Why I Am
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
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Then I crushed 15 million with a wave of my hand.
I grew drunk on water turned into wine,
'Till I was slave and master at the same damn time.
It's why I am.
It's why I am.
Why I am, still here dancing with the GrooGrux King.
Out of my head and into the room hello.
A king of men, it makes no sense.
Oh and I bow to the Priest, while I worship the Witch.
But it's why I am,
Always the only one to make you smile.
Why I am, I'm still a snake in the wood pile.
It's why I am, still here dancing with the GrooGrux King
Out of my head and into the room.
So when my ghost takes me from you.
You can remember the fool that I am.
Don't cry baby,
Don't cry.
It's the lose and the win of the world.
Wrong and right,
Us and them of the world.
It's the you and the me of the world.
But, Only one way out of the world.
It's the lose and the win of the world.
Wrong and right,
Us and them of the world.
It's the you and the me of the world.
Only one way out of the world.
It's why I am, unlikely to agree.
It's why I am, climbin' out of my monkey tree.
Why I am, still here dancing with the GrooGrux King.
We'll be drinking Big Whiskey while we dance and sing.
And when my story ends it's gonna end with him.
Heaven or hell I'm going there with the GrooGrux King.
Why I am, the apple of your pretty eye.
Why I am, a snake in the wood pile.
Why I am, still here dancing with the GrooGrux King.
Out of my head and into the room.
So when my ghost takes me from you.
You can remember the fool that I am.
Don't cry baby,
Don't cry.
The lyrics in Dave Matthews Band's song Why I Am seem to be an interesting mix of self-reflection, religious allusions, and references to the passing of time. The opening lines, "I grew from monkey into man, then I crushed 15 million with a wave of my hand," suggests a progression from evolution to destruction. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human way of dominating and destroying the planet. The following lines about growing "drunk on water turned into wine" and becoming "slave and master at the same damn time" could be interpreted as a reference to religious beliefs and how humans have the power to create or destroy.
The chorus, "It's why I am, still here dancing with the GrooGrux King," seems to tie everything together, suggesting that the themes of evolution, destruction, religion, and power are all part of the human experience, and that we are all dancing with the "GrooGrux King", who could be a symbol for death or the unknown.
The rest of the lyrics expand upon the themes of self-reflection, accepting one's flaws, and the duality of the world. The lyrics suggest that we are all "the lose and the win of the world," "wrong and right," and "us and them." However, despite our flaws and differences, we are all connected and heading towards the same destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew from monkey into man,
I evolved from primitive origins into a more advanced being.
Then I crushed 15 million with a wave of my hand.
I wielded great power and caused significant destruction.
I grew drunk on water turned into wine,
I indulged in pleasures and excesses, sometimes blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
'Till I was slave and master at the same damn time.
I experienced moments of both control and subjugation, sometimes simultaneously.
It's why I am.
These experiences and characteristics define who I am as a person.
Why I am, still here dancing with the GrooGrux King.
Despite the ups and downs of life, I find joy in dancing and celebrating with those close to me.
Out of my head and into the room hello.
I transition from my inner thoughts and imaginings to engaging with the outside world and people around me.
A king of men, it makes no sense.
I am a leader among my peers, but often struggle to understand the world and my place in it.
Oh and I bow to the Priest, while I worship the Witch.
I respect and honor traditional structures and authority, while also embracing the unconventional and mysterious.
Always the only one to make you smile.
I take pride in my ability to bring joy and happiness to others.
I'm still a snake in the wood pile.
Despite my positive qualities, there may still be aspects of my character that are harmful or untrustworthy.
So when my ghost takes me from you. You can remember the fool that I am.
Even after I am gone, I hope to be remembered for who I really was, flaws and all.
It's the lose and the win of the world. Wrong and right, Us and them of the world. It's the you and the me of the world. But, Only one way out of the world.
Life is filled with dichotomies and divisions, but ultimately we all share a common fate.
It's why I am, unlikely to agree.
I tend to be independent and unafraid to hold my own opinions, even if they differ from others.
It's why I am, climbin' out of my monkey tree.
I am constantly striving to evolve and improve myself, even if it means abandoning my more primitive tendencies.
We'll be drinking Big Whiskey while we dance and sing. And when my story ends it's gonna end with him. Heaven or hell I'm going there with the GrooGrux King.
I plan to continue enjoying life with my loved ones, and ultimately face my fate with bravery and loyalty.
Why I am, the apple of your pretty eye.
I am viewed fondly and with affection by someone important to me.
Why I am, a snake in the wood pile.
Despite my positive qualities, there may still be aspects of my character that are harmful or untrustworthy.
Why I am, still here dancing with the GrooGrux King.
Despite the ups and downs of life, I find joy in dancing and celebrating with those close to me.
Out of my head and into the room. So when my ghost takes me from you. You can remember the fool that I am. Don't cry baby, Don't cry.
I want to be remembered for who I truly was, including my flaws and mistakes.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOYD C. TINSLEY, CARTER A. BEAUFORD, DAVID JOHN MATTHEWS, LEROI H. MOORE, STEFAN K. LESSARD, TIM REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan Howell
Tim Reynolds has to be one of the most underrated guitar players of all time.
Jeffrey Morris
@Lois Heichberger Dave's chords and the way he structured things is insane! Even heard Carter in an interview say he had a hard time understanding to play along with what Dave was doing at first.
Lois Heichberger
I agree, Tim Reynolds is right up there with all my favorite talents on guitar. Dave is not too bad himself on a few songs, to his singing is the story I want from him..Live version of Some Devil from Radio City Music Hall concert right into Two-Step w/ Tim. Phenomenal. Never but never, EVER, get tired of these two musicians playing those 2 songs side by side..and clearly happy with where the music went that night(2012). What a performance ...
Kurt Hill
I believe the drummer is as well!
kgrlsd
One of the best bands you’ll ever see
eric alexander
No other band can even compare to thees instrumentals. So many different instruments. Crazy how they make them all sound complete together.
Alex 1
Carter is an amazing drummer. The whole band is amazing.
jcampos8782
I get chills every time 2:09-2:39 ... especially when they hit that low E at 2:23.
CappsJD
Why
Bobby Burseth
Same here