Matthews also released a solo CD, Some Devil, in 2003 joined by guitarists Tim Reynolds, Trey Anastasio, drummer Brady Blade, and bassist Tony Hall. This group and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski tours as "Dave Matthews & Friends."
Dave also plays some events solo, such as the Benaroya Hall concert, Farm Aid, and various other events.
Dave Matthews also plays acoustic gigs with long time friend Tim Reynolds.
In recent years he has also shown his acting talents, most recently guesting as a savant pianist in the series 'House M.D.' and a non-speaking role as a homosexual fashion advisor in the Adam Sandler film Chuck and Larry. He was also In Don't Mess With the Zohan.
Dodo
Dave Matthews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the world was just a pancake
Fears would arise
That if you went too far, you'd fall
But with the
Passage of time
It all became more of a ball
As we all once were when the world was flat
So I wonder this
As life billows smoke inside my head
This little game
Where nothing is sure of
Why would you play by the rules?
Who did, you did, you
Who did, you did, you
When was it killed
The very last dodo bird
And was she aware
She was the very last one
So I wonder this
As life billows smoke inside my head
This little game
Where nothing is sure of
Why would play by the rules?
Who did, you did, you
Who did, you did, you
You say who did, you did, you
If all the things that you are saying now
Were true enough but still what was all the worrying about
We can work it out
We can work it out
Oh I wonder this
As life billows smoke inside my head
This little game
Where nothing is sure of
Why would you play that rules?
Who did, you did, you
Who did, you did, you
You say who did, I say you did, you
The lyrics of Dave Matthews's song Dodo are filled with existential questions about the meaning of life and the rules we follow in our daily existence. The song starts with a reference to the ancient idea that the world was flat like a pancake, and if one went too far, they would fall. But with the passage of time, we've come to see the world as more of a ball, and that this fact is now as sure to us as the prior belief in a flat Earth was. The lyrics then pivot to a pondering of life itself and why we feel compelled to play by the rules.
Matthews then poses another question, this time about the extinction of the dodo bird. He wonders when the last one died, and if she was aware that she was the last of her kind. This references a common theme in Matthews's work, the fragility of life and the impermanence of all things. He then returns to the main question of the song, why we play by the rules. He questions who made the rules and who agreed to follow them. In the final repetition of the chorus, Matthews continues to ask who made the rules, and shifts the meaning of "you did" from an accusatory to an inclusive one. We all made the rules, and we all follow them, whether consciously or not.
In summary, the song Dodo is an introspective look at the uncertainties of life, the rules we follow, and the inevitability of extinction. The lyrics convey a sense of wonder, questioning, and a search for meaning that is present in much of Dave Matthews's work.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time
In the past
When the world was just a pancake
When the world was flat
Fears would arise
People would become afraid
That if you went too far, you'd fall
If you traveled too far, you would fall off the edge of the world
But with the
Passage of time
It all became more of a ball
We're as sure of that
As we all once were when the world was flat
Over time, people realized that the world is round, and they are just as certain of that fact as they were once certain that the world was flat
So I wonder this
I am curious about something
As life billows smoke inside my head
As I think deeply about life
This little game
Where nothing is sure of
This uncertain existence
Why would you play by the rules?
Why would you follow expectations?
Who did, you did, you
Who did, you did, you
Who would play by the rules?
When was it killed
The very last dodo bird
And was she aware
She was the very last one
When did the last dodo bird die, and did she know that she was the last of her kind?
If all the things that you are saying now
Were true enough but still what was all the worrying about
We can work it out
We can work it out
If everything you say is true, what is the point of worrying? We can solve our problems.
Oh I wonder this
As life billows smoke inside my head
I am deeply contemplative about life
Why would you play that rules?
Why would you conform to society's norms?
Who did, you did, you
Who did, you did, you
You say who did, you did, you
Who would follow those rules? You would.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind