Rolling Stone Fans Vote Grateful Dead's 'Casey Jones' Best Song

Rolling Stone published a fan‑curated ranking of the 100 best Grateful Dead songs on May 12, 2024, after surveying more than 30,000 longtime Deadheads across the United States and Canada. The list was compiled by the magazine’s music editors in partnership with a team of data analysts, and it is the first time Rolling Stone has relied exclusively on fan votes rather than its own editorial panel to create a definitive ranking of a single band’s catalogue. The release coincided with the 35th anniversary of the band’s final tour, giving the list a timely cultural relevance.

The Grateful Dead, who performed from 1965 to 1995, built a legacy of improvisational rock, psychedelic experimentation, and a devoted fan community that still meets in festivals and online forums. By letting fans decide, Rolling Stone acknowledges that the band’s impact is measured by its listeners, not critics. The decision follows a broader trend in music journalism toward community‑driven content, and it underscores the enduring influence of the Dead on genres ranging from jam‑band to Americana. The list also reflects the band’s evolution, from the early psychedelic “Dark Star” to the late‑80s studio tracks that many fans consider underappreciated.

The top spot went to “Casey Jones,” which captured 12 % of the votes, followed by “Ripple” and “Truckin’.” Other high‑ranking songs include “Shakedown Street,” “Uncle John’s Band,” and “Friend of the Devil.” Rolling Stone used a mixed‑method approach: an online survey, social‑