The band played a short tour in the late fall of 2003, primarily in the Northeast, followed by an even shorter Pacific tour in January 2004. They have played a handful of shows since and have appeared on late-night television several times.
Generally, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds open the show with a short acoustic set, followed by a longer full-band set. Over the course of the tour, Dave and Trey began doing an acoustic mini-set to start the encores, and the rest of the band comes out for another song or two. The setlists consist mostly of songs from Some Devil and cover songs.
Trouble
Dave Matthews & Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you see
That in your bed
I find no sleep
I confess you came because of me
Trouble get behind me now
Trouble let me be
Deep river bed
Once so clean and clear now runs red
You know to well
Was me that called you here
Trouble get behind me now
Trouble let me be
Oh sweet day
Leave me behind
I will never call on you
Until the day I die
Pray your mercy shine on me
Pray your mercy shine
Here I stand
Head bowed for thee
My empty heart begs you
Leave me be
But I confess
You know too well
That I have fallen
Pray your mercy give to me
Pray your mercy shine
Trouble
Trouble thee
Let your mercy shine
Cold wet stone
River deep and red
Your cold heart beats inside my head
You know too well
It was me that brought you here
Oh trouble get behind me now
Trouble let me be
I pray your mercy shine on me
Trouble let me be
The lyrics of the song "Trouble" by Dave Matthews & Friends delve into themes of personal struggles and the burden they bring into one's life. The first stanza indicates that the persona is unable to sleep due to the troubles that plague him. He admits that the troubles he is experiencing are because of himself. In the chorus, he is pleading for the trouble to get behind him and let him be. The individual is clearly tired of the constant fear and distress that have taken a significant toll on him.
In the second verse, the cold wet stone and deep river bed imagery indicate a sense of loss, sadness, and melancholy. The once-clear river now runs red, which symbolizes a tainted past. The persona admits that he's the one that called trouble into his life, and in the chorus, he is still begging for it to get behind him so that he can move on.
The bridge of the song is a plea to God or a higher power to show mercy on him. The individual is trying to let go of the pain and sorrow that trouble has brought into his life. The final verse repeats the imagery of the second verse and provides an ending that's more accepting of the struggles. The persona prays for mercy to shine on him and to let it be, indicating that he's ready to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Trouble
Acknowledgement of trouble and the issues revolving around it
Don't you see
Notice the sleepless nights due to the presence of trouble
That in your bed
Trouble resides with you
I find no sleep
Indicates the restless nights due to trouble
I confess you came because of me
Acknowledging the role played by oneself in the arrival of trouble
Trouble get behind me now
Request to get out of the trouble and relieve oneself
Trouble let me be
Request for trouble to leave and not come back
Cold wet stone
Metaphor for a depressing and dark situation
Deep river bed
Metaphor for the consistency and depths of emotions
Once so clean and clear now runs red
Indicates the worsening of a situation
You know to well
Acknowledging the inescapable knowledge
Was me that called you here
Acknowledging the role played by oneself in the arrival of trouble
Oh sweet day
Looking at a better future without trouble
Leave me behind
Request to be done with trouble
I will never call on you
Placing distance with trouble
Until the day I die
Indicating the long-term nature of wanting to be done with trouble
Pray your mercy shine on me
Appeal for help and good luck
Here I stand
Presenting oneself in a situation
Head bowed for thee
Submissive and meek portrayal
My empty heart begs you
Request for help due to a lack of strength
Leave me be
Request to be left alone
That I have fallen
Acknowledgement of defeat from trouble
Trouble thee
Direct addressing of trouble
Let your mercy shine
Desire for relief
Your cold heart beats inside my head
Indication that the trouble still lingers
I pray your mercy shine on me
Small appeal for help and relief from trouble
Trouble let me be
Request for trouble to leave and not come back
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN HARRIS, DAVE MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Liam O'
This brings back some really fond memories. Fresh off of high school graduation, a day later, one of my best friends and I drove down from Boston on a whim for our first of what would end up being four Bonnaroo experiences. This show in particular was our first time eating mushies and it didn't disappoint. It set off a decade of chasing the perfect set list in some really amazing places. Times change, people grow and miles can divide more than i'd like to admit, but the music always brought us back together for another show every once in a while when things lined up. He recently passed away and it left me in reflection on the friendship, music and immovable memories we were able to take part in each others lives, and that these things shouldn't be taken for granted. Rest easy Davo!
Matthew Forbes
😂😂😂 bringing joy to my soul, reading your words, my friend. Great to see emotion, heart and beauty left in this world!
Venky P
True
Landon Parker
Brother this rings so true…class of ‘04 drove up from Baton Rouge, LA. So many memories from this show and many more. Lost a lot of friends and gained just as many. Can’t wait to jam on forever in the sky 🤙🏼.
T P
Was there with old friends no longer around, peace along your journey my friends. Great times✌️
cheflusk
Fuck yeah man. Likewise. It was a good time to be had in the moment
notTHEcher
this song is incredible. solace for me. love it...one of my favorites of all time.
greenguy4200
I was at this show...Epic momentz. lived free
Soul Shakedown
It was a good good night...
Great memories 😎
fucknyoucrosseyed
I was there. What a great experience it was!