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.
Money Honey
Jerry Garcia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I let it ring for a long long spell
Well I went to the window, peeped through the blinds
Asked him to tell me what was on his mind
He said
Money honey
Money honey
If you want to get along with me
I asked ? was so hard pressed
I called the woman that I love best
Find my baby 'bout half past three
Said I'd like to know what you want with me
He said
Money honey
Money honey
Money honey
If you want to get along with me
? said what's wrong with you
Just hang on our romance is through
Said, tell me baby face to face
How could another man take my place?
He said
Money honey
Money honey
Money honey
If you want to get along with me
I learned my lesson and now I know
The sun is shining the women they go
Women may come, women may go
But nobody say I love them so
He said
Money honey
Money honey
Money honey
If you want to get along with me
If you want to get along with me
If you want to get along with me
The Jerry Garcia Band's song Money Honey is a classic blues-rock song that examines the impact of money on our personal lives. The opening lines of the song depict the struggle of a man who is struggling to make ends meet and being harassed by his landlord for rent payment. His landlord is demanding payment in no uncertain terms, and the singer is frustrated and unsure about what to do. He is confused and finds it hard to understand why everything has to revolve around money.
Throughout the song, the idea of love is juxtaposed with money, as the singer seeks advice from his loved ones to navigate the difficult terrain of finances. Despite his best efforts to keep things stabilized, he is given the simple and somewhat harsh reply of "money honey," implying that money is essential in keeping relationships stable. This tough realization leads him down a path of understanding that love and money are intertwined and difficult to separate. Ultimately, the song shows the singer's growth in understanding that while love might drive him, money is a crucial element in surviving in this world.
Line by Line Meaning
You know my landlord rang my front door bell
My landlord knocked on my door, but I purposely ignored it for a long time.
I let it ring for a long long spell
I intentionally did not answer the doorbell for an extended period of time.
Well I went to the window, peeped through the blinds
I finally decided to go check out who was at the door, and did so cautiously by looking through the blinds.
Asked him to tell me what was on his mind
I asked my landlord what he wanted and why he was there.
He said
My landlord's response to my question was...
Money honey
Money is what I want.
Money honey
Money is what I need.
Money honey
Money is what will make things better between us.
If you want to get along with me
If you want to make me happy and keep my business, you need to give me money.
I asked ? was so hard pressed
I was struggling with some financial difficulty and reached out to someone close to me for help.
I called the woman that I love best
I contacted the woman that I loved more than anyone else in order to discuss my problems with her.
Find my baby 'bout half past three
I was finally able to reach my girlfriend around 3:30pm.
Said I'd like to know what you want with me
I asked her why she wanted to see me and what she could do to help me with my financial problems.
He said
The person I reached out to responded with...
Money honey
If you want my help, you'll need to pay me.
Money honey
I won't help you unless you offer me enough money.
Money honey
Money is the only way to solve your problems, and it's what I want.
If you want to get along with me
If you want my help and approval, you'll need to offer me enough money.
? said what's wrong with you
The person I reached out to was confused and asked what was wrong with me.
Just hang on our romance is through
I was told that a romantic relationship I was in was over and I should let it go.
Said, tell me baby face to face
I requested to discuss things in person.
How could another man take my place?
I questioned how someone else could replace me in a romantic relationship and if it was really over.
I learned my lesson and now I know
I've learned from my past experiences and gained insight from them.
The sun is shining the women they go
Life goes on despite hardships or heartbreak, and there will always be attractive women to pursue.
Women may come, women may go
Women will come in and out of my life, but not all of them will be meaningful or last long.
But nobody say I love them so
I won't necessarily express love for every woman that comes into my life, but some might be special enough to receive that sentiment.
If you want to get along with me
In summary, if you want to gain my trust, respect, or cooperation, you'll need to pay me enough money to make it worth my while.
If you want to get along with me
My need for money is my top priority when interacting with others, therefore if you can satisfy that need, we can work together just fine.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind