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,
Grinnin' in Your Face
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't mind people grinnin' in your face
You just bear this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
You know your mother would talk about you
Your own sisters and your brothers too
Yeah, don't care how you're tryin' to live
Ohh, but bear, ooh, this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
You know they'll jump you up and down
They'll drag you all 'round and 'round
Just as soon as your back is turned
They'll be tryin' to crush you down
Yes, but bear, ooh, this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Two, three, four
The song "Grinnin' in Your Face" by Gov't Mule is a blues classic originally written by Son House in the 1930s. The lyrics speak to the challenges of dealing with people who may not have your best interests at heart and how true friends are hard to come by. The repetition of the line "Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face" serves as a reminder to the listener that it is important to stay centered and not let these negative interactions affect their self-worth or happiness.
The song touches on the theme of betrayal and backstabbing, highlighting how even family members can turn on you. The line "Your own sisters and your brothers too" speaks to the idea that those who are closest to you may still judge or criticize you, even if they are supposed to be there for you unconditionally. The chorus then shifts to a positive message, emphasizing the importance of cherishing true friends and not letting negative people bring you down.
Interestingly, the song has been covered by many other artists, including The Animals, Rory Gallagher, and Eric Burdon. Each performer puts their own spin on the lyrics and melody, but the core message remains the same. Gov't Mule's version features a raw, bluesy sound with Warren Haynes' guitar driving the song forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
You don't need to worry about people smiling in your presence but holding malice in their heart.
Don't mind people grinnin' in your face
Don't be bothered by people who pretend to be your friend but secretly wish you harm.
You just bear this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Remember that finding a genuine friend is difficult and valuable.
You know your mother would talk about you
Even people who are supposed to love you, like your mother, might gossip about you behind your back.
Your own sisters and your brothers too
Even your siblings might gossip about you or betray you.
Yeah, don't care how you're tryin' to live
People might judge you or talk about you no matter how hard you try to live a good life.
They'll talk about you still
People will still gossip and betray you even if you're doing everything right.
Ohh, but bear, ooh, this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Despite the prevalence of gossip and betrayal, finding a true friend is worth the effort and should not be taken for granted.
You know they'll jump you up and down
People will take advantage of you and abuse you if given the chance.
They'll drag you all 'round and 'round
People will manipulate and mistreat you in various ways.
Just as soon as your back is turned
People will act kindly to your face but then turn around and plot against you.
They'll be tryin' to crush you down
People will actively work to undermine you and bring you down.
Two, three, four
Non-lyrical transition between verses.
Contributed by Grace T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@smokinjz
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Don't mind people grinnin' in your face
You just bear this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
You know your mother would talk about you
Your own sisters and your brothers too
Yeah, don't care how you're tryin' to live
They'll talk about you still
Oh, but bear, ooh, this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
You know they'll jump you up and down
They'll drag you all 'round and 'round
Just as soon as your back is turned
They'll be tryin' to crush you down
Yes, but bear, ooh, this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Two, three, four
@jpranguinranguin
Best Blues from 1995! Sons of Allman Brothers Era! The road is still going on!
@deanmigliori5566
Some of the best heavy slow blues ever recorded.Everyone gotta shout.Lawd have mercy.
@NapoleonWilson-wt4mm
Woody was my favorite bass player,still have this cd...luv that damn mule...
@Calcutta151
Back in the early days I seen them as the opening band that stunned the entire crowd. Needless to say, they Totally blew away the headliners act every time. The Power trio days were truly incredible. Govt Mule has remained one of my top favorite bands of all time. I love real music. Nothing compares to true Live performance.
@dmreeoogdaq
+Calcutta151 I'm with you 100%. I saw Mule in trio form w/Allen Woody many times, in crowds ranging in size from about 50-70 people to about 10,000 (when they opened for The Black Crowes in '96), and they went places on stage that transcended us in the audience and even themselves. To say that they were magic together is to understate the reality of what they were on stage.I was devastated when Woody died. The man was a symphony on the bass guitar and I spent long chunks of time in some shows just listening to where he went in the context of a song, which was often FAR.
@judsons
My favorite of all Gov't Mule songs. Met him at an Allmans show backstage and told him this was the album of the year when it came out (in my book). He loved the compliment. Then we got a pic together. Cool. vinylphilly squarepins org/pictures
@claytonpaul4259
Long live Son House
@smashketchum5181
Criminally underrated.
@melissawebb6810
Saw an 8 year old fb memory that brought this song back up and I can’t stop playing it. What an amazing cover.
@mannyruiz1954
Saw this group once. What a band. When they were a heavy power trio.