One of its founders, Garcia performed with the Grateful Dead for their entire thirty-year career (1965–1995). Garcia also founded and participated in a variety of side projects, including the Saunders–Garcia Band (with longtime friend Merl Saunders), the Jerry Garcia Band, Old and in the Way, the Garcia/Grisman acoustic duo, Legion of Mary, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage (which Garcia co-founded with John Dawson and David Nelson). He also released several solo albums, and contributed to a number of albums by other artists over the years as a session musician. He was well known for his distinctive guitar playing and was ranked 46th in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" cover story.
Later in life, Garcia was sometimes ill because of his diabetes, and in 1986 went into a diabetic coma that nearly cost him his life. Although his overall health improved somewhat after that, he also struggled with heroin and cocaine addictions, and was staying in a California drug rehabilitation facility when he died of a heart attack in August 1995.
How Sweet It Is
Jerry Garcia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotions
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I close my eyes at night
And wonder what would I be without you in my life
Everything was just a bore
All the things I did seems I'd done'em before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
You were better to me than I've been to myself
For me, there's you and nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
The lyrics of Jerry Garcia’s “How Sweet It Is” express appreciation and admiration for a special person who has provided love, comfort, and support during life’s ups and downs. The singer acknowledges that without the object of his affection, life would be boring and meaningless. The song speaks to the deep need humans have for genuine love and connection.
The first stanza describes the profound impact this person has had on the singer’s life. He needed someone to shelter him, someone to understand his emotions, and someone to touch his soul with sweet love and devotion. The second stanza describes how dull life was before this person entered his life, how everything seemed to be a bore. But now with the presence of this person in his life, all of the singer’s days are brightened up with sweet love in so many ways.
The final stanza further highlights the depth of connection between the singer and the recipient of his love, acknowledging that this person has been better to him than he has been to himself. The singer wants to thank this person for everything they’ve done for him, acknowledging that it is how sweet it is to be loved by this person.
Overall, the lyrics of “How Sweet It Is” convey a profound message of love, gratitude, appreciation, and the essential need for human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
How sweet it is to be loved by you
It feels amazing to be loved by you
I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I was searching for someone to hold me and give me shelter, and then you came into my life
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
I was looking for someone who can understand my highs and lows, and you were there to support me
With sweet love and devotion
You showed me such gentle and caring love
Deeply touching my emotions
Your love moved me in a profound way
I want to stop and thank you baby
I am grateful for you and want to express my appreciation
I close my eyes at night
When I am alone with my thoughts
And wonder what would I be without you in my life
I cannot imagine what my life would be like without you in it
Everything was just a bore
My life was dull and uninteresting
All the things I did seems I'd done'em before
All the activities and experiences felt repetitive because I was missing something important
But you brighten up for me all of my days
Your presence and love made all the difference and brought light to even the darkest times
With a love so sweet in so many ways
Your love is multifaceted and wonderful in every way
You were better to me than I've been to myself
You have treated me with more kindness and respect than I have shown myself
For me, there's you and nobody else
You are the only one for me and there is no one else like you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Holland, Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brucebrynes9776
I was there that night ... we all had tickets to a Grateful Dead show and then we suddenly lost Brent ... heartbreaking ... it was before internet or cell phones like it is today, but the word got out for us to hold onto our tickets, that something was being figured out, and that there would be a show of some sort that night ... we showed up that night, not knowing what to expect, and found ourselves at an absolutely fantastic JGB show ... so much passion in the way they played that night ... it was one of my favorite shows of my life
@wesleysabin4078
I also made this show! Had big fun, sad that we lost Brent,
@deadhead4206
I was at Brent's 2 last shows at Tinley Park..I live like hour away...them shows were raging...WE MISS YOU BOTH...LEAST YOU'RE JAMMING TOGETHER AGAIN..
@haikat4
Bless Jerry. He played thru all that pain with a smile for the people.
@The2soaringhearts
Uncle Jerry was a national treasure. What an amazing performer!
@pauljb2007
posthumous Presidential Medal of Honor
@BencyTube
A sweet soul 1st and foremost! The HARDEST working man in show biz!!! Doesn't even have 10 fingers for christ sakes
@timgiannopoulos5636
I know what a hard-working man
DOES IN show business . been there still doing part of that . Ford huh my dad was a Ford man . and I'm dead in the woods set for Mopar and Volkswagen God of course Chevy Mercedes and excetera , etc etc . if it's got a motor I like it . have a great day I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you .
@sushi0hifi
I always say Uncle Jerry was the older brother my dad always wanted 😂❤️
@theburnhams2925
@Paul B Yes, ex-president Bill Clinton recognized his genius and commented on his excellence. He also reminded us that our lives do not have to follow the same path Jerry chose. It's a shame his (PMofO) medal had to come posthumously....he was, is, and ever will be a loved figure in our society!