Apparently Robert Hunter intended that but Jerry didn’t know about it until Robert published the lyric book Box of Rain in ‘93 which he prefaced Bird Song with “for Janis”. I saw a video interview where Jerry was surprised about that.
Absolutely the ultimate chill out song. When I'm feeling stressed out and things keep piling on and life's getting me down... I come back to this song and everything's great again... Thank God for the Dead.
Some thoughts from David Crosby: a comment from David Crosby: "I think the really most innovative thing about the band is - everybody else thinks in terms of block chords and pedal tones, bass lines, normal kind of structures. These guys have evolved a thing where each guy is playing a running line all the time. There's three of them at a very minimum and then the percussion. That's electronic Dixieland. In this case you've got three running lines all the time. The keyboard player, traditionally, in the Dead has been the only guy who was tacking it down to reality at any point, you know. But what you've got is Jerry and Phil and Bobby playing these three weaving lines. And it's this incredibly fluid music. What happens in the best of it is that you submerge your ego and you understand that several people can achieve a telepathic or near-telepathic union playing music and speak with one voice."
this is one of the best tunes..My friend is a huge Janis fan and when i told her that this song was written in tribute to her by Robert H. She flipped..many many men were in love with this beautiful women.
Happy 70th Jerry. Even though you and I didn't share time on this Earth for very long, you impact me every single day. Missin' you hard down here. Sleep in the stars Papa Bear
I remember in the early '80;s off for the summer painting houses. My buddy and I were on the roof eating lunch and Birdsong from some past show was on and accross the road there were 50 ro 60 barn swallows flying around, we had just had our after lunch partaking and it was awesome to hear this and see that and hang on the roof. It does not matter what song I hear from which tape, they all are awesome and bring back memories of the best times of my lift then and now. Jerry lives on!!
I remember in the early '80;s off for the summer painting houses. My buddy and I were on the roof eating lunch and Birdsong from some past show was on and accross the road there were 50 ro 60 barn swallows flying around, we had just had our after lunch partaking and it was awesome to hear this and see that and hang on the roof. It does not matter what song I hear from which tape, they all are awesome and bring back memories of the best times of my lift then and now. Jerry lives on till we die
Twelve years Old and TRIPPIN' with the DEAD! It was SO LONG AGO YET ITA SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY EVERY TIME I HEAR THEM PLAY! Would've been '75 fir me when I was 12! Anyone remember a thing called WindowPain?
Music so good you don't have to be buzzed to float with it. God I miss going to their concerts. Awesome experiences. Not all of them, but several were.
when the world gets crazy awful I come back to you...and my head spins back into place... neverending thank you jerry....I wish my child could have seen you...don't you cry dry your eyes on the wind lalalala
My first show was Sacramento 1989 -- I was 24. It was 1000 degrees, hot, sticky, crowded with the honey buckets overflowing, people stinking and it was AWESOME! Camped at Folsome lake. Took my first hit and tripped balls. That weekend changed my life. Saw 30 (who can remember -- if you can you weren't having fun) or so shows until Jerry went to play for the elders. Some of the best times and memories of my life. Nothing like it.
Thank God I grew up loving this. Most beautiful song. I say that with a Bird sitting on my head preening!! :-) Hoppie 1 of my 2 Cockatiels. Awesome Birds who also love this most beautiful song... They sing to it!!!
every time i listen to jerry and the boys, i just have to ask myself the same question every day.... How can anyone not love this band??? talkin bout hey now! =]:-)
All these people hating? Whats going on? thats the problem in the world. People don't realize their connection to each other. People don't love each other. It's a shame. This music brings happiness, at least for me. Don't understand how you can argue while listening to the dead. Just listen to the music, let it free your soul RIP Jerry
This album is actually the thing that got me into the Dead. Used to fall asleep listening to this all the time. ON VINYL.! and that was in '92,'93. I was like seventeen. Thank God for the dead. Many great times.
man i love america n all it has to offer,we'll be back,thank you gd and all of the stories our deep devotion and emotion for the spirit of an angel/devil....i love the 1st show stories the memories we all have f'n wonderful
I have been a deadhead since the mid 80's. My tastes were jazz and classic rock. When I heard the dead it instantly spoke to me. To all the grateful dead haters I emphasize "it spoke to me". In other words everybody is different. I don't like tomatoes and you may, I don't like cold weather and you like to romp in the snow, I like the grateful dead and you don't. No need to be rude about it.
Jerry is so relaxed, like a half-moon shining on a Goa-Party! Makes me happy! This kind of psychedlic feeling is such a nice experience and a way of life I will never give up! Thank to all the dead-heads over the world, keeping this miracle-feeling forever! It´s not a kind of an acid period. That´s a part of our life all over the centuries. Save our planet!
i think i can speak for a lot of folks by saying- w/ out songs like this our lives would be so different in so many ways! I'm a better man today because of them! Thx, guys!
