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
The Best Of What's Around
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off of your mind
See, you and me
Have a better time than most can dream
And so can pull on through
Whatever tears at us
Whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around
Turns out not where but who you're with
That really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
When you're around
And if you hold on tight
To what you think is your thing
You may find you're missing all the rest
She ran up into the light surprised
Her arms are open
Her mind's eye is...
Seeing things from a
Better side than most can dream
On a better road I feel
So you could say she's safe
Whatever tears at her
Whatever holds her down
And if nothing can be done
She'll make the best of what's around
Turns out not where but what you think
That really matters
That really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
The Best of What's Around by Dave Matthews Band is a song about the importance of companionship and focusing on the positive aspects of life. The lyrics are directed toward a troubled friend who needs someone to talk to. The singer emphasizes that regardless of what is going on in their lives, the two of them have each other, and that is enough to make it through whatever struggles they may be facing. The central message of the song is that what really matters in life is not where you are, but who you are spending your time with. The singer is telling his friend to let go of their worries and to trust in the strength of their relationship.
The song also highlights the importance of embracing change and being adaptable. It encourages the listener to make the best of any situation, no matter how dire it may seem. Even if nothing can be done to improve the situation, the singer suggests that we can still find something positive to focus on. The overall tone of the song is optimistic and hopeful, with a focus on finding joy and contentment in simple pleasures.
Overall, The Best of What's Around is a beautiful and inspiring song that reminds us to cherish the people in our lives and to always look for the silver lining. It is a testament to the power of positive thinking and the importance of remaining hopeful in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, my friend
The singer is addressing their friend and opening up a conversation.
It seems your eyes are troubled
The singer notices that their friend is upset and wants to help.
Care to share your time with me
The singer is offering their time and support to their friend who seems troubled.
Would you say you're feeling low and so
The artist is asking if their friend is feeling down or depressed.
A good idea would be to get it off of your mind
The artist suggests that their friend talk about their problems to help relieve their troubled mind.
See, you and me
The singer is acknowledging their connection with their friend.
Have a better time than most can dream
The singer and their friend have a great friendship that many people wish they could have.
Have it better than the best
Their friendship is even better than what many people consider the best.
And so can pull on through
The strength of their friendship can help them overcome any troubles they face.
Whatever tears at us
The artist and their friend face challenges and problems in their lives.
Whatever holds us down
There are things that can weigh them down and make them feel depressed or overwhelmed.
And if nothing can be done
If there is no solution to a problem, they will still make the best of the situation.
We'll make the best of what's around
The singer and their friend will try to find the good in any situation.
Turns out not where but who you're with
The singer realizes that the people you surround yourself with are more important than where you are.
That really matters
The people you surround yourself with can significantly impact your happiness and well-being.
And hurts not much when you're around
When you're around the right people, their company can help ease pain and hurt.
And if you hold on tight
The artist advises their friend to hold on to what they believe in.
To what you think is your thing
Hold on to what you're passionate about and what defines you.
You may find you're missing all the rest
If you only focus on one thing, you may miss out on other opportunities or experiences in life.
She ran up into the light surprised
The artist is now talking about someone else who has had a revelation.
Her arms are open
This person is now receptive to new experiences and opportunities.
Her mind's eye is...
This person's perspective has changed.
Seeing things from a better side than most can dream
This person's outlook on life has improved and they see the good in things more than most people do.
On a better road I feel
This person is now on a more positive path in life.
So you could say she's safe
This person feels secure and content.
Whatever tears at her
This person also faces struggles and challenges in their life.
Whatever holds her down
There are things that can make this person feel overwhelmed or depressed.
And if nothing can be done
If there is no solution to a problem, this person will still try to find the good in the situation.
She'll make the best of what's around
This person will make the most out of their life and focus on the good.
Turns out not where but what you think
It's not always about your physical surroundings, but rather your mindset and perspective on things.
That really matters
Your mindset and perspective can greatly affect your overall happiness and well-being.
And hurts not much when you're around
When you're surrounded by the right people, they can help ease any hurt or pain you may experience.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anewsongpsalm333
… Hey, my friend, it seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me?
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off your mind?
… See you and me have a better time than most can dream of
Have it better than the best, so can we pull on through
Whatever tears at us, whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around
… Turns out not where but who you're with that really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around, when you're around
… And if you hold on tight to what you think is your thing
You may find you're missing all the rest
She ran up into the light, surprised
Her arms are open, her mind's eye is
… Seeing things from a better side than most can dream of
On a clearer road I feel, oh, you could say she's safe
Whatever tears at her, whatever holds her down
And if nothing can be done
She'll make the best of what's around
… Turns out not where but what you think that really matters
That really matters, that really matters, that really matters, yeah
… See you and me, have a better time than most can dream of
Have it better than the best, so can we pull on through
Whatever tears at us, whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around
… Turns out not where, but who you're with that really matters
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
When you're around, hey-la-la
… we'll make the best of what's around
(Huh-huh, hey-la, hey-la)
(Huh-huh, hey-la-la-la) the best of what's around
… girl you're the same
(Huh-huh, hey-la) oh, you're the best of what's around
(Huh-huh, hey-la) when you travel this corner, gon' tell you
(Huh-huh, hey-la) blow there, yes you know
(Huh-huh, hey-la) oh that you're the best of what's around, yeah
… Thank you very very much
Is everybody having a pleasant evening so far?
Here's another couple of old songs, couple of old songs
@letsexperienceearth3034
Phish fan here to unapologetically say that I also freakin' love Dave Matthews Band
@DanClancyPatterson98
Phish Phan here as well! Both bands are so good! DMB is actually one connection closer to Jerry than Phish is. DMB opened for the Dead in May of ‘95 and Carter even sat in on Drumz
@SteveStephens9
Did phish and dmb at alpine this year. Very fun summer
@nicholasmoore7659
Huge Prince and Phish fan here also loving some DMB.
@RosePorto
I never get tired of listening this band.
This is the Best of what's around!!
@kensonsounds
+Rose Porto The Best of What's EVER Been Around! With ya!
@leadpersuasion
Indeed, DMB never gets old!
@PriestessOfNothing
Before Dave Matthews, I never imagined the words "oh oh hey la" would be so joyful, liberating and healing. Thank you for everything you've done for me, Dave 🫶🏼
@justinrowley7334
Pay attention to Tim Reynolds shirt.
@umqnaumexiste
After a bad depression period (one year and a half) I'm finally better, so I thought: what is the best way to celebrate life?... Just bought a plane ticket from São Paulo to Berlin... see you in October 27th!