Melvin Seals is an American musician, best known as a long time member of … Read Full Bio ↴Melvin Seals is an American musician, best known as a long time member of the Jerry Garcia Band.

Melvin Seals began playing piano at age eight and began his musical adventure playing gospel music for his local church. Over the next years he joined a few different bands in San Francisco and became good at playing other keyboards, particularly the electric organ, which he would play for the majority of his musical career.

In 1980 Melvin Seals joined the Jerry Garcia Band and remained a member until Jerry Garcia's untimely death in 1995.

Don't Let Go
Melvin Seals Lyrics

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Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so happy I got you here,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
Don't let go, Don't let go.

Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!

Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
Don't let go, Don't let go.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!

Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!

One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.

Don't let go!
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!

Overall Meaning

Melvin Seals's song "Don't Let Go" is a classic love song full of energy, passion, and fear of loss. The song begins with the sound of a whistle echoing in the background and the lyrics "Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock. Don't let go, Don't let go. Come on, baby, it's time to rock, Don't let go, Don't let go." These simple lyrics convey a sense of urgency and the need to hold on to love. The song then moves on to the chorus "Oo-wee, This feeling's killing me; Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks. I love you so, just hold me tight. Don't let go!" These lyrics express the strength of the singer's love and desire to hold on to it despite all odds.

As the song progresses, we hear the sound of thunder, lightning, wind, and rain which reflects the intensity of the emotions being conveyed. The lyrics "Love is stormin' inside my brain, Don't let go, Don't let go" emphasize the singer's emotional turmoil. The song then takes a lighter tone with the mention of a hound dog barking up the hill. The lyrics "Love is draggin' him thru the mill, Don't let go, Don't let go" suggest that even the dog is experiencing the intensity of the singer's love.

Towards the end of the song, the singer expresses fear of being abandoned. The lyrics "One day, baby, you'll quit me yet, Don't let go, Don't let go. I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet, Don't let go, Don't let go" reflect the fear of losing the love that the singer holds so tightly. However, the song ends on a positive note with the chorus "Just hold me tight, Don't let go!", emphasizing the need to hold on to love no matter what happens.

Line by Line Meaning

Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
It's time to get up and dance.

Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Let's dance and have a good time.

I'm so happy I got you here,
I'm grateful that you're here with me.

Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
You make me really happy.

Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
There might be chaos around us but I just want to focus on us.

Love is stormin' inside my brain,
I'm deeply in love with you.

You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
I want to kiss you badly.

Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
The dog is like me; lovesick without you.

If it wasn't for havin' you,
I would feel just as lonely and hopeless as the dog.

One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
I'm afraid that you'll leave me someday.

Your lips kissin' some other man.
The thought of you with someone else hurts me.