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
Everybody Wake Up
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you're living with your eyes closed
See the man with the bomb in his hand
Everybody wake up
Oh baby it's not easy sometimes
They build these walls ever higher and hide behind them
Seems an odd way to make things right
Our finest hour arrives
See the pig dressed in his finest fine
The believers stand behind him and smile
Everybody wake up
If you're living with your eyes closed
See the man with the bomb in his hand
Everybody wake up
Remember the words of the misguided fool
Do unto others as you'd have them do
Not an eye for an eye as the golden rule
Just leaves a room full of blind men
Our finest hour arrives
See the pig dressed in his finest fine
The believers stand behind him and smile
As the day lights up with fire
Everybody wake up
If you're living with your eyes closed
See the man with the bomb in his hand
Everybody wake up
(repeat to fade)
The lyrics of Dave Matthews Band's song Everybody Wake Up urge listeners to pay attention to the world around them and to live with open eyes rather than living in ignorance or denial. The song portrays the world as a fragile place, on the brink of destruction, with a man carrying a bomb in his hand. The singer calls on everyone to wake up, and to see what is happening around them. The use of the words "living with your eyes closed" is a metaphor for those who choose to ignore the warnings and the signs that the world is at risk.
The lyrics also allude to the idea of politicians and leaders who hide behind walls to protect themselves from the chaos they create. The line "They build these walls ever higher and hide behind them," highlights the powerlessness of people who are not in positions of authority. Instead of taking responsibility and trying to prevent destruction, they hide from the world they have created. The lyrics further reinforce the irony and absurdity of this situation by describing the man with the bomb as "the pig dressed in his finest fine," and the believers as "stand[ing] behind him and smile[ing]."
Overall, the song Everybody Wake Up is a call to action to all listeners, emphasizing that the world needs active engagement in order to survive. It is a critique of powerful figures who choose to ignore responsibilities and hide from the world rather than take positive action. The song encourages people to overcome their apathy and instead live with open eyes and be aware of the fragile state of our world.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody wake up
The singer wants to encourage everyone to be fully aware of their surroundings.
If you're living with your eyes closed
If you are unaware of what is going on around you, you will miss important information.
See the man with the bomb in his hand
There are people with dangerous weapons out there, and they are not always easy to spot.
Oh baby it's not easy sometimes
The situation we face can be difficult to navigate and understand.
They build these walls ever higher and hide behind them
Some people create barriers and protect themselves rather than being open to others.
Seems an odd way to make things right
This approach does not seem effective or helpful in solving problems.
Oh I feel crazy sometimes
The singer is acknowledging that the situation can be confusing and overwhelming.
Our finest hour arrives
This is a pivotal moment that requires us to come together and act wisely to resolve a crisis.
See the pig dressed in his finest fine
A corrupt leader is presenting himself in a false manner to deceive people.
The believers stand behind him and smile
Unfortunately, some people are willing to blindly follow bad leaders.
Remember the words of the misguided fool
The singer is warning us to avoid taking advice from those who lack insight.
Do unto others as you'd have them do
We should treat others in the same way we would like to be treated ourselves.
Not an eye for an eye as the golden rule
The 'golden rule' is to seek peaceful solutions rather than responding with violence.
Just leaves a room full of blind men
Responding to violence with more violence only leads everyone to a state of blindness and pain.
As the day lights up with fire
This is a reference to the day of reckoning when we will face the consequences of our actions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOYD C. TINSLEY, CARTER A. BEAUFORD, DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS, LEROI H. MOORE, MARK CHRISTOPHER BATSON, STEFAN K. LESSARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind