Mayer recounts that in 2011 he was listening to Pandora and happened upon the song "Althea" by the Grateful Dead, and that soon Grateful Dead music was all he would listen to. In February 2015, while Mayer was guest hosting The Late Late Show, he invited Grateful Dead guitar player Bob Weir to join him in a studio performance. A bond developed between the two, and while Weir and the other three surviving core members of the Grateful Dead were preparing for their 50th anniversary shows, dubbed Fare Thee Well, Mayer began practicing the band's large catalog of songs. That August, Mayer and original Grateful Dead members Weir, Hart, and Kreutzmann formed the band, along with keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and bassist Oteil Burbridge. Mayer expressed a particularly strong enthusiasm toward playing with the new band.
Phil Lesh, the bassist for the Grateful Dead, did not join Dead & Company. Instead he continued to perform with his band Phil Lesh and Friends. Mike Gordon of Phish briefly auditioned for the bassist role but had to withdraw due to being too busy with other matters.
The band has not released any studio recordings, but all of the concerts from their 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 tours have been (or are being) released on CD, iTunes, streaming services, and through their Livedead.co website.
https://deadandcompany.com/
The Weight
Dead & Company Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Asides from gettin in you, the words will stain you
Permanent like ink in epidermis, from tattoo artists
To scar this, thought of partnership you may have fought
For this position and status, this entrepeneurship
Matter of fact, madness I planned this like serial killers are banished
Flows aquatic like fishes' surroundings, underground and
It's pounding, like pregnancies, with the expectancy
Like gladiator on wall, on call like physicians
To deliver my labor you savor the flavor like Punisher to the cure
A parent's birth picture, evade mixture of offspring
Ring ring the alarm, cause I set strong cases of fire
From my wire connections and disconnections
To settin sparks cause then I'm wettin, microphone checkin
Disrespectin amateurs plus they mentors don't be a sore sport
If it's meant yours, just pretend I liked yours
[J-Treds]
I can be a bit demanding, acceptin, nothing less than the best
I don't just flip shit anyone can kid, I stick the landing
And stand out, amongst most so don't stress
Trying to touch us, you can't come close like phone sex
I stay ahead of the pack, if you fuckin with Treds
Know that I cover the spread so always bet on black
I'll give you your money's worth, serve up somethin delicious
While, most of these rappers be makin my tummy hurt
Got me upset, sick of these crabs who can't kick it
All addicted to rhyming, I'ma stick them in rehab
Get em cleaned up you know, show em the light that they're
All bark and no bite, like a tree trunk
We slash and burn em, Indelibles, The Fire In Which
Suckers are finished, may they flow, rest in pieces
Cause we're dominating, so while they're busy happy
Just to be nominated son, we give acceptance speeches
Takin the crown, front doors, breaking em down
We some BAD MOTHERFUCKERS, that's what many said
They also said, your time will come, it's time to take it cause
We just couldn't stand the wait like Jenny Craig
[Bigg Jus]
Now that's my man the scripture puzzler, bringin a pain device disguiser
For infinite wisdom seeker knowledge of life rhyme provider
?on dudes that just strip time codes down for my feet?
To master one-twenty-four bits at ninety-six KhZ
While you just now trying to get up on Dungeon D&D
Thinking Indelibles will crash and burn you must be lazy and obscene
We fire sequential flyers, my verse ?provides wrecks in concert D?
Slingin em 40 bottles frozen from rooftops and projects
Beware watch below for falling objects, rupturing your optical
Two one-hundred watt mono blocks is optional
To try to match wits with the Diamondback unstoppable
Background poseurs fiend for limelight exposure
When we rally back touch the microphone playtime is over
Who's trying to see the CF graf crew that visualize
Top to bottom, and stand out in New York like an L.A. gang tag do
Master of mathematical empirical principal
Metallic medicinal, mixed with herbs, science and mineral
Yo crews start to walk, when we crack the five series hood
Disengage the ?passive, rip open an issue casing?
Trying to sidestep backwards when it's this rhymer that you facing
[Brewin]
Aiyyo, the bullseye pulls my leg and beggin for mercy
My verse be the Don King-in, come out swinging
I'll to kill it, apply my skill shit and the floor's coming
Who ain't feelin my joint, so what that mean your jaw's numbing?
Chill let me stop, gotta get my joint dislodged
And retire armies of niggas, with my dishonorable discharge
And get real, pulling from deep and you gots to play up?
You talk about, "Respect mines," steady missin your layups
Hoes to foes, I start staring, wild truculant
Heart tearing style, fuck you then, order your demise
I'm well stocked, shell shocked, describin the bombs alarms
Incoming, when drum and vocal localize
For niggaz talkin bout Lucci, must be modeling Susan
Erika Kane bitch like, reputation for losing
Listen do you hear voices saying, "Damn that's a sucker"
Paranoid, looking like Fuzzy Zoeller at the Rukas
[El-P]
Hey yo my nihilist, stylus, cuts matter the finest
The prime of the sequence hides my vicious defense assignment
Your cacophonic visuals bond strictly to bitch tissue fissure
Yeah, the burn from what I'm worth operation
I hate, let's exterminate bandwidths and communicate physically
Bezerk non happers will sleep on third rails for their cemetery
Enlist as, from small pox to syphillis, all stars
Shit on punchlines insidious kid, that you barf off
Only buck fifty you ever handed out was with a Metro card
I can fit the sum of your Tom Thumb concepts in a thimble
Simple bitches, Doctor Death lacing barbed wire stitches
A herd of mad cows bust through brick walls like Jumanji
Sixty-Five upsetter, malicious sickness scatalogics
Prophets turned skeptics, skeptics found Jesus
Right-Wingers turned leftist, everybody jumped on the dick of independence
Sorry we don't want you anymore get lost kid find an exit
Bugged, isn't it? Huh, live you fuckin suckers
I woulda been a witness to collapse your fame squadron
Pardon me, still a fan trying to understand how to be a master
For our Peoples who I see Dilated turn your fuckin grill to alabaster
Indelibles...
(Len scratches up various excerpts from "Fire in which you burn")
Company Flow... J-Treds
J-J-J-Juggaknots
Company Flow... J-Treds
J-J-J-Juggaknots
Company Flow... Co-Co-Company Flow
J-J-J-J-J-J-J-J-Treds
J-J-J-J-J-Treds
Jugga-Jugga-Juggaknots
Jugga-Jugga-Juggaknots
Com-pany-Flow
The lyrics to Dead & Company's song "The Weight" are actually a compilation of verses from different artists, namely Queen Heroin, J-Treds, Bigg Jus, Brewin, and El-P. Each artist brings their unique style and perspective to the song.
The lyrics, although somewhat abstract, touch on various themes such as addiction, perseverance, skill in their craft, and the urge to dominate and stand out in their respective fields. There is a sense of defiance and confidence in their abilities, with a disregard for those who can't keep up or have underestimated them.
Queen Heroin's verse delves into the impact and influence of words, equating them to tattoos that leave a permanent mark on the mind. She also expresses a calculated approach to her artistry, likening it to the planning of a serial killer. Her flow is depicted as aquatic, underground, and pulsating, much like the expectancy of a pregnancy.
J-Treds emphasizes his demand for excellence and his ability to surpass others in his field. He boasts about staying ahead of the game and being a cut above the rest. He takes pride in delivering quality work that is both satisfying and stands out from the competition.
Bigg Jus showcases his prowess as an artist and slams those who can't measure up to his skills. He references his ability to mix science and music seamlessly, while taunting poseurs who crave the limelight but lack substance. He asserts his dominance and challenges anyone who tries to stand in his way.
