcia put them to music. Hell of a team . . .
Is this THE Robert Hunter? The guy always mysteriously billed as "lyricist for the Grateful Dead? Never as a songwriter, never as a member of the Dead, always as the lyricist.
So good. The brain behind the voice. These are ALL his words, let's remember. Half of people who claim to love, live, the Dead don't even know who this guy is.
Read Ripple and When a man loves a woman 14 years ago today when we got married then i sang you are my sunshine ...favorite GD song .....Love " He's a greek god, an Irish poet, a dockworker, and woodsman all rolled into one" from ioriorioro comment
This song was the final song in Mask with Cher. Rocky Dennis died, and the soundtrack to the movie had this as it's last song. Good stuff. Also, he wrote Birdsong, about Janis. Great stuff. Peace.
he is NOT a songwriter...he is a lyricist, and an overrated one (Deadheads are not the most demanding lot). Nice imagery in his work, but it is more free association. Does anyone know what most of "songs" are about?
go back to your Jackson 5. Hunter is a Master lyricist. If you don't like the Dead that's OK-you just haven't seen the light. Hunter/Barlow & the Dead didn't do 3 minute bubble gum music. If you don't understand his songs that is truly Sad. May not be the best performer, but he overall his talent is not touchable by most including you and me. Listen to the songs with an open mind, Deadheads like what they like - they have the right-it's such a long time to be gone and a short time to be there.
This song, Ripple, as far as I am concerned, is about the mystery of life--the fact that we're here without really knowing 'where' we came from or why we're here. We definitely know that there are forces at work that we didn't create. That's the "ripple in still water, when there is no pebble tossed, nor wind to blow." Where did the ripple come from? Where did the Universe come from? We don't know. We don't see what caused the ripple. We just see the ripple.
A very well put commentary on the song. I agree- this is basically a mystical set of lyrics, but there's nothing mumbo jumbo or effete about the words. It's a kind of down-to-earth mysticism. I guess I mean that it's full of images and things of this world.
more on the meaning of ripple for you pbl1, since you asked...
So mainly, the "ripple" is the Universe. The cause of the ripple is the mysterious force beyond our comprehension. The song opens with a verse justifying the singer. "if my words did glow...would you hear my voice...it's a hand me down, the thoughts are broken.." it's self deprecation and a beg pardon for singing the song. the classic dead ethic follows "i dont know, don't really care, let there be songs to fill the air." trust.
they wish the listener well--"reach out your hand, if your cup be empty. if your cup is full, may it be again". And then they describe the mysteries of life--"let it be known, there is a fountain, that was not made by the hands of men." And guess what? We all travel, in some sense, alone--"there is a road, no simple highway, between the dawn and the dark of night, and if you go, no one may follow. that path is for your steps alone."
A song about the universe and our bewildered place in it.
Sooooooo Grateful I was able to see this wondeful soul play when I caught The Other Ones show at the Kaiser Arena in Oakland 12/5 & 12/6 2002. Cheers brother Hunter......cheers!!
It is a wonderful experience to see him in concert! Finally got to see him in 2003 when he came out with the Dead. Dozens of GD concerts (first in '68) and finally got to see him in 2003!
Robert Hunter and Jerry could only be surpassed by Lennon/McCartney or Elton John and his writer who is a great writer as well..his name escapes me at the moment.."Once and awhile you get shown the light,in the strangest of places if you look at it right"-Hunter
What do you mean? He never said he had the keys to the rain; in fact, the one theme he clearly states all the time is that not only does he not have the keys to the rain but he doesn't know the way home. Any chance you can explain what you meant?
I was just messin'.... I grew up listening to Hunter's work and I probably know all his lyrics by heart. I left my brains back there along the road somewhere - round about '72- and this clip made me feel sad somehow. I guess we should "cherish" him more. No offence intened I'm sure.
We played this song at my mom's funeral
colorondemand 3 months ago
@mcdstuff Great question.....Gonna get there, I don't know Row Jimmy to where??????
Jesus Christ bless all those connected to the Grateful Dead
sharegrace 4 months ago
Shit yea
wheat12341 5 months ago
Very nice!
656marshall 1 year ago
Robert Hunter was a test subject for LSD, DMT and other halucinogens in California in the early 60's.
Like this if you didnt know that
StealY0urFace 1 year ago
Hunter is referred to as 'The Songwriter 'on the credits of American Beauty.......
thehotdrummer 1 year ago
Hunter is referred to as 'The Songwriter 'on the credits of American Beauty...
thehotdrummer 1 year ago
Yes, that is THE Robert Hunter. And yes, he is considered a member of The Grateful Dead. When they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he was included as a part of the band. After all, without Robert Hunter (and John Barlow as far as I'm concerned) there would be no Grateful Dead, at least as we know it. He wrote many of the songs that Jerry sang--Hunter wrote 'em & Garcia put them to music. Hell of a team . . .
