Over the years, the lineup of the band changed a number of times. The one constant member besides Garcia himself was bassist John Kahn. Melvin Seals had the next longest tenure, serving as keyboardist from 1980 onward. Seals became band leader following Garcia's death and changed the band's name to JGB.
Jerry Garcia's musical interests were famously varied, and this was reflected in the diverse music played by his band. Like the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band played rock music that was influenced by blues, folk, country, and jazz. The band also played rhythm and blues and reggae songs, and rock versions of American roots music. Jerry Garcia notably covered many songs by Bob Dylan with the Jerry Garcia Band. Like the Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band emphasized musical improvisation, and helped create what is now known as jam band music.
During Garcia's lifetime, the Jerry Garcia Band released one studio album, Cats Under the Stars, and one live album, Jerry Garcia Band. Several more live albums were released posthumously.
Don't Let Go
The Jerry Garcia Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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!
The Jerry Garcia Band's song Don't Let Go is a bluesy rock tune that expresses the singer's excitement and passion towards their lover. The opening line, "Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock", sets the scene for a night of fun and dancing, and the repeated refrain of "Don't let go" signifies the singer's desire to keep their lover close and not let them slip away. The lyrics mention a range of natural elements such as thunder, lightning, wind, and rain, which amplify the intensity of the singer's emotions.
The lyrics also convey a sense of vulnerability and fear that the singer's lover might leave them for someone else. However, the powerful love that the singer holds for their lover is so strong that they would not stop for a million bucks, indicating that they are not willing to give up their love for anything. The last line of the song, "Just hold me tight, Don't let go!" is a powerful plea to the lover to hold onto them tightly, and not to let them slip away.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
It's time to get ready to have fun
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Let's start the party and enjoy ourselves
I'm so happy I got you here,
I'm grateful that you're here with me to share this moment
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
I'm so happy that I can't stop smiling
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
I'm feeling overwhelmed with love for you
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
I'm anticipating kissing you but you're holding back
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
If I didn't have you, I'd be miserable
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
I couldn't handle the thought of you being with someone else
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
I'll be heartbroken and in tears if you leave me
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
Stay with me and don't let me go because I need you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE ALBERT STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock
Come on baby, it's time to rock
I'm so happy I've got you here
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Thunder, lightning, wind and rain
Love is humming inside my brain
There's one thing baby, that keeps me crying
You been keeping your lips from mine
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Hound dog barking upside the hill
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Love is dragging him through the mill
(Don't let go, don't let go)
If it wasn't for having you
(Don't let go, don't let go)
I'd be barking and a-hollering too
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Someday baby, I'll get you yet
(Don't let go, don't let go)
I'll be hollering, soaking 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 kissing some other man
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Ooh wee
This feeling's killing me
Oh, shucks
I wouldn't stop for a million bucks
I love you so
Just hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
Hold me tight and don't let go
(Don't let go, don't let go)
@biffjohnson7891
Musical perfection
From our musical angels
Greatest fucking band in history of music
From prehistoric to present
Other than the Grateful Dead
Hmmmmm. I wonder why
“I love you so “. 🎼💕
Jerry Garcia Forever
{💔}:=}
@willieculkin3952
This is the one that's stuck in your head five hours later while you're laying in bed trying to fall asleep.
@MyFEELGOODWay
Don’t let go, don’t let go!
@yourmomma2995
just let it go bro.🤣
@Improvise1013
you somehow described the past 2 months of my life
@jhkapral
This is what you play when you and your baby each snort 30 mg of 2 CB
🎶Just hold me close and dont let go🎶
Dont let go dont let go
@milestickler4953
Absolutely
@AnvilOfTheGods
I love how Jerry took the simplest melodies and turned them into launching pads for deep sonic exploration
@thejamnasium6447
that's what makes him the best
@johnmcminn9455
Jerry is a creative genius
@cicadagodking
I don't know if ya'll play the instrument, but I find Jerry to be one of the most difficult players to keep up with. If one tries to play along with him, pretty soon he'll be leaving you behind, scratching your head. I'm not the biggest Dead Head, but I'm an absolute fan of Jerry Garcia's guitar skills.