#595 The Grateful Dead – Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aLG3VxhLR4&w=420&h=315]

Today’s Song of the Day is an American traditional song that has been covered by Woodie Guthrie, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Roy Hall, and my personal favorite, The Grateful Dead. ‘Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad’ appeared on The Grateful Dead’s seventh studio album, Skulls and Roses, and quickly became a fan favorite. The track listing is ‘Not Fade Away/Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad,’ as ‘Not Fade Away’ transitions into ‘Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad’ seamlessly.

The song is fast paced and features an emotional and beautiful solo by Jerry Garcia. The harmonies in this album show the bands versatility as individual musicians, but also how in tune and in sync they are with each other. The lineup at the time of the release in 1971, was Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Jerry Garcia, Roy “Pigpen” McKernan, and Bob Weir. The band had originally wanted to name the album Skull F*ck, a euphemism for “blow your mind,” which this song certainly does.