TheLuxuriusHippy 1 year ago 2
Is this THE Robert Hunter? The guy always mysteriously billed as "lyricist for the Grateful Dead? Never as a songwriter, never as a member of the Dead, always as the lyricist.
TahoeLegend 1 year ago
So good. The brain behind the voice. These are ALL his words, let's remember. Half of people who claim to love, live, the Dead don't even know who this guy is.
ajholz1 1 year ago
@ajholz1 well said! Too many times I have seen him disrespected by so called "deadheads" that would talk through out his whole set
setboy1 11 months ago
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Read Ripple and When a man loves a woman 14 years ago today when we got married then i sang you are my sunshine ...favorite GD song .....Love " He's a greek god, an Irish poet, a dockworker, and woodsman all rolled into one" from ioriorioro comment
charlieo444 1 year ago
One of the best songwriters/lyricists to ever live!!! Every Garcia/Hunter song is amazing.
rawkus1167 1 year ago
@cjonezz1 i remember that... awesome...
yossarianhunter 1 year ago
Ripple is one of the best songs EVER!!!
jimmy7633011 1 year ago 2
classic Americana Jacks and Aces.........
dmarod 1 year ago
if my words did glow
heyjunky 1 year ago
Thank you Mr. Hunter!
gratefulygroovin 2 years ago
So nice to hear and see you Mr. Hunter
saciesunshine 2 years ago
Jerry said: He was the member of the Dead that wasn't on stage. God bless!
eyeojo 2 years ago 2
if I knew the way. nice
FunnyHaHaFunnyHaHa 2 years ago
does god look down on the boys in the bar-room
mainly forsaken but surely not judged
jacks, queens and aces, their faces in wine
do lord deliver our kind
- robert hunter - one of the greatest poets of our time.
secoro60 2 years ago
yes indeed. thank god for robert hunter.
cnedwick 2 years ago
He's a greek god, an Irish poet, a dockworker, and woodsman all rolled into one
iorioriorio 2 years ago 16
@iorioriorio Stfu
MrGrevy 1 year ago
Robert from the Russian River
aztiff 2 years ago
A truly great writer.
There is no better person than jerry
to make his songs come alive.
Hunter/Garcia thanks a lot
ModernTimez 2 years ago
happy b-day robert
rosepearljanis 2 years ago
He's half the dead!
goatmark 2 years ago
Big ol' teeyers for the old, the new, and now.
wildwakachica 3 years ago
fantastic!!! Thanks for posting!!
laoban1954 3 years ago
this is a robert hunter song-hes the man behind the curtain
rosepearljanis 3 years ago
Thanks!! I saw Hunter in Akron, OH 97 or 98. Same living room stage set up. GD on kiddz
steallysam28 3 years ago
masterful, lovely, profound, gifted, humble, beautiful, genius. hunter is one of the most special people in the history of art and music.
cnedwick 3 years ago
Doesnt sound like the dead...but there willl be no other Robert Hunter...Let the dead live on...and forever be The Grateful Dead
mikem0487 3 years ago
Thank you for posting this...just wish there was more! I miss seeing him out playing shows like this.
jkstraw 3 years ago
Comment removed
kbenner 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
jerry kbenner jerry
rainbowpagun 3 years ago
God
nickthomaspost 3 years ago
I lOVE HIM!!!
LuAnne1978 3 years ago 3
He is the best lyricist ever. LOVE LOVE LOVE
lunadagirl 3 years ago 4
Love you, Mr. Hunter. Big Ups
rainbowpagun 3 years ago 2
This song was the final song in Mask with Cher. Rocky Dennis died, and the soundtrack to the movie had this as it's last song. Good stuff. Also, he wrote Birdsong, about Janis. Great stuff. Peace.
KosmicJanis 3 years ago
anyone can read hunters music and journals and see he is an amazing artist! thank you again and again!
wahooall24 3 years ago 3
Wow, thats the real deal right there.
earthminded 3 years ago 3
one of the best songwriter ever
Paolo250376 3 years ago
he is NOT a songwriter...he is a lyricist, and an overrated one (Deadheads are not the most demanding lot). Nice imagery in his work, but it is more free association. Does anyone know what most of "songs" are about?
Also, not much of a performer.
pbl1 3 years ago
go back to your Jackson 5. Hunter is a Master lyricist. If you don't like the Dead that's OK-you just haven't seen the light. Hunter/Barlow & the Dead didn't do 3 minute bubble gum music. If you don't understand his songs that is truly Sad. May not be the best performer, but he overall his talent is not touchable by most including you and me. Listen to the songs with an open mind, Deadheads like what they like - they have the right-it's such a long time to be gone and a short time to be there.
