Grateful Dead - Shakedown Street (1978)


Tracklist front / back album covers

Side one

1. "Good Lovin'"   4:51
2. "France"   4:03
3. "Shakedown Street"   4:59
4. "Serengetti"   1:59
5. "Fire on the Mountain"   3:46

Side two

1. "I Need a Miracle"   3:36
2. "From the Heart of Me"   3:23
3. "Stagger Lee"   3:25
4. "All New Minglewood Blues"   4:12
5. "If I Had the World to Give"   4:50

Shakedown Street is the tenth studio album by rock band the Grateful Dead, released November 15, 1978 on Arista Records. The album came just over a year after previous studio album Terrapin Station. It was the final album for Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux, who left the band a few months after its release. The record was produced by Lowell George (of Little Feat) and John Kahn.

Grateful Dead – Shakedown Street (1978)

Album Review

Released in November 1978, Shakedown Street represents a bold attempt by the Grateful Dead to blend their improvisational roots with more commercially accessible funk, disco, and R&B influences. Produced by Lowell George of Little Feat, the album incorporates tight rhythms, danceable grooves, and polished production—a departure from the more expansive, jam-oriented albums of the early 1970s.

Musically, Shakedown Street is a stylistic mix. Tracks like “Shakedown Street” and “Fire on the Mountain” (although the latter gained its iconic live status later) highlight funk-inspired rhythms, while songs such as “If It Takes a Lifetime” and “Who Loves You” display rock-solid songcraft with accessible melodies. The album also revisits the band’s blues roots on tracks like “France” and “Serengetti”, showing that the Dead could still maintain their improvisational edge within structured studio compositions.

Jerry Garcia’s lead guitar is fluid and expressive, while Bob Weir’s rhythm work and vocals add tightness and drive. Phil Lesh’s bass lines remain melodic, and the dual drummers, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, provide syncopated grooves that give the album its rhythmic energy. Keith and Donna Godchaux’s keyboards and backing vocals enhance the harmonic textures. Overall, Shakedown Street balances experimental ambition with commercial appeal, resulting in a distinctive late-1970s sound for the Dead.

While initially divisive among fans and critics for its disco-leaning production, the album’s live interpretations, particularly “Shakedown Street” and “France,” became staples of Grateful Dead concerts, proving the material’s enduring vitality.

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Tracklist

Side One

1. Good Lovin’

2. From the Heart of Me

3. Stagger Lee

4. Fire on the Mountain

Side Two
5. I Need a Miracle
6. Samson & Delilah
7. Who Loves You
8. If It Takes a Lifetime
9. French Kiss

Note: Tracklists vary slightly between vinyl and CD reissues.

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Fun Facts & Trivia

• The title track “Shakedown Street” became an iconic anthem for the Dead, often played as a danceable, groove-oriented set opener in live shows.

• The album was produced by Lowell George, founder of Little Feat, who influenced its funkier, rhythm-heavy style.

• “France” and “Serengetti” showcase the Dead experimenting with world music-inspired melodies and improvisation.

• The album cover, designed by Kelley/Mouse, features a vibrant urban street scene reflecting the album’s funky and eclectic character.

• Despite early criticism, several songs from the album became live classics, proving the material’s adaptability on stage.

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Did You Know?

• Did you know Shakedown Street initially received mixed reviews for its perceived “commercial” sound, but it later became a fan favorite?

• Did you know the album was the Grateful Dead’s first studio effort fully embracing disco and funk influences?

• Did you know the track “Good Lovin’” is a cover of a 1965 hit by The Young Rascals?

• Did you know the album inspired street festivals in the U.S. to adopt the nickname “Shakedown Street” for areas near Grateful Dead concert venues?

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Album Grossing and Commercial Performance

Shakedown Street reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200, marking moderate commercial success. Over time, the album achieved Gold certification in the United States, selling over 500,000 copies. Its legacy has grown thanks to the enduring popularity of tracks like “Shakedown Street” in live performances and its influence on the Dead’s late-1970s sound.

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Legacy

Shakedown Street stands as a unique entry in the Grateful Dead’s discography, representing the band’s willingness to experiment with contemporary genres while maintaining their identity. Its funk and disco elements, combined with tight songcraft and improvisational touches, made it both a critical experiment and a commercial venture. Today, it remains celebrated for its live adaptability, funky grooves, and the iconic status of its title track.