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
Last Stop
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moon is high above
Fire grows from the east
How is this
Hate so deep
Lead us all so blindly killing killing
Fools we are
If hate's the gate to peace
For raining tears
War
The only way to peace
I don't fall for that
Raining tears
You're righteous, so righteous
You're always so right
Go ahead and dream
Go ahead believe that you are the chosen one
Raining tears
Oh no
Gracious even God
Bloodied the cross
Your sins are washed enough
Mother's cry
"Is hate so deep
Must a baby's bones
This hungry fire feed?"
As smoke clouds roll in
The symphony of death
This is the last stop
Scream
Right is wrong now
Shut up you big lie
This black and white lie
You comb your hair to hide
Your lying eyes
You're righteous, so righteous
You're always so right
But why your lie
Go ahead and dream
Go ahead believe that you are the chosen one
This is the last stop
Here there's more than is showing up
Hope that we can break it down
It's not so black and white
You're righteous
You're righteous
You're righteous
You're always so right
There you are nailing a good tree
Then say forgive me, forgive me
Why
Raining tears
This is the last stop
Here there is more than is showing up
Hope that we can break it down
It's not so black and white
The Dave Matthews Band's "Last Stop" is a song that seeks to expose the destructive nature of hate and the devastation that it can cause. The lyrics suggest that even though it may seem like war and violence is the only solution to bring about peace, it is a flawed belief that only perpetuates more bloodshed and pain. The song starts by highlighting the contrast between the peaceful moon and the destructive fire that is raging on. The flames are growing closer to the people, but they are blindly following their leaders who are filled with hate and are leading them down a path of destruction.
The lyrics also bring to light the idea that hate is often justified by righteousness, and people consider themselves to be the chosen ones who are on a divine mission. However, this righteousness is nothing but a facade that people put on to hide their lies and deceit. The song speaks to the futility of war and the illusion of righteousness, highlighting the fact that it ultimately leads to more suffering, violence, and tears. It also speaks of hope that can be found by breaking down the barriers to expose what lies beneath, which is often not as black and white as it seems.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire the sun is well asleep
The sun has gone down and it is now nighttime
Moon is high above
The moon is visible in the night sky
Fire grows from the east
The sun will rise in the east in the morning
How is this
Wondering about the current state of the world
Hate so deep
Hatred runs deep in society
Lead us all so blindly killing killing
People are being led to blindly kill others as a result of deep hatred
Fools we are
People are foolish for allowing hatred to lead to violence
If hate's the gate to peace
If the only way to achieve peace is through hatred, then we are at the end of the road
This is the last stop
We've reached the end of the line, something has to change
For raining tears
The tears of those affected by violence have become too much to bear
War
War is the current state of affairs
The only way to peace
Currently, there is no other way to achieve peace
I don't fall for that
Not buying into the idea that war is the only option
You're righteous, so righteous
Those who participate in violence believe they are in the right
You're always so right
They are so convinced of their righteousness that they cannot see any other options or perspectives
Go ahead and dream
Encouraging others to believe in a better future
Go ahead believe that you are the chosen one
Encouraging others to believe that they have the power to make positive change
Oh no
Expressing despair about the current state of affairs
Gracious even God
Even God is merciful, despite humanity's violence
Bloodied the cross
Jesus was killed on the cross due to humanity's violence
Your sins are washed enough
God's mercy can cleanse humanity's sins
Mother's cry
The pain and grief of mothers who have lost children to violence
"Is hate so deep
Questioning the deep-seated hatred that drives violence
Must a baby's bones
Expressing the horror of atrocities committed against innocent children
This hungry fire feed?"
Asking whether this cycle of violence and hatred must continue to feed on innocent lives
As smoke clouds roll in
Visual description of the aftermath of violence
The symphony of death
Describing the horrific and deadly nature of violence
Scream
Urging people to recognize the horrors of violence and demand change
Right is wrong now
The current state of affairs is the opposite of what is right
Shut up you big lie
Addressing those who promote violence and hatred
This black and white lie
The idea that there are only two sides - right and wrong - is a lie
You comb your hair to hide
People try to present themselves as respectable and hiding their true intentions
Your lying eyes
People's actions betray their true intentions
Here there's more than is showing up
There are hidden complexities to the current state of affairs that are not immediately obvious
Hope that we can break it down
Expressing hope that these complexities can be understood and addressed
It's not so black and white
There are more than two sides to the issue
There you are nailing a good tree
An allusion to the crucifixion, suggesting that people are actively participating in violence and destruction
Then say forgive me, forgive me
People may ask for forgiveness, but continue to perpetrate violence
Why
Questioning why violence and hatred are so prevalent
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS, STEFAN K. LESSARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind