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,
King's Highway
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes you can never tell
Where a story will unwind
How deep is the shallow ground
Sometimes you would never guess
Who's all talk and who just might
On the king's highway tonight
I am just like many more
Who lie in bed, still and numb
Waking up and I can see
Just how dark it has become
Who knows no better angels now
Who knows none but earthly light
Who is waiting for a stranger
On the king's highway tonight
It wasn't how I had it planned
When it finally came around
I took a man with my own hands
But I held him close when he went down
He hadn't time to be afraid
His look was only of surprise
Staring up from where he lay
On the king's highway tonight
I took the little that he had
Only as an afterthought
He wouldn't have to feel so bad
To think I killed him just because
He was passing through this town
Only 'cause he looked about right
He stopped when I flagged him down
On the king's highway tonight
I might just change my mind
Sometimes you can never tell
The song "King's Highway" by Gov't Mule is a narrative that tells a story about a person who is struggling with their conscience and the consequences of their actions. The lyrics reflect on how unpredictable life can be, and how one decision can change everything. The first verse talks about the uncertainty of where a story will go, and how sometimes the people who seem the least likely to succeed may surprise you. The second verse explores the idea of being trapped in a dark place and feeling lost, unsure of who to turn to or what to do next.
The third and fourth verses tell a darker story of a man who took another's life and regretted it. The lyrics speak of the victim's surprise and the lack of fear on his face when he was killed on the king's highway. The singer feels remorse for his actions and takes only a small amount of the victim's possessions, realizing that he had taken a life for no good reason.
Overall, "King's Highway" is a powerful and haunting song that encourages listeners to reflect on the choices they make in life and the consequences that follow.
Line by Line Meaning
I might just change my mind
I am indecisive and susceptible to changing my plans or beliefs.
Sometimes you can never tell
The future is unpredictable and we cannot always accurately predict how things will turn out.
Where a story will unwind
It is impossible to know how a situation will develop or how a narrative will progress.
How deep is the shallow ground
Appearances can be deceiving and things are not always as they seem on the surface.
Sometimes you would never guess
Occasionally, the truth or reality of a situation is not what you would expect or assume.
Who's all talk and who just might
It can be difficult to discern who is genuine and who is only pretending.
Find a way or lose themselves
Some individuals succeed in navigating through tough situations while others succumb to the difficulties they face.
On the king's highway tonight
On the path of life, all individuals face their own challenges and obstacles, and it's up to them to determine whether they will overcome them.
I am just like many more
I am a typical person, with my own flaws and challenges, much like everyone else.
Who lie in bed, still and numb
I have moments of apathy or disconnection from reality where I may feel emotionally numb or detached.
Waking up and I can see
Sometimes, after moments of numbness or indifference, I become more attuned to my surroundings and become more conscious of what is happening around me.
Just how dark it has become
I become aware of how negative, harsh, or bleak the world can seem at times.
Who knows no better angels now
Sometimes, individuals do not have a positive support system or influence in their lives to help guide them in the right direction.
Who knows none but earthly light
Some people are only familiar with the physical or material world and cannot see beyond it into a more spiritual or mystical realm.
Who is waiting for a stranger
Some people are looking for someone to enter their life and provide guidance or companionship in their journey.
On the king's highway tonight
This is a metaphor for the path that each person takes in their life, which presents its own challenges and uncertainties.
It wasn't how I had it planned
Unexpected events or circumstances can disrupt our carefully laid plans and change everything.
When it finally came around
After waiting and anticipating for something to occur, it finally did.
I took a man with my own hands
The singer took another person's life, perhaps intentionally or perhaps unintentionally.
But I held him close when he went down
Despite taking this person's life, the artist shows a moment of compassion and mourning for their death.
He hadn't time to be afraid
The person who was killed did not have a chance to feel fear before their death occurred.
His look was only of surprise
The last emotion or expression on the person's face before their death was one of shock or surprise.
Staring up from where he lay
The person's final position was on the ground, looking upwards.
On the king's highway tonight
This act of violence also occurs on the same metaphorical path in life as all other struggles and challenges.
I took the little that he had
In addition to taking his life, the singer also took this person's possessions or belongings.
Only as an afterthought
This action was not initially planned, but instead occurred after the fact.
He wouldn't have to feel so bad
The singer reasons that by taking this person's belongings, they did not have to feel guilty for only taking a life without taking other things as well.
To think I killed him just because
The artist reflects on their actions and feels troubled by the fact that they took another person's life for such a foolish or unnecessary reason.
He was passing through this town
This person was not from the area and was only traveling through the town, making it an even more senseless act of violence.
Only 'cause he looked about right
The person's physical appearance or other superficial qualities were the only reason that this act of violence took place.
He stopped when I flagged him down
The singer was actively seeking out a victim, which further adds to the senselessness and brutality of the killing.
Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-uw6ed5mz2t
What impressive lyrics..... Listen judgment comes for us all
@MrLeechyNUT
a GREAT tune! - a Classic!!! thoughtful..., penetrating, one of the best renditions of this tune I've ever heard!
@viniciusoliveira3996
Essa música é maravilhosa e marcou minha adolescência
@patrickdoran180
If I didn't know this was a cover, I'd never guess so, because it sounds like classic Mule.
@nathanielgustin3094
Hardest working band in show business. If you've never seen a Mule show, you're really missing out. This is one of the best covers they do (unfortunately not very often).
@briansmith3221
going out west is my favorite song they cover or playing with fire is awesome too
@PurpleMuleMan
It was really special when they opened with this at the Gothic in 2012. Love this band, love them singing this song.
@jclaitor
heard this song for the first time on a friends playlist an instantly liked... good bar song if u know what i am saying... gonna look into
@jdelsi77
AWESOME SONG
@elkepluntke3024
great song