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
Write a Song
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For when the moon’s so big it looks close enough to touch the sky
When the song don’t play and the moon won’t shine, lonely little moon
I got a little thing that will get you by just a little while
When you turn it on
It’s gonna blow your mind
Head over heels, you go
Dance and sing
Swing, baby, swing
You, my queen
You swing like a demolition ball
Break them walls down
You’re floating across the floor
And when you get to the end
You want to start up the beginning again
I want to write a song that will get you high
I want to find the words that will make everything feel alright now
So in another world, in another time, in another lonely little moon
I’ll be the kind of man that will do you right, right by you
When you turn it on
It’s gonna blow your mind
Head over heels, you go
Look at you, look at you fly
Dance and sing
Swing, baby, swing
You, my queen
You swing like a demolition ball
When you break them walls down
Dancing across the floor
And when we get to the end
We’re gonna start up the beginning again
It’s gonna blow my mind
Head over heels for you
Look at you, look at you fly
Dance and sing
Swing, baby, swing
You, my queen
You swing like a demolition ball
You break those walls down
Go floating across the floor
And you get to the end
You know you want to start all over again
The song "Write a Song" by the Dave Matthews Band is about the power of music to transport us to another world and lift our spirits. The opening lines set the scene for a magical experience, where the moon is so big it looks like it's within reach, and the right song can take you to a higher state of being. The singer describes having a "little thing" that can get you through the tough times, suggesting that music provides comfort and escape when life gets difficult.
The chorus is about the feeling of being swept away by music, with lines like "head over heels, you go" and "look at you fly." The song encourages listeners to dance and sing, and to let their bodies and minds be carried away by the music. The verses focus more on the singer's desire to write a song that will have this effect on people. He wants to create something that will make everything feel alright, and be a source of comfort and joy for anyone who hears it.
Overall, "Write a Song" is a celebration of the power of music to elevate our mood and transport us to another world. It encourages listeners to let go of their troubles and let the music take over.
Line by Line Meaning
You know the kind of song that will get you high?
Do you know that particular type of music that elevates your mood and uplifts you?
For when the moon’s so big it looks close enough to touch the sky
This kind of music is perfect for the times when the moon appears so massive as if you can extend your hand and touch it directly.
When the song don’t play and the moon won’t shine, lonely little moon
During those moments when the music fades and fails you and the moon ceases to radiate its bright light, you are left feeling lonely and isolated; it’s just you and the little moon.
I got a little thing that will get you by just a little while
But don’t worry, I possess something special that will temporarily distract and sustain you in those moments of melancholy.
When you turn it on
It’s gonna blow your mind
Head over heels, you go
Look at you, look at you fly
When you play this music, it’s bound to have such an immense effect on you. You’ll be overjoyed, and it’ll take you straight to cloud nine.
Dance and sing
Swing, baby, swing
You, my queen
You swing like a demolition ball
Dance with me and let’s sing along to the music. You, my love, are my queen, and you swing so powerfully that you’re like a demolition ball destroying walls.
Break them walls down
You’re floating across the floor
And when you get to the end
You want to start up the beginning again
You dance with such ease that it’s as though you’re floating across the floor. You break down barriers so effortlessly, and when the song ends, you’ll want to start from the beginning again, just to feel that rush once more.
I want to write a song that will get you high
I want to find the words that will make everything feel alright now
I aspire to create that kind of song that will have the same effect on you, something that will give you that sense of euphoria, happiness, and tranquility.
So in another world, in another time, in another lonely little moon
I’ll be the kind of man that will do you right, right by you
Even when we’re in a parallel universe, at a different time and another lonely evening, I’ll always treat you well and make you feel loved.
It’s gonna blow my mind
Head over heels for you
Look at you, look at you fly
I know that when I experience that same music with you, it’s going to blow my mind, and I’ll fall deeply in love, just like how it’s affecting you.
And you get to the end
You know you want to start all over again
When the song ends, and the music fades away, you'll yearn for that same feeling of elation; thus, you'll repeatedly restart it from the beginning without any hesitation.
Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tomasi Akimeta
I cannot listen to this song without smiling.
Elliot Burack
Dave accomplished exactly what he wrote this song for.
DmB4LiFe420eL
wow first time hearing this one... i fuckin' love it, pissed its not on the album!!!
patrick brewer
Seen it live June 6th in Burgettstown PA :) "I wanna write a song that will get you high" thats fuckin' sick. #DMB #LoVE #GruX
Bobba5678
This one is so good. I want it live this Summer
Chris Alexiou
HE PLAYED IT LAST NIGHT AT DEER CREEK
Barbara Profazi
and it really makes me swing like a demolition ball...Dave, you nailed it again 😏
David Barber
I like the way you think!I'd like to chat with you!😊
supastarkel
awesome, ive only ever heard this live! wish i could like this 100x
Victor Ahlberg
the best album troghu all times