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
Smooth Rider
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then your daddy caught me sneakin' out your bed
It's just a game I play
It's just I roll that way
Don't think, sweet baby, I'm messin' with your head
I'm a smooth rider, baby
You know I just keep movin' on
It's just that I'm in love with you
Hey if you see me out there runnin'
And you head those sirens comin'
Your daddy's crazy with that gun in his hand
If you know they're comin' for me
And you know they're runnin' for me
You know my love won't let them keep me away
I'm a smooth rider, baby
You know I just keep movin' on
Don't know why I like to carry on the way I do
It's just that I'm in love with you
You see me out there runnin'
And you hear the sirens comin'
Your daddy's crazy with that gun in his hand
If you know they're comin' for me
And you know they're runnin' for me
You know my love won't let them keep me away
I'm a smooth rider, baby
Oh I'm a smooth rider, baby
I'll be out there runnin'
"Smooth Rider" by Dave Matthews Band is a song that tells the story of a man who is in love with a woman and is willing to risk it all to be with her. The song describes his desire to fulfill his physical needs and how he sneaks out of her bed without being caught until he is eventually caught by her father. The singer tries to reassure the woman that he is not playing games with her and that he truly loves her. Despite the risk of being caught, the singer declares that he is a smooth rider who can't resist the woman's love, and he will do whatever it takes to be with her.
The song conveys a sense of recklessness and rebellion that is typical of a passionate love affair. The singer knows that he is risking everything by being with the woman, but he can't help himself. He goes against societal norms and rules for the sake of love. The lyrics suggest that the love between the two is strong and that they are willing to fight for it. The repeated phrase, "I'm a smooth rider," reinforces the idea that the singer is confident in his ability to navigate the dangers of their forbidden love.
Overall, "Smooth Rider" is a song that captures the intensity and excitement of a love that is unconventional and often frowned upon by society. The risks the singer takes to be with the woman he loves are a testament to the power of love and the lengths one will go to be with someone they truly care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night, no way, I was gonna be left hungry
I was not going to go hungry last night, no matter what.
And then your daddy caught me sneakin' out your bed
Your father caught me leaving your bed.
It's just a game I play
What I do is merely a game to me.
It's just I roll that way
I act the way I do, it's just my nature.
Don't think, sweet baby, I'm messin' with your head
Don't misunderstand my intentions, my dear. I am not playing games with your mind.
I'm a smooth rider, baby
I am a skilled and cunning individual, darling.
You know I just keep movin' on
I am constantly on the move, never staying in one place for too long.
Don't know why I like to carry on the way I do
I am uncertain as to why I continue to behave in the manner that I do.
It's just that I'm in love with you
The reason for my actions is because I am in love with you, my sweet.
Hey if you see me out there runnin'
If you happen to see me running around town,
And you head those sirens comin'
And you hear the sound of police sirens approaching,
Your daddy's crazy with that gun in his hand
Your father is a bit unhinged and may use his firearm inappropriately.
If you know they're comin' for me
If you have any knowledge of the authorities trying to arrest me,
And you know they're runnin' for me
And you are aware that the police are pursuing me,
You know my love won't let them keep me away
My love for you is so strong that even the law won't be able to keep me from being with you.
Oh I'm a smooth rider, baby
I am a suave and confident individual, my love.
I'll be out there runnin'
I will always be on the move, my dear.
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