Blues Rock Music

What a long strange it’s been, indeed. And many bands from the 60s were active in the 70s and beyond. This song was written by band members Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, and lyricist Robert Hunter. It was first released on The Grateful Dead’s 1970 album American Beauty. It was shortened and made into a single, backed with “Ripple” on the B-Side. In 1971, “Truckin'” went to #64 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Phil Lesh has said of the song that “we took our experiences on the road and made it poetry…the last chorus defines the band itself.” In 1997, the song was recognized by the United States Library of Congress as a national treasure.

Personnel on “Truckin'” were: Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Pigpen (Ron McKernan), Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann.

Here are the lyrics to “Truckin'” by The Grateful Dead:

Truckin’ got my chips cashed in. Keep truckin’, like the do-dah man
Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin’ on.

Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on Main Street.
Chicago, New York, Detroit and it’s all on the same street.
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.

Dallas, got a soft machine; Houston, too close to New Orleans;
New York’s got the ways and means; but just won’t let you be, oh no.

Most of the cast that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time they’re sittin’ and cryin’ at home.
One of these days they know they gotta get goin’
Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.

Truckin’, like the do-dah man. Once told me “You’ve got to play your hand”
Sometimes your cards ain’t worth a dime, if you don’t lay’em down,

Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me

What a long, strange trip it’s been.

What in the world ever became of sweet Jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isn’t the same
Livin’ on reds, vitamin C, and cocaine,
All a friend can say is, “Ain’t it a shame?”

Truckin’, up to Buffalo. Been thinkin’, you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin’ on.

Sittin’ and starin’ out of the hotel window.
Got a tip they’re gonna kick the door in again
I’d like to get some sleep before I travel,
But if you got a warrant, I guess you’re gonna come in.

Busted, down on Bourbon Street, set up, like a bowlin’ pin.
Knocked down, it gets to wearin’ thin.

They just won’t let you be, oh no.

You’re sick of hangin’ around and you’d like to travel;
Get tired of travelin’ and you want to settle down.
I guess they can’t revoke your soul for tryin’,
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.

Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me

What a long, strange trip it’s been.

Truckin’, I’m a goin’ home.

Whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin’ on.
Hey now get back truckin’ home.

For More 70s Tunes

The System has daily featured music from all sorts of genres of 1970s music. You’re welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections in The System. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed “Truckin'” by The Grateful Dead.