1ststeven 3 years ago 2
This song, Ripple, as far as I am concerned, is about the mystery of life--the fact that we're here without really knowing 'where' we came from or why we're here. We definitely know that there are forces at work that we didn't create. That's the "ripple in still water, when there is no pebble tossed, nor wind to blow." Where did the ripple come from? Where did the Universe come from? We don't know. We don't see what caused the ripple. We just see the ripple.
awrytunes 3 years ago 24
@awrytunes
A very well put commentary on the song. I agree- this is basically a mystical set of lyrics, but there's nothing mumbo jumbo or effete about the words. It's a kind of down-to-earth mysticism. I guess I mean that it's full of images and things of this world.
written12 1 year ago
@awrytunes Dude that's freaking beautiful. I love the way you explain that.
HigherPlanes 1 year ago
@awrytunes I agree with you about the mystery....I dig the mystery. Maybe someday we'll know.
cindyshealed 1 year ago
@awrytunes well said
jazd3072 1 year ago
@awrytunes Yes good explanation, the lyrics "Let it be known, there is a fountain not made by the hands of men" also points to this.
Mu51ch3r3 1 year ago
@awrytunes gosh, how in the world did you get so friggin' profound..
pikiwiki 9 months ago
@awrytunes its about acid.
estebantur1 3 months ago
more on the meaning of ripple for you pbl1, since you asked...
So mainly, the "ripple" is the Universe. The cause of the ripple is the mysterious force beyond our comprehension. The song opens with a verse justifying the singer. "if my words did glow...would you hear my voice...it's a hand me down, the thoughts are broken.." it's self deprecation and a beg pardon for singing the song. the classic dead ethic follows "i dont know, don't really care, let there be songs to fill the air." trust.
awrytunes 3 years ago 2
they wish the listener well--"reach out your hand, if your cup be empty. if your cup is full, may it be again". And then they describe the mysteries of life--"let it be known, there is a fountain, that was not made by the hands of men." And guess what? We all travel, in some sense, alone--"there is a road, no simple highway, between the dawn and the dark of night, and if you go, no one may follow. that path is for your steps alone."
A song about the universe and our bewildered place in it.
awrytunes 3 years ago 3
amazing writer of lyrics. In the genre of "Rock" he is one of the few greats. Thank you Mr. Hunter
slloth 3 years ago 2
my favorite lyricist of all time,everytime ! robert hunter
jbinthesky 3 years ago
Still, there's nothing more powerful than to see the song writer, himself, singing it to us.
morriswil32 3 years ago
he looks and sounds great. you go bobby hunter
cnedwick 4 years ago
Sooooooo Grateful I was able to see this wondeful soul play when I caught The Other Ones show at the Kaiser Arena in Oakland 12/5 & 12/6 2002. Cheers brother Hunter......cheers!!
fuckinucrosseyed 4 years ago
It is a wonderful experience to see him in concert! Finally got to see him in 2003 when he came out with the Dead. Dozens of GD concerts (first in '68) and finally got to see him in 2003!
kbenner 3 years ago
Got to see him again in 03' at Joliet and Deer Creek. What an honor it was.
fuckinucrosseyed 3 years ago
i just stumbled upon this...i was away in november and very bummed to miss! next times...
Karmalize 4 years ago
Robert Hunter and Jerry could only be surpassed by Lennon/McCartney or Elton John and his writer who is a great writer as well..his name escapes me at the moment.."Once and awhile you get shown the light,in the strangest of places if you look at it right"-Hunter
tripfall224 4 years ago
Thank to whoever posted this. I was gonna write something then I red tripfall224. I'll 2nd that.
"Once and awhile you get shown the light,in the strangest of places if you look at it right"
jimmydeweasel 3 years ago
He's a great writer, amazing. but hes not the best performer.
hes a genius tho
irtimed 4 years ago 2
Love you, Mr. Hunter. Big Ups.
lunadagirl 4 years ago
Sorry but I just can't believe that this guy has the keys to the rain!!
Thanks for posting this though... happy days....
incongra 4 years ago 2
What do you mean? He never said he had the keys to the rain; in fact, the one theme he clearly states all the time is that not only does he not have the keys to the rain but he doesn't know the way home. Any chance you can explain what you meant?
Thanks, - AshesRising
AshesRising1 4 years ago
I was just messin'.... I grew up listening to Hunter's work and I probably know all his lyrics by heart. I left my brains back there along the road somewhere - round about '72- and this clip made me feel sad somehow. I guess we should "cherish" him more. No offence intened I'm sure.
incongra 4 years ago
Thank you.
AshesRising1 4 years ago
There is a fountain that was NOT made by the hands of man. Hunter must know by now the truth.
sharegrace 4 years ago
"Let there be songs to fill the air...." Thank You.
AshesRising1 4 years ago