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.
Valerie
Jerry Garcia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I did all of the things that you wanted me to
I went downtown with my pocketknife
Cut your other man but I spared his life
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Hey Valerie, baby, what's the matter with you?
Come on, come on, baby and tell me true
I shot my dog 'cause he growled at you
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Valerie, what's the matter with me?
I never ever done you no wrong
I sing the blues nearly all night long
Valerie, what's the matter with me?
You know, I'd do anything that you say
I can't understand why you tell me, "Please go away"
I ain't afraid of the cold, cruel world outside
No Chicken Little runnin' from a fallin' sky
The only thing troubles me is you
If you leave me, what can I do?
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
You got me down on the knees of my shakin' feet
Can't play the blues 'cause of you I drop the beat
Valerie, what's your complaint?
I try to be everything I ain't
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Yeah Valerie, won't you be good to me?
The song "Valerie" by Jerry Garcia is an interesting piece with lyrics that are easy to misinterpret. At first glance, the lyrics appear to be about a man who is willing to go to great lengths to please his lover, Valerie, but it soon becomes clear that there is something amiss in their relationship. The man did everything Valerie asked him to do, including using his pocketknife to cut another man, although he spared his life. He shot his own dog because it growled at her, and yet Valerie is still not satisfied. The song ends with the man pleading with Valerie to be good to him and stop playing games with his heart.
However, there is more to the story than just a man begging for love. The lyrics are actually a subversion of the normal gender roles found in blues music. Instead of a woman being subjected to the male gaze and sexual desires, Jerry Garcia turns the tables by creating a situation where a man is being manipulated and controlled by a woman. The song is a commentary on the power dynamics in relationships and how people can become obsessed to the point where they will do anything for the other person's affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Valerie, baby, what's the matter with you?
Asking Valerie why she is acting the way she is
I did all of the things that you wanted me to
Trying to please Valerie by doing everything she asks
I went downtown with my pocketknife
Went to a dangerous area with only a pocketknife
Cut your other man but I spared his life
Got into a fight with another man over Valerie, but did not kill him
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Asking Valerie to treat him well
Come on, come on, baby and tell me true
Urging Valerie to be honest with him
Hey now baby, what did I do?
Wondering why Valerie is upset with him
I shot my dog 'cause he growled at you
Willing to do anything for Valerie, including shooting his own dog
Valerie, what's the matter with me?
Asking Valerie what he has done wrong
I never ever done you no wrong
Believing he has never harmed Valerie
I sing the blues nearly all night long
Using music to cope with his troubles
You know, I'd do anything that you say
Will do anything Valerie asks
I can't understand why you tell me, "Please go away"
Confused as to why Valerie wants him to leave
I ain't afraid of the cold, cruel world outside
Not scared of anything outside of his relationship with Valerie
No Chicken Little runnin' from a fallin' sky
Not panicking over things that are not a real threat
The only thing troubles me is you
Valerie is the only thing bothering him
If you leave me, what can I do?
Will be lost without Valerie
You got me down on the knees of my shakin' feet
Valerie has him feeling weak and helpless
Can't play the blues 'cause of you I drop the beat
Too distracted by Valerie to play his music
Valerie, what's your complaint?
Asking Valerie what her issue is
I try to be everything I ain't
Putting on a facade to impress Valerie
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Asking Valerie to treat him kindly
Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Repeating his plea for kindness
Yeah Valerie, won't you be good to me?
Urgently asking Valerie for her kindness
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEROME J. GARCIA, ROBERT C. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lucylennon2221
I saw JGB in concert before i saw GD so i have a special place in my heart for JGB. It was Halloween (the "early" show) at the Tower Theater, Philadelphia (1982). An unforgettable time. Every single person in the place was flyin' thanks to the clown with the sugar cubes🌈🎶🌈🎶💃🕺🌹🎉
@whisperinghallelujahhatrac6181
Love the Tower Theater 😀 remember watching those big maroon curtains breathing to the music…. Couldn’t smoke cigarettes in there but they let you smoke pot. Whoohoo Philly
@stevenburke4209
you mean the 1981 show? In 82 they played Nov 7. That 81 show was my first JGB.
@lucylennon2221
@@stevenburke4209 yes, I meant 1981 the "late" show. Tnx. I didn't know at the time that there was an early and a late show until aquired the tape years later during my tape-trading years. So, were you at the late show or the early show?
@lucylennon2221
@@whisperinghallelujahhatrac6181
Every seat in the Tower Theatre was good. The balcony or the floor it didn't matter.
@whisperinghallelujahhatrac6181
@@lucylennon2221 Tower was epic as was the Mann
@Powderhound-cb8pb
How sweet it is to be loved by you! Hey Jerry heads, god I love this music!
@alanpal313
Can't stop playing this Jerry's tone is so Grrrrrrr! Love it!
@deadreckoning6288
Great song. One of my fav JGB tunes. Miss you Jerry. The world was a better place with you in it. 🥀
@trishfeatherstone4549
🌹Rest easy beautiful man!! 🙏😢🌹 Love to the rest of the musicians with a big ole hug to Bill K! ❤️ 🎹 🎸 🥁 ❤️