Remembering Robert Hunter: Non-Grateful Dead Songs Spotify Playlist

Acclaimed lyricist Robert Hunter died this week at the age of 78. Hunter partnered with Jerry Garcia to write many of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame-inducted Grateful Dead’s best-known songs.

Garcia and Hunter were honored with induction into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2015. In addition to his work with Garcia, Hunter also wrote many songs for other popular musicians. Several of those songs were previously collected in a Spotify Playlist that was in honor of Hunter’s birthday last year. Below is an updated edition of that playlist featuring even more songs whose lyrics came from Hunter.

As noted before, several of the Grateful Dead’s surviving members’ solo efforts have used Hunter’s words. Drummer Mickey Hart’s various projects have incorporated Hunter’s lyrics such as 2017’s RAMU and 1996’s Mystery Box. Hart’s Rhythm Devils drumming partner Bill Kreutzmann employed Hunter’s writings for his 7 Walkers outfit with Papa Mali and Dead bassist Phil Lesh and members of his Phil Lesh & Friends collective including guitarist Jimmy Herring, have also teamed with Hunter on originals.

Bob Dylan, himself among the most renowned songwriters of all time, collaborated with Hunter over the years. Co-credited to Hunter, “Silvio” and “Ugliest Girl In The World” appeared on Dylan’s 1988 album Down In The Groove. Hunter was also credited with co-writes on Dylan’s 2009 album Together Through Life and for “Duquesne Whistle” on Dylan’s 2012 LP Tempest.

Singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale also extensively worked with Hunter in the years after Garcia’s death. Entire albums released by Lauderdale contained Hunter’s lyrics. There are also recordings by New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Gov’t Mule, Little Feat, Los Lobos, Keller Williams, Zero and more including “Take You There (Misty)” from Bruce Hornsby’s 2019 album, Absolute Zero. Stream the updated playlist below: