Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: psych-rock
Song Meaning of “Shakedown Street – Live at Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA 12/31/1989” by Grateful Dead
This song, recorded for the Grateful Dead’s live album “Live at Oakland Coliseum Arena”, captures the unique energy of a Grateful Dead concert. For the band, Shakedown Street is a metaphor for the entire experience of being at a show and the connection between the audience and the group. From the sound of the opening drums and keys, something special is happening. It’s as if a cosmic explosion has occurred and everyone in attendance has been transformed into a higher state of being.
The song moves through several lyrical sections, each one building off the other and providing a glimpse into the community spirit of the Grateful Dead. The idea of being taken on a “spiritual voyage” and of “seeking treasures ever sought” alludes to the power of music, and the Grateful Dead’s tribe of devoted fans, to unite individuals in communal exploration and celebration. From “all around the block and around the clock”, everyone in the arena is invited to join in the festivities and to become part of the revolutionary “Shakedown Street” collective.
The energy of the performance and presence of the band’s dedicated fanbase culminate in a massive climax of cheers and progressively rhythmic clapping. This single song embodies the ethos of the Grateful Dead experience, the desire of seekers and adventurers to connect and transcend, and the power of music to inspire and bring people together.