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,
Life Before Insanity
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Surrounded by the memory of life before insanity
Hard to explain the hunger, if you don't feel it
What I really need is your breath raining on my skin
And I'm so tired, tired of feeling sorry for myself
And I want more
Yesterday's anger is the sadness of today
Our lives were filled with summer and laughter
Now are smiles are grey
Once I held you close, now my thoughts just drift like the wind
Can you feel it, can you feel it
Can you feel it, can you feel it
Coming down
And I'm so tired, tired of feeling sorry for myself
And I want more, got me wanting more
Night keep falling, and the wind keep calling my name
All I see are faces, a sea of faces
Surrounded by the memory of life before insanity
Hard to explain the hunger, if you don't feel it
What I really need is your breath raining on my skin
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's "Life Before Insanity" express a sense of loss and longing for something that used to be. The repetition of "all I see are faces, a sea of faces" creates an image of being surrounded by a crowd, but feeling alone in the midst of it. The phrase "surrounded by the memory of life before insanity" suggests that something has changed, and that the world is no longer as it once was. The hunger that is hard to explain may refer to a craving for the past, for a time when things were simpler and more joyful. The desire for someone's breath raining on one's skin may represent a longing for intimacy and connection.
The repetition of the line "and I'm so tired, tired of feeling sorry for myself" suggests a sense of resignation or weariness, but at the same time, the repeated use of the phrase "and I want more" indicates a desire for something beyond the current state of being. The image of clouds and the weather metaphors in general (night falling, wind calling) reinforce the sense of mood and atmosphere of the song, and may suggest a feeling of being lost or adrift in a changing world. The final repetition of "can you feel it" emphasizes the emotional intensity of the song and implies a desire for the listener to share in the experience.
Line by Line Meaning
All I see are faces, a sea of faces
The singer is surrounded by people but they all seem indistinguishable and form a homogenous mass.
Surrounded by the memory of life before insanity
The singer is aware that things used to be different and better, but now they are feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
Hard to explain the hunger, if you don't feel it
It's difficult to describe the desire and longing for something unless you have experienced it yourself.
What I really need is your breath raining on my skin
The artist craves physical and emotional intimacy with someone else to help them feel more alive and present in the moment.
And I'm so tired, tired of feeling sorry for myself
The artist is exhausted from constantly pitying themselves and wants to break free from their negative thought patterns.
And I want more
The singer desires more out of life than their current circumstances are providing.
All I feel are clouds, surrounded by clouds
The singer is isolated both physically and emotionally, feeling trapped and adrift like a cloud in the sky.
Yesterday's anger is the sadness of today
The artist's unresolved past emotions and traumas are affecting their current emotional state.
Our lives were filled with summer and laughter
The artist remembers a time when life was carefree and joyful.
Now are smiles are grey
The artist is no longer able to experience true happiness and joy.
Once I held you close, now my thoughts just drift like the wind
The singer used to experience deep connection with someone else, but now they feel alone and their thoughts wander aimlessly.
Can you feel it, can you feel it
The artist is asking if someone else can sense the same longing and passion that they feel.
Coming down
Something intense and emotional is approaching or happening.
Night keep falling, and the wind keep calling my name
The singer is being drawn towards the darkness and the unknown, as if they are following a haunting and persistent voice.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DANIEL LOUIS, WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind