Robert Hunter, a lyricist for the Dead and an early friend of Jerry Garcia, shares his view of American Beauty in Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads by David Shenk and Steve Silberman.
Hunter notes that there is an "underlying tone of sadness" throughout he album, as manifested in the tracks "Box Of Rain," "Brokedown Palace," "Attics of My Life" and "Ripple."The melancholy tone is due to the coinciding events of the Dead members' personal lives. Phil's, the bass guitarist's, father had just died, and Jerry', the lead band member's, mother was dying in the hospital after a car accident. The work still boasts some more upbeat tunes, however, such as in the form of "Sugar Magnolia," which Hunter describes as re-affirming the important business of just getting stupid and being in love. Finally, "Truckin" served to symbolize the rock and roll departure.
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