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,
Gameface
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't take no more of your insanity wisdom
Satisfy your angels
With your cocaine and your guns
As for me I don't need them
When my shadow comes alive
And wrestles with my soul
Savior, you can be what you want to be
Oh yeah, and only see what you want to see
Sail on, can't let you get next to me
To be at one with your weakness
Is your greatest strength
Guess you should be proud of your game face
Guess it always was your hallelujah
Guess it was your saving grace
Savior, you can be what you want to be
Oh yeah, and only see what you want to see
Sail on, can't let you get next to me
You can say what you want now
My eyes are open wide
How was I ever on your side
Savior, you can be what you want to be
Oh yeah, and only see what you want to see
Sail on, can't let you get next to me
The lyrics to Gameface by Gov't Mule are a reflection on a relationship where one person feels like they can no longer take the other person's behavior. The singer refers to the other person as a "savior," but it's clear they see through the facade of this person's supposed wisdom and instead see the destructive habits that lay beneath. The "angels" the other person seeks to satisfy are likely a metaphor for their own personal demons, which they are fueling with cocaine and guns. The singer, however, refuses to be a part of that lifestyle and declares "as for me I don't need them."
The singer goes on to describe their struggle with their own shadow, the parts of themselves that they do not like or want to confront. They ask the other person, "Do you really want to know?" suggesting that the other person can't handle the truth about them. The singer recognizes that the other person can be what they want to be and only see what they want to see, but they are determined to keep their distance and not let the other person get too close. The final lines of the chorus set the tone for the rest of the song as the singer declares, "Sail on, can't let you get next to me."
The song seems to be a reflection on a toxic relationship where one person is using drugs and guns to cope with their own demons while the other person is trying to distance themselves from that lifestyle. The singer recognizes their own weaknesses but sees strength in acknowledging them instead of hiding behind a "game face." The other person is encouraged to do the same, but it's clear that the two are ultimately incompatible.
Line by Line Meaning
Sail on savior
I'm moving on without you, person who thinks they can save me.
I can't take no more of your insanity wisdom
Your attempts to impart wisdom on me are just driving me crazy.
Satisfy your angels, with your cocaine and your guns
You're living a life that's dangerous and destructive, without concern for anyone else.
As for me I don't need them
I don't want to be a part of your self-destructive world.
When my shadow comes alive, And wrestles with my soul
I'm struggling with my inner demons and my true self.
Oh, do you really want to know
Do you really care about my struggles or are you just trying to appear helpful?
Savior, you can be what you want to be, Oh yeah, and only see what you want to see
You have the power to shape your own reality, but that doesn't mean it's healthy or helpful.
Sail on, can't let you get next to me
I'm keeping my distance from you and your toxic influence.
To be at one with your weakness, Is your greatest strength
Embracing your flaws and struggles can lead to greater strength and self-awareness.
Guess you should be proud of your game face
You're putting on a facade to hide your inner struggles and it may be working for you, but that doesn't make it healthy.
Guess it always was your hallelujah, Guess it was your saving grace
You've always relied on this fake persona as a way to cope with your issues and it's gotten you through tough times.
You can say what you want now, My eyes are open wide, How was I ever on your side
I see you for who you truly are now and I regret ever aligning myself with you.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind