Dodo
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds Lyrics

The lyrics of "Dodo" by Dave Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Trey Anastasio, Tony Hall, and Brady Blade begin with a metaphorical reference to the time when people believed the world was flat - that if you ventured too far from the edge, you would fall off. However, over time, people came to realize that the world was actually round and therefore, the fear of falling became less real. The song suggests that, similarly, life is a game where nothing is certain or clear-cut, so why bother playing by rules or worrying about anything that may or may not happen.

The song then turns to the reference to the last Dodo bird, and questions whether it was aware that it was the last of its kind. This imagery speaks to the larger theme of extinction and the human tendency to disregard the consequences of our actions until it is too late. The song poses an existential question about the purpose and rules of life, encouraging listeners to question the established norms and explore uncharted territories.

The chorus reiterates the question of why we should play by the rules and who actually did, followed by a plea to work out our problems instead of worrying about them. The repetitive nature of the song underscores the cyclical nature of life and the futility of worrying about things we cannot control.