Widespread Panic Songs Ranked
Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Duane Trucks, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, keyboardist John “Jojo” Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring. The band’s original guitarist and primary songwriter, Michael Houser, died of pancreatic cancer in 2002, and the original drummer, Todd Nance, left in 2016 and passed away in 2020. Widely renowned for their live performances, as of 2018, they hold the record for a number of sold-out performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Morrison, Colorado) at 60 and State Farm Arena (Atlanta) at 20. Here are all Widespread Panic songs ranked.
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10. Airplane (Ain’t Life Grand, 1994)
“More of the same, fantastic southern jam rock. If you liked their earlier releases you should absolutely like this one. What a band, catch a buzz and just groove on the vibe. Pure jamming heaven!”
9. Ride Me High (Live in the Classic City, 2002)
“Cool, jamming, southern blues rock is what you get with this group. They can go on a bit but so what? That’s part of what makes them cool. With this kind of music a little mental adjustment does help.”
8. Fishwater (Widespread Panic, 1990)
“This song is about the stuff that’s in the pot of a boil. Developed from jam to song… there are also several references to Pill Poppin Petey’s buddy Dallas who only wants to smell it and would just like one (more).”
7. Surprise Valley (‘Til the Medicine Takes, 1999)
“A nice jam sound. There is something quite hypnotic about the album, and it flows well. I just can’t help but to feel that it becomes to boring very fast.”
See more: Widespread Panic Albums Ranked
6. Love Tractor (Widespread Panic, 1990)
“This song was written originally as an instrumental. It sounded like another Athens band’s song, who called themselves LOVE TRACTOR. As a nod to their fellow band’s name, WSP named their song after them…at least this is what I’ve heard. The lyrics are about a kid on a farm, loosely based on JB’s experience as a youngster visiting his granddad?”
5. Chilly Water (Space Wrangler, 1988)
“Good initial recording by this jamming southern blues band. And, jam they do. A little Grateful Dead like at times but with a harder edge. Good musicians having a good time and an enjoyable disc to hear.”
4. Blue Indian (‘Til the Medicine Takes, 1999)
“I feel the beauty of songs, and art, in general, is that despite the intended meaning of the artist the song can take new meaning through others interpretations It seems to me that this song is about an old or sick dying man on his death bed. The morning being his impending death.”
3. Climb to Safety (‘Til the Medicine Takes, 1999)
This was one of the first panic songs I liked. I think it is because of the same lyrics MJ White spoke of previously. In the beginning I think I was thinking of “never being alone” as in being with another person. now I can relate to this as always having my panic (people will come and go, but my music will never leave me alone)
2. Driving Song (Space Wrangler, 1988)
“I love this song. I have felt the vibe this song gives off so many times in my life. Sitting by yourself, maybe with your dog, breathing the crisp air, smoking a bowl and thinking about going somewhere else. It’s about the moment you realize that you’ve settled into your current life a little bit too much and need to shake things up and get in the car and just drive.”
1. Porch Song (Space Wrangler, 1988)
“This song has some interesting lyrics. I wonder if this song is about tripping. It’s an awesome tune nonetheless and even better live. Panic is definitely a band everyone should see at least once.”