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,
Hole In My Soul
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People, they know the way I feel
Been forty-seven days
Since I lost a love so real
Just can't shake this feeling
It all seems so surreal
Ashes and embers
Can't brighten up the darkness
Can't help me find my way
I know you can't hear me
But I cry out to you anyway
Since you been gone, spinning out of control
You cut me so deep, I might never be whole
We had firm foundation, it took so long to build
Now there's a hole in my soul
That can never be filled
I remember all those nights
The way you softly called my name
But I took our love for granted
I only got myself to blame
Now you're gone forever
And I'm drowning in the shame
Since you been gone, I'm spinning out of control
Cut me so deep, I might never be whole
We had firm foundation, it took so long to build
Now there's a hole in my soul
That can never be filled
The lyrics of the song "Hole In My Soul" by Gov't Mule paints a picture of a person who is lost, walking in a daze after losing someone he truly loved. The person seems to be in a state of shock as he cannot shake off the feeling of losing his love, which seems surreal to him. He seems to be crying out to his lost love, although he knows she cannot hear him. The ashes and embers from the fire of yesterday symbolize how everything in his life now seems to be dark, and he cannot find his way back to happiness.
The song expresses the regret and the pain of losing someone for good. The lyrics remember moments shared with the lost love, nights when she called his name softly. He acknowledges that he took their love for granted and that he only has himself to blame for her leaving. He is now drowned in shame and sorrow, knowing that there is a hole in his soul that can never be filled.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking 'round in a haze
I feel lost and confused.
People, they know the way I feel
Others can tell that I'm hurting.
Been forty-seven days
It's been almost 2 months since I lost you.
Since I lost a love so real
I lost the most genuine love I ever had.
Just can't shake this feeling
I can't stop feeling heartbroken.
It all seems so surreal
It's hard to accept that you're really gone.
Ashes and embers
Nothing remains of our past love.
From the fire of yesterday
Our love that was once bright and warm is now gone.
Can't brighten up the darkness
The good memories can't erase the pain of losing you.
Can't help me find my way
The memories can't guide me through life without you.
I know you can't hear me
You're gone and can't respond to me.
But I cry out to you anyway
I still want to talk to you, even if you can't hear me.
Since you've been gone, spinning out of control
I'm lost without you and my life feels chaotic.
You cut me so deep, I might never be whole
The pain of losing you is so deep, I might not ever fully recover.
We had firm foundation, it took so long to build
Our relationship was strong and took a long time to create.
Now there's a hole in my soul
I feel incomplete and empty without you.
That can never be filled
The void you left can't be replaced by anyone or anything else.
I remember all those nights
I look back at the times we shared together.
The way you softly called my name
I remember the sound of your voice when you said my name.
But I took our love for granted
I didn't appreciate our love when I had it.
I only got myself to blame
I'm the reason we're not together anymore.
Now you're gone forever
I'll never be able to see or talk to you again.
And I'm drowning in the shame
I feel guilty for not cherishing our love and losing you.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Warren Haynes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Terminally Inquisitive
Awesome CD- my neighbours love this track especially 😁
Tim Wilkins
Great sound! Mule never disappoints.
torchcutter
Diggin this new one. Will definitely get the CD! Keep up the awesome tunes!❤
scott mcnabney
Love it.
Glenna
OuuuWooo #GovtMule you all kill the blues, rhythm of my soul.. thanks so much and truly floating with this LP🔥
Everything Sustainable
More Mule please!
Keep it coming and pass the gravy. Gonna be a feast for the ears this Thanksgiving
Donnamarie Farrell
Sounds Great !!! Bad ass Blues !!!
Brian Henriksen
Gonna buy this CD This weekend! Cant wait!
K Lutz
Old school. Warren sounding more and more like B.B. 🎸
Jason Baidya
Never a dull moment with the Mule !! Hello from Kathamandu Nepal !!