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,
Drivin Rain
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the driving rain.
And my Momma, was a hurricane.
Dear old Daddy, 'fore he stormed out
high on window pane (??)
Said, "You my one and only boy child,
Call you the Drivin' Rain."
Drivin' Rain
T- t- talkin' 'bout the drivin' rain
Pretty women say it drives them insane
They all want to know me
I'm the drivin' rain
It all started
Back in 69
Yeah, I hit the ground runnin'
Couldn't wait to hear those gears grind
Just like my Daddy
I'm stone cold outta my mind
I've been 'round this world
One, two, three, four, five hundred times
Drivin' rain
Drivin' rain
I'm talk talk-talkin' 'bout the drivin' rain
Pretty women say it drives them insane
They all want to know me
Yeah, I'm the drivin' rain
Do you remember
First time you heard that thunder call?
Wind was moanin'
Creepin' through your bedroom wall
Moonlight splashin'
Enough to make a rich girl fall
Lightenin' crashin'
Make a strong strong woman crawl
Drivin' rain
Drivin' rain
T-t-talkin' 'bout the drivin' rain
Drivin' rain
Drivin' rain
T-t-talkin' 'bout
T-t-talkin' 'bout the
Drivin' rain
Drivin' rain
T-t-talkin' 'bout the drivin' rain
Pretty women say it drives 'em insane
Well they all want to know me
Yeah, I'm the drivin' rain
The lyrics to "Drivin' Rain" by Gov't Mule describe the character of the "driving rain," who introduces himself as the force of nature responsible for rainy weather. He claims that his mother was a hurricane and his father was high on window pane when he named him. This introduction sets the tone for the song by establishing that the driving rain is a wild and unpredictable force. He says that pretty women find him irresistible, as if he has a captivating power that they cannot resist.
The song then jumps back to 1969, when the singer says he hit the ground running and couldn't wait to hear those gears grind, just like his Daddy. This suggests that the driving rain is a restless character who is always on the move and loves the sound of engines revving. He claims to have been around the world 500 times, reinforcing his strength and power.
The final verse of the song describes the driving rain's impact on people. He asks the listener if they remember the first time they heard thunder and the wind moaning. He then talks about how lightning crashes and the driving rain can make even strong women crawl. This suggests that the driving rain is a force to be reckoned with and even the most powerful people can be reduced to trembling in his presence.
Overall, the lyrics to "Drivin' Rain" paint a picture of a larger-than-life character who revels in his power and captivates those around him. He is the embodiment of the storms he creates and an irresistible force of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Do ya know me?
Have you ever experienced my presence?
I'm the driving rain.
I am the powerful force of rain that moves and affects everything in its path.
And my Momma, was a hurricane.
My source is as destructive and powerful as a hurricane.
Dear old Daddy, 'fore he stormed out high on window pane (??)
My father, before he left our family, was under the influence of drugs like window pane.
Said, "You my one and only boy child, Call you the Drivin' Rain."
My father named me Drivin' Rain and recognized my potential as a force of nature.
It all started Back in 69
My journey as the Drivin' Rain began in 1969.
Yeah, I hit the ground runnin' Couldn't wait to hear those gears grind
I was born ready to make an impact and experience the thrill of making things happen.
Just like my Daddy I'm stone cold outta my mind
My mental state is similar to my father's, possibly due to genetics or environment.
I've been 'round this world One, two, three, four, five hundred times
I have traveled extensively and have seen the world from many perspectives.
Do you remember First time you heard that thunder call?
Do you recall the first time you experienced the power and force of thunder?
Wind was moanin' Creepin' through your bedroom wall
The wind was howling and penetrating your room, giving a sense of the storm's proximity and power.
Moonlight splashin' Enough to make a rich girl fall
The dramatic contrast between the moonlight and storm intensifies the impact and perception of the event.
Lightenin' crashin' Make a strong strong woman crawl
The lightning strikes with such power that even a strong person is forced to surrender or seek shelter.
Drivin' Rain T-t-talkin' 'bout the drivin' rain Pretty women say it drives them insane They all want to know me I'm the drivin' rain
I am the Drivin' Rain who drives people to the edge and creates intense emotions, especially among women who are drawn to my power and presence.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind