During the late 1950s, Crosby was a member of a local Oneonta teen band called The Tones. The band traveled to Philadelphia to audition for Dick Clark's "American Bandstand", but were turned down. Members of the band found Dick Clark's house and were able to get a recommendation to audition at New York City's Baton Records through the company's lead producer Sol Rabinowitz. The band was given a recording contract, but the studio wanted a quintet backed by studio musicians, which left Crosby and another member out of their recordings.
After high school, Crosby joined the National Guard, but his thirst for adventure led him to go AWOL and roam the country busking for a living in areas like New Orleans, Texas, Florida, and New York. He played mostly ukulele until Harriet Ottenheimer, one of the founders of The Quorum, got him settled on a guitar in 1963. He adopted his stage name "Jerry Jeff Walker" in 1966. He spent his early folk music days in Greenwich Village in the mid 1960s. He co-founded a band with Bob Bruno in the late 1960s called Circus Maximus that put out two albums one with the popular west coast hit "Wind", but Bruno's interest in jazz apparently diverged from Walker's interest in folk music. Walker thus resumed his solo career and recorded the seminal album "Mr. Bojangles" with the help of David Bromberg and other influential Atlantic recording artists. He settled in Austin, Texas, in the 1970s associating mainly with the country-rock outlaw scene that included artists such as Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Waylon Jennings, and Townes Van Zandt.
"Mr. Bojangles" (written by Walker) is perhaps his most well-known and most-often covered song. It was about an obscure alcoholic but talented tap-dancing drifter, (not the famous stage and movie dancer Bill Robinson, as usually assumed). Bojangles is thought to have been a folk character who entertained informally in the south of the US and California, and some say he might have been one of the most gifted natural dancers ever. Authentic reports of him exist from the 1920s through about 1965. Artists from Nina Simone to Bob Dylan, Philip Glass to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, have covered the song. Walker has also recorded songs written by others such as "LA Freeway" (Guy Clark), and "Up Against the Wall Red Neck Mother" (Ray Wylie Hubbard).
A string of records for MCA and Elektra followed Jerry Jeff's move to Austin, before he gave up on the mainstream music business and formed his own independent record label. Tried & True Music was founded in 1986, with his wife Susan as President and manager. Susan also founded Goodknight Music as his management company and Tried & True Artists for his bookings. A series of increasingly autobiographical records followed under the Tried & True imprint. Tried & True also sells his autobiography called "Gypsy Songman". In 2004, Jerry Jeff released his first DVD of songs from his past as performed in an intimate setting in Austin, TX.
He interpreted the songs of others like Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Keith Sykes, Paul Siebel, Bob Dylan, Todd Snider and even a rodeo clown named Billy Jim Baker.
His son, Django Walker, is also a musician. In addition to his residence in Austin, Walker had a retreat on Ambergris Caye in Belize where he recorded his "Cowboy Boots and Bathing Suits" album in 1998.
Members of his band varied over the years. The Lost Gonzo Band and the Gonzo Compadres have backed him in the past. Key members of his band included Craig Hillis - guitarist and arranger on Viva Terlingua, John Inmon, Freddy Krc, Gary P. Nunn, Bob Livingston, Bobby Rambo, Mitch Watkins, Steve Samuel, David Bromberg and others.
Driftin' Way of Life
Jerry Jeff Walker Lyrics
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Well, I makes money, money don't make me
And that's the way I am and it's plain to see
Get right for yourself, can't put you on the shelf
Live and let live, you know it's plain enough
There ain't a dollar in the world make me change my stuff
Now, I met a lots of men who told me
When they finally make their first million
They're gonna live like kings, gonna try everything
Gonna flatter pretty women
If they know how to do it, why not get to it
Instead of waiting all your life
Your life is only doing, what you think is worth pursuing
Instead of waiting all the time
Well, I makes money, money don't make me
And that's the way I am and it's plain to see
Get right for yourself, can't put you on the shelf
Live and let live, you know it's plain enough
There ain't a dollar in the world that make me change my stuff
Now if you find yourself waiting and you know you're hesitating
Get your butt off the ground
It ain't money or your honey and you know it's kind of funny
When it's all boiled down
You gonna be the man, you know you certainly can
Just do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
Clothes don't make the man, money won't help you stand
Any truer than you're doin'
Well, I makes money, money don't make me
And that's the way I am and it's plain to see
Get right for yourself, can't put you on the shelf
Live and let live, you know it's plain enough
There ain't a dollar in the world that make me change my stuff
So you'll never find the endin', sittin' and pretending
You're gonna do it sometime
Keep it knocking on wood, doing exactly what you should
Trying to save ten cents
Keep build 'em up higher, so you can retire
To your castle in the blue
But you find it's all behind and it's probably slipped your mind
And you're too pooped to toot
I makes money, money don't make me
And that's the way I am and it's plain to see
Get right for yourself, can't put you on the shelf
Live and let live, you know it's plain enough
There ain't a dollar in the world that make me change my stuff
The song "I Makes Money" by Jerry Jeff Walker is a commentary on the relationship between money and happiness. The singer of the song proudly declares that he makes money, but money does not define him or dictate his actions. He encourages listeners to prioritize their own values and passions, rather than allowing the pursuit of wealth to become their sole focus.
