Dave Matthews Band was formed in Charlottesville, VA in 1991 by South Afric… Read Full Bio ↴Dave Matthews Band was formed in Charlottesville, VA in 1991 by South African native singer and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, the late LeRoi Moore, who played a wide variety of instruments from the saxophone to the flute, violin player Boyd Tinsley, drummer Carter Beauford, and keyboardist Peter Griesar (who left the band in 1993), all of whom Dave met in Charlottesville. In 1998, the band played shows with keyboardist Butch Taylor, although he was not officially a member of the band. Taylor played with the band for the stadium runs of the 1999 and 2000 summer tours. From May 18th, 2001 on, Taylor was a permanent fixture on stage, and in 2003 was no longer listed as "special guest". Even though he was never officially part of the lineup, the band recently announced that Butch was leaving the band via their website, and the 2008 summer tour had some of the first shows without Taylor in years. Rashawn Ross has performed at every normal show from 12.13.05 until the present, leading some to believe that he has joined the band, at least semi-permanently. It is also confirmed that Ross was in the studio with the band during the recent sessions. As of early 2009, Ross, long time collaborator Tim Reynolds, and new saxophonist Jeff Coffin are listed as "Touring Members".

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

Die Trying
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

To change the world,
It starts with one step
However small,
First step is hardest of all
Once you get to your gate
You will walk in tall
You said you never did,
Cause you might die trying

Cause you might die trying
Cause you

If you close your eyes
Cause the house is on fire
And think you couldn't move
Until the fire dies
The things you never did
Cause you might die trying

Cause you might die trying
We'll be as good as dead
Cause you might die trying
Cause you might die trying

If you give you begin to live
If you give you begin to live
You begin
You get the world

If you give, you begin to live
You get the world, you get the world
If you give, you being to live
But you might die trying

Oh, you might die trying
You might die trying
The things you never did
Cause you might die trying

You'll be as good as dead
You never did?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dave Matthews Band's song Die Trying are essentially about taking risks in life and striving to accomplish one's dreams despite the fear or uncertainty that might accompany them. The first stanza describes the difficulty of taking the first step towards achieving one's goals, but emphasizes that once that step is taken, it becomes easier to walk confidently towards success. However, the fear of failure or even death can deter a person from trying at all.

The chorus repeats "Cause you might die trying" to express the uncertainty that comes with any ambitious pursuit, but also underlines the importance of perseverance and taking risks despite the potential dangers. The second stanza introduces the imagery of a house being on fire, which represents a metaphorical crisis in life. The fear and panic will often paralyze a person and prevent them from taking action, but the lyrics encourage the listener to face the obstacle with courage and determination.

The bridge of the song expresses the idea that taking risks is essential for growth and living a fulfilling life, but it also acknowledges that there is always an element of danger involved. In the end, the chorus serves as a reminder to not let fear hold one back from pursuing their dreams and living life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

To change the world
The song speaks about the need and desire to create a positive effect on the world and suggesting it's achievable.

It starts with one step
It means that even small actions can lead to significant change or impact if taken in the right direction.

However small
Here, the singer emphasizes that any step towards a goal, irrespective of it's size or value, could lead to life-changing impacts.

First step is hardest of all
The beginning of any journey or goal is always the hardest part to overcome.

Once you get to your gate
Reaching the destination or goal gives confidence and boldness to the performer or the doer.

You will walk in tall
Success, even in small proportions or baby steps, gives the performer self-respect and encouragement.

You said you never did
The songwriter is telling the listener that they must overcome their fears of failure and take a step into the unknown.

'Cause you might die trying
The singer is suggesting that the listener should not be afraid of failure, as not trying at all is equivalent to a dead-end.

If you close your eyes
The singer suggests that at times, people don't like to see the danger or fear, which leads them to close their eyes.

'Cause the house is on fire
The house on fire indicates a significant danger or challenge, which might not be visible at first.

And think you couldn't move
Here, the singer indicates that fear of failure and risk could stop the listener from taking any action at all.

Until the fire dies
Waiting is not a solution if there is a significant danger or challenge to overcome, and the danger itself might evaporate only when it is eliminated with some courage and effort.

We'll be as good as dead
The singer warns that if we don't act, we might lose our lives or the opportunity to succeed, which is equivalent to being dead.

If you give, you begin to live
The word 'give' can refer to several things, but in the context of the song, it could refer to taking action or attempting something even with the risk of failure, which indicates an attempt to live.

You begin
Taking action or attempting something gives you an identity, initiative, and a purpose in life.

You get the world
Success, even in small measures, gives you the world of opportunities and self-discovery.

But you might die trying
The singer reiterates that taking actions involves risk and might lead to fruitless results. But it still beats a life of not trying since it shows initiative and courage to face the challenge head-on.

Oh, you might die trying
The singer repeats the same point, emphasizing the risk and possible outcomes of taking action, but they ultimately suggest that it is always worth the effort.

The things you never did
The song suggests that having regrets about not taking action, even in the face of risks, is worse than failing to achieve a goal.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARTER A BEAUFORD, STEFAN K LESSARD, DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS, LEROI MOORE, BOYD C TINSLEY, MARK CHRISTOPHER BATSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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