" Touch of Grey " is a 1987 single by the Grateful Dead, and is from the album In the Dark. The music was composed by Jerry Garcia, and the lyrics were written by Robert Hunter. The phrase "Touch Of Grey" is a reference to getting older, as for most people, their hair starts getting grey as they age.
Aging gracefully is a challenge, especially in the music industry. According to Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Robert Hunter wrote the lyric as a pick-me-up. "When he wrote 'Touch Of Grey,' we were struggling," Hart said.
On June 19, 1987, MTV premiered the amazing music video for the Grateful Dead anthem "Touch Of Grey." Less than a month later, the song was released on the Dead's first studio album in seven. The Grateful Dead Honor Bob Weir Released as the first single from the album In The Dark, "Touch of Grey" explored themes of endurance and optimism, even when facing hard times. Grateful Dead statistics for the song Touch Of Grey - dates first and last played, total times played, all shows and setlists.
The meaning of "Touch of Grey" can also be applied to the state of affairs in the Grateful Dead at the time of its release. In 1986, Jerry was struggling with drug abuse and also entered into a diabetic coma that nearly killed him. Touch Of Grey was first performed by the Grateful Dead in September 1982 after which it was performed fairly regularly through to 1995.
The last performance was on July 9, 1995. When performed, especially in the 1990's, Touch of Grey was often the opening song of a show. The first draft of Touch Of Grey was written in 1980.
Touch of Grey played at Alpine Valley Music Theatre on 7/18/1989 Step into the iconic world of the Grateful Dead with the official HD music video for "Touch. 'Touch of Grey' music video by The Grateful Dead. Premiered on June 1, 1987.
Directed by Gary Gutierrez. Produced by Japhet Asher. Edited by Ralph Wikke.
[12] Release and promotion Single release "Touch of Grey" was released in July 1987 as the lead single from the Grateful Dead's thirteenth studio album, In the Dark, through Arista Records. The single featured the album version of the song on the A-side, backed by "My Brother Esau," a studio outtake recorded during the album sessions in January.