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,
Down And Out In New York City
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I borrow a fan, brother, you know
Say, say, say
I'd sure like just a dime
So I can buy some coffee and snacks
I guess I'd better stop trying to be hip and get on down
Hey man, you know
Saved by the night on a Monday
Trying to shoot the news
Not a bad cat, not a bad hat
Doing me a real big favor
Forget the bad cats and the bad hats
Playing it all real good
And a damn boy give me a shine, boy, ha!
When a cold wind comes in New, New York City
And the street's no place to be but there you are
So you try hard or die hard
No one really gives a damn to try hard
And to die hard, no one give a damn
And a damn boy give me a shine, boy, ha!
Down and out in New York City
This ain't no way to be
Oh boy, letting you go
When you're down and out in New York City
Never, never, never gonna get that way again
No, not me, when you need a friend
You need to have her
When you want a friend
Gonna get myself together in the morning
Gonna leave it all
I want my dream
All the bad cats and the bad hats
Doing me a real big favor
You've got the bad cats and the bad hats
Paying me all real good
And a damn boy give me a shine, boy, ha!
Give me a shine, boy
Down and out in New York City
This ain't no way to be
Oh boy, letting you go
When you're down and out in New York City
Never, never, never gonna get that way again
No, not me, when you need a friend
Troubled mind
When you need a friend
You've got a troubled mind
Ain't nobody gonna give you one thin dime
Friends can be cruel sometimes
And be sweet, but what?
What bugs a man, what hurts a man
When you give him a drink
Just can't get nothing to eat
That's New York City
That's New York City
New York City
Horton and 25th Street
Bricks
8th Avenue
The lyrics to Gov't Mule's song "Down And Out In New York City" tell the story of a man who is struggling to make ends meet on the streets of New York City. He asks for a fan and a dime, so he can buy some coffee and snacks. The man talks about being born in New York City and trying to make a name for himself as a news reporter. He recognizes that he needs to stop trying to be hip and just get on with his life.
As the song continues, the man talks about the harsh realities of living on the streets. He talks about how hard it is to survive during the cold winter months in New York City. He acknowledges that no one really cares if you try hard or die hard, and that he needs to get himself together and leave it all behind.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that being down and out in New York City is not a way to live. The man knows that he never wants to be in that situation again and that he needs to find a friend who can help him through the tough times.
Overall, the lyrics to "Down And Out In New York City" capture the desperation and hopelessness that can come with living on the streets. The song is a reminder that we need to look out for one another and help those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, brother
Asking someone for something
Can I borrow a fan, brother, you know
Requesting to borrow something to help cool down
Say, say, say
Continuing to request and plead for something
I'd sure like just a dime
Requesting a low amount of money for coffee and snacks
So I can buy some coffee and snacks
Clarifying what the dime is for
I guess I'd better stop trying to be hip and get on down
Acknowledging that trying to act cool doesn't alleviate poverty and hardship
Hey man, you know
Requesting help and assistance
I was born in New York City
Sharing their place of birth
Saved by the night on a Monday
Recalling a time when they were helped at night
Trying to shoot the news
Attempting to make a living as a journalist, potentially to no avail
Not a bad cat, not a bad hat
Stating that they're not a bad person and don't wear an unsavory hat
Doing me a real big favor
Appreciating when someone does something kind
Forget the bad cats and the bad hats
Forgetting people who are causing problems
Playing it all real good
Making the best out of a situation
And a damn boy give me a shine, boy, ha!
Requesting a shoe shine from a passerby
When a cold wind comes in New, New York City
Describing the weather in the city
And the street's no place to be but there you are
Acknowledging that despite the hardships, they're still out on the street
So you try hard or die hard
Expressing the two options - to work hard to get out of poverty or to die trying
No one really gives a damn to try hard
Implying that the environment and people around don't always support an individual in need
And to die hard, no one give a damn
Continuing the point that individuals can suffer on their own without support
Down and out in New York City
Acknowledging the hardship of being poor in the city
This ain't no way to be
Recognizing the struggle but aspiring for more
Oh boy, letting you go
Potentially giving up someone or something in life for the sake of survival
Never, never, never gonna get that way again
Hopfully never allowing oneself to return to being 'down and out' again
No, not me, when you need a friend
Reinforcing that they will work hard to never return to their current situation
Gonna get myself together in the morning
Having a plan to work towards improving their life
Gonna leave it all
Leaving things behind that brought one down
I want my dream
Having a goal and desire for a better future
All the bad cats and the bad hats
Referring again to those causing problems
Paying me all real good
Acknowledging when people have treated them kindly or compensated them fairly
Troubled mind
Having mental hardship or anxiety
Ain't nobody gonna give you one thin dime
Implying that monetary help is unlikely
Friends can be cruel sometimes
Acknowledging that individuals can't always rely on friends for support
And be sweet, but what?
Questioning the motives of individuals who have been kind
What bugs a man, what hurts a man
Struggling with internal suffering
When you give him a drink
Alluding to alcoholism or addiction
Just can't get nothing to eat
Struggling with basic necessities of survival
That's New York City
Referencing the fact that these hardships are not exclusive to the singer but common in the city
Horton and 25th Street
Referencing a location
Bricks
Descriptive reference to buildings in the city
8th Avenue
Referencing a location
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY DE VORZON, BODIE CHANDLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind