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
Blackbird
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night.
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The lyrics of Dave Matthews Band's "Blackbird" can be interpreted in several ways. The central theme of the song is the idea of overcoming obstacles and realizing one's full potential. The blackbird symbolizes the individual who has been beaten down by life's hardships and struggles to reach new heights, but has the potential to do so. The singer is urging the blackbird to embrace the moment and fly free, leaving behind the darkness of the past and soaring into the light of a better, brighter future.
The opening line, "Blackbird singing in the dead of night," could be referencing a difficult time in the blackbird's life, where everything seems hopeless and bleak. The phrase "Take these broken wings and learn to fly" is an invitation to embrace the challenges and rise above them, using the experience as a learning opportunity. The line "Take these sunken eyes and learn to see" speaks to the idea of gaining a new perspective and learning from past mistakes.
The repetition of the phrase "All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise" reinforces the idea that the blackbird's potential has always been within them, just waiting to be unlocked. The chorus, "Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly, Into the light of a dark black night," encourages the blackbird to take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown. The song offers a message of hope and the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is always a chance for growth and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The singer is describing a blackbird singing during the dark hours of the night.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
The singer is telling someone to use their failures or struggles as a way to grow and become stronger.
All your life
The singer is referring to the person's entire life up to now.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The person has been waiting for a moment of transformation and change for their entire life.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Reiterating the blackbird's song during the night.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
The singer is telling someone to open their closed eyes to new experiences and perceptions.
All your life
Again, the singer is referring to the entire life of the person in question.
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
The singer is telling the person that they have been waiting for a moment where they can feel free from their burdens.
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
The singer is encouraging the blackbird to take flight.
Into the light of a dark black night.
The singer is urging the blackbird to fly towards the light during a dark night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Reiterating the blackbird's song yet again.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Repeating the idea from earlier of using one's failures to become stronger.
All your life
Once again, referring to the person's entire life.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The final repetition of the idea that the person has been waiting for a moment of change and transformation their whole life.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Repeating the final line for emphasis.
Writer(s): Alan Ross Copyright: Carlin Music Corp.
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
rwaxman1
Heard this a few weeks ago on Sirius and almost drove off the highway. Stunningly beautiful, and I understand this started with some noodling by Butch and the rest of the band joined in and ran with it. If true, that is scary great. This was DMB at its best, and as much as I still love the band in its current form, this lineup just killed it. They only played Blackbird three times in ‘05; would give anything to hear it live today. Anyone know why they’ve never played again?
Joe Lere
@rwaxman1 Stefan has been semi regularly playing a few bars of Blackbird in the intro to Watchtower. The almanac says that's what happened that night.
rwaxman1
@Matthew Fogelman i stand so corrected. I just checked a third party setlist source for that show and looks like it was part of the encore. Wow. U r so fortunate to have heard. Was it just Dave or the entire band?
rwaxman1
@Matthew Fogelman if u r referring to the December show at WFC, it doesn’t appear on the setlist.
Matthew Fogelman
they played it ONE more time -- in Philly in late 2018. Not since.
doofus0123
I am hearing it right now on Sirius!! 018 Beatles. One of my grandson's (age 5) favorite songs. Soon he will also hear it as I am sending his mom the link.
filmtress
When I listen to this on the cd (live at Red Rocks) I always say oh boy I wish I could actually see them perform this. I soooo love this cover by them. Deeply moving and well done. Dave's voice suits it perfectly. Thanks to you dmbondemand I can now say I saw it! Wow.
Emily D'Aniello
Found it! Disc 4 on the Weekend on the Rocks album. Thank you!!!
Emily D'Aniello
I just looked it up on my cd and I don't see a credit for it in the playlist...secret added song?
Joseph Goodman
This is one of the Best Covers of This Great Tune!!!!!