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
Lying In the Hands of God
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gladly I'll do your business
For just a taste of what you're holding
For just a taste you could only, mean
Save your summers
For someone that's afraid to love
I'll be right here
Here it comes diving into to me
Now the floor is the ceiling
If you never flew why would you?
Cut the wings off a butterfly, fly
Save your summers
For someone that's afraid to
Love you knew what I feel
Then you couldn't be so sure
I'll be right here
Lying in the hands of god.
Few feel angels in your head
Tears drop
Of Joy runs down your face
You will rise.
Feeling me up now drink me
Skin begins to grow back slowly
Faster into until I'm chocking
Rinse for my mother.
Save your summers
For someone that's afraid to
Love you knew what I feel
Then you couldn't be so sure
I'll be right here
Lying in the hands of god.
I am in love with my fingers
Tear drops runs joy off my face
I will rise
For someone that's afraid to
Love you knew what I feel
Then you couldn't be so sure
I'll be right here
Lying in the hands of god.
Now the floor is the ceiling
If you never flew why would you?
Why would you?
In this song, Dave Matthews sings about surrendering himself to a higher power. The opening verses describe his willingness to serve this higher power, for just a taste of what it holds. The chorus speaks of his confidence in being in the hands of God and the bridge of the song describes the indescribable experience of feeling angels in your head and tears of joy.
Matthews sings about the need to let go of fears, specifically the fear of love. He is confident in being in God's hands and encourages listeners to do the same. The stanza "Save your summers/ For someone that's afraid to love/ You knew what I feel/ Then you couldn't be so sure" speaks to the idea that one shouldn't waste time on someone who isn't willing to fully experience love. Matthews encourages his listeners to embrace their feelings and take risks.
The bridge, "Feeling me up now drink me/ Skin begins to grow back slowly/ Faster into until I'm chocking/ Rinse for my mother" seems to be a metaphor for a deeper spiritual experience. The lyrics speak to the feeling of being consumed by a force greater than oneself and the physical, emotional and spiritual sensations that comes with it.
Overall, Lying in the Hands of God is a song encouraging listeners to let go of fears, trust in a higher power and embrace the full range of emotions that life has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'll be your solider
I am willing to fight for you
Gladly I'll do your business
I will do anything for you
For just a taste of what you're holding
I want to have a little of what you have
For just a taste you could only, mean
A little of what you have is very significant to me
Save your summers
Don't waste your time
For someone that's afraid to love
Save your time for someone who is not afraid to love
I'll be right here
I'll be waiting for you
Lying in the hands of god
I'm completely surrendered to a higher power
Here it comes diving into to me
I can feel it coming straight at me
Now the floor is the ceiling
Everything is turned upside down
If you never flew why would you?
Why would you cut yourself short?
Cut the wings off a butterfly, fly
Remove the obstacles and fly free
Love you knew what I feel
You understand my feelings
Then you couldn't be so sure
You are not totally confident
Few feel angels in your head
Few people experience divine influence
Tears drop
Crying
Of Joy runs down your face
I feel a sense of happiness overflow
You will rise.
I will flourish and overcome
Feeling me up now drink me
I am becoming intoxicated by you
Skin begins to grow back slowly
I am becoming whole again
Faster into until I'm chocking
It's overwhelming me, and I can't handle it
Rinse for my mother
I want to cleanse myself
I am in love with my fingers
I love myself
Tear drops runs joy off my face
I am happy and crying at the same time
Now the floor is the ceiling
Everything is turned upside down
If you never flew why would you?
Why would you cut yourself short?
Why would you?
Don't limit yourself
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOYD C. TINSLEY, CARTER A. BEAUFORD, DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS, LEROI H. MOORE, STEFAN K. LESSARD, TIM REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Holly Bischoff
Thank GOD for the DAVE MATTHEWS BAND!!!!!!
Nynee Gardner
I am SO loving this version! Loving the 'She says" jam outro!! Wow! Buddy is crushing it on keys!
Zach Galante
American baby
Alexander Nibley
You need to experience this song live at the gorge. Insurmountable feeling in the emotion dave omits. I love LITHOG.
hotman718
One of there best songs. Drum work is so good.
Marquise
Agreed!!
Jimmy Walker
Such an amazing song!
Goethe Gómez
Yo también doy gracias a Dios por haber descubierto a esta banda. Son fenomenales, auténticos, son unos DIOSES!
Catherine
One of my most favorite DMB tunes. When Dave lands the primal screams at the end.... Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn, Son!
Legally_ElleCee
American Baby Intro for the win! The primal scream is amazing