Early 1990s
In the early 1990s, the band established a cult following through relentless touring with weekly stops at Virginia clubs known as Trax and Floodzone, an active taping community, and an independent LP, Remember Two Things. (Keyboardist Griesar left the band in 1993, shortly before the release of "Remember Two Things".) After signing to RCA Records, Dave Matthews Band, under the direction of producer Steve Lillywhite, released Under the Table and Dreaming in 1994, a critical and popular smash that firmly established the band's style of pop-rock with improvisational leanings. Under the Table and Dreaming would be the first of three albums released under Lillywhite's direction. This was followed by Crash (1996). For most of America, Crash was the record that put the Dave Matthews Band on the map. Featuring the hit single "Crash Into Me", as well as fan-favorites such as "Two Step", "Tripping Billies", and the Grammy-winning "So Much to Say", Crash would go on to be the band's best selling album.
The Mercy Songfacts reports that Lillywhite lent his skills to their 2012 album Away From The World. Lillywhite hadn't worked with the band since a series of unreleased recordings in 2000, which led to the leaked Lillywhite Sessions.
History
David John Matthews was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1967. Two years later, his family moved to Westchester County, NY. His father was a physicist and worked for IBM at the time. He has two sisters (Anne and Jane) and a brother (Peter). After living in New York, his family moved to Cambridge, England in the early '70s. The family returned to New York where his father died in 1977. In 1980, the family moved to South Africa where the young Matthews went to several schools and "got more wise about the evils of government, there and in general." He first played at a club in Charlottesville (Miller's) where he worked as a bartender. He admitted to Playboy magazine that he was really never that good at bartending, but loved getting customers...well..."drunk as hell!" He was first discovered in a demo tape that he recorded with a couple of current band members. This all came about when he decided to put together a demo tape and decided that he needed some musical accompaniment; which ended up as the Dave Matthews Band. In 1994, his sister Anne died in a domestic tragedy at her home in South Africa. The Grammy nominated album "Under The Table and Dreaming" is dedicated to her.
Community
Dave Matthews Band is highly involved in giving a helping hand. In 2003, the Band held a concert entitled, "The Central Park Concert" which was held in New York City's Central Park. The concert helped New York City Public Schools, the band is a big supporter of education.
The band also held a concert that helped victims of Katrina.
Sadly, Leroi Moore passed away in 2008. After being seriously injured in an ATV accident in Virginia, Moore succumbed to his injuries on August 19, 2008. He was replaced by Jeff Coffin, famous for his work with Bรฉla Fleck and the Flecktones.
Excerpt taken from Wikipedia.org -- the rest of this article can be found at:
Wikipedia
Official site: www.dmband.com
American Baby
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fell so hard to make us lose our faith
From what's left you'd figure it out
Still make lemonade taste like a sunny day
Stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
American baby
Nobody's laughing now
Gods grace lost and the devil is proud
But I've been walking for a thousand miles
One last time I could see you smile
I, I, hold, hold on to you
You bring me hope
I'll see you soon
And if I don't see you
I'm afraid we've lost the way
Stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
American baby
American baby
I hold on, to you, you lift me up
And always will
I see you in life
Hope I don't get left behind
I, I, hold, hold on to you
You bring me hope
I'll see you soon
And if I don't see you
I'm afraid we've lost the way
Stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
I hope you stay, beautiful baby
I hope you stay, american baby
American baby
American baby
Alright, stay, american baby
Beautiful
Nobody's laughing now
'Cause you could always make me laugh out loud
Stay, American baby
American baby
Stay, american baby
American baby (american baby)
The lyrics to Dave Matthews's "American Baby" speak of the fragility of life and the need to hold on to the ones we love. The opening lines, "If these walls came crumbling down, fell so hard to make us lose our faith," suggest a chaotic and uncertain future. However, Matthews follows this up with a message of hope, saying that even if everything falls apart, "from what's left you'd figure it out, still make lemonade taste like a sunny day."
As the lyrics progress, Matthews turns his attention to a specific person, using affectionate terms like "beautiful baby" and "American baby." He speaks of the hardships they've faced together, saying that "nobody's laughing now, God's grace lost and the devil is proud," but that he's still holding on and walking with them through it all. The chorus repeats the plea for this person to stay with him, to not let them lose their way.
The bridge provides a moment of clarity and reassurance, as Matthews says that this person brings him hope and that he'll see them soon. He repeats this sentiment, driving home the importance of holding on to the people who give us hope and love.
Overall, "American Baby" is a heartfelt plea to hold on to the ones we love in the face of uncertainty and chaos. Matthews's use of endearing language and vivid images of making lemonade out of lemons make his message all the more powerful.
Line by Line Meaning
If these walls came crumbling down
If everything that held us together falls apart
Fell so hard to make us lose our faith
We're so broken that we almost lost hope
From what's left you'd figure it out
Despite everything, we will still find a way
Still make lemonade taste like a sunny day
Despite hardships, we find joy and make it through
Stay, beautiful baby
Stay strong and beautiful, my love
I hope you stay, american baby
I hope you stay true to your roots, my love
Nobody's laughing now
Our current situation is no longer a laughing matter
Gods grace lost and the devil is proud
Feels like we're losing to evil
But I've been walking for a thousand miles
I've been trying to come see you for a long time
One last time I could see you smile
I want to see you happy one more time
I, I, hold, hold on to you
I won't let you go
You bring me hope
You give me reason to keep going
I'll see you soon
I'll come see you very soon
And if I don't see you
If I don't see you anytime soon
I'm afraid we've lost the way
I'm afraid we might lose our connection
I hold on, to you, you lift me up
You give me strength to keep going
And always will
You'll always be there for me
I see you in life
I see you in everything I do
Hope I don't get left behind
I hope we stay together through it all
Alright, stay, american baby
Okay, continue being true to yourself, my love
Nobody's laughing now
This is a serious matter now
'Cause you could always make me laugh out loud
You were the only one who could make me genuinely happy
Stay, American baby
Stay true to your identity, my love
American baby
You are an American and proud of it
Stay, american baby
Stay who you are, my love
American baby (american baby)
You are an American and that's part of who you are
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David John Matthews, Mark Christopher Batson, Boyd C. Tinsley, Leroi H. Moore, Carter A. Beauford, Stefan K. Lessard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chyke6272
Call me crazy, but I feel these old songs sound way more beautiful than the crap being released these days.
@briangriffin5701
"Old songs" You're making me feel old, young man. ๐
@stacey_1111rh
Iโll call you sane and not crazy because your correct โ๐ผ
@ghhfgbbkufgh
u cray af fr fr
@ianseymour9379
Damn right! As someone in their 40s who loves 60s and 70s music also, this ain't old
@patrickfarrell5615
" God's Grace is lost and the Devil is proud" . That line is priceless .
@drporsche930
I love this line the most in this song. Really profound
@veronicatrujillo9766
My favorite line ever... I had it as my messenger state hahaha back in the day you know... Good old days
@patrickfarrell5615
@@drporsche930 Absolutely.
@patrickfarrell5615
@@veronicatrujillo9766 That Line hits like a donkey kick lol . Remember God is Great