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,
Can't You See
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I Can't Be You
Try to rip the heart from my lovers chest
Try to learn from the master, I've done my best
Even tried to shut myself off to way my lover feels
Try to take my imagination, make it real
Yeah I tried and I tried
But I can't be you
Though it hurts me to know that I fell
I can't be you
Though you want me to be someone else
I can't be you
I can't even be myself
I tried to always be the one to draw first blood
Pour salt into the wounds every chance I could
Even tried to blame my lover for my mistakes
I tried to point my finger each time my heart aches
Yes I tried and I tried
Yeah I tried and I tried
I can't be you
Though it hurts me to know that I fell
I can't be you
Though you want me to be someone else
I can't be you
No
I try to do everything that you would do
I tried to see everything from your twisted point of view
Yeah
Yes I tried and I tried
I tried and tried and tried and tried
I can't be you
Though it hurts me to know that I fell
I can't be you
Though you want me to be someone else
No
I can't be you
No
I can't be you
I can't even be myself
Try to rip the heart from my lovers chest
Try to learn from the master, I've done my best
--John R.
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's "I Can't Be You" speak about the struggle of trying to be someone else, especially for the sake of a romantic relationship. The first verse talks about the singer's attempts to emulate his lover's feelings and imagination, but he fails. He says he tried to shut himself off from his own emotions and become what his lover wants him to be, but he can't. The chorus reiterates the futility of his efforts, acknowledging the pain of falling short of his lover's expectations. The second verse expands the theme to other aspects of the relationship, including conflicts and blame shifting. The final verse depicts the singer's desperation, saying that he has tried everything to see things from his lover's point of view, but ultimately, he can't be someone else, even if he wants to.
The song's lyrics are universal in nature as they talk about a common problem that many people face - the pressure to conform to someone else's expectations. The singer expresses the pain and disappointment of not being able to meet these expectations, choosing to remain true to himself instead. The song encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and not compromise their values and beliefs for the sake of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to rip the heart from my lovers chest
I attempted to emotionally hurt my partner by breaking their heart.
Try to learn from the master, I've done my best
I tried my best to learn from someone experienced to be like them.
Even tried to shut myself off to way my lover feels
I attempted to ignore and be indifferent to my lover’s emotions.
Try to take my imagination, make it real
I tried to turn my imagination into reality.
Yes I tried and I tried
I have made multiple attempts to modify my behavior.
Yeah I tried and I tried
I have failed multiple times as I tried changing myself.
Though it hurts me to know that I fell
Even though it's painful to realize my limitations, I recognize them.
Though you want me to be someone else
My partner's expectation of who I should be is not who I am.
I can't be you
I can't change myself to be who you want me to be.
I can't even be myself
Not only can I not be who my partner wants me to be, but I also can't even be my true self.
I tried to always be the one to draw first blood
I constantly looked for ways to start conflicts and hurt others before they could hurt me.
Pour salt into the wounds every chance I could
I would take advantage of situations to worsen someone's pain and suffering.
Even tried to blame my lover for my mistakes
I would find excuses and blame my partner instead of owning up to my own mistakes.
I tried to point my finger each time my heart aches
I would constantly shift the blame to others when I was feeling emotional pain.
I try to do everything that you would do
I attempted to be like my partner and mimic their actions.
I tried to see everything from your twisted point of view
I tried to understand my partner's perspective even if it was distorted or inaccurate.
I can't be you
Once again, I cannot change myself to be like someone else.
No
I refuse to conform to someone else's expectations.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kirstenlogan5175
I'm gonna take a freight train
Down at the station, Lord
I don't care where it goes
Gonna climb a mountain
The highest mountain
I'll jump off, nobody gonna know
Can't you see, whoa, can't you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin' to me
Can't you see, can't you see
What that woman, she been doin' to me
I'm gonna find me
A hole in the wall
I'm gonna crawl inside and die
'Cause my lady, now
A mean ol' woman, Lord
Never told me goodbye
Can't you see, ohh, can't you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin' to me
Can't you see, can't you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin' to me
I'm gonna buy a ticket, now
As far as I can
Ain't a-never comin' back
Ride me a southbound
All the way to Georgia, now
Till the train, it run out of track
Can't you see, ohh, can't you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin' to me
Can't you see, can't you see
What that woman, she been doin' to me
Oh, Lord
Can't you see, whoa, can't you see
What that woman, Lord, she been doin' to me
Can't you see, whoa, can't you see
What that woman, she been doin' to me
Can't you see (oh, she's such a crazy lady), can't you see
What that woman (what that woman) she been doin' to me
Can't you see (Lord, I can't stand), can't you see
What that woman (ohh), she been doin' to me
Can't you see (I'm gonna take a freight train)
Can't you see (down at the station, Lord)
What that woman, she been doin' to me (ain't never comin' back) oh oh
Can't you see (gonna ride me a southbound, now)
Can't you see (all the way to Georgia, Lord)
What that woman, she been doin' to me
💙
@bigk4755
9+ minutes of absolute Warren Haynes goodness. Enough said.
@misspvtledbetter
Damn straight, warren’s awesome ❤
@peglegjim57
When this song first came out, we played it in every garage in America.
This, is what we wanted to be, when we grew up.
I just refused to grow up. 😎
@TheSingularPatriot
This is our music.🇺🇲
I will never listen to what they tell US 🇺🇲 to.
@Hammer757
couldn't have said it better!
@patrick2455
Warren Hayes turns every thing he touches in gold
@waynewilliams1763
👌
@markbirchette8740
Haynes
@oldmulletbreath5737
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm it is already solid gold.......... hard to improve but he sure as hell does it justice !
@ocdbrewer4033
Toy Caldwell's greatest song being performed by perhaps the best blues/rock performer alive today!