Gimme Some Water (Live in Houston 1992)

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Gimme Some Water (Live in Houston 1992)" by Eddie Money, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks howling with its gritty, Western vibe. This song, from the 1978 album Life for the Taking, tells a desperate tale of a man on the run after shooting someone on the Mexican border, pleading for water as he faces the hangman’s noose. Fans on Reddit rave about its raw energy, with one user sharing how their brother’s band covered it, calling it perfect for Eddie’s raspy voice. Another fan mentioned snagging a live album with this track, describing it as a standout that never gets old. Powerpop.blog notes its old-west theme and killer guitar riffs, and Eddie himself was thrilled to learn Johnny Cash included it in his set, saying, “I was on Cloud Nine,” though some debate if Cash mixed it up with the classic “Cool Water.”

The song’s live 1992 Houston performance captures Eddie’s knack for connecting with crowds, a skill honed over decades. A Reddit user recounted meeting Eddie at a merch booth, where he signed a shirt and gave a hug, showing his down-to-earth charm just a year before his 2019 passing. Trivia tidbits include Eddie’s claim in interviews that he was “coked out of his mind” during the Shakin’ video, a wild energy that likely fueled Gimme Some Water’s live intensity. Fans on Reddit also love its storytelling, with posts calling it a hidden gem that deserves more radio play. The song’s narrative of desperation and rebellion resonates with Eddie’s working-class rocker persona, as noted by The New York Times.

Eddie Money, born Edward Joseph Mahoney in 1949 in Manhattan, kicked off his career far from the stage. Coming from a family of Irish Catholic cops, he followed suit at 18, joining the NYPD as a trainee. But the short-hair, uniform life wasn’t for him. As he later quipped, “I couldn’t see myself in a police uniform for 20 years of my life, with short hair.” His bandmates didn’t vibe with a cop in their crew either, so he ditched the badge in 1968 and headed to Berkeley, California, to chase music. There, he studied under vocal coach Judy Davis, picked up the saxophone inspired by rockers like David Bowie, and adopted the stage name Eddie Money—a sarcastic nod to always being broke. His big break came when rock impresario Bill Graham spotted him, leading to a deal with Columbia Records and a double-platinum debut in 1977 with hits like Baby Hold On.

Eddie’s journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. A 1980 overdose on synthetic barbiturates, mistaken for cocaine, left him with a permanent limp, but he bounced back with grit. His career soared in the ’80s with Take Me Home Tonight, earning a Grammy nod. You can keep up with his legacy on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans stay connected through groups like the Eddie Money Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share stories and celebrate his music. Sites like setlist.fm also track his live performances, keeping the spirit of tracks like Gimme Some Water alive.