Brewin explores themes of resilience and the desire to succeed. He dismisses his detractors and talks about eliminating anyone who threatens his position. He highlights his ability to strike fear and make an impact with his words. There is a sense of aggression and determination in his verse.
El-P's verse takes a more cynical and critical tone. He criticizes the shallow nature of the industry and calls out those who conform to mainstream ideals. He expresses his desire to dismantle the existing system and build something new and meaningful. He is unapologetic in his approach and seeks mastery in his craft.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JUSTIN INGLETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Coleman
0:37 - Playing in the Band
18:57 - Me & My Uncle
24:28 - He’s Gone
37:00 - Cassidy
49:47 - Brown Eyed Women
59:43 - Bertha>
1:09:59 - Good Lovin
1:19:53 - Scarlet Begonias>
1:31:40 - Fire on the Mountain
1:43:04 - Althea
1:55:05 - Estimated Prophet>
2:08:40 - Eyes of the World>
2:28:06 - Drums/Space
2:41:21 - 3 Man Piano Jam
2:45:49 - Looks Like Rain
2:55:10 - I Need A Miracle
3:03:42 - Casey Jones
3:15:55 - The Weight
Jeff Bonn
Set I
Playin in the Band
Me and my Uncle 18:55
He’s Gone > 24:22
Cassidy (holy cow) 37:00
Brown-Eyed Women 49:45
Bertha > 59:40
Good Lovin’ (with a hint of La Bamba...cuz Mexico) 1:09:59
Set II
Scarlet Begonias > 1:19:52
Fire on the Mountain > 1:31:45 (ish)
Althea 1:43:04
Estimated Prophet > 1:55:00
Eyes of the World 2:08:44 (ish)
Tambores y Espacio 2:27:10
Looks Like Rain (Acoustic) 2:45:50
I Need a Miracle > 2:55:10
Casey Jones 3:03:40 (with a HOT outro jam)
Encore:
The Weight 3:15:55
Steve Goodman
I feel bad for people who are hypercritical and negative about this. They should do this. They shouldn't do that. They shouldn't even be playing. They look funny.
What I like to do is just take it as it comes into my ears and let it speak to me in the moment. This music still speaks to me. Was it better with Jerry? Yes sure, but I saw Jerry plenty of times and he couldn't muster a quarter of this energy. This is no nostalgia act; these guys rock! The Hart/Kreutzman/Weir rhythm section is beyond solid. You have to see this in person. It is an enormous spectacle like no other. And the songs... the Grateful Dead song catalog is beyond anyone's IMO. I enjoyed this very much.
I saw them both nights in Boulder last year and have tix for both nights there this year. Bill Graham had a saying, "These guys aren't just the best at what they do; they're the only ones who do what they do." It's worth still doing.
Jack Blittlez
I would go to a show, if Mayer didn't sing. He is absolutely ruining it for me. However that's my opinion. It does make me glad to see a lot of people enjoying the Dead.
Stormy Dawn
my problem is 800$ a ticket for t he "cheap " seats!! like wtf stevie nicks is only 150!
Greg Wilson
@leshtricity well put !!
WPRPN PirateRadioPodcasts
Q - Nothing's gonna bring him back, eh? SILVIO, or JERRY?i
Gash Man
@Tony Miller yes you wont
Craig Wilson
Recent Grateful Dead fan here! I wasn't lucky enough to be born while Jerry was still here, and the dead were in their prime but I can live vicariously through their recordings and also shows like this. Thank you John, Bob and all for keeping the music alive for people like me! :)
Kevin Padd
We used to sit behind Jerry and Bob and the drums and burn the best Humbolt skunk weed , Oh the days .
Steven Joerke
I did grow up when Jerry was around and Brent Midland was the best keyboard
Goomba
@kirby coulter I saw them in hartford for the first time last month. I learned about them when I was 14, I’m 22 now. It’s like a drug, not only can I not get enough but I keep coming back for more