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
Sugar Will
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's raining
scary oh
so rage you again
your
on fire
i one decide to run out
oh they got off you did
sugar ain't poison
but sugar will kill you
it's too much of a good thing
maybe not so
i wasn't somebody
no hand out
i give you
i stare back and
gonna let you out
i wonder what you
all of sad you knew
sugar ain't poison
but sugar will kill you
too much of a good thing
maybe not so
you did what you thought was fitting baby
dreams about oh what is sunning you
oh baby
i hung up my package
never no never you knew
sugar ain't poison
but sugar will kill you
too much of a good thing
maybe not so sweet
The lyrics to "Sugar Will" by Dave Matthews Band are complex and layered with meaning. The song appears to be about the dangers of excess and the harm that too much of a good thing can cause. The title is a play on the phrase "sugar pill" used to describe a harmless or ineffective treatment.
The first verse is ambiguous but seems to describe a situation in which someone is on fire, perhaps in a literal sense, but more likely in a metaphorical one. The imagery suggests a chaotic scene with rain and fear. The refrain follows, with the warning that sugar isn't poison, but it can still be deadly. This line is repeated throughout the song and provides a central message.
The second verse suggests that the singer gave something to someone without expecting anything in return. They watched as the other person left and wonders what they knew. The third verse implies that the other person thought they were doing the right thing, but the singer has given up on them. They have hung up their package, suggesting they are done with this relationship.
Overall, the song seems to be a warning against excess, whether it be sugar, love, or any other form of indulgence. The lyrics suggest that too much of a good thing can be harmful, and sometimes it's best to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
every night stopping
Pausing every night to reflect on life
it's raining
The weather is gloomy and sad
scary oh so rage you again
Your anger is frightening and intense
your on fire
You are passionate and intense
i one decide to run out
I choose to leave the situation behind
oh they got off you did
You are free from their influence
wonder where you say you knew
Curious about your knowledge or experience
sugar ain't poison
Sugar is not inherently harmful
but sugar will kill you
Too much sugar can lead to health issues
it's too much of a good thing
Excess of something good can be detrimental
maybe not so
Contradicting the last statement
i wasn't somebody
I wasn't anyone special
no hand out
No one offered me help or support
i give you
Yet, I am generous to you
i stare back and
I am confident and unafraid
gonna let you out
I will allow you to leave, if you need to
i wonder what you
I am curious about you and your life
all of sad you knew
Aware of the sadness you have experienced
you did what you thought was fitting baby
You made choices that seemed right to you
dreams about oh what is sunning you
Wondering what your dreams and aspirations are
oh baby
Expressing affection towards someone
i hung up my package
I left something behind, moving on
never no never you knew
You never knew for sure
too much of a good thing
Repeating the need for balance
maybe not so sweet
Sweetness can be deceiving
Contributed by Lucy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AlecBridges
This song is too good to not be on a studio album!
@dude4173
The way TR comes in at 4:00 and changes the feel of the song is so great. Love how he brings it some ‘toughness’.
@downriverprod
Keep this one around please. Love the unreleased 2004-2006 tunes
@NicoleMiller-ys2cf
Every version of Sugar Will is always incredible.
@samanthapinkerton149
Thank you Dave Matthews band for all the great music you play. Your the greatest of all time. XO ❤️❤️ Samantha
@eugener.colvinii7741
Man they kicked ass on that one, that's one of his best versions of that song!
@wateronmars-bz4yc
Best lyrics...truly feels complete
@concertvids34
Love this song!
@AndiMarie
Love you DMB 💜💜💜💯
@Kingdomplains
Holy shit this song is so old/beloved but they're just so good that they just revamped it, like on the fly. Love it. Thank the gods we live during the time of DMB <3