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
Sweet Up and Down
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There it is it's only your mind
But can it ?
Don't you hurt
It's all coming right here
The sweet up and down
Tickle in your throat
Things you know quite well
I know what's gone wrong
Needles in my legs keep me raw
The sweet up and down
I believe in love
But think nothing about it
When you're not around
I believe in love
Think it's just so fine
Sweet up and down
?
Got two words to make up the wall
God's the selling point
And the great inventor of course of
The sweet up and down
I believe in love
But believe that it's love
That keeps beating me down
I believe in love
I think it's just fine
The sweet up and down
Leaves me
I know my place
I made my money selling
God's the selling point
And the great inventor of course of
The sweet up and down
I believe in love
But think nothing about it
When it's not around
I believe in love
I think it's just fine
Oh the sweet up and down
I believe in love
And think nothing about it
When you're not around
I believe in love
I think it's just fine
Oh sweet up and down
The lyrics of "Sweet Up and Down" by Dave Matthews Band are full of complexity and depth, as they explore the concept of love and its impact on a person's life. The song begins with the singer talking on the phone, emphasizing that everything that is happening is just in their mind. However, they realize that the ups and downs of love cannot be ignored, and it hurts. In the chorus, the singer expresses their faith in the concept of love, even though they do not know what to think about it. The sweet up and down refers to the unpredictability of love, and how it keeps a person on their toes.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges their limitations in the face of love. They confess that they know what is going wrong, but they are still hurting. The certainty of the oxymoron in the lyrics is what captures the essence of love. The singer believes in love, but also feels that it is the same love that keeps beating them down. They know their place, and they are selling it, but the sweet up and down of love always manages to keep them hooked. The idea of God and the great inventor further highlights the complexity of the situation, as even the highest being cannot come up with a solution to the unpredictable nature of love.
Overall, the song speaks to the powerful and often tumultuous nature of love. Despite the ups and downs, the singer still has faith in the concept and finds the sweet moments worth holding onto.
Line by Line Meaning
We talk on the phone
We communicate through the phone and have conversations.
There it is it's only your mind
It is just a figment of your imagination.
But can it ?
Does it really matter?
Don't you hurt
Please don't cause any emotional pain.
It's all coming right here
Everything is happening right in this moment.
The sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
Tickle in your throat
A sensation in one's throat that can cause coughing.
Things you know quite well
You are aware of these things and understand them well.
You're a joke
You are not to be taken seriously.
I know what's gone wrong
I understand what has gone awry.
Needles in my legs keep me raw
A feeling of sensitivity caused by needles in one's legs.
The sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
But think nothing about it
I don't dwell on it too much.
When you're not around
When you are not in my presence.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
Think it's just so fine
I think it is great.
Sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
?
Unknown or not applicable.
Got two words to make up the wall
I have only two words to say, but they are important enough to create a barrier.
God's the selling point
God is what is being sold.
And the great inventor of course of
He is the one who created it all.
The sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
But believe that it's love
I have faith that it truly is love.
That keeps beating me down
It keeps bringing me low.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
I think it's just fine
I think it is great.
The sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
Leaves me
Makes me feel.
I know my place
I understand where I stand.
I made my money selling
My source of income comes from selling something.
God's the selling point
God is the central theme being sold.
And the great inventor of course of
He is the one who created it all.
The sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
But think nothing about it
I don't dwell on it too much.
When it's not around
When love is not present.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
I think it's just fine
I think it is great.
Oh the sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
And think nothing about it
I don't dwell on it too much.
When you're not around
When you are not in my presence.
I believe in love
I have faith in love and its power.
I think it's just fine
I think it is great.
Oh sweet up and down
The highs and lows of life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alawicous
Dave's smirk as Carter rips the double bass pedals at 0:22 is priceless!
Dave
I think Dave is laughing a bit at himself for about to go into the vocal riff one measure early. and he catches himself.
Cory W
As a drummer, I started cracking up hysterically as soon as I heard that fill.
Gabriel H
Wish this song would come around again...
rschneider77
Carter destroys the drum kit on this track! i love it!
Mary Ann Reed
I love this song. This was the only time I saw it played live. I jumped for joy. "I believe in love."
filmtress
Love that footage at the end. Looks like a 'sketch' drawing. How cool is that?!
LastopNY
love, love, love this song! Can't wait for summer!
coombse1
God I miss this song....
Bridget Meghan
Thanks again for another great video! I really cannot wait for Hartford and the 2013 Summer tour!