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
Bartender »
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before I'm old
Oh, brother of mine
Please don't forget me if I go
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
Oh, and if I die
Before my time
Oh, sweet sister of mine
Please don't regret me if I die
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground
I'm on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please
When I was young, I didn't think about it
Now I can't get it out of my mind
I'm on bended knees
Father, please
Oh, and if all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine
Please redirect me if this gold
Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
His roots deep, deep in the ground
Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
Its roots deep, deep in the ground
Ground
I'm on bended knees
Oh, Bartender, please
I'm on bended knees
Father, please
When I was young, I didn't think about it
Now I just want to run and hide
I'm on bended knees
Oh, Bartender, please
Bartender, please
The lyrics of Dave Matthews Band's song "Bartender" are metaphorical and deep, with the singer addressing the bartender while pouring out his heart about his worries, fears, and doubts. The lyrics open with a fearful plea to not be forgotten if he dies before old age. The singer addresses his siblings, asking them to not regret him if he dies before he has lived his life. The references to wine are symbolic, representing life and its experiences. The wine that the bartender serves the singer is the same that Jesus drank, which is believed to have set him free after three days in the ground. The reference to Judas's betrayal and the devil's tree is another metaphor for how the mistakes of one's past can haunt and consume them.
The song's chorus is a repetitive plea to the bartender to fill his glass, representing the singer's need for life experiences. He confesses that he didn't think about life's unpredictability when he was younger, but now it consumes him. He prays to God ("Father") and the bartender, asking them to help him overcome his fears and find meaning in his life. References to the soul-stealing qualities of gold highlight the singer's anxieties about wealth and fame, and how they can lead him astray. The song closes with a final plea to the bartender to help him find his way.
Line by Line Meaning
If I go
If I pass away
Before I'm old
Before I reach old age
Oh, brother of mine
Addressing a sibling
Please don't forget me if I go
Please remember me after I pass away
Bartender, please
Addressing a person who serves drinks at a bar
Fill my glass for me
Pour me another drink
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
Referring to the sacramental wine from the Bible
After three days in the ground
Referring to the resurrection of Jesus after three days
Oh, and if I die
If I pass away
Before my time
Before my natural lifespan
Oh, sweet sister of mine
Addressing a sibling
Please don't regret me if I die
Please don't feel guilty about my passing
I'm on bended knees, I pray
In a position of supplication
When I was young, I didn't think about it
In the past, I didn't consider the possibility of death
Now I can't get it out of my mind
Currently, I am preoccupied with the idea of death
Father, please
Addressing a paternal figure or God
Oh, and if all this gold
If the riches I possess
Should steal my soul away
If my wealth corrupts me spiritually
Oh, dear mother of mine
Addressing a maternal figure
Please redirect me if this gold
Please guide me if my material possessions lead me astray
You see the wine that's drinking me
Referring to the consumption of alcohol
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
Referring to the loss of morality
His roots deep, deep in the ground
Referencing the evil deeds of Judas
Ground
The earth or soil
Now I just want to run and hide
Feeling overwhelmed and desiring to escape
Bartender, please
Addressing a person who serves drinks at a bar
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vinaskth
If I go before I'm old
Oh, brother of mine please don't forget me
If I go
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus
That set him free
After three days in the ground
Oh and if I die
Before my time
Oh sweet sister of mine
Please don't regret me
If I die
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground
I'm on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please
When I was young I didn't think about it, now I can't get it outof my mind
I'm on bended knees, father please
Oh if all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine please redirect me
If this gold
Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that stung Judas
From the devil's tree
It's roots deep, deep in the ground
I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
I'm on bended knees, father please
When I was young I didn't think about it now I just wanna run andhide
I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
Bartender, please
@vinaskth
If I go before I'm old
Oh, brother of mine please don't forget me
If I go
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus
That set him free
After three days in the ground
Oh and if I die
Before my time
Oh sweet sister of mine
Please don't regret me
If I die
Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground
I'm on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please
When I was young I didn't think about it, now I can't get it outof my mind
I'm on bended knees, father please
Oh if all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine please redirect me
If this gold
Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that stung Judas
From the devil's tree
It's roots deep, deep in the ground
I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
I'm on bended knees, father please
When I was young I didn't think about it now I just wanna run andhide
I'm on bended knees, oh bartender please
Bartender, please
@delesdog
Are you dead?? Jus checking
@vinaskth
@@delesdog 👻
@justinbam-ih9xz
Great
@victoriagirard6877
@@justinbam-ih9xz m9
@teleuser
Strung Judas not stung.
@bradyspringfield6237
I’m only 14 and I love this song and love the band. Im so glad my dad has good taste in music to show me good songs like this
@203Rez
Good stuff man! Your dad started you off good. incredible era of music
@iainhorne2509
Soooo banging when I read your message,my son's 15,just thought it was banging.....
@troywitkowski3732
Call me when you turn 32