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
Seek Up
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fall back again, fall back again,
Fall back again, fall back again
Oh, life it seems a struggle between
What we think what we see
I'm not going to change my ways
Just to please you or appease you
Willing to punch it out
Right, wrong, weak, strong
Ashes to ashes all fall down
Look around about this round
About this merry-go-round around
If at all God's gaze upon us fall
His mischievous grin, look at him
Forget about the reasons and
The treasons we are seeking
Forget about the notion that
Our emotions can be swept away
Forget about being guilty,
We are innocent instead
For soon we will all find our lives swept away
Sit awhile with TV's hungry child
Big belly swelled
Oh, for a price of a coke or a smoke
Keep alive those hungry eyes
Take a look at me, what you see in me,
Mirror look at me
Face it all, face it all again
Forget about the reasons and
The treasons we are seeking
Forget about the notion that your emotions can be
Swept away, kept at bay
Forget about being guilty, I am innocent instead
For soon we will all find our lives swept away
You seek up an emotion
And our cup is overflowing
You seek up an emotion,
Sometimes your well is dry
You seek up a big monster
For him to fight your wars for you
But when he finds his way to you, the devil's not
Going--ha, ha
Say, say
Look at me in my fancy car
And my bank account
Oh, how I wish I could take it all down
Into my grave, I'd save
Take a look again, take a look again,
Take a look again
Everyday things change,...stay the same
Forget about the reasons and
The treasons we are seeking
Forget about the notion that
Your emotions can be swept away
Intentions are not wicked,
Don't be tricked into thinking so
Soon we will all find our lives swept away
You seek up an emotion
And our cup is overflowing
You seek up an emotion,
Sometimes your well is dry
You seek up a big monster
For him to fight your wars for you
But when he finds his way to you,
The devil's not going--ha, ha
Fall back again, fall back again, fall back again...
The lyrics to Dave Matthews Band's song "Seek Up" touch on various themes, including the struggle between what we perceive and what we think, the pressure to conform to society's expectations, the innocent ones who suffer due to the actions of others, and the fleeting nature of life. The song speaks of the tendency to forget about the reasons and emotions we chase after and instead aims to encourage listeners to acknowledge and understand the world around them better. Matthews advises against being swayed by appearances, recognizing and acknowledging one's motives, finding one's power, and remaining true to oneself.
The verses in the song evoke an image of a society caught up in its own expectations and deeds, ignoring the struggles of the vulnerable and innocent ones. The chorus, "You seek up an emotion, and our cup is overflowing," alludes to the emptiness that comes with pursuing material wealth and the instant gratification that accompanies it.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel like I'm falling
I feel like I'm losing control
Fall back again, fall back again, fall back again
I've experienced this feeling before and it keeps happening
Oh, life it seems a struggle between
What we think what we see
Our perception and reality are in conflict
I'm not going to change my ways
Just to please you or appease you
I won't compromise my values for others' expectations
Inside a crowd, five billion proud
Willing to punch it out
Right, wrong, weak, strong
Ashes to ashes all fall down
Despite our differences, we're all human and face the same fate
Look around about this round
About this merry-go-round around
If at all God's gaze upon us fall
His mischievous grin, look at him
Life is like a cycle and we're always hoping for something better
Forget about the reasons and
The treasons we are seeking
Forget about the notion that
Our emotions can be swept away
Let go of past grievances and don't let your feelings overwhelm you
Forget about being guilty,
We are innocent instead
For soon we will all find our lives swept away
Don't be weighed down by guilt, since we all have limited time on earth
Sit awhile with TV's hungry child
Big belly swelled
Oh, for a price of a coke or a smoke
Keep alive those hungry eyes
Take a moment to empathize with those less fortunate
Take a look at me, what you see in me,
Mirror look at me
Face it all, face it all again
Reflect on your own shortcomings and try to improve
You seek up an emotion
And our cup is overflowing
You seek up an emotion,
Sometimes your well is dry
You seek up a big monster
For him to fight your wars for you
But when he finds his way to you,
The devil's not going--ha, ha
We turn to external sources for satisfaction, but they may not be the solution
Say, say
Look at me in my fancy car
And my bank account
Oh, how I wish I could take it all down
Into my grave, I'd save
Take a look again, take a look again,
Take a look again
Everyday things change,...stay the same
Material possessions don't bring lasting happiness and everything is temporary
Intentions are not wicked,
Don't be tricked into thinking so
Soon we will all find our lives swept away
People have good intentions, but circumstances may not allow them to follow through
Fall back again, fall back again, fall back again...
The cycle of life and emotions continues
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevinr.3542
So many people don't understand how amazing this band is. People are so quick to turn their nose up on them. Maybe because of Crash Into Me or Dave's image of something. But how can you deny this incredible musicianship, jamming, songwriting, etc.
I'm sure 99.9% of people who claim not to like Dave have never heard them really jam like this. It's powerful and you can't honestly say it isn't. these guys play real music, and they respect music.
This jam was sick. Amazing horn solos in the intro. Funky outtro jam. Tim knew to lay back for this one and let the others shine. Dave patiently let the intro grow into an amazing climax.
But The horns were so in sync, one would start their solo with the last riff the other played. Killer phrasing. If Miles Davis played that trumpet solo, people would have sh*t their pants. And I've listened to hundreds of hours of miles and love everything he did. But still, if he pulled off that solo people would have said it was one of the best he's played. These guys are good.
@chriscurrallo5700
well said! people who think DMB are lame have a very surface-level understanding of their songs.
@jzoria
the world is full of fools. fk them. don't worry about the fools.
@jmuduke99
The haters piss me off.
@henriquemitt8044
Really well said mate
@chipcollins1924
Mic Drop.
@Toamserippa
I like how Dave is always looking around himself like "holy shit these guys are amazing"
@writetovagelis1975
cause the are. All of them- He really appreciates his band
@bobpoulin8044
Seriously, Dave literally somehow assembled a "Super Group" right out of the gate.
@michelfroggy56
I was in my 30's, back in the 90's, when I fell upon DMB. A friend told me to watch and listen to this, he lent me the Central Park concert DVD. I was instantly hooked and have since seen them live a few times. One must see them live to truly appreciate the quality of musicians and timing this band has.