I ripped through this one on tape and video.... One of my favs... I like 77 as well... great sound boards in that era... 74 was jazz funky... too.....Jerry we miss you! Phil and Friends is doing some great stuff now as well.....
I have this on VHS. Bought it in the late 80's. Used to watch it up till late 90's, then no more VHS players. Good thing for youtube. I honestly believe this is when the Dead were peaking musically. I mean, watching these guys up there enjoying their music and vibing off of each other is priceless!
still so young here...i didn't get to see them for another ten years and jerry was only a shadow of his former self. it was still mind-blowing. there's nobody like the grateful dead.
What other band can lose track of the lyrics and still play a song as well, or better than they've played it before? The chemistry between the musicians is off the charts
My friend and I worked at the Rainbow Room, next door to the Music Hall. The day tickets went on sale, he went downstairs, as I covered for him , to buy some....they sold out for the 8 day stand by the time he reached the box office. We went to see them in the spring tour of 81....a good one as well, but I would have loved to have been inside the hall to see this. Glad for the videos.
The jam in this song is like going on a really good adventure before returning again to the band guiding you through to the end. Makes me wish the band I'm in just cut loose once in a while and took things to different places.
I was there with my love.!!!!!!! They were at their best that night. Awesome beyond belief.We will never forget. Still have the ticket. Framed and on the wall.
I'm an 18 year old, living my life like most would have done 45 years ago... I just had to handle for the first time, a loved one passing away. After crying by myself, I turned on the Grateful Dead and was smoothly put into a peaceful state of being and able to get a grip on the entire situation. Thankfully music will always be there to make life better. Much love and peace, Joel
Every time I hear this song, I imagine Jerry singing it to his good friend Janis. Beautiful!
Indeed. ❤⚡⚡⚡
Apparently Robert Hunter intended that but Jerry didn’t know about it until Robert published the lyric book Box of Rain in ‘93 which he prefaced Bird Song with “for Janis”. I saw a video interview where Jerry was surprised about that.
Absolutely the ultimate chill out song. When I'm feeling stressed out and things keep piling on and life's getting me down... I come back to this song and everything's great again... Thank God for the Dead.
Amen Lisa! Thank GOD for this band!
Some thoughts from David Crosby: a comment from David Crosby:
"I think the really most innovative thing about the band is - everybody else thinks in terms of block chords and pedal tones, bass lines, normal kind of structures. These guys have evolved a thing where each guy is playing a running line all the time. There's three of them at a very minimum and then the percussion. That's electronic Dixieland. In this case you've got three running lines all the time. The keyboard player, traditionally, in the Dead has been the only guy who was tacking it down to reality at any point, you know. But what you've got is Jerry and Phil and Bobby playing these three weaving lines. And it's this incredibly fluid music.
What happens in the best of it is that you submerge your ego and you understand that several people can achieve a telepathic or near-telepathic union playing music and speak with one voice."
this is one of the best tunes..My friend is a huge Janis fan and when i told her that this song was written in tribute to her by Robert H. She flipped..many many men were in love with this beautiful women.
Happy 70th Jerry. Even though you and I didn't share time on this Earth for very long, you impact me every single day. Missin' you hard down here. Sleep in the stars Papa Bear
Anyone who sings a tune so sweet
is passing by.
Happy Birthday Jerry.
This is like the greatest thing I've heard all day. Like a bird he sang and then flew off.
Proud to be one of Jerry's kids.
amazingly timeless. listening to the dead will save you thousands on shrinks; performances like this will set you straight. pure beauty.
Oh, the wondrous joy......Nothing left to do but SMILE, SMILE, SMILE.........Thank you.
Phil’s really showing off his chops on this one. And Jerry is, well, what can you say? What a treasure this is!
This Bird Song is certainly up there as one of the best Dead moments ever caught on film
Rest in peace, Jerry. Although he isn't with us here anymore, his music always will be.
Videos like these give me hope that there may be goodness in the world if everyone were to watch this. This is so perfect. Why is Jerry so amazing?
Questo pezzo è fenomenale. Ci sono tutti gli anni '60 dentro
OMG! I used to play this when I was about 18 years old! I'm 53 now. Sweet Baby-face Bobby Weir! Always had a crush on him.
thank you sooooooooo much!! long live the dead. i swear everynight i fall asleep i am at another wonderful show. damn i miss him
this song is played in times of extreme sorrow, and joy.
Today, its sorrow.
