He's arguably best known for his work with Rod Stewart, who he played with from 1988 until 1995 performing on 4 albums and 5 world tours as well as recording the live DVD "One Night Only" live at Royal Albert Hall.
Born in Copley, Ohio, Jeff started playing by emulating 60's blues rock guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, etc...Then, following up on the artists that these musicians cited as their inspiration, he delved deeper into the blues listening to Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and anyone named King --B.B., King, and Freddie.
Golub was in his teens when he first heard a Wes Montgomery record. This moment set him on a whole new course which led him to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. From Boston Jeff moved to New York in 1980 where his first major gig was with rocker Billy Squier. Jeff appeared on 7 albums and 3 world tours with Billy. He released his first solo recording, "Unspoken Words" for Gaia Records in 1988 but really embraced his role as band leader and instrumentalist with the release of "Avenue Blue" in 1994 for Mesa Bluemoon/Atlantic records.
Golub was a member of Dave Koz & The Kozmos, the house band of The Emeril Lagasse Show. In June 2011, Golub became blind due to collapse of the optic nerve. In September 2012, Golub fell on the tracks of a subway but was saved by good samaritans. Golub was brought to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center with minor injuries.
Jeff Golub died on January 1, 2015 due to complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (“PSP”)
Mercy Mercy Me
Jeff Golub Lyrics
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Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this over crowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
These lyrics are a plea for mercy for the earth, as the singer observes how much the world has changed and how it is suffering because of human actions. The first stanza sets the tone, with the singer lamenting the disappearance of blue skies and the prevalence of poison in the air. This sets up a contrast with the past, suggesting that things used to be better than they are now. The second stanza expands on this idea, describing the damage being done to the ocean and its inhabitants through oil waste and the presence of mercury. In the final stanza, the singer broadens the scope to include the entire planet, asking how much more abuse the earth can take from humans, who are causing radiation to spread both above and below ground. The repeated pleas for mercy underline the seriousness of the situation and the need for change before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Expressing concern and sadness about the current state of affairs
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
Things have changed and not for the better
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Questioning the disappearance of clear blue skies
Poison is the wind that blows From the north and south and east
The air is polluted with harmful chemicals from all directions
Woo mercy, mercy me
Repeated expression of concern for the dire situation
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
The ocean is polluted with oil and the fish are contaminated with mercury
What about this over crowded land
Questioning the diminishing space for living beings
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Questioning the amount of damage humans can inflict on the Earth
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
The radiation levels have risen both above and below ground
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
The wildlife is suffering and dying due to radiation exposure
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
The current state of affairs is unfortunate and not like the past
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
The radiation levels are excessively high and in both air and soil
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
How much more destruction can the Earth handle at the hands of human beings
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind