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
JTR
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh when I'm dry and cold,
When I'm emptied out, down and my voice cries out,
Oh I hope your the only one that my words land on,
I play my cards, but it's by the grace of words that I play my cards at all
Come fill me up,
Oh fill me now 'cause i'm tired,
I feel emptied out.
Rain (*rain), rain (*rain),
**Rain down on me,
Again (*again) and again (*and again),
**Rain down on me.
You know, I believe, I see it now,
Oh, I see you standing there,
I can only swear like angels you came down,
To wake me up,
Oh, wake me now from a dreamless sleep, come on, wake me up,
Whatcha got give, got time to live, you know take it take it, any more time,
You got to give, you got wake yourself up, middle of the night,
Get up and sing, you're gonna save yourself (scat singing),
Rain (*rain), rain (*rain),
**Rain down on me,
Again (*again) and again (*and again),
**Rain down on me.
I see your smile,
Oh, but without hatred, where's the light,
Without the darkness, where's the love,
I see it now,
When I saw the devil and the lord both dancing arm in arm,
Whatcha got give, got time to live, you now take it take it,
Everything you give, you got to know my love's to give it
Right back, Give me more time, your love to forgive,
You must save yourself (scat singing)
Rain (*rain), rain (*rain),
**Rain down on me,
Again (*again) and again (*and again),
**Rain down on me.
Rain (*rain), rain (*rain),
**Rain down on me,
Again (*again) and again (*and again),
**Rain down on me.
* indicates The Lovely Ladies
** indicates both Dave and The Lovely Ladies
The song JTR by Dave Matthews Band is known for its haunting melody and powerful lyrics. The song is about someone who is feeling empty, cold and drained, and seeks to be filled up emotionally. The person is looking for something or someone to make them feel alive again. They believe in the power of words and how they allow them to play their cards to navigate life. The words they speak are the only thing that they hope will land on those that need to hear them. They yearn for the sky to rain down on them, which would allow for a sense of renewal. They want to be awakened from a deep sleep, to live life rather than just exist. Through the powerful chorus, the lyrics reveal how the singer sees lights in the dark, feels love in the midst of hate, and sees both good and evil dancing together. They advocate that it is essential to give, love and forgive in this lifetime.
JTR is not currently known to have a specific meaning beyond what fans have speculated. The song was named after James T. Riley, one of the band's close friends, who tragically died while the band was writing the track. The song features the female vocalists known as The Lovely Ladies, which adds an otherworldly depth to the already powerful melody. JTR has been played live numerous times since its release and has become a fan favorite.
Line by Line Meaning
Come fill me up,
I need you to help me feel complete and whole.
Oh when I'm dry and cold,
When I'm feeling lonely and lost, with nothing to offer.
When I'm emptied out, down and my voice cries out,
When I'm at my lowest and feel like I have nothing left to give.
Oh I hope your the only one that my words land on,
I hope that you are the only one who truly hears me and understands me.
I play my cards, but it's by the grace of words that I play my cards at all
I rely on my ability to communicate to get by in life.
Oh fill me now 'cause i'm tired,
I need your help to lift me up because I'm too exhausted to do it alone.
I feel emptied out.
I feel like I have nothing left to give and I am completely drained.
Rain (*rain), rain (*rain),
The sound of rain is comforting and soothing to me.
**Rain down on me,
I am seeking a sense of renewal and cleansing.
Again (*again) and again (*and again),
I need this sense of renewal and cleansing constantly.
You know, I believe, I see it now,
I have newfound clarity and understanding.
Oh, I see you standing there,
I recognize your presence and how important it is to me.
I can only swear like angels you came down,
I feel like you are a heavenly presence in my life.
To wake me up,
You have helped me snap out of a state of complacency or despair.
Oh, wake me now from a dreamless sleep, come on, wake me up,
I need your help to wake me up from a state of being unmotivated and uninspired.
Whatcha got give, got time to live, you know take it take it, any more time,
I am urging you to make the most of your life and seize every opportunity.
You got to give, you got wake yourself up, middle of the night,
You need to actively work towards your dreams, even if it means sacrificing time and sleep.
Get up and sing, you're gonna save yourself (scat singing),
Expressing yourself creatively can be empowering and transformative.
I see your smile,
I recognize the happiness and joy in your presence.
Oh, but without hatred, where's the light,
I believe that love is essential for finding happiness and meaning in life.
Without the darkness, where's the love,
Without experiencing pain or hardship, it's difficult to appreciate the good things in life.
I see it now,
I have a new perspective and understanding.
When I saw the devil and the lord both dancing arm in arm,
I am contemplating the coexistence of good and evil in the world.
Everything you give, you got to know my love's to give it
I believe in giving love freely and generously.
Right back, Give me more time, your love to forgive,
I am asking for more time to make amends or fix a strained relationship.
You must save yourself (scat singing)
Ultimately, you are responsible for your own happiness and wellbeing.
* indicates The Lovely Ladies
The asterisk indicates that this line is sung by The Lovely Ladies backup singers.
** indicates both Dave and The Lovely Ladies
The double asterisk indicates that both Dave and The Lovely Ladies sing this line together.
Contributed by Mia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.