Every time I look for a Brent or a Pigpen song to include here I’m struck by how narrow my options are, especially vis-a-vis Jerry and Bob. We Can Run is an interesting song. I don’t love, but I don’t hate it either. I tend to think Brent’s songs are hit-or-miss. This one bucks the trend in that it’s actually in the middle somewhere for me.
I like the message that the lyrics spell out in this tune and I think that it’s themes were very salient in the 1980s and continue to be today. This live version is pretty rough around the edges, but the song was only played 22 times and this was the fifth go at it. Random note: for some reason I always think that this came out on the In The Dark album, when it was actually on Built To Last. In some sense Brent started to come into his own on that record as a songwriter and contributor to the Dead. Of the 4 songs he penned I like them all (but I do like the other three more than We Can Run).
Nevertheless, as reader and regular contributor to this site Mike mentioned previously, the rougher cuts like this one are just as important as the all-time great versions because they provide a snapshot what it was like to hear the Dead at that point in time. A helpful and salient reminder, indeed.
Thanks for the shout out, Lunchbox.
I really love this song even though it was never a highlight during live performances. Barlow could sometimes be a bit of a contrarian when it came to the feel good hippy vibe among Deadheads but he really nailed it here. I’m surprised Deadheads didn’t like this song more considering the lyrics.
You’re right on in your assessment that this falls “in the middle somewhere” as far as Brent songs go. Pretty much all of my old touring friends were fairly indifferent to this song.