I remember in the early '80;s off for the summer painting houses. My buddy and I were on the roof eating lunch and Birdsong from some past show was on and accross the road there were 50 ro 60 barn swallows flying around, we had just had our after lunch partaking and it was awesome to hear this and see that and hang on the roof. It does not matter what song I hear from which tape, they all are awesome and bring back memories of the best times of my lift then and now. Jerry lives on!!
I remember in the early '80;s off for the summer painting houses. My buddy and I were on the roof eating lunch and Birdsong from some past show was on and accross the road there were 50 ro 60 barn swallows flying around, we had just had our after lunch partaking and it was awesome to hear this and see that and hang on the roof. It does not matter what song I hear from which tape, they all are awesome and bring back memories of the best times of my lift then and now. Jerry lives on till we die
my all time favorite Grateful Dead song. Bless you, Jerry!
i was born in 1994 and i just love this music!
this is my third favorite grateful dead song.
the grateful dead are the best band in the world! R.I.P jerry!
This song always captures that special feeling and sound that is *only* the Grateful Dead!
Thank you for posting it!
Bless
Debs
Seems almost unreal to see and hear this stuff after so much water has passed under the bridge... What a beautiful moment . Peace.
Twelve years Old and TRIPPIN' with the DEAD! It was SO LONG AGO YET ITA SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY EVERY TIME I HEAR THEM PLAY! Would've been '75 fir me when I was 12!
Anyone remember a thing called WindowPain?
Music so good you don't have to be buzzed to float with it.
God I miss going to their concerts. Awesome experiences.
Not all of them, but several were.
when the world gets crazy awful I come back to you...and my head spins back into place... neverending thank you jerry....I wish my child could have seen you...don't you cry dry your eyes on the wind lalalala
My first show was Sacramento 1989 -- I was 24. It was 1000 degrees, hot, sticky, crowded with the honey buckets overflowing, people stinking and it was AWESOME! Camped at Folsome lake. Took my first hit and tripped balls. That weekend changed my life. Saw 30 (who can remember -- if you can you weren't having fun) or so shows until Jerry went to play for the elders. Some of the best times and memories of my life. Nothing like it.
RIP Jerry ... Can't believe it's been 18 years.
44 and 50 shows. This made me smile and cry
Thank God I grew up loving this. Most beautiful song. I say that with a Bird sitting on my head preening!! :-) Hoppie 1 of my 2 Cockatiels. Awesome Birds who also love this most beautiful song... They sing to it!!!
such a beautiful song/show...........He should still be here
oh man this is the pesonification of peace in the art of music. brilliant!!!!!
Ah, the healing power of music. It is a gift to be so affected by it. Wishing you a happy life Joel.
Peace, love, and music to all.... We miss you Jerry
OMG!!!! Brings back soooo many wonderful memories!!!
every time i listen to jerry and the boys, i just have to ask myself the same question every day.... How can anyone not love this band??? talkin bout hey now! =]:-)
If I want to elevate my mood...all I have to do is click into this or any other Dead performance. A great way to start every day at the office!
All these people hating? Whats going on? thats the problem in the world. People don't realize their connection to each other. People don't love each other.
It's a shame.
This music brings happiness, at least for me. Don't understand how you can argue while listening to the dead. Just listen to the music, let it free your soul
RIP Jerry
thnx to all Jerry posts. I miss my revivals!
This album is actually the thing that got me into the Dead. Used to fall asleep listening to this all the time. ON VINYL.! and that was in '92,'93. I was like seventeen. Thank God for the dead. Many great times.
Anyone who sings a tune so sweet is passin' by.
How could anyone not like this?
This is one of my favorite Dead songs...and this is an excellent version!!
I once had "a bird in me" that sang........I'd almost forgotten.
Beautiful. Makes me long for those days. Still love you Jerry!
The Better Than Beautiful Band never failed me, ever!
This was the first Birdsong I had ever heard in my life. It still ranks one of the best.
man i love america n all it has to offer,we'll be back,thank you gd and all of the stories our deep devotion and emotion for the spirit of an angel/devil....i love the 1st show stories the memories we all have f'n wonderful
I have to admit I am a late bloomer. I rented this video in 2002 while on leave, and have been a huge Dead fan ever since! I just can't help it!
I have been a deadhead since the mid 80's. My tastes were jazz and classic rock. When I heard the dead it instantly spoke to me. To all the grateful dead haters I emphasize "it spoke to me". In other words everybody is different. I don't like tomatoes and you may, I don't like cold weather and you like to romp in the snow, I like the grateful dead and you don't. No need to be rude about it.
love this tune soooo much.....takes me back to my college days......
Man i can not get enough of this song!
Tender tender Bird Song! We miss you Jerry.
The world is all right when Jerry's doing birdsong. Smile world.
Jerry is so relaxed, like a half-moon shining on a Goa-Party! Makes me happy! This kind of psychedlic feeling is such a nice experience and a way of life I will never give up! Thank to all the dead-heads over the world, keeping this miracle-feeling forever! It´s not a kind of an acid period. That´s a part of our life all over the centuries. Save our planet!
Man thank God for the Grateful Dead. Always there when you need it. Having some hard times and this is just what I needed.
i think i can speak for a lot of folks by saying- w/ out songs like this our lives would be so different in so many ways!
I'm a better man today because of them! Thx, guys!
great number! This brings a rush of good time memories! The Dead will never die.
I ripped through this one on tape and video.... One of my favs... I like 77 as well... great sound boards in that era... 74 was jazz funky... too.....Jerry we miss you! Phil and Friends is doing some great stuff now as well.....
I've been loving Grateful dead for ages, since I was a young boy
The fantastacism of this is bringing tears to my eyes!
I have this on VHS. Bought it in the late 80's. Used to watch it up till late 90's, then no more VHS players. Good thing for youtube. I honestly believe this is when the Dead were peaking musically. I mean, watching these guys up there enjoying their music and vibing off of each other is priceless!
I can't believe it was almost 30 years ago when I saw one of these shows, 16 at the time. There is nothing like a Grateful Dead Show and never will be
Some of the best concerts I can sort of remember 😎
this brings back memories. music used to sound like this! real artists dont exist anymore. i miss me some grateful dead!
Timeless, spine-tingling, classic, wonderfully not mainstream.
OMG.... Such a great rendition.
The stars were in alignment this night.
So Nice...
This is so amazing, reckoning is one of my fave dead albums. I never thought I'd see a video from those shows, just amazing.
You're missed Jerry.
My favorite great Grateful Dead classics: Birdsong, Shakedown Street, He's Gone, Fire on the Mountain, so many ...
this is the reason we all fell in love with the Music ;)
still so young here...i didn't get to see them for another ten years and jerry was only a shadow of his former self. it was still mind-blowing.
there's nobody like the grateful dead.
Fantastic! This is a super jazzy Birdsong. So dreamy!
Followed them since the 70's...Love em and feel sorry for those that were born too late...
Belated happy birthday Jerry. And thanks for this song. It's for all of us who have lost anyone, including you.
I can't stop listening to it !
How could you dislike this song?Really?Where is the humanity?I not only like this song I love it.Thank you for for treasure.
Such a fragile resonance in Jerry's voice here,pure bliss! He can really shake your soul to peak euphoria again and again!
What other band can lose track of the lyrics and still play a song as well, or better than they've played it before? The chemistry between the musicians is off the charts
Indeed, want another hit? lol!!!
Chemistry ...
Indeed.
this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.
god how i miss the dead, best time in my life. so many friends and so much love.
Ahh the memories of the radio city shows. I was there - amazing shows. RIP Jerry!
My love for grateful dead grows with every passing second listening to one of their tracks
Jerry’s slightest of smirks during his solo around the 4:30 mark. Like, “yeah this is for you, Beautiful.” You’re both so SO missed! ✌🏻❤️
"Dry your eye's on the wind, la da da da" Sends chills up my spine.
One of my favorite Dead tunes done absolutely beautifully
My friend and I worked at the Rainbow Room, next door to the Music Hall. The day tickets went on sale, he went downstairs, as I covered for him , to buy some....they sold out for the 8 day stand by the time he reached the box office. We went to see them in the spring tour of 81....a good one as well, but I would have loved to have been inside the hall to see this. Glad for the videos.
gives me such a good feeling listening to this
No words needed I just love this song. Mind melting world love in your face/heart smooth that makes even robert smith wonder what went wrong.
this song always puts a smile on my face
One of the greatest songs ever
This song flashed me back to my true love, and bringing him to his first show in Vegas in '92. RIP Jackie. Thanks for the music.
Very few guitarists... playing acoustic .. are this BAD ARSE! Miss ya Jerry!
Listen to his voice, so different than anyone ever
The jam in this song is like going on a really good adventure before returning again to the band guiding you through to the end. Makes me wish the band I'm in just cut loose once in a while and took things to different places.
man...this is incredible...love the build up towards the end of the jam, complete magic
I was there with my love.!!!!!!! They were at their best that night. Awesome beyond belief.We will never forget. Still have the ticket. Framed and on the wall.
I'm an 18 year old, living my life like most would have done 45 years ago... I just had to handle for the first time, a loved one passing away. After crying by myself, I turned on the Grateful Dead and was smoothly put into a peaceful state of being and able to get a grip on the entire situation. Thankfully music will always be there to make life better.
Much love and peace,
Joel
Known Deadheads all my life, consistently the most intelligent creative visionary people around.
there is a piece of jerry in my soul... my mind and body find peace when i hear his voice ...