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
You Never Know
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching
People walking by and
wondering why
No one ever stops to talk or thinks about it
they ever did
What if God shuffled by?
One day we might see
Doing not a thing
Breathing just to breathe
We might find some reason
But rushing around seems what's wrong with the world
Don't lose the dreams inside your head
They'll only be there til you're dead
Dream
Lying on the roof counting
The suns that fill the sky, I wonder is
Someone in the heavens looking back down on me
I'll never know
So much space to believe
Funny when you're small
The moon follows the car
There's no one but you see
Hey, the moon is chasing me
I worried if I looked away she'd be gone
Don't lose the dreams inside your head
They'll only be there til you're dead
Dream
Walking through the wood
No cares in the world
The world she's come to play
She's all mine just for a day
There's not a moment to lose in the game
Don't let the troubles in your head
Steal too much time, you'll soon be dead
So play
All fall down
It won't be so long now
Out of the darkness comes light like a flash
You think you can, you think you can
Sometimes that is the problem
Dream, little darling, dream
Spinning on the wind
The leaf fell from the limb
But everyday should be a good day to die
O,h all fall down
It won't be too long now
Every fire dies
I find it hard to explain how I got here
I think I can, I think I can
Then again I will falter
Dream
Oh, I think I can, I think I can
I think I can, I think I can
Dream, little darling, dream
Spinning on the wind
The leaf fell from the limb
The lyrics of Dave Matthews Band's song, You Never Know, encourage us to take a moment to pause and reflect on the wonder and beauty in the world around us. The song opens with the image of someone sitting still, watching people rush by without a second glance. The singer wonders what could happen if we stopped and took notice of those around us, inspiring the line "What if God shuffled by?" This is a powerful reminder to be mindful and present, recognizing the value and worth of those around us.
The song then moves into a discussion of the power of dreams. The singer encourages us to hold on to the dreams we have, and not let them slip away. He reminds us that life is fleeting, and our dreams are only with us for a limited time. The lyrics also discuss the importance of play and enjoying life. The world is full of wonder and beauty, and there is so much to discover and explore. The song concludes with the image of a leaf falling from a tree, a reminder that life is fleeting and we must make the most of the time we have.
Overall, the song encourages us to live in the present, appreciate the world around us, hold onto our dreams, and make the most of the time we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting still as stone watching
Watching the people passing by and pondering why nobody stops to talk or pay attention, if they have ever done so. It explores the possibility that humans are too preoccupied in their own lives to care about others or engage in meaningful conversations.
What if God shuffled by?
One day, maybe we will see God or understand our purpose, but until then, we have to be content with living and breathing every day without any guarantees of finding out what the future holds.
Breathing just to breathe
We may not always have a reason for why we exist, but we should still appreciate every breath we take and the experience of being alive.
But rushing around seems what's wrong with the world
We spend our lives rushing around, trying to get ahead and reach our goals. This sentiment suggests that this chaotic and fast-paced way of life is what's making the world go wrong, and we should slow down and appreciate the present moment.
Lying on the roof counting
Looking up at the sky and counting the number of suns or stars; this activity implies a sense of wonder and awe at the vastness of the universe.
So much space to believe
The universe is vast, and we are small, but this can also be an opportunity for us to dream and believe in ourselves and our abilities.
There's not a moment to lose in the game
Life is a game, and we should enjoy every moment without worrying about our troubles or problems. It implies that we should let go of our fears and focus on living our lives in the present moment.
Out of the darkness comes light like a flash
Even in the lowest moments of life, there is always the possibility that things will change for the better. The phrase 'like a flash' implies that this change could happen suddenly or unexpectedly, without warning.
Every fire dies
The intensity of our emotion or passion for something always fades away; like fires, the flame will eventually go out.
Oh, I think I can, I think I can
The classic line from the children's story 'The Little Engine That Could' suggests that we should have a positive mindset and believe in our abilities to achieve our goals.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David John Matthews
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind