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,
It Hurts Me Too
Gov't Mule Lyrics
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The lyrics of Gov't Mule's It Hurts Me Too describe the pain and hurt that one person experiences when they see their loved one being continuously mistreated by their partner. The song begins with the singer acknowledging the hurt that their love has experienced in the past, and that their current partner is the one causing it. The singer then tries to convince their loved one to love their partner less, but they stick by their partner despite the constant hurt they receive. The pain that their loved one goes through hurts the singer as well, as they love them deeply. The singer talks about leaving town and catching a freight train to leave this pain behind as they cannot bear to see their loved one suffer anymore.
The lyrics of this song are emotional and touch on the theme of love, hurt, and the complex nature of relationships. The singer's empathy towards their loved one is evident, and they try to convince them to move on from their abusive partner. The use of the words "hurts me too" repeatedly throughout the song emphasize the depth of the pain experienced by both the singer and their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
You said you been hurt
You told me that you have experienced pain and suffering
almost lost your mind
You have felt extreme emotional distress to the point of losing your sanity
The man you love hurts you all the time
The person you adore causes you pain repeatedly
when things go wrong wrong with you
When unfortunate events happen to you
it hurts me to
It causes me pain to see you suffer
you love him more
You have stronger feelings of affection towards him
you should love him less
You ought to lessen your feelings of love towards him
oh but you stick by him
You stay loyal to him despite the pain he causes you
and you take his mess
You tolerate his mistakes and negative behavior
things go wrong wrong with you
When unfortunate events happen to you
it hurts me to
It causes me pain to see you suffer
i love you baby sho nuff i do
I truly and passionately love you
but you love him
But you have strong feelings of love towards him
stick to him like glue
You stay attached to him firmly
things go wrong wrong with you
When unfortunate events happen to you
it hurts me to
It causes me pain to see you suffer
go down to the freight yard
Travel to the location where freight trains are loaded and unloaded
oh an catch myself a freight train
Get on a freight train as a means of leaving where you are
leave this town
Abandon the place where you currently reside
leave behind this pain
Abandon the suffering that you are currently experiencing
things go wrong wrong with you
When unfortunate events happen to you
it hurts me to
It causes me pain to see you suffer
Contributed by Hailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.