Dave Matthews Band was formed in Charlottesville, VA in 1991 by South Afric… Read Full Bio ↴Dave Matthews Band was formed in Charlottesville, VA in 1991 by South African native singer and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, the late LeRoi Moore, who played a wide variety of instruments from the saxophone to the flute, violin player Boyd Tinsley, drummer Carter Beauford, and keyboardist Peter Griesar (who left the band in 1993), all of whom Dave met in Charlottesville. In 1998, the band played shows with keyboardist Butch Taylor, although he was not officially a member of the band. Taylor played with the band for the stadium runs of the 1999 and 2000 summer tours. From May 18th, 2001 on, Taylor was a permanent fixture on stage, and in 2003 was no longer listed as "special guest". Even though he was never officially part of the lineup, the band recently announced that Butch was leaving the band via their website, and the 2008 summer tour had some of the first shows without Taylor in years. Rashawn Ross has performed at every normal show from 12.13.05 until the present, leading some to believe that he has joined the band, at least semi-permanently. It is also confirmed that Ross was in the studio with the band during the recent sessions. As of early 2009, Ross, long time collaborator Tim Reynolds, and new saxophonist Jeff Coffin are listed as "Touring Members".

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

Rye Whiskey
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey I cryyyyyy-
If I don?t get Rye Whiskey, I surely will die-
If the ocean was Whiskey and I was a duck,
I?d swim to the bottom and never come up-
I?d swim to the bottom and never come up-

Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey I cryyyyy

If I don?t get Rye Whiskey, I surely will die!

I live on Clintch Mountain and Wander Alone,
As drunk as the Devil, so leave me alone
I?m as drunk as the Devil, so leave me alone-

Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey I cryyyyy
If I don?t get Rye Whiskey I surely will die!

I eat when I?m hungry and I drink when I?m dry and if that tree don?t fall on me-
I live til? I die!
If a tree don?t fall on me, I live til I die-

Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey I cryyyy
If I don?t get Rye Whiskey I surely will die
If I don?t get Rye Whiskey??..

I surely will die.

Overall Meaning

The Dave Matthews Band's song "Rye Whiskey" is a playful and upbeat tune that celebrates the joys of alcohol. The lyrics describe a man who is obsessed with rye whiskey, to the point where he feels that he will die if he doesn't get his fill. The first verse plays with the idea that if the ocean were whiskey, the singer would drown himself in it, suggesting that his passion for alcohol runs deep. The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's desperation for his beloved drink.

The second verse describes the singer as living on Clintch mountain, wandering alone and drunk as the devil. The repetition of the line "I'm as drunk as the devil, so leave me alone" highlights the singer's desire to drink without being interrupted or judged. The final verse is more optimistic, with the singer expressing his love of food and drink and his desire to live until he dies.

Overall, "Rye Whiskey" is a lighthearted and fun song that celebrates the pleasures of indulgence. Although it may be seen by some as a glorification of alcoholism, it can also be interpreted as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on our societal obsession with vices of all kinds.

Line by Line Meaning

Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey I cryyyyy
The singer is expressing an urgent desire for Rye Whiskey.

If I don?t get Rye Whiskey, I surely will die!
The singer believes that without Rye Whiskey, he will not be able to survive.

If the ocean was Whiskey and I was a duck,
The singer is imagining a scenario where the entire ocean is filled with Whiskey instead of water.

I?d swim to the bottom and never come up-
In this imaginary scenario, the singer would happily stay at the bottom of the ocean filled with Whiskey.

I?m as drunk as the Devil, so leave me alone-
The singer is very drunk and does not want to be disturbed by anyone.

I eat when I?m hungry and I drink when I?m dry
The singer has a simple approach to life and only eats when he's hungry and drinks when he's thirsty.

and if that tree don't fall on me-
The singer is acknowledging that death is a possibility, but he hopes to live a long life.

I live til? I die!
The singer plans to live his life to the fullest until the end.

If I don?t get Rye Whiskey I surely will die!
The singer repeats his belief that Rye Whiskey is essential to his survival.

If I don?t get Rye Whiskey??..
The singer trails off, perhaps hinting at the dire consequences that would follow if he doesn't get his beloved Rye Whiskey.

I surely will die.
The singer repeats his belief that he will die without Rye Whiskey.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Tex Morton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Sydney Snow

I absolutely knew this song had great potential for an absolutely stunning cover, and you my friend have done that. This is amazing, thank youuu, your voice is ABSOLUTELY stunning!!

Jeremy Begley

3y↑4

Love it ❤️🔥

Dani Adams

3y↑4

Dave I thank you this was a wonderful cover, seriously my favorite rendition. Sorry but may be even “BETTER” than the original. Heart felt, Im feeling you Dave.