The lyrics also criticize those who mistakenly believe that accumulating large sums of money will bring them happiness and fulfillment. The singer notes that many men have promised to "live like kings" once they make their first million, but suggests that such promises are empty and misguided. He argues that waiting for a windfall or obsessing over finances is not a productive way to live, and encourages listeners to take action towards their goals.
Overall, the message of "I Makes Money" is one of self-reliance and individuality. The song promotes the idea that financial success is a means, rather than an end, and that true happiness comes from pursuing one's passions and living life on one's own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, one, two, three, yeah
The song begins with a simple count in by the singer.
Well, I makes money, money don't make me
The singer places value in who he is as a person rather than the amount of money he has.
And that's the way I am and it's plain to see
The singer is straightforward and honest about his views on money.
Get right for yourself, can't put you on the shelf
One should prioritize their own well-being and not worry about what others think.
Live and let live, you know it's plain enough
The singer believes that everyone should be free to live their own lives as they see fit.
There ain't a dollar in the world make me change my stuff
The singer is so certain about his beliefs that there is no amount of money that could change them.
Now, I met a lots of men who told me
The singer has had conversations with people who believe that money will bring them happiness.
When they finally make their first million
These people believe that once they have earned a large amount of money, they will be happy.
They're gonna live like kings, gonna try everything
These people plan to live extravagantly and indulge in everything they desire.
Gonna flatter pretty women
These people also plan to use their money to attract and impress women.
If they know how to do it, why not get to it
The singer believes that if someone knows how to achieve their goals, they should pursue them directly rather than waiting.
Instead of waiting all your life
The singer encourages people to take action and pursue their goals, rather than waiting for something to happen.
Your life is only doing, what you think is worth pursuing
The singer believes that life is about pursuing what you personally value and believe in.
Instead of waiting all the time
Again, the singer emphasizes that people should take action and pursue their goals instead of waiting for something to happen.
Now if you find yourself waiting and you know you're hesitating
The singer is cautioning against being indecisive and hesitant in pursuing one's goals.
Get your butt off the ground
The singer is telling people to take action and stop procrastinating.
It ain't money or your honey and you know it's kind of funny
It's ironic that people place so much importance on money and their romantic partners when they may not guarantee happiness.
When it's all boiled down
When everything is considered and stripped down to the essentials.
You gonna be the man, you know you certainly can
The singer believes that anyone has the ability to be successful and pursue their dreams.
Just do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
The singer is emphasizing the importance of taking action and getting things done.
Clothes don't make the man, money won't help you stand
External factors like appearance and money do not define a person's worth or character.
Any truer than you're doin'
There is no better way to live than by being true to oneself and one's values.
So you'll never find the endin', sittin' and pretending
The singer is warning against being complacent and living a life of inaction and pretense.
You're gonna do it sometime
The singer believes that it's never too late to pursue one's dreams and take action.
Keep it knocking on wood, doing exactly what you should
The singer advises people to keep trying and doing what they believe is right, despite the challenges that may arise.
Trying to save ten cents
Small actions and habits can add up and contribute to achieving one's goals over time.
Keep build 'em up higher, so you can retire
The singer is encouraging people to keep working hard and building towards their goals so they can eventually retire comfortably.
To your castle in the blue
One's ultimate goal or dream, that may involve material wealth or success.
But you find it's all behind and it's probably slipped your mind
In the end, one may find that their goals or desires have changed or no longer matter to them.
And you're too pooped to toot
One may find themselves too exhausted or defeated to even celebrate their successes.
I makes money, money don't make me
The singer reiterates his belief that one's self-worth and character are more important than the amount of money they have.
And that's the way I am and it's plain to see
The singer remains confident and honest about his beliefs on money and life.
Get right for yourself, can't put you on the shelf
The singer encourages people to prioritize their own well-being and not be held back by others' opinions or expectations of them.
Live and let live, you know it's plain enough
The singer reaffirms his belief in people living their own lives and pursuing their own goals.
There ain't a dollar in the world that make me change my stuff
Once again, the singer is resolute in his belief that no amount of money could change his values or priorities.
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