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
Captain
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make my way through this world,
Oh, it's for no one but me to say,
What direction I should turn in now.
Cause I am the captain of this ship,
Wanting eyes and kissing lips.
The same as it was,
Strange, but it seems,
There's mutiny brewing inside of me now.
I don't want your pity,
Just the promise that I'll be alright.
Cause I am the captain of this ship,
Curious hands and fingertips.
The same as it was,
And will be until I'm gone.
Oh, I know I'm a dreamer,
Still think it's strange?
I won't be here for long.
Oh, I know that I feel,
Oh, wait and go again, Again.
Oh, look, I'm buried,
Like a cancer eating away inside of me.
I don't want your pity,
Only the promise that I'll be okay now.
But I am the captain of this ship,
Curious hands and fingertips.
The same as it was before here,
Here, back after all.
Why should I be hypnotized,
By the promise of a long life?
Why should I hold hope,
In tiny, tiny dribbles that glide by?
Why should I lean on everything... upon
I won't be here long...
Oh, I know I'm a dreamer,
Still seems a truth.
I won't be long for here.
Oh, it's so, but I think I lay this,
On now your lips.
I'm drowning.
I am the captain of...oh...but, I'll be okay after all
The lyrics of Dave Matthews Band's song Captain reflect the concept of personal autonomy and individuality. The singer of the song emphasises that they alone are responsible for charting their path in life and that they refuse to be swayed by the opinions of others. This sentiment is expressed in the opening lines of the song "Crazy as I may, make my way through this world, oh, It's for no one but me to say, what direction I should turn in now." By "crazy", the singer is referring to the independent, unconventional and possibly risky choices that they've made, against the advice of others.
The chorus of the song “Cause I am the captain of this ship, Wanting eyes and kissing lips” showcases the singer's unwavering confidence in themselves, and their ability to direct their life. They refuse to be influenced by others and remain steadfast in their independence. However, interspersed with the lines of confidence, there are lyrics that hint at self-doubt and internal conflict. The line "Strange, but it seems there's mutiny brewing inside of me now," alludes to the singer's internal struggle against the chaos and confusion of their thoughts and desires. These lyrics perfectly encapsulate the human condition where we may appear confident externally, often with a facade, while we wrestle with self-doubts internally.
Line by Line Meaning
Crazy as I may,
Although I may seem insane in my actions,
Make my way through this world,
I continue to navigate through life,
Oh, it's for no one but me to say,
I am the only one who has control over my own path,
What direction I should turn in now.
And it is up to me to decide which way to turn next.
Cause I am the captain of this ship,
I am in charge of my own life,
Wanting eyes and kissing lips.
Seeking love and affection,
The same as it was,
My desires haven't changed,
And will remain until I'm done and gone.
And they will stay with me until my time on this earth is finished.
Strange, but it seems,
I feel like something is off,
There's mutiny brewing inside of me now.
As if my emotions and thoughts are in conflict and causing turmoil within me.
I don't want your pity,
I don't want to be pitied,
Just the promise that I'll be alright.
Only the assurance that everything will turn out okay.
Curious hands and fingertips.
Seeking new experiences and sensations,
Oh, I know I'm a dreamer,
I am aware that I have a tendency to dream big,
Still think it's strange?
But do you still find it unusual?
I won't be here for long.
I know that my time here is limited.
Oh, I know that I feel,
I am aware of my own emotions,
Oh, wait and go again, Again.
But sometimes I must pause and restart again.
Oh, look, I'm buried,
I feel like I'm suffocating,
Like a cancer eating away inside of me.
As if something is growing uncontrollably within me and consuming me slowly.
But I am the captain of this ship,
Despite my struggles, I am still in charge of my own life,
Only the promise that I'll be okay now.
And I only need the reassurance that everything will be alright.
Here, back after all.
Again, I have returned, despite my struggles and hardships.
Why should I be hypnotized,
Why should I be entranced or captivated,
By the promise of a long life?
By the idea that I will live for a long time?
Why should I hold hope,
Why should I cling to hope,
In tiny, tiny dribbles that glide by?
When it seems like hope is scarce and fleeting?
Why should I lean on everything... upon
Why should I rely on anything else,
I won't be here long...
When I know that my time here is limited.
Still seems a truth.
Despite everything, it still feels true.
Oh, it's so, but I think I lay this,
It is a fact, but I believe I am responsible for this,
On now your lips.
And I want you to know it.
I'm drowning.
I feel overwhelmed and like I'm sinking.
Oh...but, I'll be okay after all
But despite everything, I believe that in the end, everything will be alright.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind