Loser - Grateful Dead

1984-07-13 - Greek Theatre, U. Of California. "Loser" stands as one of the most compelling narratives in Hunter's lyrical collection. It brings us into the world of the song's narrator, a figure both intriguing and complex. Is he the protagonist or the antagonist? That's for us to discern.

Hunter's genius lies in his ability to make us see through the eyes of characters we might not naturally align with - be they outcasts, criminals, con artists, or dreamers. "Loser" is a prime example of this talent. The song's tone is immediately gripping, starting with the vivid line: "If I had a gun for every ace I’ve drawn, I could arm a town the size of Abilene." It's an edgy twist on a familiar saying.

Despite this, the narrator seeks empathy and even love, urging, "Put your gold money where your love is, baby." His approach is one of deception, a stark contrast to his disdain for the boastful ones in the game, even as he himself indulges in grandiose claims.

This character is one of Hunter's more challenging to connect with. While I may understand or even pity him, he doesn't evoke the same sentiment as Hunter's other creations like August West, Candyman, or Jack Straw. Nameless, he's defined only by his title: "Loser."

He's a paradox – boasting of his abilities while mocking others for doing the same, viewing love as a financial opportunity, and always complaining. There's a distinct lack of redeeming qualities in him.

The song, embedded in the Americana essence of Hunter's and Garcia's collaborative era, paints a vivid picture. Set in a dusty, cattle-dominated Abilene, it evokes the image of a down-and-out gambler in an old saloon.

Featured on the album "Garcia," "Loser" forms a thematic pair with "Deal," perhaps as tales of the same character on different days. It aligns with other songs from that period, like "Brown-Eyed Women," "Jack Straw," and others, sharing motifs of gambling, money, and an American setting marked by its historical context, specifically through the mention of gold dollar coins.

The song's bridge is its crowning moment, offering a fleeting glimpse of hope: "Last fair deal in the country, Sweet Susie, last fair deal in the town. Put your gold money where your love is, baby, before you let my deal go down—go down." The occasional inclusion and exclusion of "Sweet Susie" in the lyrics adds an interesting layer to its interpretation.

In these songs, Hunter and Garcia create a panorama of America's shadowed underbelly, a tribute to the "old, weird America" of folk anthologies and collective memories, including the darker aspects of our history. It's a part of our heritage, still present among us.