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.
Waste
Dave Matthews & Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Freedom to stay
Freedom to leave
Uncertainty ain't my disease
I got what I want
I got what you need
She's my dark side
My selfish greed
I took the shots
I paid the fee
I took the recommended dose
Now I chase the breeze
Hey hey momma don't waste my time
I gotta keep moving while the sun still shines
Keep shaking me down
Shaking me down
Shaking me down
Shaking me down
Still I stay but I'm holding my breath
This woman I love scares me to death
She's hanging a lead weight from my neck
Hanging a lead weight from my neck
Fuel my fire
Ignite my hate
I had a chance to leave
And I took it too late
She takes my money
Takes my house
Takes everything
Now I'm gonna drive before she takes my keys
Hey hey momma don't waste my time
I gotta keep moving while the sun still shines
Keep shaking me down
Shaking me down
Shaking me down
Shaking me down
Still I stay but I'm holding my breath
This woman I love scares me to death
She's hanging a lead weight from my neck
Hanging a lead weight from my neck
She say come on to me
Come on to me
Come on to me
Come on to me
Come on to me
Come on to me
Come on to me
Come on to me
I gotta leave
I gotta leave
I gotta leave
I gotta leave
I gotta leave
I gotta leave
I gotta leave
I gotta leave
Hey hey momma don't waste my time
I gotta keep moving while the sun still shines
Keep shaking me down
Shaking me down
Shaking me down
Shaking me down
Still I stay but I'm holding my breath
This woman I love scares me to death
She's hanging a lead weight from my neck
Hanging a lead weight from my neck
She say won't you go
Oh come on
Baby come on
Come on
Come on
Won't you go
The lyrics to "Waste" by Dave Matthews & Friends tell the story of a man who believes in two things: the freedom to stay and the freedom to leave. He asserts that uncertainty is not his disease and he has what he wants and needs. However, he reveals that his "dark side," or selfishness, is represented by a spider weaving its web through his dreams. Despite acknowledging the negative effects of his partner's presence in his life, the singer continues to stay with her, insisting he must keep moving while the sun still shines.
The man feels trapped in the relationship, holding his breath as he contemplates his fears of this woman he loves. She is a burden, as she takes his money, house, and anything else she desires. As the singer drives away, leaving her behind, she begs him to return, but he is resolved to leave for good. The repeated refrain of "shaking me down" and "hanging a lead weight from my neck" amplifies the burden he feels in his relationship.
Overall, the song reflects the complicated and painful emotions that come with the end of a relationship, emphasizing the challenge of leaving someone you love, even when it's necessary for your own well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord I believe in two things
I have strong conviction in two principles
Freedom to stay
I have the right to remain where I am
Freedom to leave
I have the right to depart from this place
Uncertainty ain't my disease
I am not afflicted with the malady of indecisiveness
I got what I want
I possess everything that I desire
I got what you need
I possess something that you require
She's my dark side
She represents the shadowy aspect of my personality
My selfish greed
My self-centered desires
A spider weaving web through my dreams
She is ensnaring me in her trap while I sleep
I took the shots
I made a gamble and experienced the consequences
I paid the fee
I endured the cost of my actions
I took the recommended dose
I followed the guidance given to me
Now I chase the breeze
I pursue fleeting moments of happiness
Hey hey momma don't waste my time
Please don't delay me any further
I gotta keep moving while the sun still shines
I need to continue progressing while opportunities exist
Keep shaking me down
You keep pressuring me to give in
Still I stay but I'm holding my breath
I remain here with trepidation and wariness
This woman I love scares me to death
I have an intense fear of the woman I am in love with
She's hanging a lead weight from my neck
She is putting a heavy burden upon me
Fuel my fire
Stoke my passions
Ignite my hate
Make me furious
I had a chance to leave
I previously had an opportunity to depart
And I took it too late
But I missed my chance to escape
She takes my money
She is extorting my financial resources
Takes my house
She is confiscating my dwelling
Takes everything
She is taking everything that I possess
Now I'm gonna drive before she takes my keys
I need to escape before she takes control of my transportation
She say come on to me
She is beckoning me to move towards her
I gotta leave
I must depart from this location
Won't you go
Why won't you leave?
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Grant Boesen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shaun Durnin
These two are the soundtrack to my life.
kimgee
Mine too. I cry everytime I watch this video.
Gene Parmesan
Two of the few surviving touring giants of the 90's. Appreciate that these two are still around and absolutely killing it in their respective bands in 2021
Kevin Jansen
It's too easy to forget about Dave's guitar chops until you watch him backup someone else for a verse. Love these two men.
Cuck Norris
Two of the best. A couple of veterans having a blast. They always had a nice chemistry.
Joshua Hummel
Yes they did
william morningstar
My first phish show had Dave Mathews open up for them. What a great memory. Spring tour 94
Matt Swift
My 1st Phish was that fall the show before the white album and still the best one I saw to this day. Saw DMB open at my last Dead shows in Vegas 95 after seeing them twice in a bar in 93. Damn I miss the mid 90s⚡
Anthidemos
Duuuuude... nice ✌️
Joseph R.B. Palm-Goodwin
That is awesome