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
Louisiana Bayou
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two young boys lyindead by the side of the road
And the coins in their eyes represent the money they owe
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
Louisiana bayou
Sweet girl, daddy done beat that girl like he's insane
Brother can't watch him beat that girl down again
So late one night cookin' up with a couple of friends
Swears his daddy never gonna see another day
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) bring down a saint
No, no, mama, the devil done do-si-do
See two young boys lying dead by side of the road
Shame shame
Oh its a shame to lose your way running wild
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines (shame shame)
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh it's a shame to lose your
Money on the bed, but you ain't got to go
Sold your soul just tryin to get over low
No empty pocket gonna keep you from gettin yours
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou)
No, no, mama, trying devil done do-si-do
Two young boys lying dead by the side of the road
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to get with the pain
See there's nowhere to go
Louisiana bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Troubles do it again
Same old sold story again (Louisiana bayou)
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the aine
Oh it's a shame to lose your way running wild (same old story again)
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh (same old story again) it's a shame to lose your?
Down by the bayou
Louisiana bayou?
Louisiana bayou?
The lyrics to Dave Matthews Band's song "Louisiana Bayou" tell the stories of three different individuals who are trying to find their way in life but become trapped in a cycle of poverty, addiction, and violence. The chorus of "trying to play with the caine" is a reference to cocaine use as a means to escape their troubles. In the first verse, we hear of two boys who have been killed and left by the side of the road with coins covering their eyes. These coins are symbolic of their debt and how they were unable to pay it off, leading them to a violent end. The second verse tells the story of a girl who is being beaten by her father, and her brother takes matters into his own hands by killing their father. The final verse speaks of someone who has sold their soul and lost their way, but is still determined to succeed despite their empty pockets.
The song is a commentary on the injustices and struggles faced by those living in poverty and their struggle to escape the cycle of violence and addiction. The imagery of the Louisiana bayou serves as a backdrop to the stories and creates a sense of isolation and hopelessness. The repeated line of "same old story again" drives home the idea that these issues are not unique, but rather a tragic pattern that repeats itself over and over.
Line by Line Meaning
No, no, mama, now devil done do-si-do
The situation is dire and irreversible.
Two young boys lyindead by the side of the road
The tragic deaths of innocent young boys have occurred.
And the coins in their eyes represent the money they owe
The boys were in debt, and their debt has tragically led to their deaths.
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
There will be no punishment or justice for the wrongs committed that led to the boys' deaths.
Trying to play with the caine
Recklessly engaging with dangerous elements.
Same old story again
Repeating the same mistakes that have led to tragedy in the past.
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Setting of tragedy and heartbreak.
Sweet girl, daddy done beat that girl like he's insane
A girl has suffered physical abuse at the hands of her father.
Brother can't watch him beat that girl down again
The girl's brother is helpless to stop the abuse from occurring again.
So late one night cookin' up with a couple of friends
The brother and his friends plan a way to stop the abuse once and for all.
Swears his daddy never gonna see another day
The brother and his friends have decided to take extreme measures to protect the girl from future abuse.
Money on the bed, but you ain't got to go
There is an opportunity to escape poverty, but it comes at a great cost.
Sold your soul just tryin to get over low
The cost of trying to escape poverty is sacrificing one's morals and self-respect.
No empty pocket gonna keep you from gettin yours
Poverty does not have to be a permanent condition, and success can be achieved despite financial difficulties.
Oh its a shame to lose your way running wild
It is sad to see young people lose their way in life and make reckless decisions that lead to tragedy.
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines (shame shame)
It is tragic to see people lose their innocence and hope for a brighter future.
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
It is especially heartbreaking to see young people lose their way and succumb to negative influences.
Louisiana bayou
A place where dark and tragic events often occur, and where people struggle to overcome poverty and injustice.
Trying to get with the pain
Engaging in behaviors that are self-destructive and harmful.
Troubles do it again
Repeating the same mistakes and facing the same challenges.
(Louisiana bayou) bring down a saint
Even good and innocent people can be destroyed by the harsh realities of life in the bayou.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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