Gov't Mule is a southern rock/jam band formed in 1994 as a side project to … Read Full Bio ↴Gov't Mule is a southern rock/jam band formed in 1994 as a side project to The Allman Brothers Band, but has taken on a life of its own. Like many jam bands, Gov't Mule does not get much radio airplay but is popular due to constant touring and intense fan loyalty.

When the Allman Brothers Band reformed in 1989 in response to the popularity of the Dreams box set, Warren Haynes was added on lead guitar and Allen Woody on bass. The two shared a love for '60s power trios, like Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and James Gang. With no bands making similar music in the 90s (except ZZ Top), Haynes, Woody, and former Dickey Betts drummer Matt Abts came together as Gov't Mule during Allman Brothers' breaks. (It is likely that Haynes and Abts first met during the recording of the Dickey Betts Band CD "Pattern Disruptive" in 1988.) They released their debut album the selftitled Gov't Mule in 1995. It was followed by Live from Roseland Ballroom.

When it became apparent that the Allman Brothers weren't planning on recording any new material, Haynes and Woody left to concentrate full-time on Gov't Mule in 1997. Dose, the studio follow up to their first studio effort, was released in early 1998. They were joined by members of the Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, and Parliament/Funkadelic for their 1998 New Year's Eve concert. This was released in both a two and four CD version as Live ... With A Little Help From Our Friends. The band exposed some of their roots with covers of Neil Young, Free, Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Mongo Santamaria (via John Coltrane) and Frank Zappa.

In 2000, the band released Life Before Insanity to critical praise. Many thought that this would be Gov't Mule's breakthrough CD. However, Woody was found dead in New York City in August. Haynes and Abts considered breaking up the band but did stage a concert called "One for Woody" to raise money for his daughter's education. The Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, members of the Grateful Dead, and other friends of Woody also performed at the concert.

At both the "One for Woody" performance and other shows, Haynes began appearing with the Allman Brothers Band again. With Dickey Betts' departure from the Allmans, Warren came back full time to the band at the beginning of 2001 and has continued splitting his time between the Allmans and for a period Phil Lesh and Friends and the reformed Dead as well as Gov't Mule (performing acoustic gigs with just Haynes on guitar and Abts on percussion and as The New School of Gov't Mule with Widespread Panic's Dave Schools on bass and Chuck Leavell, formerly of the Allman Brothers and known for his current work with the Rolling Stones on keyboards).

The next year, Haynes and Abts began to record a tribute CD using Woody's favorite bass players. These sessions resulted in two CDs The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001) and The Deep End, Volume 2 (2002). A documentary of the recording sessions was also made by Phish bassist Mike Gordon called Rising Low. Bass contributions to the CDs came from Jack Bruce of Cream, John Entwisle of The Who, Mike Watt of Minutemen, Les Claypool of Primus, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Chris Squire of Yes among others.

When it came to touring in support of the Deep End CDs, Haynes and Abts used a revolving door of keyboardists and bassists. Keyboardists included Chuck Leavell, Rob Barraco of Phil Lesh and Friends and Zen Tricksters, Phish's Page McConnell and Danny Louis. Bassists included among others, Dave Schools, Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten of the Flecktones, George Porter Jr. of The Meters, Greg Rzab formerly of The Black Crowes and the Buddy Guy Band and Andy Hess, also formerly of The Black Crowes. Louis and Hess were eventually added as permanent members of Gov't Mule. They continue to tour extensively and have become staple acts at many music festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Vegoose, and their annual New Orleans Jazzfest night show (where they filmed and recorded the last show of the Deepest End tours, with 17 guest musicians in a 6 hour show) wich was released on CD/DVD as The Deepest End, Live in Concert.

The first CD with Louis and Hess Deja Voodoo was released in September 2004. Additional material from those sessions was released in 2005 as and EP entitled Mo' Voodoo.
The new lineup's second release, titled High and Mighty, was released on August 22, 2006.
A third, Mighty High, was released in 2007 it features reggae and dub versions of classic Mule covers and originals with special guest appearances by Willi Williams, Michael Franti and Toots Hibbert,

Bad Man Walking
Gov't Mule Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey can I tell you a little story
About a bad man looking for glory
Oh he wasn't such a bad man
But he kindly let his fame seep into his brain

Hey can I tell you a little secret
You see the bad man he was a lot like me
Oh he had a little wisdom

But he traded it away for a fifteen-minute reign

Bad man walking
Bad man
Bad tongue talking

Hey can you spare a little sympathy
'Cause right now I think it's what I really need
Oh do you think you really know yourself
Are you sure what you might do if the choice was up to you

Bad man walking
Bad man
Bad tongue talking

Bad man walking
Bad man
Bad tongue talking

Bad man walking

Bad man
Bad tongue talking

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gov't Mule's song Bad Man Walking describe a man who was once good but became corrupted by his fame and power. The song opens with a request to tell a story about this bad man, who was on a quest for glory. The singer acknowledges that, at one point, the bad man was not such a bad person, but his fame gradually seeped into his brain, and he allowed it to corrupt him. The second verse reveals that the bad man is not so different from the singer, who shares similar qualities with him. The singer suggests that the bad man had some wisdom, but he traded it away for a short-lived moment of fame.

The chorus "Bad man walking, bad man, bad tongue talking" emphasizes the destructive nature of the bad man's behavior, which continually brings harm to himself and those around him. In the final verse, the singer appears to be addressing himself or the audience, asking for sympathy, and questioning whether they truly know themselves and how they might act if placed in the bad man's position. The song suggests that an unchecked desire for fame and power can lead someone down a path of destruction and that we must be mindful of our own behaviors.

Overall, the lyrics of Bad Man Walking are a warning against the excesses of fame and unchecked ambition. The song highlights the dangers of losing oneself to the pursuit of power and fame, leading to the corruption of one's character. It also suggests that those who seek fame and power should have some self-awareness and humility to avoid such pitfalls.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey can I tell you a little story
May I narrate an incident to you

About a bad man looking for glory
Concerning a man who craved recognition and admiration

Oh he wasn't such a bad man
Initially, he wasn't a vile person

But he kindly let his fame seep into his brain
But unfortunately, he allowed his popularity to corrupt him

Hey can I tell you a little secret
Would it be alright if I shared something private with you?

You see the bad man he was a lot like me
The villain in question and I are alike in many ways

Oh he had a little wisdom
Once, he had a modicum of practical knowledge

But he traded it away for a fifteen-minute reign
Unfortunately, he bartered it away for temporary popularity

Hey can you spare a little sympathy
Could you afford to spare some empathy for me?

'Cause right now I think it's what I really need
Since, at the moment, it is what I need

Oh do you think you really know yourself
Do you genuinely believe that you know yourself?