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 Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.
Excerpt taken from Wikipedia.org -- the rest of this article can be found at:
Wikipedia
Official site: www.dmband.com
Angel
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You call my bluff, on the cards of love.
You hold too close, your hands to your chest.
I can read your eyes, but I confess.
It's lonely far from you, even when you're right by me.
It's only while I wait for you, to take my hand
Why do I beg like a child for your candy? Why do I come after you like I do?
I love you. Whatever you are, I swear. You'll be my angel.
You.
I play my cards as best I can. But I lose my luck when you're not here.
My darling heart, won't you please give in?
I may be strong but I want you back again.
When you're not here, oh, it's hard to pretend
It's all alright again.
When you're not here, love, it's hard to pretend It's all alright, still
Why do I beg like a child for your candy?
Why do I run after you like I do? I love you.
Whatever you are I swear, you'll be my angel.
You.
Watch the day, count your cards.
It makes no sense that I'm always losing when you're gone.
Why do I beg like a child for your candy
Why do I come after you like I do? I love you.
Whatever you are I swear, you'll be my angel.
You.
When you're gone.
The song "Angel" by Dave Matthews Band is a ballad about a person who is head over heels in love with someone who seems to be holding back their feelings. The lyrics are filled with contradictions, as the singer talks about feeling lonely even when the object of their affection is right by their side, and how they play their cards as best they can but always lose when their love is not there. The singer seems to be begging for the other person's affection, comparing themselves to a child begging for candy, and even though the person they love is holding back, the singer swears that they will be their angel. The song is a deep exploration of the complexity of emotions when it comes to love.
The first verse of the song talks about the push and pull of a relationship, where both people are trying to figure out where they stand. The singer talks about how they call the other person, but they call their bluff on the cards of love. This could mean that one person is hesitant to reveal their true feelings, or that they are just playing games with each other. The second verse is where the emotions come to a head, as the singer talks about the loneliness they feel even when the person they love is with them. They can read the other person's eyes, but they confess that they still don't fully understand what they want. The chorus of the song is where the singer makes their declaration of love, even though the other person is holding back. They plead with the person to be their angel, and swear that they will love them no matter what.
Overall, "Angel" by Dave Matthews Band is a powerful song about the complexity of love and emotions. It explores the push and pull of a relationship where one person is hesitant to fully open up, and the other person is desperate for their love. The lyrics are deep and thought-provoking, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
I call you up, you pick up.
I attempt to reach out to you, and you answer my call.
You call my bluff, on the cards of love.
When it comes to our love, you are able to see through my act.
You hold too close, your hands to your chest.
You keep yourself guarded, close to your heart.
I can read your eyes, but I confess.
I am able to understand your emotions through your eyes, but I have to admit something.
It's lonely far from you, even when you're right by me.
Even though you are physically near, I still feel isolated and alone without you.
It's only while I wait for you, to take my hand
My only solace is the anticipation of holding your hand once again.
Why do I beg like a child for your candy? Why do I come after you like I do?
I express my desire for you in ways that resemble the behavior of a desperate child.
I love you. Whatever you are, I swear. You'll be my angel.
My devotion to you is unwavering, and I view you as someone who can guide and protect me, like an angel.
You.
You are the one I am addressing and expressing my love to.
I play my cards as best I can. But I lose my luck when you're not here.
I do my best in our relationship, but I struggle when you are absent.
My darling heart, won't you please give in?
I appeal to your heart, asking you to open up to me.
I may be strong but I want you back again.
Even though I may seem self-sufficient, I still crave your presence in my life.
When you're not here, oh, it's hard to pretend. It's all alright again.
Without you, it is difficult for me to pretend that everything is okay.
When you're not here, love, it's hard to pretend It's all alright, still
Even though you are not here, I try to convince myself that things are still okay.
Watch the day, count your cards.
I am aware of the passing time and constantly evaluating my situation with you.
It makes no sense that I'm always losing when you're gone.
The fact that I struggle when you are not present does not make logical sense.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GLEN BALLARD, DAVID MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind