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
Best of What's Around
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off of your mind
See, you and me
Have a better time than most can dream
And so can pull on through
Whatever tears at us
Whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around
Turns out not where but who you're with
That really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
When you're around
And if you hold on tight
To what you think is your thing
You may find you're missing all the rest
She ran up into the light surprised
Her arms are open
Her mind's eye is...
Seeing things from a
Better side than most can dream
On a better road I feel
So you could say she's safe
Whatever tears at her
Whatever holds her down
And if nothing can be done
She'll make the best of what's around
Turns out not where but what you think
That really matters
That really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
The song "Best of What's Around" by the Dave Matthews Band is about two friends who are talking to each other, but one of them seems to be troubled. The singer asks his friend to share his thoughts and feelings with him, so he can help him get it off his mind. The song's lyrics suggest that the two friends have a really strong bond and their relationship is better than most people can ever hope to experience. They can pull through whatever life throws at them, and even if nothing can be done about a situation, they will still make the best of what they have.
The song also touches on the idea that who you are with matters more than where you are, and that sometimes it's important to let go of what you think is important in order to see things from a better perspective. The lyrics imply that staying close to people you trust and love is what can bring you happiness and help you cope with adversity. Overall, the song is about the power of friendship, support, and staying positive even in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, my friend
Starting the conversation, addressing a friend with concern
It seems your eyes are troubled
Noticing a friend's distress
Care to share your time with me
Offering to listen to a friend's problems
Would you say you're feeling low and so
Asking if the friend is feeling down
A good idea would be to get it off of your mind
Suggesting that talking about the problem would help
See, you and me
Highlighting the connection between friends
Have a better time than most can dream
Recognizing that the friends have a good life
Have it better than the best
Acknowledging that they are lucky
And so can pull on through
Having the strength to overcome obstacles
Whatever tears at us
Challenges they may face
Whatever holds us down
Things that may bring them down
And if nothing can be done
If there's no solution
We'll make the best of what's around
Making the most out of the situation
Turns out not where but who you're with
Realizing the value of people over places
That really matters
Emphasizing the importance of relationships
And hurts not much when you're around
The presence of loved ones eases the pain
And if you hold on tight
If you cling too tightly
To what you think is your thing
To what you believe is important
You may find you're missing all the rest
You may be missing out on other important things
She ran up into the light surprised
Refers to someone finding something unexpected
Her arms are open
Willingness to embrace new experiences
Her mind's eye is...
Her state of mind is...
Seeing things from a
Perspective
Better side than most can dream
Seeing things more positively than most
On a better road I feel
Feeling optimistic
So you could say she's safe
Feeling secure
Whatever tears at her
Challenges she may face
Whatever holds her down
Things that may bring her down
And if nothing can be done
If there's no solution
She'll make the best of what's around
Making the most out of the situation
Turns out not where but what you think
Realizing the importance of mindset
That really matters
Emphasizing the importance of perspective
And hurts not much when you're around
The presence of loved ones eases the pain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anewsongpsalm333
… Hey, my friend, it seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me?
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off your mind?
… See you and me have a better time than most can dream of
Have it better than the best, so can we pull on through
Whatever tears at us, whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around
… Turns out not where but who you're with that really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around, when you're around
… And if you hold on tight to what you think is your thing
You may find you're missing all the rest
She ran up into the light, surprised
Her arms are open, her mind's eye is
… Seeing things from a better side than most can dream of
On a clearer road I feel, oh, you could say she's safe
Whatever tears at her, whatever holds her down
And if nothing can be done
She'll make the best of what's around
… Turns out not where but what you think that really matters
That really matters, that really matters, that really matters, yeah
… See you and me, have a better time than most can dream of
Have it better than the best, so can we pull on through
Whatever tears at us, whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around
… Turns out not where, but who you're with that really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
When you're around, hey-la-la
… we'll make the best of what's around
(Huh-huh, hey-la, hey-la)
(Huh-huh, hey-la-la-la) the best of what's around
… girl you're the same
(Huh-huh, hey-la) oh, you're the best of what's around
(Huh-huh, hey-la) when you travel this corner, gon' tell you
(Huh-huh, hey-la) blow there, yes you know
(Huh-huh, hey-la) oh that you're the best of what's around, yeah
… Thank you very very much
Is everybody having a pleasant evening so far?
Here's another couple of old songs, couple of old songs
@letsexperienceearth3034
Phish fan here to unapologetically say that I also freakin' love Dave Matthews Band
@DanClancyPatterson98
Phish Phan here as well! Both bands are so good! DMB is actually one connection closer to Jerry than Phish is. DMB opened for the Dead in May of ‘95 and Carter even sat in on Drumz
@SteveStephens9
Did phish and dmb at alpine this year. Very fun summer
@nicholasmoore7659
Huge Prince and Phish fan here also loving some DMB.
@RosePorto
I never get tired of listening this band.
This is the Best of what's around!!
@kensonsounds
+Rose Porto The Best of What's EVER Been Around! With ya!
@leadpersuasion
Indeed, DMB never gets old!
@PriestessOfNothing
Before Dave Matthews, I never imagined the words "oh oh hey la" would be so joyful, liberating and healing. Thank you for everything you've done for me, Dave 🫶🏼
@justinrowley7334
Pay attention to Tim Reynolds shirt.
@umqnaumexiste
After a bad depression period (one year and a half) I'm finally better, so I thought: what is the best way to celebrate life?... Just bought a plane ticket from São Paulo to Berlin... see you in October 27th!